Car: 2011 VW GTI with DSG
Engine(stock/chipped):
Starting------------------- 6/6 (no drama, sounds kinda like a diesel)
Response/acceleration----- 7/9 (based primarily on normal driving, pulling from low rev the 2.0T hesitate a bit, chipped is much better)
Fuel mileage--------------- 7/7 (ok mileage, require a lot of driver restrain)
Noise---------------------- 8/8 (sounds pretty good when you are on it and has a nice rumble, though there is some rattling sound in the turbo, a common issue in TSI)
Vibration------------------- 8/8 (smooth for a 4 banger)
Drivetrain:
Shift smoothness----------- 8 (fast shift)
Transmission controls------- 6 (DSG is kinda dumb sometimes)
Brakes:
Response------------------- 7 (long-ish initial travel)
Pedal pressure-------------- 7 (kinda spongy)
Smoothness---------------- 8 (easy to modulate, would be even smoother if DSG is smarter)
Directional stability---------- 9 (rock solid from speed)
Fade resistance------------- ? (can't say, never pushed it to the limit, from reputation its only so-so on stock hardware)
Steering:
Response------------------- 9 (quick-ish ratio)
Accuracy------------------- 9 (well defined center)
Feedback------------------- 8 (nice weight with good sense of grip)
Road feel------------------- 8 (ditto)
Suspension:
Ride comfort---------------- 7 (stiffy ride, combination of short wheel base, sporty tune, and big wheel, worse on city driving, pretty good for highway, not fatiguing for distance driving)
Harshness control----------- 7 (mainly an issue with big wheel)
Roll stiffness---------------- 8 (corners pretty flat, with reference being from a Camry and a G35)
Tracking-------------------- 8 (Track true most of the time, hunts for road camber under hard acceleration)
Pitch control---------------- 8 (minimum dive and squat)
Shock damping-------------- 7 (good body control, a bit iffy wheel control)
Controls:
Location-------------------- 8
Relationship----------------- 8
Small controls--------------- 7 (don't like a cruise control location and layout)
Instrument comprehensiveness-- 8 (lacking a bit vs the European spec display)
Instrument legibility---------- 10 (well-lit, well defined. Nice feature in auto dimming to remind the driver of headlight usage)
Interior:
Visibility--------------------- 8 (good for the most part, a bit of a blind spot in rear 1/4 view)
Instrumentation-------------- 9 (base stereo is ok)
Lighting---------------------- 9 ( nice touch in dome lighting, good customization option in brightness)
Entry/exit-------------------- 8 (my first 2 door car, door a bit heavy and long, I don't get in and out gracefully...)
Storage space---------------- 8(hatch back is useful, but we are lacking in small storage option vs EU spec car)
Wind noise-------------------- 8(well controlled for the most part, a bit of a hiss at highway speed)
Road noise-------------------- 8(low profile tire and wheels are not good for this)
Weather protection:
Ventilation-------------------- 8 (AC drains lots of power)
Weather sealing--------------- 8 (Good for me so far, have heard issue of leaking...)
Windshield wiper action-------- 9 (good intermittent setting, HUGE coverage)
Heater/defroster/air cond.----- 9 (heater seat is awesome, heater heats up fast in winter)
Quality control:
Materials, exterior-------------- 8(interior have quality feel with soft touch surface and good plastic texture, seat material feels good, primary control have nice leather stitched cover.)
Interior------------------------ 8(good fit and finish, strange thermal expansion related noise though)
Exterior finish------------------- 7(good finish for the most part, though the paint seems very easy to chip)
Interior finish------------------- 8
Hardware and trim-------------- 8
Sheet metal-------------------- 8
Paint--------------------------- 7 (seem prone to chip and scratches)
Chrome------------------------- 8
Upholstery---------------------- 9
Padding------------------------- 9
General:
Service accessibility------------ 8(seems relatively easy to work on)
Bumper protection-------------- 7(lots of bits and pieces, not sure how well it'll hold up)
Exterior lighting----------------- 8(nothing is missing, good fog light, wish for HID)
Resistance to crosswinds-------- 8(a bit slab sided so you do feel the crosswind)
Luggage space------------------ 8(good size storage for small size car)
Comfort:
Steering wheel position---------- 8 (wish it telescope out more)
Shoulder room, front------------- 10(plenty)
Rear---------------------------- ?(never sit back there)
Hip room, front------------------- 9(plenty, considering the relatively aggressive seat bolster)
Rear---------------------------- ?
Leg room, front------------------ 10 (for my long-ish leg it seems pretty good, compare to Corolla or Civic)
Rear---------------------------- ?(depends on front passenger I think)
Headroom front/rear-------------- 9/9 (seems like a lot)
Seat design---------------------- 9 (form hugging, good support, can always use more)
University of Toronto Formula SAE Alumni 2003-2007
Formula Student Championship 2003, 2005, 2006
www.fsae.utoronto.ca