OLD vs. NEW: Who'd YOU RATHER? MK1 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs. MK7 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Years ago the famous motoring program Top Gear set out to make a point. It pitted vintage rides up against their modern counterparts and then it drag raced them head-to-head.

Guess who won?

It wasn't the new cars.

While it seems impossible, a lot of people seem to forget how light old vehicles used to be. Now with all the added technology and safety features, vehicles are much heavier than they were.

Out to make a point this time around is Auto Express. And, much like Top Gear, it's putting the Mark I Volkswagen Golf GTI up against the latest variant. Sure, there's a handicap but let's see how this race shakes out.


Ever wondered if those iconic classic cars can still hold their own against their modern counterparts? We decided we would put them head-to-head with their descendants in a drag race with a twist. To make it more interesting the old cars get a head start decided by their age. But can the new cars with more power still beat them?

We’ve brought together the original and the latest model Volkswagen Golf GTI and Mazda MX-5, the Vauxhall Astra GTE and current VXR, as well as the Ford Fiesta XR2 and latest Fiesta ST.

In this video we pit GTI against GTI.

USNA1999 - 10/4/2015 8:31:57 PM

-1 Boost

NEW one for me! I am trying to convince the wife to let me get a GTI or WRX to play around.

MDarringer - 10/4/2015 11:43:40 PM

0 Boost

A friend had a MK I 1978 Rabbit that was set up for auto crossing. It was amazing, but slow. We did a VR6 engine swap--oddly easy to do--and it was amazing. He sold it to a guy in Canada.