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Ep. 307: Is The Hot Hatch Back - Subaru WRX vs VW Golf R!

Ep. 307: Is The Hot Hatch Back - Subaru WRX vs VW Golf R!

TFL Car Chat Oct 20, 2025 50 min
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About this episode

A lively discussion unfolds as hosts compare the Subaru WRX and the Volkswagen Golf R, focusing on their performance, design, and market positioning. The Golf R, now a sedan, boasts impressive tech and a powerful engine, while the WRX retains its manual transmission and all-wheel drive appeal. The episode also dives into recent automotive news, including Ford's new Mustang collaboration with RTR and the rising average price of new cars. With engaging debates and insights, the hosts explore the future of hot hatches and the automotive landscape.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Volkswagen Golf

"the new Volkswagen Golf R Black Edition with the Euro style package, and of course, Subaru WRX."

The Volkswagen Golf R Black Edition is a sporty version of the Golf car that looks sleek with a black design. It's built for better performance and has features that make it fun to drive.

Car

Subaru Wrx

"the Euro style package, and of course, Subaru WRX."

The Subaru WRX is a fast and sporty car that can handle well in different weather conditions. It's known for its powerful engine and is often used in racing.

Car

Subaru STI

"...where we're going to be this year with a new STI. Really?"

The Subaru STI is a performance version of the Subaru Impreza, designed for speed and handling. It's popular among car enthusiasts for its racing capabilities and all-wheel drive system.

Brand

Mercedes

"And we're going to forget about the new Mercedes that was introduced."

Mercedes is a well-known car brand that makes luxury cars and trucks. They are famous for their stylish designs and advanced technology.

Brand

Jaguar

"See, that's the problem with the Jaguar"

Jaguar is a British car brand that makes luxury vehicles. They are known for their sleek designs and powerful engines.

Car

Audi Tt

"...to be honest, the new Audi TT also looks like the Jaguar. I feel like all these designers have coffee together."

The Audi TT is a small sports car that looks stylish and is fun to drive. It's known for its unique shape and sporty design.

Car

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing

"But the Mercedes has the rear end from a gull wing. Yes, it does."

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing is a famous car from the 1950s with unique doors that open upwards. It's a very sought-after classic car.

Car

Chrysler Crossfire

"And the Jaguar has the rear end from a Chrysler Crossfire. That is the difference between the Jag and the Mercedes."

The Chrysler Crossfire is a sporty car that was made in the early 2000s. It has a distinctive look and shares some parts with a Mercedes-Benz model.

Term

12-cylinder powertrain

"Yeah, but they are known for 12-cylinder powertrains, which they could easily do. If they stick a 12-cylinder in there, then all of a sudden everybody's gonna swoon over it..."

A 12-cylinder powertrain is an engine with twelve individual cylinders that help it produce a lot of power. These engines are usually used in fancy or fast cars because they run smoothly and can go really fast.

Car

Ford Mustang

"is Ford launched a new Mustang. It's in partnership with RTR..."

The Ford Mustang is a popular sports car that has been around for many years. It's known for being powerful and stylish.

Term

EcoBoost

"it's based on an EcoBoost, but then they more or less rated the parts bin..."

EcoBoost is a type of engine made by Ford that helps save gas while still being powerful.

Car

Ford Mustang GTD

"...ier on a budget. So it's got the front end from a Mustang GT. It's got the sway bars from a Dark Horse."

The Ford Mustang GTD is a super-fast version of the classic Mustang sports car. It's built for people who want a thrilling driving experience with lots of power.

Car

Dark Horse

"It's got the sway bars from a Dark Horse. It's got the big brakes from a GT Performance."

The Dark Horse is a special version of the Ford Mustang that is built for better performance and handling.

Part

sway bars

"It's got the sway bars from a Dark Horse. It's got the big brakes from a GT Performance."

Sway bars are parts of a car's suspension that help keep the car stable when turning, making it handle better.

Car

GT Performance

"It's got the big brakes from a GT Performance. And it's got something called anti-lag."

The GT Performance is a special version of the Ford Mustang that is designed for high performance and racing.

Part

big brakes

"It's got the big brakes from a GT Performance. And it's got something called anti-lag."

Big brakes are larger brake parts that help cars stop more quickly and handle better, especially during fast driving.

Term

anti-lag

"And it's got something called anti-lag. So it's got a system built into the car to help-"

Anti-lag is a feature in some turbo cars that helps the engine respond faster by keeping the turbo spinning even when you take your foot off the gas.

Term

turbo lag

"Turbo lag, exactly right. Maintain boost pressure."

Turbo lag is the wait time you feel when you press the gas pedal in a turbocharged car before it speeds up.

Term

V8

"What does it have? A V8."

A V8 is a type of engine that has eight cylinders. It's known for being powerful and is commonly found in sports cars and trucks, giving them better acceleration and speed.

Term

four-cylinder turbo

"Can Ford make a four-cylinder turbo Mustang, with emphasis on Mustang, as popular or anywhere near as popular as the GT?"

A four-cylinder turbo engine has four small cylinders and uses a turbocharger to make it more powerful. This type of engine is usually more fuel-efficient than larger engines while still being fast.

Term

GT

"as popular or anywhere near as popular as the GT?"

GT is a special version of the Mustang that is made for better performance. It usually has a stronger engine and sportier features than the regular Mustang.

Term

V8 engine

"...they're always gonna want the big V8. The two just go together like peanut butter and chili."

A V8 engine is a powerful engine with eight cylinders that helps cars go fast. It's often found in sports cars and trucks because it provides a lot of strength and speed.

Car

Ford Mustang SVO

"...it's kind of like when Ford did the SVO in the Fox body in the 1980s, right?"

The Ford Mustang SVO is a special version of the Mustang from the 1980s that had a turbocharged engine. It was made to be faster and handle better than regular Mustangs.

Term

turbocharger

"...they did the turbocharger."

A turbocharger is a part that helps an engine get more air, which makes it more powerful. It's often used in cars to make them go faster without needing a bigger engine.

Term

drift community

"And I think what's smart about this is a lot of the drift community is centered around Japanese cars. If you think of like the iconic-"

The drift community is made up of people who love a driving style called drifting, where cars slide sideways around corners. It's a popular sport and has a big following, especially in Japan.

Car

Nissan Silvia S13

"Yeah, GDM stuff. Yeah, like the S13, S14s, right?"

The Nissan Silvia S13 is a sports car that was made in the late 80s and early 90s. It's popular for drifting because it's light and has a rear-wheel-drive setup, which helps in making sharp turns while sliding.

Term

turbo-powered

"and appreciates a turbo-powered four-cylinder car, right?"

A turbo-powered car has a special device called a turbocharger that helps the engine get more air, making it more powerful without needing a bigger engine.

Term

suspension

"...it's about suspension, yeah. So you can get the drift angle..."

Suspension is what helps keep a car stable and comfortable while driving. It connects the car to its wheels and helps manage how the car handles turns and bumps.

Term

drift angle

"...you can get the drift angle. And that's what Ford is not gonna do..."

Drift angle is how much a car is sliding sideways compared to the direction it's supposed to be going. It's important for drivers who want to control their car while drifting.

Concept

autocross

"and it turned it into, like, an incredible autocross car. And I think you can on the new one, but they had a really special version in the old one as well."

Autocross is a type of car racing where drivers race against the clock on a small course. It's all about how well you can handle your car through turns and obstacles, rather than just going fast in a straight line.

Car

Chevrolet Camaro

"with the four-cylinder Camaro that nobody bought."

The Chevrolet Camaro is a popular sports car that has been around for many years. It's known for being fast and having a cool design, often associated with muscle cars.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"... actually, try to go for world-class. And I think Corvette has a lesson in there, right? The Corvette always..."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast and stylish sports car that many people love. It has been around for a long time and is famous for being powerful and fun to drive, making it a popular topic among car enthusiasts.

Concept

depreciation

"...let somebody else take the hit on depreciation. And then with our sponsor, Grainger,..."

Depreciation is how much a car's value goes down over time. When you buy a new car, it loses value quickly, especially in the first few years, which is why some people prefer to buy used cars instead.

Car

Land Rover Discovery

"...s now are $70,000, $80,000 for Defender or even a Discovery. So my wife and I bought one for $5,000 two years..."

The Land Rover Discovery is a big, fancy SUV that can handle rough roads and off-road adventures. It's great for families because it has a lot of space inside and is comfortable to drive.

Car

Land Rover Defender

"...rs. And the new ones now are $70,000, $80,000 for Defender or even a Discovery. So my wife and I bought one ..."
Car

Land Rover Range Rover

"I can't think, sorry. You broke our old Range Rover, our P38. Exactly right."

The Range Rover is a high-end SUV that looks really nice and drives smoothly. It's designed to be comfortable and stylish while also being able to go off-road if needed.

Car

Ford Bronco

"... it in our Nissan Half. We've done it in our Ford Bronco on 35s. And we thought it'd be cool to see if our..."

The Ford Bronco is a tough SUV that's great for off-roading and adventures. It has a cool, classic look and is built to handle rough trails and outdoor fun.

Car

Toyota RAV4

"...ry, very cool. I think I'm more excited about the RAV4. So in case you're wondering, we can't really tal..."

The Toyota RAV4 is a popular small SUV that's roomy and reliable. It's a good choice for families because it has a lot of space and is easy to drive.

Car

Toyota GR Corolla

"...is a new GR, which is not really a GR in terms of GR Corolla, because there's no more..."

The Toyota GR Corolla is a sporty version of the regular Corolla, made for people who love to drive. It has a powerful engine and is designed to be fun and exciting on the road.

Car

Ford Bronco Sport

"...ike I said, I don't think it's going to be like a Bronco Sport competitor in the Sasquatch, but it does look lik..."

The Ford Bronco Sport is a smaller SUV that's good for city driving but can also handle some off-road adventures. It looks tough and has a lot of modern features.

Car

Dodge Viper

"...ith this car before, where we drag raced our 1994 Viper. So that video is live over at TFL Car 2"

The Dodge Viper is a super-fast sports car with a big engine that makes it really exciting to drive. It's known for its bold design and is loved by car fans for its power.

Car

Honda Civic

"... WRX. And then, of course, Honda brought back the Civic Type R. And now we're kind of past it."

The Honda Civic is a small car that many people trust because it's reliable and saves gas. It's a good choice for anyone looking for a practical and affordable vehicle.

Car

Subaru Crosstrek

"...hey've moved to that kind of chunky design on the Crosstrek, it's on the Forester, it's definitely on the new..."

The Subaru Crosstrek is a small SUV that's great for driving in different weather conditions. It has a lot of space for passengers and gear, making it perfect for adventures.

Car

Subaru Outback

"... it's on the Forester, it's definitely on the new Outback. So they're keeping it within the family."

The Subaru Outback is a roomy SUV that's good for families and outdoor activities. It has all-wheel drive, which helps it drive well in different weather conditions.

Car

Mitsubishi Outlander

"... there's not. But there is a really cool off-road Outlander coming. Okay."

The Mitsubishi Outlander is a family-friendly SUV with plenty of room inside. It's a good choice for people who need space and want a vehicle that can handle different activities.

Car

Volkswagen Jetta

"...nk they sell it in Europe, a manual GLI. That's a Jetta though. Yeah, they don't sell the GLI at all in E..."

The Volkswagen Jetta is a small car that's comfortable to drive and has a nice interior. It's a good option for people who want a reliable car that isn't too big.

Car

Toyota Supra

"What's that one called? No, it's Final Edition Supra. Supra."

The Toyota Supra is a fast sports car that many people admire for its looks and speed. It's known for being fun to drive and has a strong following among car fans.

Car

Mazda Miata

"86, yes. So plus there's a Miata, of course, which is also in $35,000 to $40,000 r..."

Mazda makes a variety of cars, including the fun-to-drive Miata, which is a small sports car. They are known for being enjoyable to drive and often look good too.

Car

Shelby Cobra

"...iserable as like a car to live with. Well, it's a Cobra competitor. Yeah, and it's very much, that's what..."

The Shelby Cobra is a famous old sports car known for being really fast and light. It's a classic that many car lovers admire for its racing history.

Car

Tesla Model S

"...e house, and you got to do a video with our Tesla Model S, which we're selling."

The Tesla Model S is a fancy electric car that can go really fast and doesn't need gas. It has a lot of cool technology, like being able to drive itself a little bit.

Car

Tesla Model

"... at the house, and you got to do a video with our Tesla Model S, which we're selling."
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