Agree.
And if this is the case, and the base Mk7 Golf gets the very tunable 1.8T* as a 2.5L-replacement, I'll gladly give up the extra weight, complexity, IRS, and cost to build-my-own custom Golf GTI myself.
Base Golf: USD$18,000 (~2750 lbs, 1.8T, 5MT)
Lightweight Wheels + Tires: USD$1000**
Sport Springs and Shocks or coilovers: $1500**
Stage 2 (CAI, Tune, DP) to make ~250hp: USD$2500**
2015 Golf "stage 2" Power to weight ratio (250hp/2750lbs) = 0.0907
2015 GTI Power to weight ratio (220hp/2900lbs) = 0.0758
2013 Ford Focus ST (for reference) (252hp/3150lbs): 0.0800
(bigger number is better)
Golf stage 2 = ~$23,500
GTI stock = ~26,000
Focus ST - ~25,000
~$2,500 extra for a slower but "nicer" looking GTI, no thanks. (OK, maybe I want to upgrade the braking on the Golf Stage 2, and I spend another $1000-$1500. Still cheaper than the GTI (and I was being generaous with the 220hp, we're likely to get something more like 210 in the US)
Make mine a "Stage 2" Golf MK7 please
*News article on vortex a few months back about a possible Passat R-line with 250hp (tuned gen 3 1.8T EA888).
**Would have done this to the GTI anyway, so not really extra costs