Gone Dating with Volkswagen and Skoda on Valentine’s Day

Spouses and beaus would be most displeased upon hearing what us journalists were up to on Valentine’s Day. Thankfully, the speed dating we did was not with people but with cars, in an event concocted by Volkswagen and Skoda.

Held at Nomads Restaurant, we had an unlikely ‘romantic’ meal with our beloved industry peers before we then took turns to ‘date’ several of Volkswagen’s and Skoda’s newest models. Some of them we have ‘gone out with’ before, like the Skoda Octavia RS, but most were going to be a ‘first date’ for us, namely the Volkswagen Mk8.5 Golf R-Line, Mk8.5 Golf GTI and Skoda Octavia Combi.

The ‘Lovemobile’ Volkswagen ID. Buzz even made an appearance mid-way during the event, fresh from distributing roses to passersby.

Sadly, we did not get a rose, but we certainly had a fruitful time dating cars we loved and still love. Here are our Tinder-like ratings of the cars we drove; swipe right indicating interest, and swipe left to pass.

Volkswagen Mk8.5 Golf R-Line – SWIPE RIGHT

The most lovable car that day was the R-Line version of the Mk8.5 Golf. We already had favourable views of the Mk8 R-Line, and it didn’t change here. In fact, our love deepened for it. It’s well-appointed, easy to get in and just drive, offers great space for passengers and luggage and is quite a hoot to drive. With lowered suspension, a chunkier steering wheel and uprated brakes, the R-Line is no badge exercise. You can have serious fun with it on back roads or just rock up to the concert or grocery store just as happily. It’s a swipe right for us.

Volkswagen Mk8.5 Golf GTI – SWIPE LEFT

You’d think the hot ‘vixen’ version of the Mk8.5 Golf should be even better, right? Not really. It surprised us too, but first impressions can sometimes fool us if we dig deeper. The car is unquestionably quicker than the Cat A R-Line, but it doesn’t shake off the ‘plastic’ fakery that clouds the car’s brilliance character within. Chiefly, the exhaust note feels very synthesised, and the drivetrain feels quite contrived. Surprisingly, even at the softest DCC setting, ride for rear passengers seems quite firm too. Oddly, the Skoda Octavia RS now feels more genuine and impressive than the updated Golf GTI. Maybe a longer date may change our mind. For now, it’s a swipe left.

Skoda Octavia Combi – SWIPE RIGHT

We went on quite a few road trips with the pre-facelifted Octavia and while we thoroughly enjoyed it, the Combi form factor wouldn’t hurt to carry all of the barang barang for a road trip. The extra space is still a nice upgrade to the liftback, while the new 1.5-litre I4 turbo engine (replacing the previous 1-litre turbo) gives a much-needed maturity and pace to proceedings. A very desirable car, this. Swipe right.

Photos by James Wong

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