one of the Redline reviews did a test with fk8 vs apr s1 gti, it walked it like it was standing still but obviously thats not a apples to apples comparison. Guess I'm the only one not satisficed the priced jumped with no real performance gains.
I've owned two miatas, mazdaspeed and nc2 prht. I've driven track prepped Supras, m3s to C5's and the only car that put a smile on my face close to a miata is a Cayman GTS.
this isn't a GR86
thats low slowest GTI i've seen ever tested. Even the mk7 was faster than that. Car and driver got 105mph with the dsg. By accounts the mk8 is significantly faster than the mk7
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a36406955/2022-volkswagen-golf-gti-by-the-numbers/
if they brought this out as SH-AWD, it would have differentiated from the Type R and also have a direct competitor to Golf R. Looks looks like it has unique fenders, probably doesn't have the dual axis axle either.