Yes, quite, all done on private roads.
I wish I still had my 16V, then I'd let James have a go so he could see what we're talking about, it's a bit like comparing chalk and cheese, even though on paper they are closely matched.
Hell, I reckon I could at least keep up with a 7A in a three door 8V on tight roads. Now that would be a very close match on A roads, on the motorway the Audi would thrash it.
To be fair the only 7A I've driven was a CQ and it certainly shifted, but nothing like a 16V Golf, not even close.