True, the radiator up front does help offset the weight.
Also, I agree that a boxer motor is better for torque.

Well, the main reason I picked the 8V over the 16V was for low end power. I own(ed) both a 8V GTI and 16V GLI; the 16V didn't come to life until after 45000 RPM and the 8V pulled hard to 5000 RPM.

It is commonly known in the watercooled world (stock engines) that the 8V is for low end torque [light to light quickness] and the 16V is for high end horsepower [autobahn top speed]. In short, I want a quick off the line car so I choose the 8V. Lastly, the 16V has a large head with the distributor in the back and the parcel area behind the rear seat would have to be cut into and I didn't want to do that to my car.

Now the motor I would really like is a 1.8 liter 20V Turbo 210hp