AWD apparently have different gearing to FWD, so you lose power to the wheels but not torque [so theoretically acceleration is very close]

I'm quite happy with my AWD performance, particularly in cornering [even on standard kit with dodgy tyres, new wheels& tyres coming soon !] so any small loss on acceleration is well worth it in my opinion

As soon as I find a FWD GTi in the UK to go head-to-head with, I'll let you guys know how it turns out !