Yeah I would be surprised if the guy wasn't at least running a software tune and intake to go along with the exhaust. Those mods put the GTI, typically, at over 230hp.

The thing with the crossfire is that it's deceptively quick, which is something that most people don't realize. They just think it's a slow POS because it doesn't pull numbers like a mustang or even 370z. But the crossfire does really well for what it is.

I went up against a Civic Si (same hp as a GTI with far less tq) a month or so ago and it was pretty easy to reel the guy in.