9 February 2011
New car report; R for Rocketship
Volkswagen has just rolled out the most powerful production Golf ever built, the new 4Motion version of the latest MkVI incarnation, the Golf R.
Replacing the MkV hottest hatch, the 3.2 litre V6 powered R32, a new approach has been taken for the MkVI fire-breather. The V6 has been binned in favour of a lighter, more fuel efficient but more powerful 2.0 litre 4 cylinder powerplant.
Based on the MkV GTi engine, Volkswagen engineers have reinforced the block, installed new performance internals, bolted on a new cylinder head and fitted an intercooler and a new turbocharger.
More power, less weight.
Producing 15kW more than the old R32, the Golf R pumps out 199kW at 6,000rpm and 350Nm of torque at 2,500 to 5,000rpm. That's 44kW and 70 Nm up on the new GTi.
Coupled with a 6 speed DSG transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shift, the Golf R is 1.4 seconds quicker than the GTi to 100km/h, reaching our open road speed limit in just 5.5 seconds.
And with fuel consumed at the rate of just 8.4L/100km, over 20% better than the R32, it's pretty frugal for a car that's capable of this kind of performance. Exhaust emissions are also correspondingly reduced, down from 257g/km to 195g/km.
With a stiffer and lower suspension setup than the GTi, upgraded brakes and Volkswagen's trusty 4Motion system, the Golf R is indeed a very capable piece of kit. It turns in and handles in the most precise manner, going exactly where it's pointed, hanging on like the most tenacious Klingon.
But it's also quite capable of being a docile shopping trolley and comfy family runabout. With Bi-xenon dynamic cornering lights, rain sensing wipers, front and rear park pilot, cruise control, auto-dipping interior mirror and everything that opens and shuts, the Golf R is left wanting for nothing in the creature comfort department.
There's an 8 speaker audio system with 6 disc CD changer, AUX-in, MP3 and WMA file compatibility and a large high resolution colour touch screen.
Styling is sporty but understated.
With subtle "R" badges on the gloss black grille, tailgate and brake callipers, a deeper front bumper with large air intakes that incorporate LED daytime running lights, the Golf R is sporty but subtle.
Standard wheels are 18" Talladega, five spoke alloys that are more sporty looking than the now rather dated looking telephone dial-styled GTi wheels, which were a carry-over from the MkV GTi.
The rear end has also come in for some added sporty touches, with the bumper incorporating a black diffuser and twin chrome tailpipes exiting centrally, much like the old R32.
As expected, the Golf R has a wide range of safety systems including Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), Brake Assist, Antilock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Diff Lock (EDL) and Anti Skid Regulation (ASR). The airbag package includes a driver's knee airbag.
Hot hatches have been measured against the Golf GTi for a very long time. It's hard to imagine that the benchmark in hot hatches could be improved upon, but Volkswagen has relegated its own very capable GTi into second place with the new Golf R.
But, and it's a big but, at $72,500, the Golf R is a whopping $15,000 more than the GTi. As brilliant as the R is, it's hard to see that it's that much more of a car. If money is no object, the Golf R is the one to have, but for those who can't justify the extra 26%, the GTi will do just nicely.