The new, eighth-generation Golf R is the fastest and most powerful series-production version of Volkswagen’s family hatchback yet. It's the fifth member of the brand’s significantly expanded performance line-up, and goes on sale today priced from £39,270.
Like its new Arteon R and Tiguan R stablemates, the top-rung Golf takes 316bhp and 310lb ft from an evolved version of the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that has powered the R-badged model since 2009.
The subtle power and torque boosts for the fourth iteration of the EA888 unit – dubbed the Evo4 – bring the Golf R’s 0-62mph sprint time down by 0.2sec to 4.7sec, plus Volkswagen claims peak torque is available from 2100rpm all the way through to 5350rpm.
The focus hasn’t been solely on improving outright performance, however, with a series of tweaks to the drivetrain aimed at improving agility and responsiveness over the previous car. The Golf R receives the same upgraded version of Volkswagen’s torque-vectoring system as fitted to the hot Arteon and Tiguan, meaning drive is distributed variably between the rear wheels for the first time, rather than just between the front and rear axle. Using a pair of electronically operated multi-disc clutches, the system is said to balance output across the axle from 0-100% within milliseconds.
Elsewhere, the camber on the front axle has been upped by 1.3deg, the stabiliser and spring rates have been raised by 10% and the steering software has been tweaked for a more direct turn-in response.
Some 1.2kg of unsprung mass has been shaved from the braking system, too, while the front aluminum subframe has been lightened by 3kg. The brake discs have been expanded by 17mm in diameter on the front axle for improved stopping performance and an uprated master cylinder gives a “crisp, precise” pedal response.
The Golf R is most obviously told apart from standard Volkswagen Golf variants by way of its 20mm suspension drop, “motorsport-style” front splitter, sizeable black rear diffuser, quad-exit exhaust and bespoke wheel designs. Blue brake calipers and a new illuminating blue strip across the grille round off the exterior upgrades.
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BMW,
More a case, VW dropped the Ball, and BMW picked it up.
Well at least it looks slightly more interesting with its go-faster bits on and in terms of the performance on offer I can't quibble too much at the price, providing the handling is up to the mark.
Problem is there are so many cars that can get near or better this performance now, ICE, EV or hybrid and look even more interesting for similar or less money, would you actually buy a VR6 over any one of them?
I honestly couldn't believe the price when I read the article. When the Mk VII was released in 2014 it famously dipped under £30 000 which made it a real hot hatch cult hero. £10 000 inflation in 6 years. I don't think so, VW. In fact, it seems like every manufacturer is hiking up the their prices for the sake of it. I read the new Yaris review recently and almost fell out my chair when I saw the range kicks off at just shy of £20 000. Ridiculous.
The weakness of the pound since 2016 means that VW has to charge more pounds to get the same amount in Euros.
So when the price was £30 k and the pound was at 1.4 euros, VW got 42 k euros for the car.
Now the pound is at 1.1 euros, VW is charging £40 k to get 44 k euros.
Not much inflation in euros over six years!