MOTORING
SportynewGolf shows that times R changing
For some aficionados, the Golf GTi is the definitive hot-hatch. Some would argue, wrongly as it transpires, that the term was first used to describe this iconic German driving machine. But for speed freaks for whom the GTi just doesn’t deliver enough… unleash the Golf R. Motoring journalist Nick Jones put one through its paces.
The GTI might be seen as the definitive sporty Golf, but there are those for whom even this iconic sports hatchback doesn’t quite deliver the goods. Even with a price tag at well under £28K for a five-
door manual model, it is sometimes shunned in favour of rivals boasting up to 300 horses under the bonnet. Unleash the Golf R – a legitimate member of the
300PS club, which means about 304bhp at the flywheel. Add in all wheel drive and a screen price a shade
over £30k and suddenly VW is back in the driving seat. That 300PS power output is the headline number as
far as the Golf R is concerned but delve a little deeper and you find some other facts that might cause an eyebrow, or two, to be raised. For example, in manual form this pocket rocket can
hit 62mph (100kph) in five seconds. But unleash its potential with a DSG twin-clutch sequential transmission and it smashes the 100kph benchmark almost ten per cent quicker at 4.6 seconds. For the record, the original ‘hot hatch’ is believed to
have been the 1973 Simca 1100TI. It had a 1.3-litre engine, twin Weber carbs (no computers and fuel injection back then) and delivered 82bhp, which gave it a sub-12 second 0-60mph acceleration on its way to a top speed of 105mph. Today’s Golf R is electronically limited to 155mph.
Just saying… This family hatchback’s phenomenal power is
delivered to the black stuff through a Haldex all-wheel drive system, which sends drive to the front wheels during modest throttle loads but can be directed almost 100% to the rear axle if required. The ride height of the R is 2cm (0.8in) lower than
that of the standard Golf and 5mm (0.2in) lower than the GTI.
80 business network June 2019 Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC) is an option. For the
first time, this offers a 'Race' mode, which increases damping, reducing body movements in the process. On the outside, the Golf R is distinguished by a
revised front bumper assembly with massive air inlets, a modified radiator grille with 'R' logo and daytime running lamps integrated into the standard bi-xenon headlights. The R comes as standard with a tasty set of 18in ‘Cadiz’ alloy wheels wrapped in 225/40 tyres. The smart interior, with the fit and finish expected of
the marque, features cloth sports seats with Alcantara bolsters, with leather upholstery available as an option. You don't buy a car like the Volkswagen Golf R to
wow your friends with its environmental credentials, but it's hard not to be impressed with a combined fuel consumption of close to 40mpg for the manual car or 40.9mpg if you have the DSG transmission with emissions of 165g/km and 159g/km respectively. The Golf R is a civilised, beautifully built, quick family
hatch that can better 40mpg and emits less carbon dioxide than many other less capable family motors. That, more than its incredible performance, shows how times have changed.
FACTFILE
MODEL VW Golf R
PRICE OTR From £32,000
PERFORMANCE Top speed: 155mph 0-60 mph: 4.6 seconds Power: 305bhp
CO2 EMISSIONS 165g/km
COMBINED MPG 39.6mpg
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