After all, it's not 333 hp, as we had been told by internal sources at the brand initially and as had been predicted on a screen in a presentation about the high-performance Golf family. But it is not an impediment for the new Volkswagen Golf R take the title of the most powerful production Golf in history.
always are 320 hp taken from the ubiquitous 2.0 TSI (EA888 evo4) and 420 Nm of torque (available from 2100 rpm and stays that way up to 5350 rpm), the same values found in the “fresh” Tiguan R and Arteon R. And just like these, the EA888 is combined with a dual-clutch (seven speeds) gearbox and four-wheel drive.
A combination that gives the new Golf R the ability to reach 100 km/h in just 4.7s — 0.2s less than its predecessor — and a top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h. However, this can go up to 270 km/h if we opt for the Pack R-Performance.
Speaking of which, the R-Performance Pack not only raises the hot hatch's top speed but also adds a larger rear spoiler, open towards the roof, ensuring more positive support on the rear axle. It also adds 19″ wheels (18″ as standard) and two additional driving modes: Drift and Special, the latter specially tuned for the Nürburgring circuit.
binary vectorization
The 4Motion system (four-wheel drive) is the same one we found, for example, in the Arteon R, which means that it comes with the R Performance Torque Vectoring (torque vectorization). This allows you to distribute the force not only between the two axles, but also distributes it between the two wheels on the rear axle — one wheel can receive up to 100% of the torque.Subscribe to our newsletter
The system is further optimized on the Golf R by allowing it to be connected with other systems/components, such as the XDS electronic limited-slip differential and the DCC adaptive suspension, via the Vehicle Dynamics Manager (VDM) system. Volkswagen says that it guarantees “optimal traction characteristics, neutral handling with the highest level of precision, maximum agility and, last but not least, maximum driving pleasure” — something we'll have to prove live and in color soon …
Chassis
The new Golf R's ground connections are via a MacPherson layout at the front and multi-arms (four in total) at the rear and comes with adaptive suspension as standard (DCC). It is closer to the ground by 20 mm and, compared to its predecessor, the springs and stabilizer bars are firmer by 10%. The negative camber was further increased (-1º20′) to allow for faster cornering passes.
Volkswagen's R division engineers also managed to reduce unsprung masses by removing 1.2 kg from the braking system (although the disc diameter has grown by 17 mm compared to its predecessor). More mass was removed on the front axle — 3 kg — by adopting an aluminum subframe.
There have also been tweaks to the steering calibration software, with the new Golf R promising a more direct response to our commands.
Special, the driving mode to attack the “Green Hell”
As already mentioned, if we opt for the R-Performance Pack, we will gain two additional driving modes to the usual Comfort, Sport, Race and Individual: Drift and special . If the first does what its name says — it changes the parameters of the stability control (ESC) and the way the force is distributed between the two axes — the second, Special, has been specially optimized for the most famous German circuit of all. , the Nordschleife-Nürburgring.
Among the changed parameters — gearshifts, ESC, etc… — we have the level of firmness of the suspension that is softer than in Race mode, to better deal with the imperfections of “Inferno Verde”. The specific optimization for the German circuit guarantees, says Volkswagen, that the new Golf R manages to be 17s faster than its predecessor in the (just over) 20 km long circuit.
And more?
As you can see, the new Golf R comes with a different appearance from the other Golfs, even the GTI, GTE and GTD, adopting a new design front bumper that integrates a splitter, four rear exhaust outlets — as an option, one is available. titanium exhaust from Akrapovič that saves 7 kg —, custom-designed 18-inch wheels, blue brake calipers.
Inside we see new sports front seats with blue accents, sports steering wheel and stainless steel pedals. There are also specific views for the R in both the infotainment system and the digital instrument panel.
When arrives?
The new Volkswagen Golf R starts arriving at European dealerships this month, but prices have not yet been advanced for the new standard-bearer of the German model in Portugal.