You've done the Volkswagen Golf GTI and now want something with sharper teeth? Try the latest 333PS Golf R. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.
Ten Second Review
Want the ultimate hot hatch? Volkswagen's rejuvenated Golf R could well be it. This can't claim to be the fastest car of its kind but its Wolfsburg maker reckons it's the most complete, most rewarding and most dynamic shopping rocket yet made. Depending on your mood, it can reach 168mph on the racetrack or register better than 35mpg on the school run. Your everyday supercar is right here.
Background
We've had the Golf R around in various forms since 2009 and the formula it offers hasn't fundamentally changed much in that time. There's VW's 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine in its fastest form, 4MOTION 4WD and a slice of Golf GTI engineering tuned up to the max. This 'CD1'-series version, based on the current MK8 Golf architecture, doesn't deviate much from that script but does usefully embellish it. And of course, predictably, it claims to be the quickest and most powerful Golf ever made.
That isn't enough to allow it to fully take on uber-fast super hatches like the Mercedes-AMG A 45 or the Audi RS3. But the Golf R significantly undercuts both these models on price and in real world point-to-point motoring probably isn't much slower. Plus a major draw is that its pavement presence is that bit more understated. You could get away with one of these in the company carpark without Directorship-level eyebrows being raised. Sounds tempting.
Driving Experience
So to what you need to know here. The improved version of this Volkswagen's EA888 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol unit now puts out 333PS (13PS more than before). Torque though is unchanged and performance is only fractionally different from before, 62mph from rest occupying 4.6s (just 0.1s faster than the previous car could manage). If you pay extra for the optional 'R-Performance upgrade' package, Volkswagen will remove the 155mph speed limiter so that 168mph is possible. All this motor's pulling power is available from just 2,100rpm.
Power though, is nothing without control - and this Golf R has more of that. As before with this uber-fast hot hatch, power can be distributed not only between front and rear axles but also between the rear wheels. Thanks to a torque vectoring system using a pair of electronically operated multi-disc clutches, output can be balanced across the rear axle from 0-100% within milliseconds.
You might well want that optional 'R-Performance' upgrade package because it includes two extra driving modes. 'Special' was configured for optimum performance at the legendary Nurburgring Nordschliefe race track. There's also 'Drift', configured for general wild racetrack use.
Aurally, this top Golf still doesn't provide quite the fireworks you'd get from, say, a Honda Civic Type-R or a Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+, but there's now a more gravelly delivery to the sound actuator that pumps noise in the cabin. Which you can switch off through the enhanced drive mode set-up, which now offers greater customisation and has an added 'Eco' mode that softens throttle response and provokes earlier up-shifts from the 7-speed DSG auto gearbox. As before, compared to a Golf GTI, this R has 10% stiffer springs, a 1.3-degree front axle camber change and steering software tweaked to be more direct. The brake discs are 17mm bigger and feature crisper pedal response. And the front aluminium subframe is 3kgs lighter. All good to know.
Design and Build
As before, there's the choice of either a hatch or an Estate body shape. Both feature the subtle visual changes visited upon this updated model - slimmer LED headlights, a reprofiled front bumper complete with new air blades - and rear 3D-effect tail lamps that offer the option of three differing strobing and flashing 'welcome signatures' when you lock or unlock.
Otherwise, things are much as before. Apart from that hoovered-to-the-tarmac ride height, both standard versions of the Golf R are distinguished by 18-inch 'Jerez' black alloy wheels (upgradeable to 19-inchers, which come as standard on the 'Black Edition' version). All Rs also get a full R body kit, roof spoiler and quad exhaust pipes - a feature that subtly hints at this variant's potency compared with other Golf models. The model's brake callipers are finished in the hallmark shade of Volkswagen R blue, and feature the R division's logo, while the car's door mirrors are finished in a matt chrome effect - another identifier of the powerful and enthusiast-focused Golf R.
Inside, a bespoke, heated R steering wheel features, with an R button which allows the driver direct access to the car's range of drive modes without needing to take their hands away from the wheel. Extended paddle shifters also add to the driver-focused convenience of the model's cockpit. And there are aluminium pedals and sports seats with integrated head restraints.
With this updated model, as with other facelifted versions of this Golf, there are a few minor updates to the 10.2-inch 'Digital Cockpit Pro' instrument display, which has R-specific graphics. And there's a better head-up display available. The steering wheel's different too, now restored with proper buttons, instead of the pre-facelift model's fiddly touch-sensitive ones. The awful touch slider below the infotainment screen has been retained, but it's now more responsive and (at last) is back-lit for easier night use.
The original design's widely-criticised infotainment system has been thoroughly updated to what VW calls' MIB4' status, which means it gets quicker processing times, smarter menus and slicker graphics. For this top R, it comes in its largest 12.9-inch form and now incorporates ChatGPT tech, which can be used to control navigation, 'phone and climate functions. The advantage here is that if Volkswagen's own voice activation set-up doesn't know the answer to a question you might be asking the car, it'll be relayed to the ChatGPT AI system - though the same VW voice will still give you the answer.
What about the rear? Well as with an ordinary Golf. There's comfortable space for a couple of adults on the back seat and the convenience of a reasonably-sized 380-litre boot. It's vastly bigger in the Estate of course (which, thanks to its longer wheelbase also offers more room on the back seat). That station wagon version offers a 611-litre boot, extendable to 1,642-litres.
Market and Model
This Golf R is priced from just over £43,000 in hatch form (or from around £45,000 as an Estate). You still have to pay extra for DCC adaptive damping. And as before, most customers will want to find the extra necessary (just under £2,000 more) for the optional 'R-Performance Package'. It brings upgraded 19-inch 'Estoril' black alloy wheels and tyres and an increased top speed of 168mph (where permitted). The pack also adds two extra driver modes; 'Drift' and 'Special'. 'Drift' mode is entirely focused upon driver enjoyment away from public highways. This setting uses the full potential of the R-Performance Torque Vectoring and enables the driver to drift the Golf R on private tracks. The 'Special' mode supposedly provides the car with the perfect set-up to tackle the famously challenging Nurburgring Nordschleife racetrack. This is an extension of the standard 'Race' driving mode, in which the engine sound is increased, while the DSG, optional DCC, progressive steering and the all-wheel drive system are adjusted to a sportier set-up.
If you're interested in the 'R-Performance Package', we'd suggest you consider the meaner-looking dark-themed 'Black Edition' version of this car because it costs only £1,200 more and includes that pack as standard. Across the Golf R range, other key extras available for the Golf R include nappa leather upholstery, an Akrapovic titanium exhaust, a panoramic sunroof, a 480-watt Harmon/Kardon sound system and a head up display. Volkswagen also says that this current generation model is upgradeable, so if required, some drive assist or online features can be added and enabled after you've bought the car. The car's driver assistance systems include lane change assist and Travel Assist with Side Assist and Emergency Assist.
Cost of Ownership
Granted, 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 34.9mpg on the combined cycle for the hatch. Likewise, emissions are also very good, registering at 184g/km for the hatch.
And the warranty? Well the standard package is three years and 60,000 miles. We can't see why Volkswagen couldn't extend that mileage limit to 100,000 miles, since that what you get on its mechanically very similar Caddy model. Doing that though, wouldn't give Volkswagen dealers so much of an opportunity to sell extended warranty packages. There's one for four years and 75,000 miles or, if you plan to see a bit more of the world in your Golf GTI, there's a five year / 90,000 mile package.
Summary
The Volkswagen Golf R might seem a bit of a conundrum. On the one hand, it's a four-wheel drive, 333PS, two-litre turbo road rocket; the sort of car that you thought had gone out of fashion. On the other, it's a wholly civilised, beautifully built family hatch that can record nearly 35mpg and emits less carbon dioxide than many much slower hot hatches. That, more than its incredible performance figures, shows us how times have changed and how fast hatches have needed to rehabilitate themselves or die.
Offering a strong value proposition and no shortage of capability, it's hard to see how this rejuvenated Volkswagen Golf R can fail, unless you (understandably) take the view that an Audi S3 or the fastest version of the CUPRA Leon can offer all the same power and technology for a lot less. As for rivals outside of the VW Group, well can this Golf R match the polished capability of the latest BMW M135 xDrive or the vivacity and excitement still delivered by the Honda Civic Type R? That will very much depend on how you like your sports hatches but one thing's for sure. You've never had it so good.
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