The Golf R is mighty offended from nearly each angle.
Andrew Krok/Roadshow
We ought to depend our fortunate stars that Volkswagen even determined to convey the eighth-generation Golf to the US. After decimating the reasonably priced German automobile’s lineup for 2022, solely two variants stay destined for our amber waves of grain: The hopped-up GTI and the even-hoppier Golf R. The earlier Golf R was enjoyable, nevertheless it did not really feel prefer it was actually its personal automobile. That’s modified within the mannequin’s newest era, the place this sizzling hatch has lastly come into its personal.
LikeAggressive styleAggressive powertrainAggressive every little thing, actually
Don’t LikeDumb cup holdersOccasionally dumb telematics
Blue plaid? Don’t thoughts if I doIf you have by no means seen, VW’s efficiency hatchbacks are color-coded, with the GTI leaning closely on purple and the Golf R counting on blue. That visible differentiation is a little more apparent this time round, thanks largely to a bright-blue strip that spans the width of the entrance finish, which nonetheless has a little bit of the ol’ sloping-brow look due to the brand new fascia. There are a lot extra visible variations that set the GTI and Golf R additional other than each other, just like the Golf R’s extra aggressive bumpers, 19-inch alloy wheels and the not-so-large-I’d-call-it-obscene rear wing. Combine that each one and you’ve got a Golf R that lastly has some visible bark to match its chew. The new look is sort of visually aggressive, though it is price mentioning that the wheels and wing on my take a look at automobile are a part of an Performance Package, so that you could possibly skip ’em if you happen to desire. (The early take a look at automobile proven right here is definitely a European-spec mannequin, and it is unclear at the moment if VW will supply this gear as an choice or if the corporate will simply bundle each US-spec automobile with it.)The inside has just a few key variations, nevertheless it’s largely the identical expertise you get in lesser Golf variants. R-specific touches embody a great deal of blue distinction stitching, totally different dashboard trim and a very good pair of sporty entrance seats with built-in headrests and bitchin’ blue plaid inserts. The seats themselves aren’t so tight as to alienate elements of the American market, however they’re nonetheless supportive in the best methods when the driving will get spirited.
Otherwise, the cabin is simply as pleasant and practical as it’s on the GTI. The door pockets are carpeted in your pleasure and can maintain loads of junk, as will the glove compartment, however the heart armrest’s cubby stays too compact for, say, a handbag. There’s a particular place forward of the shifter in your cellphone, which you’ll be able to shut into its dock for max distraction avoidance. The trunk will maintain a lot for a automobile of this dimension, too, with about 13.5 cubic ft of storage on supply. The solely actual usability bummer is the cup holder, which tries to be intelligent with transferring elements, however usually finally ends up incapable of doing its job, particularly if you happen to deign to have two drinks up entrance without delay.Always hustlin’The earlier Golf R’s efficiency all the time felt OK, however by no means nice, prefer it was a GTI that had gone to a tuner for some extra pep in its step. That adjustments with this 2022 mannequin. The honkin’ tailpipes out again give greater than a delicate trace that there is one thing strong beneath the hood, which on this case is a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 placing out 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.
For these holding observe at dwelling, that is 27 hp and 30 lb-ft larger than its predecessor, and boy, howdy is that bump instantly noticeable. Regardless of drive mode, the engine and its seven-speed dual-clutch computerized push me alongside on a wave of low-end torque, seemingly by no means needing to eclipse 3,000 rpm to get me as much as no matter velocity I would like. But when the time is correct, the engine will hustle at larger revs, screaming its four-pot tune to the surface world. Shifts in each instructions are lightning fast and devoid of clunks or different damaging attributes. It all simply works.
Every 2022 Golf R comes with adaptive dampers and steering, so automobile drive settings ought to really feel the identical throughout all examples. Comfort mode does an honest job in day by day use, with loads of accessible energy underfoot paired with a suspension that soaks up some, however not all highway nastiness — in spite of everything, the alloys are huge and the 235/35R19 Pirelli P-Zero summer time tires are skinny. Sport corporations every little thing up, and it is my desire for spirited driving — VW’s, too, as this setting is the default mode when beginning the automobile. Race is a bit too, um, racy for many American backroads and is probably going greatest reserved for observe days. But irrespective of the underlying modes, the Golf R appears like a distinctly distinctive mannequin this time round, providing full-assed efficiency that feels a whole tier above the GTI.The beforehand talked about elective Performance Pack additionally provides Nürburgring and Drift modes; the previous units the automobile up particularly to deal with Germany’s legendary Nordschleife racetrack, and Drift eases up on traction management whereas ensuring the rear axle will get as a lot energy as it might probably. There’s additionally an Individual mode if, like me, you need most of Sport’s advantages with out the detriment to trip high quality.Is the brand new Golf R environment friendly? Yeah, I’d say so. The EPA has but to launch estimates for this new mannequin, however for context, the earlier one managed 23 mpg metropolis and 30 mpg freeway, which is not unhealthy for a robust AWD sizzling hatch. The numbers might development southward given the additional oomph, however powertrain growth being what it’s, I’m positive VW managed to remain fairly near the previous figures. In my time spent not grinning like an fool in switchbacks, I see freeway figures proper round 30.Like the previous Golf R, when you slide into the driving force’s seat, all that issues is having enjoyable. And don’t be concerned, enjoyable shouldn’t be onerous to come back by.
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Infotainment largely successful, however some missesNow that I’ve skilled VW’s latest, flashiest infotainment system in two totally different automobiles, I can see previous a few of Discover Pro’s frippery and expertise its tough edges. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are onboard, and it is clear that VW understands the development towards smartphone mirroring, as a result of its native infotainment system just about seems like CarPlay on its 10-inch show. The {hardware} boots shortly, but when my fingers are too quick, the system can begin tripping over itself, treating one faucet like two or simply straight-up ignoring my requests till it feels prefer it. Those experiences are few and much between, and issues may very nicely change for the higher by the point the primary automobiles arrive in showrooms later this yr, nevertheless it’s price mentioning. Two USB-C ports up entrance means units cost shortly, however if you happen to desire a trickle, a Qi wi-fi pad is correct beneath ’em.VW Group has been a longtime proponent of digital gauge clusters, and the story stays the identical right here. A 10.3-inch digital cluster affords up a powerful variety of types to peruse, altering what info will get your eyes’ precedence. You can view a full-screen map or examine audio choices in larger element, however I desire to go away the readouts in a extra conventional gauge mode. A head-up show additional reduces distraction by beaming automobile velocity, velocity restrict indicators and extra proper to your peepers.Volkswagen might have gone a bit overboard on contact functionality, although. The steering-wheel buttons operate as each touchpads and common buttons, which may result in some awkward work on the quantity slider. The local weather management is solely digital, which might be irritating, too, because it means swapping by means of menus to alter widespread features like fan velocity. Temperature and quantity controls are accessible on sliders beneath the show, however for some purpose, they are not illuminated at night time.Hopefully, a number of the Golf R’s technological kinks are ironed out earlier than its official US debut.
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Down to brass tacksSo, how a lot will the Golf R price? I do not know. The outgoing Golf R was already a hair over $40,000 when it was discontinued again in 2019, and given the newfound options and energy in its successor, it is possible that the price of entry will rise. That’s a tall ask for a Volkswagen Golf, even one as spectacular as this. But then once more, a Honda Civic Type R is sort of $39,000 lately, and the VW does really feel extra premium, so maybe that is simply what state-of-the-art sizzling hatchery prices these days. For a man raised on cheap sizzling hatches, that is nonetheless a troublesome capsule to swallow, although this new mannequin will not be confused with a 1.8-liter Golf anymore.If you do determine to take a dive into the deep finish, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf R is immensely rewarding. It’s a hoot and a half on any highway, straight or curvy, and now greater than ever, it appears like a mannequin that may stand by itself as a real efficiency automobile.
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