Introducing the new 228kW Golf R
If you think about cars that have stayed true to their heritage, very few names come to mind. At the top of your list is probably the Porsche 911 which has remained timeless over plenty of years. The Volkswagen Golf is no exception, especially within South Africa. We love our Golfs, whether its a dusty, rusty, low-and-slow Mk1 Golf or the latest Golf R, and no matter where you go or what motoring event you attend, you’ll always find one.
The latest iteration of the VW Golf, more commonly referred to as the ‘Golf 7.5’, has received a power boost on its flagship model – the VW Golf R, which now earns the title of ‘the most powerful Golf ever produced’ thanks to the mega 228kW of power developed from its 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. The power boost is accompanied by an increase of torque, which is now at 400Nm. Drive is sent to all four wheels through a snappy 7-speed DSG gearbox, resulting in a rather rapid 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.6-seconds before reaching its top speed of 250km/h.
The updated Golf R has been welcomed into the country with open arms, building on the great reputation set by its 213kW predecessor. Another thing that Golf R owners and fanatics are excited about is the new optional Akrapovic exhaust system. That’s right. VW will fit Akrapovic exhausts for you, from the factory. If that isn’t commitment to build a thorough hot-hatch then we don’t know what is.
The interior is equipped with sporty leather seats to keep you in place while the Golf R does its intricate dance on the asphalt, along with a multifunction sports steering wheel to place the hot-hatch exactly where you need it. There’s also an optional adaptive digital instrument cluster to replace the traditional dials and needles of the last decade, reminding you that you’re piloting one of the latest hot-hatches on the market. The adaptive display provides the usual speed and rev information, but takes it a step further by also communicating information on fuel economy, consumption, range, power, and gearing.
From a practicality point of view, well… its a Golf. Expect to find enough room for five adults, ample legroom for the driver and passengers as well as a boot that’s big enough to store all the luggage necessary for the annual cross-country road trip, which is made convenient thanks to features such as LED headlights, adaptive cruise control and a host of other safety features to keep you alert.
The new Golf R also features a selection of different drive modes which are tailored for every situation. There’s a normal mode, an eco mode and a race mode for when you want to deploy all 228kW of power between some robots. Stopping power is supplied by a set of upgraded brakes, along with ‘R’ callipers which are housed behind the sporty alloy wheels. Practicality meets performance to strike a good balance on the Golf R.
Stay with us for the next two months as we unpack the Golf R in full detail.
