The Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet Concept was unveiled at Wörthersee 2011 and these latest spy photos show a production version in final testing.

Spied wearing a GTI body, the prototype wouldn’t raise any eyebrows if it weren’t for the Talladega-style wheels, which are a trademark of Golf R models. Despite the prototype’s low-key appearance, the production model will likely feature the more aggressive Golf R front bumper, aerodynamic side skirts and a center-mounted dual exhaust system. We can also expect a sport-tuned suspension, high-performance brakes and an upgraded interior.

There should be no surprises when it comes to power, as the Golf R Cabriolet will feature the same 2.0-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine found in the hot hatch. Power is 199 kW (detuned to 188 kW for our South Africa’s warmer climate and poorer fuel quality) with peak torque of 350 Nm, which is likely to be linked to VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system. Last year, VW had revealed that the Golf R Cabriolet Concept could go from 0 to 100 km/h in under 6 seconds and top out at 250 km/h.

While VW’s 188 kW Golf R hatchback is hardly underpowered, the engineers over at the German tuning firm Siemoneit Racing felt like it could use some extra ponies.

Siemoneit Racing calls its tuned VW Golf R the ‘Black Pearl’, for obvious reasons, and it offers customers a choice of two performance packages. The first boosts the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine’s output from 188 kW and 320 Nm to 261 kW and 485 Nm through the use of updated ECU software, a custom exhaust and a new air intake system. The second and more comprehensive package transforms the Golf R into a 390 kW monster by further tweaking the engine software, adding a larger turbocharger, a new intercooler and a different exhaust system.

Lastly, customers can order a carbon fibre bonnet and a reprogrammed transmission, which Siemoneit Racing says, “affords faster acceleration, super-rapid gear changes and even more fun at the wheel – whether on the road or on the race track.”

Human nature is insatiable. We are never satisfied and as soon as we have something, we want something better. The “I want” of modern society is, in all likelihood, largely due to the marketing profession’s flagrant promulgation of materialism in every aspect of our lives, which is fantastic, because you and I get to drive cars like the Volkswagen Golf R.

Having set themselves a materialistic benchmark with the previous generation Golf R32, Volkswagen needed to produce something – yes, you guessed it – better, more powerful and faster. As a gauge for how much better the Golf R is, we need to remind ourselves of what the Golf R32 was. Launched in Europe in late 2005, the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 R32 employed a 3.2-litre V6 engine with 184 kW and 320 N.m of torque. The Mk5 R32 sent its power to all four wheels via a Haldex-based four-wheel drive system and optional Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG), good enough for a 0 – 100 km/h time of 6.2 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. In the end though, weighing 155 kgs more than the Mk5 GTI, many agreed the R32 didn’t have enough of a definitive performance advantage over the GTI to warrant the price premium.

For this, the Mk6 Golf R, it’s quite clear what Volkswagen needed to do. Beginning with the engine, the 3.2-litre V6, which had served dutifully within the Volkswagen AG Group (VAG) in such models as the Audi TT, Audi A3, Volkswagen Touareg and even the first generation of Porsche Cayenne, was replaced with a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit (EA113). This is the same 2.0 TFSI engine found in the Audi S3, Seat Leon Cupra R and Audi TTS.

The four-cylinder engine produces 188 kW and 350 N.m of torque courtesy of 1.2 bar of boost pressure. A reinforced cylinder block and connecting rods ensure the torque is reliably transferred to the crank shaft. The smaller capacity engine in the Golf R manages to produce more power (4 kW and 30 N.m) than the previous 3.2-litre V6, weighs less and returns 1.2 L/100km better fuel economy at 8.5 L/100km. The economy figures weren’t as stellar on our test route, with the Golf R quaffing a touch over 11 L/100km, however, this was a natural by-product of revelling in the R’s high-speed abilities. Despite the healthy power figures, the engine performs best in the top 3rd of its rev range and rewards with a sweet exhaust note, not to mention illegal figures on the speedometer.

With healthy improvements made under the bonnet, the engineers at Volkswagen R GmbH (VW’s specialist tuning division), turned to the four-wheel drive system. Power is channelled between the axles via a far more ‘pro-active’ 4Motion system. Thanks to an electronically controlled, hydraulically operated, multi-plate clutch, the Golf R distributes its power between the front and rear axles to deliver a safer and more dynamic driving experience. Up to 100 percent of the engine’s torque can be sent to the rear axle if required. While the Golf R doesn’t turn as quickly as a front- or rear-wheel drive car through tighter sections of blacktop, it certainly offers far more mid-corner traction and allows the driver to tackle high-speed sweeps and bumps with utter confidence.

When it came to the running gear, development engineers adopted the familiar McPherson strut-type front suspension with helical springs and telescoping shock absorbers. At the rear, a multi-link suspension ensures that the standard ESP system seldom needs to intervene. The basic Golf layout was transformed into a sport chassis with ride-height lowered 25 millimetres and the springs, dampers and stabilisers were completely re-tuned to this new configuration. Also available as an option is Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), which continually adapts suspension damping to the road conditions. In addition to the standard ‘Normal’ mode, the driver can manually activate a ‘Sport’ or ‘Comfort’ mode. At R10 470 the DCC is a worthwhile option as it successfully takes the ‘edge’ off the ride over less than perfect roads, while offering a firm and reassuring attitude when utilising the R’s full power and traction abilities.

In combination with the mechanical grip offered by the 4Motion system, the Golf R also boasts 19-inch alloy wheels, fitted with 235/35 profile rubber. Behind the shiny five spoke alloys, are high-gloss black brake calipers that slow 345 mm discs in front and 310 mm units at the back. So, whether accelerating, cornering or braking, the Golf R seems virtually unflappable, with levels of grip that threaten to make the car all too sensible in fact.

Piloting the Golf R is a comfortable and confident affair. The leather covered sports seats offer ample support in all directions and conditions. The steering wheel adjusts to an agreeable position, while its flat bottom, perforated leather trim and multi-function controls keep your hands entertained. The paddle shifters for operating the 6-speed DSG transmission are familiar across the VW range and move with the steering wheel, so they’re always in the right place when you need to initiate a shift, which is enhanced by the growl from the twin-exhaust pipes on every occasion.

Being the flagship Golf, the R is well equipped as standard, including features such as Bi-xenon headlights with dynamic corner light and headlight cleaning system; hill-hold control; LED daytime running lights and LED tail-lights; rain sensing wipers; tyre pressure indicator; automatic climate control; Radio/CD/MP3-player with 8-speakers; front and rear park-distance control.

Cosmetic enhancements, apart from the obvious ‘Talladega’ 19-inch wheels and aggressive bodykit, include door mirror housings in high-gloss black, together with the grille and rear diffuser. Inside, the R features various chrome and aluminium highlights around the airvents and switchgear, along with aluminium-look sports pedals and inserts on the door panels and instrumentation.

The Volkswagen Golf R takes the GTI’s all-round appeal and steps it up a satisfying couple of notches in terms of performance and style. Is it faster than the GTI? Definitely. Is it more fun than the GTI? Definitely. Are we satisfied? Never. But that’s not Volkswagen’s fault, they’ve delivered the fastest and best Golf to-date.

What we like…

• Sporty and refined styling built on the classiest hot hatch, the Golf GTI.
• Powerful engine combined with slick DSG gearbox.
• Confidence inspiring 4Motion system – keep your foot buried when others lift off.

What we would like…

• Not much – the World Car Of The Year title is still as relevant to the Mk6 Golf today as it was when it was awarded in 2009.
• A better price – for around R10k more you can bask in the more premium appeal of the Audi S3.

The new Volkswagen Golf R is here! The Golf R is the flagship of the Golf range and the most powerful Golf model ever built, so let’s cut to the chase shall we: The Golf R sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds, whilst the DSG equipped car is even faster at 5.5 seconds to reach 100km/h. A 2.0-litre turbocharged engine pushes out 188 kW and 350 N.m. of torque, which is enough for a limited top speed of 250 km/h. Drive is sent to the tarmac via a 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG transmission.

The Volkswagen Golf R uses the EA113 series 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol engine together with a turbocharger that delivers oxygen under 1.2 bar of pressure. The four cylinders of the engine have been equipped with reinforcing bolts, unlike less powerful TSI versions. VW engineers also designed stronger connecting rods to reliably transfer the engine’s high torque to the crankshaft and the cylinder block has been reinforced to handle the more strenuous engine forces. The lighter and small engine also uses 1.2 L/100km less petrol than the Golf R32 that preceded it. Volkswagen claim the new Golf R requires just 8.5 L/100km on average and expells 199 g/km of CO2. The DSG version is slightly better at 8.4 L/100km and 195 g/km CO2.

The Golf R uses the latest generation of Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system. Compared to the Golf R32, the new Golf R has a constantly variable torque split and is no longer as front-biased as the old system. Up to 100 percent of torque can be transferred to the rear wheels and the latest 4Motion system is much quicker to react to changes in grip levels. The suspension setup consists of Macpherson struts in front and a multi-link configuration at the rear, while the car rides 25 mm lower than a regular Golf. Optional Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) and offers a choice of suspension damping settings ranging from Comfort to Normal and Sport modes. The brake system has also been suitably upgraded to cope with the demands of performance driving. Internally ventilated brakes discs, 345 mm in front and 310 mm at the rear, clamp R-specific brake callipers painted a high-gloss black with R-logo. 19-inch alloy wheels and 235/35 profile tyres connect the Golf R with terra firma.

The exterior styling sets the flagship R apart in a number of areas such as the ‘Talladega’ style wheels, black brake callipers with R-logo and new bumper design. In front, three large air intakes shape the front bumper section; louvres on the intakes are painted in high-gloss black, and standard LED strips that serve as daytime running lights are integrated in the two outer air intakes. Also painted in high-gloss black are the two louvres of the radiator grille. A new R-logo design appears in chrome on the right side of the grille. Standard Bi-Xenon headlights with dynamic cornering light illuminate the way through the night. On its sides, the Golf R is recognisable by side skirt extensions in body colour and mirror housings painted in high-gloss black.

Interior highlights include ‘Art Grey’ decorative seams on all leather stitching; gloss-black highlights on the steering wheel; a re-styled R gearshift knob; carpet floor mats with piping in ‘Art Grey’; aluminium door tread plates with R-logo and the instruments with their blue pointers and a speedometer scale that reads up to 300 km/h. Stainless steel sport pedals and R-specific instrument and door accents in ‘Silver Lane’ styling round out the interior features.

Optional extras for the new Golf R include Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC); a rearview camera with Park Distance Control (PDC); premium DynAudio sound system; satellite navigation; electric sunroof; racing bucket seats in a leather/alcantara combination.

Pricing includes a 3-year/120 000km warranty, 5-year/90 000km service plan and a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty.

Volkswagen brought out four different variants of the Volkswagen Golf R to the Geneva Motor Show. Though none of the four have exceptional performance improvements, they do feature upgrades in aesthetic features.

Painted in Carbon Steel Grey, the first model is matched with an Almandine Red interior with Nappa leather touches. It rides on shiny Talladega style 19-inch alloy wheels, which cover orange calipers. This orange colour is also used on the piping around the seats and side panels. Interior furnishings include ergonomically-designed shell seats that are polished in piano black paint. Meanwhile, carbon fibre accenting on the gear shift, steering wheel and door inserts, match the side mirror caps.

Several of these features are repeated on the model in Oryx White with a St. Tropez White interior. his car has better colour coordination, doing away with the multiple colour scheme of the Carbon Steel Grey model. The white car also has the Talladega 19-inchers, along with aluminum trim strips.

Two more models can be found in a separate lounge area of the VW stand. In bright Aplomb Blue, the Golf R looks a bit sporting, with several features in carbon fibre including the seat backs and door sills. This is replicated on the model painted in Brilliant Silver, both of which use black Nappa leather interiors with a blue leather accent on the seat.

Leather-trimmed sports steering wheels are found on all four models, each of which has specialized floor mats.

via WorldCarFans

APS has revealed details of their Volkswagen Golf R Stage 2 upgrade program. The APS Volkswagen Golf R Stage 2 package includes Milltek large bore turbo down pipe, high flow sports catalyst and a Milltek stainless steel sports exhaust system. The exhaust system offered by the APS Volkswagen Golf R Stage 2 features a switchable electronic exhaust valve, 2.75-inch bore tubing and dual 100 mm ceramic black tailpipes. The APS Volkswagen Golf R Stage 2 develops 242 kW. You can either get a non-resonated cat-back system or a resonated Milltek cat back exhaust.

The APS Volkswagen Golf R Stage 2 price is £1 999, or roughly R21 500. If the Stage 2 is not enough for you, the tuner announced that it’s currently developing the Stage 3 which will deliver 257 kW!

The tuners from Wimmer RS have released details of their Volkswagen Golf R upgrade program. Called ‘Red Devil’, the tuning company has given the Golf R a serious boost in power. The 2,0-litre TFSI engine that produces 199 kW in the standard Golf R, has been reworked to produce a mental 352 kW and 610 Nm of torque!

To get the huge power increase, the Wimmer Volkswagen Golf R benefits from a re-mapped ECU, a re-tuned turbocharger, modified fuel injection nozzles and modified connecting rods. The Wimmer Volkswagen Golf R also comes with a new cylinder head, larger intercooler, oil cooler, revised air intake system, modified crank shaft and an additional oil pump. The list of modifications continues with a second low pressure fuel pump, sport camshafts and a completely new, handmade, steel sports exhaust system with 84 mm diameter pipes and a sports catalytic converter.

Thankfully the Wimmer Golf R has also been given a bigger set of stoppers and a new suspension system for better grip and safety. Performance details are limited – no 0 to 100 km/h benchmark sprint time is available – but Wimmer have said the top speed is electronically limited to 291 km/h.

Almost as surprising as the huge power figures is the car’s ‘sleeper’ look, both from the outside and under the bonnet – apart from the gloss-black 19-inch alloys it could be a regular Golf R.

The tuners from RevoZport have released the Razor R upgrade program for the new Volkswagen Golf R. The RevoZport Volkswagen Golf R Razor upgrade includes a new body kit for the German hot hatch, but unfortunately, the power output remains at the standard level of 199 kW and 350 N.m.

The RevoZport Razor body kit includes a new carbon Kevlar bonnet, a carbon fibre front grille and splitter, new side skirts and a rear bumper. The RevoZport Volkswagen Golf R Razor aerodynamics package also includes a carbon fibre rear diffuser, roof spoiler and mirror caps. The price for the kit is €3 552.

The all-wheel drive Volkswagen Golf R is by no means a slow car, with a claimed 0 – 100 km/h time of 5.5 seconds for the DSG equipped car and a top speed of 250 km/h. However, the folks over at German tuning firm Sport-Wheels, have decided to further enhance the performance credentials of Wolfsburg’s hot hatch.

The tuning shop brings output from the car’s standard 199 kW (SA’s Golf R’s will get 188 kW) and 350 N.m of peak torque to 242 kW and 450 N.m. The power boost comes from a recalibrated ECU as well as a custom sport exhaust system for the car’s 2,0-litre TSI engine.

The suspension has been lowered and stiffened courtesy of a set of KW springs. A set of lightweight 20-inch Ultraleggera HLT alloy wheels from O.Z., shod in 235/30 R20 tyres, are also part of the package – although it’s a shame they’ve decided to mask their natural beauty with that bright red paint. The decal set in the pictures is reminiscent of the Porsche GT3 RS, but is only for those with bolder tastes we’d imagine.

The German tuners at Motoren Technik Mayer have just come out with a stellar example of the world’s favourite sport compact car, the Volkswagen GTI.

The standard Golf 6 GTI comes from the factory with a 155 kW 2,0-litre TFSI four cylinder engine and Volkswagen launched the more potent 199 kW Golf R at the Frankfurt Motor Show recently.  The new MTM VW GTI however, promises to deliver power on par with the Golf R and should save owners quite a few pennies at the same time.

For the fraction of the difference between the two cars, owners can upgrade their front wheel drive hot hatch with MTM’s tuning program that raises output to match the Golf R at 199 kW but also raises torque to a total of400 N.m. With a simple air filter and reflashed ECU the GTI’s top speed rises to 264 km/h. In order to handle the additional power MTM offers a variety of high performance clutches and a variety of Brembo brake setups, to bring the high speed high jinks to a quick halt. Finishing off MTM’s latest show piece are a set of their signature Bimoto lightweight rims, measuring 19 inches in diameter and finished in a similar black to compliment the decorative stripe that runs along the base of the doorsill.

The German tuner is offering an all around upgrade for the Golf 6 GTI that makes it almost as good as the upcoming Golf R for a lot less money.

Adapted from TopSpeed

GTI-R, R20, R20T – no, ‘Golf R’ is what VW have elected to call their re-incarnation of the R32, which was officially introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Enthusiasts need not be disappointed by the removal of the trademark V6 with the new Golf R boasting the title as the fastest-accelerating Volkswagen ever.

The Golf R is equipped with a 2,0-litre TSI four-cylinder engine, producing peak power of 199 kW at 6 000 rpm and 350 N.m of torque, coupled with a new generation all-wheel-drive system.

Not only is the new engine 35 kg lighter and 15 kW more powerful than the 3,2-litre V6 found in the outgoing Golf R32, it is also more efficient, with a combined fuel economy figure of just 7.1 litres per 100km while CO2 emissions fall from 257 g/km to 199 g/km.

Despite its gains in efficiency, the new car can accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds, or 0.2 seconds quicker when equipped with a six-speed DSG transmission.

The four-cylinder 2,0-litre engine is derived from the MkV Golf GTI and features a reinforced cylinder block, uprated pistons, conrods ,high pressure injectors, an uprated turbocharged and new intercooler.

The new 345 mm front brakes are joined by uprated suspension that has been lowered by 25 mm with revised spring and damper rates and new anti-roll bars.

The Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) has also been revised for the Golf R with two stages designed for track use.

Unlike the four-wheel-drive system offered on the R32 that relied on differing wheel speeds between the front and rear axles to engage the four-wheel drive, the system fitted to the Golf R uses a pre-charged hydraulic system that’s able to react more quickly while also limiting the torque being channeled through either axle to reduce wheelspin. In certain circumstances, the Golf R is able to channel 100 per cent of the torque available to the rear wheels if required.

To differentiate the Golf R from the standard Golf or GTI model, it features new front and rear bumpers complete with LED running lights at the front and a gloss black diffuser at the rear housing a pair of central exit exhausts. A set of Xenon headlights, new black grille and wing mirrors create a menacing look which the sill extensions are flanked by 18-inch five-spoke wheels complete with 225/40 tyres as standard – 19-inch wheels with 235/35 tyres are optional.

Inside, owners will be greeted by a set of distinctive aluminium ‘R’ kick plates which are joined by new seats finished in grey Alcantara contrasted against high-grip black mesh cloth.

The new Golf R is set to arrive in the UK in December with local prices and specifications due to be announced closer to launch.

Adapted from CarAdvice