Volkswagen Golf R: 320 hp and 0-100 km/h in 4.7s

At the start of the century, the German marque was prepared to create a genuinely special version to outdo the Golf GTI, but achieving that with the same four-cylinder turbo engine, only mildly improved, would not have been easy. That is why the first Golf R, the R32 - introduced in 2002 and based on the fourth-generation Golf - arrived with a naturally aspirated 3.2-litre V6 producing 240 hp and 320 Nm. It already featured four-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox, followed later by a dual-clutch (DSG) transmission; it was the first production car to receive it.

It was replaced in 2005 by the fifth-generation Golf R32, whose engine received minor revisions that added 10 hp, taking the total to 250, while peak torque remained unchanged. DSG was becoming the preferred choice, and it cut three-tenths from the 0-100 km/h acceleration time compared with the manual version (6.2s versus 6.5s).

This would be the final Golf R powered by a six-cylinder engine. In 2009, based on the sixth-generation model, the simply named Golf R appeared, with the R always standing for Racing and no number in its designation. Its V6 was replaced by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit, now equipped with turbocharging and direct injection, which lifted maximum output to 271 hp.

In 2013, the Golf R based on the Golf VII became the first Golf to reach the 300 hp mark, along with 380 Nm of torque. It went beyond that figure during its final two years on sale, reaching 310 hp.

The fifth member of the Golf R family

This fifth member of the Golf R line-up, based on the Golf VIII, retains the same engine and the same seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, though it is tuned a little more aggressively to deliver 320 hp and 420 Nm. Its drawback is a far higher price (€57,000) than the 245 hp GTI, which costs €11,300 less, although it sits only €2,700 above the 300 hp GTI Clubsport.

Visually, the R is set apart by its bespoke bumpers, larger air intakes and a lower lip inspired by motorsport. There is also an illuminated strip through the centre of the front grille, serving as a daytime running light. The door-mirror caps have a matt chrome finish, while the standard 18-inch alloy wheels have their own design - the GTI gets 17-inch wheels - as do the optional 19-inch items.

At the rear, the gloss-black aerodynamic diffuser and four exhaust outlets draw attention. The drama can be turned up further with the R-Dynamic package, which adds an XL-sized spoiler alongside those larger wheels. For visual impact but, above all, to enhance the Golf R’s soundtrack, buyers can choose an Akrapovič titanium exhaust system, which saves 7 kg and allows the driver to adjust the sound from the “command post”.

The cabin also receives exclusive details, including front seats trimmed in black and blue fabric with integrated headrests. Optional leather seats feature side sections that imitate carbon fibre, as do the dashboard trims, while the steering wheel has blue decorative inserts and stitching, the headlining is black, and the pedals and footrest are stainless steel. Yet, despite the more supportive front seats, Volkswagen should offer at least the option of adjustable side bolsters and adjustable thigh support.

320 hp and 0-100 km/h in 4.7s

The 2.0-litre engine therefore produces 320 hp and 420 Nm, just 20 hp and 20 Nm more than the GTI Clubsport. As it is 90 kg lighter - the four-wheel-drive system adds weight - the version immediately below it in the power range can deliver relatively similar performance. However, it cannot avoid losing a second in the 0-100 km/h sprint (4.6s versus 5.6s), which is more a reflection of the R’s ability to put all its output onto the road with far fewer traction losses than the front-wheel-drive GTI.

German engineers had achieved a peak output of 333 hp from this generation of the EA888 engine, but anti-pollution rules required the fitment of a particulate filter, reducing output by 13 hp. The top speed can be raised from 250 to 270 km/h by selecting the optional Performance package. In Germany, this may make sense for drivers with a racer’s instinct who can legally exploit that difference on many motorways.

Ahead of highly regarded rivals

In rolling acceleration - arguably more relevant than outright acceleration away from a race circuit - the Golf R holds no major advantage over the already excellent GTI Clubsport. The latter is lighter and reaches peak torque at a marginally lower engine speed, 2,000 rather than 2,100 rpm. At higher revs, however, the R’s cylinders clearly have “more breath”, with maximum torque sustained until 150 rpm later, at 5,350 rpm.

It is important to stress that all this takes place at an extremely high level of ability, with the credit shared between the engine’s excellent response and its very effective partnership with the fast seven-speed DSG gearbox. Demonstrating this beyond the Volkswagen universe, the Golf R is quicker, albeit by only one to three-tenths of a second, than its key rivals: the Mercedes-AMG A 35, MINI JCW GP, BMW M135i - all with 306 hp - and the Audi S3 Sportback with 310 hp. All also use four-wheel drive.

Improved four-wheel-drive system

On that subject, the Golf R retains all-wheel drive, which can still vary torque distribution between the front and rear axles. It now gains a rear limited-slip differential with torque vectoring, capable of sending all the force it receives to either of the two wheels. This is made possible by two clutches, one positioned beside each differential output.

This can, for instance, create a yaw force that tightens the car’s line, improving cornering grip under hard acceleration. It can also enable controlled slides when the car is fitted with Drift driving mode. Along with Special mode - programmed for Germany’s Nürburgring circuit, where, for example, the variable adaptive dampers should not respond too “sharply” because of the constant bumps in the tarmac - it is one of the additional settings included in the R-Performance package.

Four modes are included as standard: Comfort, Sport, Race and Individual. In Race mode, intended for circuit use, the stability control becomes more permissive and the rear limited-slip differential sends more force to the wheel on the outside of the corner, allowing easier oversteer or rear-end slides.

At the front, the electronic XDS differential works to similar effect, helping pull the car into a bend and preventing it from running wide when the driving takes on a more track-focused character. The fully independent four-wheel suspension has also been retuned, with springs that place the car 5 mm nearer the road than the GTI, whose suspension was already 20 mm lower than that of less powerful Golf versions.

A multifaceted personality

The outcome of this highly comprehensive technology cocktail is decidedly positive. Ride quality ranges from reasonably supple in Comfort mode - for a car with these tyres, this output and these ambitions - to genuinely firm at the opposite extreme. In the latter setting, the Golf R’s agile responses and steering precision are welcome; the progressive, direct steering needs just 2.1 turns lock-to-lock and works well with the upgraded brakes, which are the same as those on the GTI Clubsport.

With its various available modes, the Golf R genuinely delivers a notably versatile dynamic character, performing well across different types of road, changing traffic conditions and even the driver’s changing mood.

Technical specifications

Volkswagen Golf R
Engine
Position	Front transverse
Architecture	Inline 4-cylinder
Capacity	1984 cm³
Valve gear	2 overhead camshafts; 4 valves per cylinder (16 valves)
Induction	Direct injection, turbo, intercooler
Power	320 hp (engine speed not available)
Torque	420 Nm between 2100-5350 rpm
Transmission
Drive	Four-wheel drive
Gearbox	Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Chassis
Suspension	Front: independent, MacPherson; rear: independent, multi-link
Brakes	Front: ventilated discs; rear: discs
Steering/No. of turns	Electric power assistance/2.1
Dimensions and capacities
Length x width x height	4290 mm x 1789 mm x 1458 mm
Wheelbase	2628 mm
Boot capacity	374-1230 l
Fuel tank capacity	50 l
Wheels	225/40 R18
Weight	1551 kg (EU)
Performance and consumption
Top speed	250 km/h; 270 km/h with R Performance package
0-100 km/h	4.7s
Combined consumption	7.8 l/100 km
CO₂ emissions	177 g/km

Authors: Joaquim Oliveira/Press-Inform