Hitting the road, the new Golf R is lighter in the front compared to the old V6-powered R32, and feels much nimbler due to the redistribution of weight (just 1,521 kg). With 266 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque on tap, coupled to the VW 4MOTION AWD system, this little puppy moves and then some (0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds for the six-speed manual, and 5.5 seconds for the DSG-equipped version). Sadly, here in Canada, we’ll see only the manual version for 2012, and then only in limited numbers (we can expect about 500 or 600).
This is one of those rare occasions where I’d actually prefer the DSG box over the manual, simply due to the rather long throw of the gear selector on the six-speed. Following Matt in the Beetle Turbo, which although down in power by about 65 ponies carries the DSG box, I couldn’t help but feel he had a slight advantage over me. Of course leading, he had the jump on timing out of the corners, and things would probably be a little different out on the drag strip; however, it did demonstrate to me just how good that DSG box is.
Volkswagen is onto a real winner with this model. The old R32, although wonderful, presented itself somewhat as a pure enthusiast’s vehicle. The new Golf R has all the boasting rights that go along with the R logo, and yet is neatly packaged into a fairly normal-looking vehicle. It’s not so much a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but more of an unchained rabid junkyard dog in a well-tailored suit! It is perhaps the ultimate factory-made sleeper vehicle, and who hasn’t dreamed of owning one of those?
I like it — I like it a lot!
This is one of those rare occasions where I’d actually prefer the DSG box over the manual, simply due to the rather long throw of the gear selector on the six-speed. Following Matt in the Beetle Turbo, which although down in power by about 65 ponies carries the DSG box, I couldn’t help but feel he had a slight advantage over me. Of course leading, he had the jump on timing out of the corners, and things would probably be a little different out on the drag strip; however, it did demonstrate to me just how good that DSG box is.
Volkswagen is onto a real winner with this model. The old R32, although wonderful, presented itself somewhat as a pure enthusiast’s vehicle. The new Golf R has all the boasting rights that go along with the R logo, and yet is neatly packaged into a fairly normal-looking vehicle. It’s not so much a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but more of an unchained rabid junkyard dog in a well-tailored suit! It is perhaps the ultimate factory-made sleeper vehicle, and who hasn’t dreamed of owning one of those?
I like it — I like it a lot!
 |
| The new Golf R has all the boasting rights that go along with the R logo, and yet is neatly packaged into a fairly normal-looking vehicle. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
Article Gallery