Handling-eR
If you're like me and anything AWD gets your mojo brewing, then you'll like the R's Haldex Generation 4 AWD system. You caught that did you not? I said like because the Haldex is front-wheel biased. It preloads the rear wheels before their services are required but the car needs to be heavily induced with lots of throttle or lift-off in order to get the rear to twist and shout. That's the like part...
In normal driving situations, the 2012 Volkswagen Golf R will always get you through the tough spots and will never leave you wanting for more grip. On the snow-covered frozen lake where we testing the car, a mechanical full-time AWD system with a 40/60 split would have possibly made for more fun. But believe-me-you that if you find something wrong with the Haldex, you're either a rally driver or some kind of professional driver.
The R rides on a lowered sport suspension that, in typical Volkswagen fashion, marries handling with comfort. The lucky Europeans get an adjustable suspension with normal, comfort and sport modes. Cost cutting is the reason we forego this system.
DriveR
As for the drive, the Golf R is a phenomenal cruiser. On pavement, ice or snow-covered anything, the car stays confidently flat, poised and almost relaxed. The R's electromechanical steering is amongst the best of its kind in the price range, and beyond.
The extra power is clamped down by big R-specific brakes. The front and rear vented discs, measuring respectively 345 and 310 mm, fear not repeated and even serious abuse. On the ice track, the middle pedal was recurrently solicited as getting up to speed was surprisingly easy thanks to the homegrown Lappi winter tires, complete with 250 1.5-mm studs per tire.
InterioR and exterioR
The 2012 Volkswagen Golf R's cabin is full-load GTI spec. That is to say that materials, fit and finish and accoutrements are top-drawer.
The main difference lies in the seats. In Canada, bla bla bla, we will not be privy to high-back sport buckets. We'll get Top Sport leather seats which are fine but do not hold passengers with the same firm hand. If you want the sport buckets (there are pictures in the gallery), you can order them from Europe but will rob you of something along the lines of $7,000... I'd seriously think about it.
If you're like me and anything AWD gets your mojo brewing, then you'll like the R's Haldex Generation 4 AWD system. You caught that did you not? I said like because the Haldex is front-wheel biased. It preloads the rear wheels before their services are required but the car needs to be heavily induced with lots of throttle or lift-off in order to get the rear to twist and shout. That's the like part...
In normal driving situations, the 2012 Volkswagen Golf R will always get you through the tough spots and will never leave you wanting for more grip. On the snow-covered frozen lake where we testing the car, a mechanical full-time AWD system with a 40/60 split would have possibly made for more fun. But believe-me-you that if you find something wrong with the Haldex, you're either a rally driver or some kind of professional driver.
The R rides on a lowered sport suspension that, in typical Volkswagen fashion, marries handling with comfort. The lucky Europeans get an adjustable suspension with normal, comfort and sport modes. Cost cutting is the reason we forego this system.
 |
| The R rides on a lowered sport suspension that, in typical Volkswagen fashion, marries handling with comfort. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
DriveR
As for the drive, the Golf R is a phenomenal cruiser. On pavement, ice or snow-covered anything, the car stays confidently flat, poised and almost relaxed. The R's electromechanical steering is amongst the best of its kind in the price range, and beyond.
The extra power is clamped down by big R-specific brakes. The front and rear vented discs, measuring respectively 345 and 310 mm, fear not repeated and even serious abuse. On the ice track, the middle pedal was recurrently solicited as getting up to speed was surprisingly easy thanks to the homegrown Lappi winter tires, complete with 250 1.5-mm studs per tire.
InterioR and exterioR
The 2012 Volkswagen Golf R's cabin is full-load GTI spec. That is to say that materials, fit and finish and accoutrements are top-drawer.
The main difference lies in the seats. In Canada, bla bla bla, we will not be privy to high-back sport buckets. We'll get Top Sport leather seats which are fine but do not hold passengers with the same firm hand. If you want the sport buckets (there are pictures in the gallery), you can order them from Europe but will rob you of something along the lines of $7,000... I'd seriously think about it.
 |
| The 2012 Volkswagen Golf R's cabin is full-load GTI spec. That is to say that materials, fit and finish and accoutrements are top-drawer. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |