In 1989, Volkswagen built 71 examples of the
Golf Limited. It was the most powerful Golf until the MkIV R32 a dozen
years later. It was powered by a supercharged, 2.0-liter, 16-valve
four-cylinder and put 207 hp to the ground through the same
all-wheel-drive system used on the legendary Rallye Golf. It had all the
high-end features of the day: power windows and sunroof, leather
interior, even heated seats. On the outside, they were relative
sleepers, all-gray four-doors with single, round headlights and 15-inch
BBS wheels.
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| 2015 Volkswagen Golf R
The new MkVII Golf R is similar in mission. It
doesn't forego luxury for the sake of performance, although it is the
fastest Golf ever. Although those in the know will recognize it as a
performance car, it could never be considered flashy. The biggest
difference between then and now is that the Golf R is actually sold in
the United States.
We won't see it Stateside until early next year,
but we got our hands on a European-spec version VW brought over for
testing and marketing. While it isn't the innocuous dark gray of the
Limited, it doesn't look over the top or too boy-racer even in Lapiz
Blue. The front and rear bumpers, plus the 19-inch wheels, are the
biggest tip-offs that this isn't a run-of-the-mill GTI.
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| 2015 VW Golf R Euro-spec - Tested
VW suffered from some ill-timed decisions with
previous cars wearing R badges. The MkV R32 was only offered with DSG
when everyone still wanted manuals. The MkVI R was only offered in
manual, when enthusiasts had since realized the value of computerized
shifting. The MkVII Golf R will come with either transmission. Ours has a
good old-fashioned three-pedal manual, which makes it an
apples-to-apples comparison with the last MkVI R we tested.
Photo 4/23
| 2015 Volkswagen Golf R
That earlier model in U.S. trim sported 256 hp
and 243 lb-ft of torque. Not bad numbers, but the MkVII steps up with
290 hp and 280 lb-ft. Even though 290 sounds pretty impressive, I
wouldn't be surprised if that number is on the conservative side. The
MkVI R sprinted from standstill to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds-fairly
impressive. The new R does the same nearly a tick faster, at 4.9
seconds. Keep in mind that DSG-equipped cars will probably be even
quicker. In the quarter-mile sprint, the VI ran a 14.2-second time but
couldn't quite break the century mark at 97.9 mph. The VII takes just
13.5 seconds and traps at 101.3 mph. Those of us who have been around
for a while remember when anything under 15 seconds in a hot-hatch was
flying.
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| 2015 VW Golf R Euro-spec - Tested
Besides accelerating, the R has also learned a
thing or two about stopping. The VI needed 128 feet to stop from 60 mph.
The VII shows a huge improvement, needing just 104 feet to hit halt,
thanks to 13.4-inch rotors up front and 12.2-inch rotors at the rear.
The only problem with the brakes is the pedal itself. While actuation is
good, placement could be improved. If I'm buying a manual, I want to be
able to heel-toe my downshifts. There is a bit too much distance
between the brake and gas pedal, making it pretty difficult to blip
between gears. Maybe some inventive aftermarket company can come up with
a slightly wider brake pedal cover; those buying the DSG will never
notice or care.
Photo 6/23
| 2015 VW Golf R Euro-spec - Tested
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