Volkswagen Golf R, with more new features than it seems

The day has come and the Volkswagen Golf R It has finally been fully revealed. We already have several exterior and interior images, as well as the main general data of the sports compact Volkswagen. The first thing to keep in mind is that it will hit the market in the coming months, and its prices are still unknown.

This fifth generation Volkswagen Golf R is presented as the Golf most powerful ever mass-produced. We are talking about its 2.0 cc 1.984 TSI mechanics developing nothing less than 320 hp. The maximum torque is 420 Nm, and is available from 2.100 rpm to 5.350; so it is a very elastic motor.

More efficiency, more effectiveness

The brand comments in its press release that the engine has a new thermal management system to allow rapid heating. This reduces cold friction losses and, therefore, consumption.

In addition, this mechanical EA888 evo4 has variable distribution in intake and exhaust, being able to vary the lift in the exhaust valves. This improves performance throughout the rotation regime and allows better control of gases, reducing polluting emissions.

As in the last generations, the Golf R will only be available in our market with a DSG dual-clutch gearbox with 7 gears. After passing all the energy through the gearbox, it is sent to all four wheels through a new performance-oriented 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

By the way, among its benefits we find a 0 to 100 km/h in 4,6 seconds and a limited maximum speed of 250 km/h, which can be extended to 270 km/h.

Selective torque control, driving modes and specific suspension

This system comes with selective torque control on the rear axle, which should translate into greater agility out of corners and less understeer. Normally I send more torque to the rear wheel from the outside of the corner to help the car turn in and out of slow turns faster. This system works in conjunction with the XDS of the front train and the adaptive chassis.

As usual in this type of car, there is no lack various driving modes selectable. Said modes are Comfort, Sport, Race and Individual, being selected directly from the R button at the bottom of the steering wheel.

As if this were not enough, the R-Performance package of the Volkswagen Golf R adds two other modes are called Special and Drift. The former has the parameters adjusted to be as effective as possible at the Nürburgring circuit, where this car was tuned. In fact, to give you an idea, the suspension is softer than in Race mode.

For its part, the Drift mode - for track use only - facilitates skidding by partially deactivating the ESC and sending more power to the outer wheels. And it is that, among other things, the stability control can be selected in two stages of intervention, which are normal and Sport. You can also completely disconnect.

These conduction modes alter the reactivity of steering, throttle and gearbox response, traction management and suspension stiffness, being able to also change the sound of the engine. By the way, the suspension setting is 10% stiffer than in the previous Golf R. In addition to this, the sidewalls have been modified to improve stability in fast corners.

Specific exterior and interior design

Finally, let's quickly review the layout. The Volkswagen Golf R has specific bumpers and slightly bulkier wheel arches than any Golf or GTI sports car. As you can see, there is no lack of R inscriptions (which, by the way, are new), as well as the famous four exhaust outlets that can be signed by Akrapovic optionally.

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El cabin it is more dynamic. There are no usual blue accents, such as stitching on the sports steering wheel or on the seats. The trim that runs along the dashboard is also more attractive, with a different effect.

However, the two points that I like the most about the passenger compartment is that the instrumentation allows us view interesting accurate data on sports driving, such as oil temperature, G-forces or turbo pressure, among others. The other point to be thankful for is that paddle shifters are considerably larger than in the rest of the automatic Volkswagen Golf, which is always very welcome.