Thursday 16th July 2015

Volkswagen Golf R: PH Fleet

Dull noise? Who cares? Let James tell you about the launch control...

---

Most party goers can be split into two distinct groups. On the one hand you have the outgoing, flamboyant types who love to be the life and soul of any gathering. They're always brimming with amusing anecdotes and are constantly itching to show off their favourite party trick. The other group are content to quietly chat away, have a few drinks, not cause a scene and enjoy a sophisticated, relaxing evening. The Golf R definitely belongs to a member of this group. It just goes about its business without causing a fuss. Or at least I thought it did...

Too subtle? The debate continues!

Just recently KX15 PWV has been attracting quite a bit of attention whilst out and about. In part this maybe to do with the enormous PH smiley on the boot lid, but a couple of weeks back I had a classic (and very blokeish) chat on a petrol station forecourt. The guy spotted the car from his pump as he fuelled his R32 up and as I walked back from paying he came over to talk about the car. Turns out that he very interested in the R as he was considering buying one. Within the space of 30 seconds all the key features had been discussed in shorthand and he was very impressed, particularly with how the car looks in metal. Although he was disappointed with the noise when I started it up to leave, somehow cramming in at least half a dozen references to R32s and six-cylinder engines in five seconds.

Anyway, still surprised at the attention the car received the very next day there was more! While sitting in a traffic jam the guy in the car alongside made the universal sign for 'wind your window down', which instantly endeared him to me. What ensued was more or less a replay of the forecourt discussion, albeit a bit more fragmented as we drove side by side at 3mph on the northbound carriageway of the A43 just south of Towcester. "Looks great" "nice wheels" and "how fast is it?" were the main topics of conversation. Sadly though "sounds a bit dull" was the parting comment as I peeled onto the A5.

So while the car might be a bit of a wallflower and not have much in the way of visual drama, it stands out enough to be a talking point amongst well informed enthusiasts; that's probably quite a nice balance.

Er, James, not the best place for a launch

Then like the quiet chap at a party suddenly downing a shot and doing the worm across the dancefloor, I discovered that the Golf R has a party trick after all. It takes a bit of fiddling to find, but DSG Golf Rs do have launch control, and it is mighty impressive.

In a similar way to 911 Turbo S, all that's required is the 'ESC Sport' traction control mode, the gearbox in Sport, a left foot stamped on the brake and a right foot on the throttle. Quickly the revs climb to around 4,000rpm, the boost builds and all you have to do is let the brake off. Wow.

I'm fortunate enough to have driven some really fast cars, but the Golf is the most surprising, perhaps thanks to the juxtaposition between mild-mannered, mid-sized family hatch and this level of acceleration. We employed the V-Box for some accurate figures and with - surprise, surprise - no fuss at all the car consistently hit 62mph in 4.6 seconds. For reference that's 0.3 seconds faster than VW claims, and our test was with a full tank of fuel and two people on a cold and damp surface. That's incredible.

So be warned, if you see a mild mannered Golf with big wheels and a subtle body kit sitting at some traffic lights just make sure it is a GTD or a GTI. You'll need something very quick to match an R! Wonder if the badge could be swapped for a Bluemotion one?

---

FACT SHEET
Car: 2015 Volkswagen Golf R
Run by: Matt, or James when there's fun stuff
On fleet since: March 2015
Mileage: 6,012 
List price new: £32,220 (£36,055 as tested including £895 for 19-inch 'Pretoria' wheels, £1,765 for Discover Pro Nav, £815 for Dynamic Chassis Control dampers and £360 for Winter Pack).
Last month at a glance: The Golf fanbase continues to grow, even from those not driving

Previous updates:
All The Internet owns one, now PH has a Golf R!
Golf R great everyday; who'd have thought?
Track test for the Golf and it's fairly ace there too

[rtz62]

Looks nice in red with those 19" Pretoria wheels.
The 3 I've seen near me are all Lapiz Blue with the 18" Cadiz wheels.
Hard to believe that a simple issue of colour and wheels can, in my opinion, turn what looks like a classic performance Golf to something that is positively gopping.
Me?, I'd go with the red and against my better judgement, the larger wheels.
Reminds me of the Mk1 Gti 1600 I had way back in Mars Red...