The first reports from those who have driven the
VW Golf R
in the UK have been overwhelmingly positive. The speed and traction were a given, but the praise of an involving, adjustable chassis was perhaps less expected. We'll hope to get hold of one as soon as possible to discover for ourselves.
It's looking production ready from here
Until then, have a ponder on the possibility of a Golf R estate. Yes, really. VW hasn't even been particularly subtle about disguising this car, the spy shots revealing the silver wagon carries R badges, and has twin exhausts as well as wheels lifted from the hatch. It looks great actually, discreet enough to go fairly unnoticed but with the right level of intent to distinguish it to those in the know.
It seems unlikely that, if a Golf R estate was to be made, it would deviate significantly from the hatchback's mechanical spec. So expect the same 300hp, 280lb ft, Haldex 4WD and manual or DSG transmission choices as the hatch.
But it's important to note that, for now, a Golf R estate isn't a dead cert for production. Apparently VW is still mulling it over. Though of course it has experience of rapid(ish) load-luggers with the W8 and R36 Passat estates, there has never been a performance Golf wagon. It's a niche within a niche, the performance estate, but we hope VW can get the numbers to add up. It would be significantly quicker than the Octavia vRS, hopefully preventing any cannibalisation there. Ford has managed to justify the niche with the Focus ST and with the Volvo V60 Polestar imminent, the Golf already has a power rival. Please VW, make it happen!