RE: Golf R400 testing again
Saturday 23rd September 2017
Remember the Golf R400 concept? Revealed at Beijing more than three years ago now, it promised a hell of a lot from the fast Golf formula. Like 200hp per litre, for a start. Nothing appeared to come from it, then there was that diesel issue, and now we're looking forward to VWs like the SEDRIC.
But what noise is coming from those exhausts?Or are we? These latest spy shots appear to show an even faster Golf R on the 'ring, now with a pair of chunky exhausts, a slightly tweaked rear spoiler and a set of wheels that appear to be borrowed from a B7 Audi RS4. Note as well some wavier front brake discs, rather like those on an Audi RS3 in fact.
Go on VW, you know you want to...A 400hp Golf, ridiculous though it sounds, won't be short of rivals either. You can buy a Focus RS with a warrantied 375hp, a Mercedes A-Class with 381hp and the 400hp RS3, don't forget. Moreover, given how well the standard Golf R has been received, you'd think VW would be extremely eager to add to the range.
Golf R400 testing again?
There's a fast VW Golf out at the 'ring again, and apparently this one has five cylinders...
But what noise is coming from those exhausts?
Speaking of the RS3, our spy photographer suggests that this car is using a five-cylinder engine. Frustratingly there isn't a video to support this, though of course the last VW seen on the Nordschleife with these exhaust pipes was the 'Tiguan R' - which most definitely did have a five-cylinder engine. Could it be that VW is finally being given more access to that lovely 2.5-litre turbo? Or will the EA888 2.0-litre be boosted even further?
Go on VW, you know you want to...
So, what do you think this might be? Could it be the first five-cylinder Golf since the old V5s? Or is VW duping us all, when the car is in fact a simple facelift? All thoughts welcome as always...
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[Source: Autocar, images by S.B. Medien]
Discussion
Love the 5 cylinder engine in no small part due to eight years urq ownership but man the golf leaves me cold. Always has done.
I'm sure it's very capable and with this engine sound great but I could never bring myself to owning one. Can't quite put my finger on why but it's there and won't go away!
I'm sure it's very capable and with this engine sound great but I could never bring myself to owning one. Can't quite put my finger on why but it's there and won't go away!
Just spec'd an existing golf R, and with very few options got it very close to 40K.
While I'm sure this'll be a cracking addition to the range, I do wonder how close to 40K it'll end up being. I may be a tight git, but don't fancy all the extra tax if I'm only just over the 40K limit.
While I'm sure this'll be a cracking addition to the range, I do wonder how close to 40K it'll end up being. I may be a tight git, but don't fancy all the extra tax if I'm only just over the 40K limit.
QuattroDave said:
Love the 5 cylinder engine in no small part due to eight years urq ownership but man the golf leaves me cold. Always has done.
I'm sure it's very capable and with this engine sound great but I could never bring myself to owning one. Can't quite put my finger on why but it's there and won't go away!
For me it's the looks. A lot has been made of the Type-R and how "Halfords" it looks, but this is on the opposite end of the spectrum and dull as dishwater in my eyes. Granted, that suits some people and many will like it which is perfectly fine...I'm sure it's very capable and with this engine sound great but I could never bring myself to owning one. Can't quite put my finger on why but it's there and won't go away!
phil4 said:
Just spec'd an existing golf R, and with very few options got it very close to 40K.
While I'm sure this'll be a cracking addition to the range, I do wonder how close to 40K it'll end up being. I may be a tight git, but don't fancy all the extra tax if I'm only just over the 40K limit.
At least with an R, although the list price is relatively high, you can get 15% off it bringing it back to a more reasonable levelWhile I'm sure this'll be a cracking addition to the range, I do wonder how close to 40K it'll end up being. I may be a tight git, but don't fancy all the extra tax if I'm only just over the 40K limit.
DTD will do a standard 3 door R for £27.7K for example.
https://www.drivethedeal.com/buy-a-new-car/VOLKSWA...
Something like the R400 could well be £40K list price or more plus no discounts avail
Mafffew said:
QuattroDave said:
Love the 5 cylinder engine in no small part due to eight years urq ownership but man the golf leaves me cold. Always has done.
I'm sure it's very capable and with this engine sound great but I could never bring myself to owning one. Can't quite put my finger on why but it's there and won't go away!
For me it's the looks. A lot has been made of the Type-R and how "Halfords" it looks, but this is on the opposite end of the spectrum and dull as dishwater in my eyes. Granted, that suits some people and many will like it which is perfectly fine...I'm sure it's very capable and with this engine sound great but I could never bring myself to owning one. Can't quite put my finger on why but it's there and won't go away!
Looks good. All the horrible chrome bits on the normal R has been blacked out, smart wheels and an RS3 diffuser and exhaust set up. I know this is clearly just a test-demonstrator or whatever and not the real deal but it's a good insight into what we will end up getting.
I'm glad VW are still going ahead with this.
I'm glad VW are still going ahead with this.
phil4 said:
Just spec'd an existing golf R, and with very few options got it very close to 40K.
While I'm sure this'll be a cracking addition to the range, I do wonder how close to 40K it'll end up being. I may be a tight git, but don't fancy all the extra tax if I'm only just over the 40K limit.
It is nudging 40k because of the collapse in the Brexit Pound pushing up most imports by 10-20% in the past year.While I'm sure this'll be a cracking addition to the range, I do wonder how close to 40K it'll end up being. I may be a tight git, but don't fancy all the extra tax if I'm only just over the 40K limit.
QuattroDave said:
Love the 5 cylinder engine in no small part due to eight years urq ownership but man the golf leaves me cold. Always has done.
I'm sure it's very capable and with this engine sound great but I could never bring myself to owning one. Can't quite put my finger on why but it's there and won't go away!
But that's actually the point. A Golf always looks like a Golf and that's part of the appeal for some.I'm sure it's very capable and with this engine sound great but I could never bring myself to owning one. Can't quite put my finger on why but it's there and won't go away!
Yipper said:
phil4 said:
Just spec'd an existing golf R, and with very few options got it very close to 40K.
While I'm sure this'll be a cracking addition to the range, I do wonder how close to 40K it'll end up being. I may be a tight git, but don't fancy all the extra tax if I'm only just over the 40K limit.
It is nudging 40k because of the collapse in the Brexit Pound pushing up most imports by 10-20% in the past year.While I'm sure this'll be a cracking addition to the range, I do wonder how close to 40K it'll end up being. I may be a tight git, but don't fancy all the extra tax if I'm only just over the 40K limit.
So as the pound is now 3% higher in the last couple of weeks we should see it reduce prices soon then. No.
The Uk's decision to leave the EU will cause some higher prices but it's all too conveniently being used by companies as a reason for increasing the price, and there's too many mugs out there willing to accept that excuse wholeheartedly.
Strange how other cars since June 2016 have seen nowhere near the 10-20% you're claiming. In a competitive market like certain sectors of the motor industry manufacturers will absorb a lot of the FX impact to retain their market share. Bear in mind the UK has long since been a cash cow for many companies who have used both the strength of the pound and the weakness of the pound as excuses to hike prices.
QuattroDave said:
Mafffew said:
QuattroDave said:
Love the 5 cylinder engine in no small part due to eight years urq ownership but man the golf leaves me cold. Always has done.
I'm sure it's very capable and with this engine sound great but I could never bring myself to owning one. Can't quite put my finger on why but it's there and won't go away!
For me it's the looks. A lot has been made of the Type-R and how "Halfords" it looks, but this is on the opposite end of the spectrum and dull as dishwater in my eyes. Granted, that suits some people and many will like it which is perfectly fine...I'm sure it's very capable and with this engine sound great but I could never bring myself to owning one. Can't quite put my finger on why but it's there and won't go away!
I remember looking at an R after I read all the rave reviews about how amazing and capable it was, how incredible the interior was etc etc.
Test drove it, and came away feeling completely underwhelmed and wondering what all the fuss was about.
For me, the car is geared to suit driving on an Autobahn, not a UK road, and it just didn't seem to have much character. The interior also looked - to me at least - a bit plasticky - although the same could have been said for 2 models ago on the RS3.
I just think it's a very over-rated car - think the same about the Focus RS that I bought, Mountune'd when it was a bit lacking, then sold just 6 months later.
They're both good cars, but in my eyes not deserving of the endless praise they seem to get dished out by magazines.
Ultimately, one person's ideal will always differ from another.
Incidentally, I also test drove the FK2 Type R at around the same time, and I thought it was tremendous fun, and pretty practical too with a huge boot. The caveat was the bone shaking ride and the "hit every shelf at Halfords" looks - the FK8 for me is worse, BUT what they had done was produce a car which whilst not necessarily the fastest, or most compliant ride, was rewarding to drive and put a smile on your face.
The Golf just doesn't, but like you point out, some people just want something that's middle of the road and does lots of things well without being exceptional.
Many say it responds well to a tune and makes it a far more enjoyable drive - so why don't VW pair up with someone the same way Ford did with Mountune, and give us a bit more choice
.Edited by mrnoisy78 on Thursday 21st September 12:45
culpz said:
andrewparker said:
Yeah, it gets great reviews..........................
That's the older generation RS3. The newer one, i'm led to believe, is more improved and much less under-steery.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff