RE: Driven: Volkswagen Golf R

[soad]

I quite like the looks of this car, 4WD is always handy too.

[Dagnut]

Escort Si-130 said:

After waiting months to see a driven review here on PH for this car, it seems to have gone to nothing much in it. I guess it seems the Scirocco R really has overshadowed the Golf R. I guess at the end of the day the 4wd doesnt stack up unlss you have that V6 to back it up.
I have still yet to see one on the road yet. Are they still sold out for 2010 or was it marketing hype.

Depends on the awd system..if we are taking Subarus DCCD, or we are taking the rear biased Haldex that audi use in the RS4 or the R8 well then it blows FWD out of the water..doesn't matter what fancy diff you put in it.....but if your using the AWD system with front biased(its 95% under normal conditions)that is used in this Golf and the rest of the Audi range well there isn't a lot of difference unless you lose traction

[300bhp/ton]

Dracoro said:

300bhp/ton said:

bales said:

300bhp/ton said:

Rather a dull looking excuse for a performance car and a massively over inflated price range. You've seriously got to be nuts, not only to want one, but to actually pay full whack for a bit of tat like this....

Ha ha your going to be so annoyed if someone doesn't pick you up on that aren't you!

I wonder if there is some yank car to compare it to

Or anything that isn't a dull Golf maybe

370z, Impreza STI, RX8, Focus RS, BMW 125i, MINI JCW...

[Remagel2507]

Matt0812 said:

So, if you want a quick and exciting VW, you buy a Scirocco R. If you want a quick Golf, you buy a GTI surely? Can't see as much appeal in this as old R32 now that glorious V6 is gone.

Agreed that engine and engine note alone was the one reason why loads of people bought the R32, now theres no V6 I cant see why you would want to buy that over a GTI

[the-photographer]

Somewhat interesting comparison from Germany (Golf R, 130, S3 and Focus RS)

Golf just pips the 130, but its close;

German original

Google translate original

[dingocooke]

Really like the style of the new(ish) Sirocco, until I sat in one; feels cramped.
If youre tallish, buy the Golf.
£34k for a hot Golf, thats got to be destined to be the fastest depreciating 2010 car?? I think Id rather go for a Golf GTI, and buy a toy with the change..and it could be quite a toy...

[bales]

Dagnut said:

why can't VW just cut lose once and give us a proper performance machine...they always seem just a little bit to safe..they could of easily given this 300bhp..but then they are stepping on S3 toes..

Not really, this is a direct competitor for the S3 the both have the same power, engine and drivetrain.

Seems an odd car to bring out for VAG really, they are both aimed at the same market and are in the same price range...

[Yeast Lord]

LOL why are people surprised about the price, it's priced that way because a fat one eyed scot devalued the pound.

[10 Pence Short]

bales said:

Dagnut said:

why can't VW just cut lose once and give us a proper performance machine...they always seem just a little bit to safe..they could of easily given this 300bhp..but then they are stepping on S3 toes..

Not really, this is a direct competitor for the S3 the both have the same power, engine and drivetrain.

Seems an odd car to bring out for VAG really, they are both aimed at the same market and are in the same price range...

Nah, the Golf is destined for those people who are too smug even for an Audi. They want to pretend they are 'classless' by buying a car that stinks of 'look at me in my expensive Golf'. It's a £30k piece of classic German irony.

[Waugh-terfall]

The one thing that gets me about this Golf R is the lack of the narrow-angle V6, it just seems a little disappointing having lost that characterful 6-cylinder burble/rasp. Having been out in a last-of-the-run mk5 R32 DSG yesterday evening (around Petersfield if anyone heard/saw us!) I'd say that this would be just a bit too similar to the GTI (albeit with AWD) or an Audi TT Quattro... Bring back the character! Bring back the charm! Bring back the V6!!

[Adz The Rat]

I just cant get over that price, £35k for a Golf!!

[Dracoro]

Waugh-terfall said:

The one thing that gets me about this Golf R is the lack of the narrow-angle V6, it just seems a little disappointing having lost that characterful 6-cylinder burble/rasp. Having been out in a last-of-the-run mk5 R32 DSG yesterday evening (around Petersfield if anyone heard/saw us!) I'd say that this would be just a bit too similar to the GTI (albeit with AWD) or an Audi TT Quattro... Bring back the character! Bring back the charm! Bring back the V6!!

Won't happen.

Emissions rules won't allow it.

Everything will end up smaller engined turbo charged.

Then when they get old, they wear and need more maintenance.....

Edited by Dracoro on Monday 19th April 11:08

[Dracoro]

Adz The Rat said:

I just cant get over that price, £35k for a Golf!!

Indeed, however have you seen the BMW 1 series prices!!!!! Everything is getting more expensive.

Only an issue for those that can't afford them I suppose. I'm sure enough will sell to keep the manufacturers happy.

[Waugh-terfall]

Dracoro said:

Waugh-terfall said:

The one thing that gets me about this Golf R is the lack of the narrow-angle V6, it just seems a little disappointing having lost that characterful 6-cylinder burble/rasp. Having been out in a last-of-the-run mk5 R32 DSG yesterday evening (around Petersfield if anyone heard/saw us!) I'd say that this would be just a bit too similar to the GTI (albeit with AWD) or an Audi TT Quattro... Bring back the character! Bring back the charm! Bring back the V6!!

Won't happen.

Emissions rules won't allow it.

Everything will end up smaller engined turbo charged.

Then when they get old, they wear and need more maintenance.....

Edited by Dracoro on Monday 19th April 11:08

Makes less and less sense the more you look into it doesn't it?

Why couldn't they squeeze Audi's new 3.0T (Supercharged) from the S4 and S5 Cabrio/Sportback in the front?

[kambites]

Waugh-terfall said:

Why couldn't they squeeze Audi's new 3.0T (Supercharged) from the S4 and S5 Cabrio/Sportback in the front?

I doubt there's space for a normal-angle V6 in the Golf's engine bay and I don't think that engine has ever been engineered for transverse installation.

Edited by kambites on Monday 19th April 11:14

[adycav]

If you want/need 5 doors the 5 door Golf makes sense, but it would be silly to choose a 3 door Golf over the Scirocco wouldn't it?

I too am surprised how the Golf is actually more expensive than the S3. If someone could explain why I would be grateful.

[James Junior 14]

What remarkably bland styling. Yawn.

[zakelwe]

Why does the RS need AWD and the Golf doesn't? Or are people never happy? Complain when the Ford doesn't have it, complain when the VW does

I'm sort of hoping the upcoming Polo GTi is more fun than either this or it's 2WD coupe stablemate. Certainly save a lot of money.

Andy

[Riggers]

Escort Si-130 said:

After waiting months to see a driven review here on PH for this car, it seems to have gone to nothing much in it. I guess it seems the Scirocco R really has overshadowed the Golf R. I guess at the end of the day the 4wd doesnt stack up unlss you have that V6 to back it up.
I have still yet to see one on the road yet. Are they still sold out for 2010 or was it marketing hype.

Sorry to disappoint, Si-130! I've only seen one on the road apart from the one I drove...

zakelwe said:

Why does the RS need AWD and the Golf doesn't? Or are people never happy? Complain when the Ford doesn't have it, complain when the VW does

I'm not complaining that the Golf R has 4wd - I can honestly see the point of it, it's just that from the purist, driving fun perspective a Scirocco R will give you a broader grin.

(and for what it's worth I quite like wrestling with the torque steer on the Focus RS )

[Yorkshirepud]

I just think the whole VAG group has too many similare models.

VW - Golf GTI - Golf R - Scirroco R
Seat - Leon FR - Leon Cupra - Leon Cupra R

Then add in the almost as sporty models like the S-Line Audis, the S3 etc and why do they need so many so similar?