Drove the MK7 Golf R

[Nikolai Petroff]

Strangely, there have not been any tests of it yet, but lo and behold, there was one at my dealership and I took one for a quick spin. Five doors, DSG.

I didn't have much time with it, but here are some quick thoughts. (I used to have a Mk6 R and now have the MK2 Mini GP)

Looks.

Can't quiet put my finger on it, but somehow it looks blander then before. I also prefer two central exhausts then 4. On winter alloys it looks like an R-Line Golf to be honest. The GTI is more interesting looking inside and out.

Interior.

Blandoori. Grey, more grey, shiny black plastics. A mass of mismatched plastics. Blasted electronic parking brake. Seats seem to have 10% less support then before. Same crap driving position with the front lip of the seat too high. You sit like you've fallen into the toilet. Somehow a lot of trim feels brittle and/or hollow.

Driving.

The new engine is much better then the old one. Sharper throttle response and less lag. The noise is miles better too, although it feels artificial somehow, like it's playing out of your hi-fi. DSG good as always. The brakes are mushier then before. Steering seems unconnected to anything and has no weighting. It rolls quiet a bit.

First impression. Golf 6 R with Golf 7 R engine would be much better. I didn't like the M135i so can't really recommend one over the other.

[Nikolai Petroff]

zeduffman said:

Was it on 19s? Was the DCC any good?

EDIT: just re-read the bit about winter tyres. Don't fancy going back when they have summer tyres on do you?

No DCC. I had my R on 17's and winters and it still felt less mushy.

Not really sure about the raison d'etre for the new R. It's too boring to be a sports hatch (like a Megane RS) and no shopping trolley needs 300 hp.

I think the interior shocked me the most, mismatched trim and lines.

[Nikolai Petroff]

idibbers said:

We're looking at test driving one but nobody seem's to have any. Where did you get to take yours for a spin? Cheers.

Switzerland. We seemed to have gotten them first :-)

[Nikolai Petroff]

David87 said:

Interesting. I too have an R56 MINI GP and have been considering one of these as a kid-carrying car for me my wife, but wasn't sure it represents very good value. Although not 4WD, the new Leon Cupra 280 might be a better bet.

I would go higher or lower. Either a Golf tdi AWD or a low mileage A class AMG???

[Nikolai Petroff]

Dribbler247 said:

If the vii r engine is a peach but the interior is poor, I wonder if the s3 is the better option?

That would be my thought too. Price difference is not that big and I think residual value is better on an Audi, thus further eroding it.

[Nikolai Petroff]

Dribbler247 said:

If the vii r engine is a peach but the interior is poor, I wonder if the s3 is the better option?

That would be my thought too. Price difference is not that big and I think residual value is better on an Audi, thus further eroding it.