Tuesday 14th March 2017

VW Golf R Performance?

There was the Geneva car, now a mysterious video as well - just what is this Golf?

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Call it speculation, call it rumour, call it what you want - the prospect of a more exciting Golf R is one that surely deserves more attention. See PH isn't all that sold on the Golf flagship, despite what many others will say, and so a bit more dynamic edge would be more than welcome.

More interesting than just the colour it turns out!

Initial interest was piqued at the Geneva show, the yellow R on VW's stand spotted with an Akrapovic exhaust and Pirelli Trofeo R tyres, the same as used on the Huracan Performante. Following that a video has been released outlining a few more Performance upgrades and, well, they sounds rather good actually.

"Even rawer, even less compromising, even more strong-willed" is how VW officially describes this Performance package, the most interesting bits as far as PH is concerned being the "shock absorber adjustment" (which looks like offering ride height settings), front air curtains from the GTI Clubsport and a raised top speed - the video shows 267km/h, or 166mph. There's also a performance brake option which, according to the R Performance mini site, brings drilled discs and a pad upgrade.

Along with the exhaust and the tyres, there's a suggestion that this Golf R could be rather more fun than the standard car. Especially in yellow. The video doesn't state there will be any more power, though that's not really ever been lacking from the R.

Weirdly however, the Golf R Performance has been wheeled out with very little fanfare. We've contacted VW UK, who said it was a European package that isn't available yet on the Continent yet. As for over here, the official line is that "We're still evaluating whether it will be offered for sale in the United Kingdom." To the multitudinous Golf R fans out there, you know what to do!

Watch the video here.
 

[ogrodz]

Looking at the configurator, I see that the estate R now allows a towbar to be fitted. The hatchback doesn't specify it. This is a major decision factor for a middle aged man considering buying what is essentially still a boy racer's car. Subtle paintwork, wheels and towbar + performance ++++ and I'm there... Anyone listening VW?

I'll get me coat...

[xjay1337]

Probably cheaper to buy a normal R and then fit better brakes and have it remapped and fit better suspension (if you want).

Seems pointless, and that yellow is horrific, like that BMW baby sick yellow they did on the E46 M3s.

[PixelpeepS3]

2.5 from the TTRS/RS3 please VW..

Golf RR...

[phil4]

I wonder if they're pondering the £40,000 tax hike starting in April.

Currently if you spec a 5 door, in white, 18" with leather, and a few juicey options (satnav, dynamic chassis) etc, you get within a gnats whisker of £40K, or over it if you add matts.

I'd fully expect an Akra exhaust, and some extra wingy bits, or funky suspension to take you upto or just over the 40K threshold without any of the options I mentioned above.

I'm not saying the £310 for years 2-5 of ownership is a huge amount, but it's already enough for me to be thinking about loosing a few options.

[DPSFleet]

Golf..... they peaked with the Mark 1 GTi 1800 back in 1980, since then, boring "blue rinse old lady cars. So much better out there for less money.

[BrettMRC]

DPSFleet said:

Golf..... they peaked with the Mark 1 GTi 1800 back in 1980, since then, boring "blue rinse old lady cars. So much better out there for less money.

Interesting to see what evidence you back that up with?

[GTEYE]

^^ Good there's no trolls out today.

I wonder if the Mk7.5 Golf will have as many performance versions as its predecessor....if so its going to be hard to keep up!

[anonymous-user]

DPSFleet said:

Golf..... they peaked with the Mark 1 GTi 1800 back in 1980, since then, boring "blue rinse old lady cars. So much better out there for less money.

Agree, the sub 5 second to 60 and 4wd traction are well known traits of old lady cars.

[wst]

phil4 said:

I wonder if they're pondering the £40,000 tax hike starting in April.

Realistically I imagine they will start selling "optioned-up" cars lacking the parts needed (upgraded stereo? 5 second job to "fit"), selling them to people at £39,999 and then fitting the option parts after it's been registered as a £39,999 car.

How this would square up with insurance, as it'd be technically "modified"...

[nickfrog]

BrettMRC said:

DPSFleet said:

Golf..... they peaked with the Mark 1 GTi 1800 back in 1980, since then, boring "blue rinse old lady cars. So much better out there for less money.

Interesting to see what evidence you back that up with?

Agreed. I'd love to hear of alternatives. Then again, VW could start making Mark Is again ?

[Royd72]

So VW can add an Akra exhaust and this is fine, I ask if I can add one to my VW and I am told it voids the warranty?

[J4CKO]

DPSFleet said:

Golf..... they peaked with the Mark 1 GTi 1800 back in 1980, since then, boring "blue rinse old lady cars. So much better out there for less money.

No they didnt, I have had two of those and they were ground breaking, however they also had crap brakes, crap headlights, zero in the way of kit etc etc, I guarantee an R is more fun to drive than a 112 bhp mk1.

Its old, must be fantastic, thats how religions start, its just nostalgia and maybe a smidge of rawness but really ?

Anyway, the 1800 didnt arrive until 1983, 1980 models were still 1600 cc 4 speeders with the early small lights if I remember correctly.

[Guffy]

DPSFleet said:

Golf..... they peaked with the Mark 1 GTi 1800 back in 1980, since then, boring "blue rinse old lady cars. So much better out there for less money.

The troll is strong in this one!

Go on, i'll bite, give us some examples then?

I think the R is great value for money, especially on a PCP deal at ca. £275pm.

[Andy OH]

DPSFleet said:

Golf..... they peaked with the Mark 1 GTi 1800 back in 1980, since then, boring "blue rinse old lady cars. So much better out there for less money.

Some people aspire to a Golf R or a GTi Clubsport or the GTi Clubsport S, which is a fantastic car for the money. They are an affordable Porsche beater if driven correctly and in the right hands.

And yes I do own a Golf GTi and something else rather nice.

[PixelpeepS3]

Guffy said:

DPSFleet said:

Golf..... they peaked with the Mark 1 GTi 1800 back in 1980, since then, boring "blue rinse old lady cars. So much better out there for less money.

The troll is strong in this one!

Go on, i'll bite, give us some examples then?

I think the R is great value for money, especially on a PCP deal at ca. £275pm.

had one on lease - it was that good i would do it all over again

[anonymous-user]

DPSFleet said:

Golf..... they peaked with the Mark 1 GTi 1800 back in 1980, since then, boring "blue rinse old lady cars. So much better out there for less money.

Oh for goodness sake... the 1800 was introduced in 1982, if you're going to troll get the facts right!

[geeks]

Not wanted a Golf before until now! Please VW, release that in Yellow to the UK and you will have one new customer, not that what I say matters

[TIGA84]

DPSFleet said:

Golf..... they peaked with the Mark 1 GTi 1800 back in 1980, since then, boring "blue rinse old lady cars. So much better out there for less money.

Yeah, course mate.

https://nurburgringlaptimes.com/lap-times-top-100/

Golf is No.76.

The cars below it start with Porsche 911 GT3RS.

Read on and come back with something useful to say.

Either that or you're a really really st troll.

[bigvanfan]

Brilliant video that , car will be brilliant with all that thrown at it .

[EarlofWindsor]

This will be another dull version of this already dull car. Sure it has lots of horsepower, 4-wheel drive and can beat most cars in the traffic light grand prix. but it sounds rubbish, totally un-engaging, lacks any drama (other than acceleration), terrible interior, and looks boring. Am surprised they haven't also increased it to 8 exhaust pipes across the back just to increase the chavness appeal. It's just a chav car for grown up chavs with kids that require baby seats.

yes, I'll get insulted, abused, and flamed now for having this opinion but I don't care. People will now likely go back through my profile, to try to look at my car and comment history so that they can say reply with lame things like "well you drive a ford mondeo, do you sell double glazing?" or "wow, that's a strong opinion from someone that's had 3 Reliant Robins. Your opinion is worthless". That's the sorry state of PH these days.

I had a Golf GTI and bought a Golf R thinking it would be a great car. I found it a total waste of money as it was boring in every respect and the GTI was so much better. I went back to the GTI before eventually switching to something else.

And to answer the usual question that'll appear because some moron will assume I just couldn't afford the Golf R and that was the real reason for changing it: I bought the Golf R, didn't lease it.

Edited by EarlofWindsor on Tuesday 14th March 13:06