Mk8 VW Golf R caught in the open | Update
The new Golf R looks... about how you'd expect a Mk8 Golf R to look, actually
Those expecting controversy or surprise from the first sneak peek of the Mk8 Golf R are going to be disappointed. There's no great shock with the wraps unofficially off and the 334hp, Lapiz Blue reality there for all to see: it's a Golf made a bit leaner, meaner and lower for its position at the top of the range. No outrageous wing or silly exhaust placement here - leave that to the Honda Civics of this world.
It would've been daft to expect anything else, frankly; the R aesthetic template laid out in the previous generation having proved so successful. There are the hat-tip giveaways - the four exhausts, the spoiler, the diffuser, the grille treatment - alongside the more obvious cues of model-specific paint and wheels to ensure that nobody will mistake this for anything other than a Golf R. But nobody is going to have the point forced down their throat, either.
Not only are these spy shots interesting for showing the car virtually undisguised, they also give a sneak peek at the interior, too. Or rather, the R-embossed seat, here with gaffa tape that hasn't entirely done the job. And more blue accents to remind you of the R status if the logo is ever blotted out.
Otherwise these R images are all that we've come to expect over months of build-up from a performance car brand that is nothing if not consistent. This is the Christmas present you picked out with Nan in September - even when it's put in a box you know what to expect come December 25th. Given VW's current frequency of announcements for similar models - the Arteon R last week, the Touareg R earlier this year, the Tiguan very soon - it seems likely that we'll see the new Golf R in all its official glory before the week is done. Alright, it won't be quite that soon, but we'd be staggered if the uber-Golf isn't launched within the next month or so. Because there'll surely be another VW R to divert attention to after that...
The styling of the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf hasn’t gone down particularly well on PH but, as is often the case, it seems the hotter iterations may do the new design more justice. Closely following the recently revealed Golf GTI is the 334hp R, a car that according to new spy pictures is set to receive a racy makeover which takes influence from the GTI Clubsport.
That rear wing and those wheels in particular appear to be borrowed straight from the Clubsport, while the butch bumpers, quad exit exhaust system and rear diffuser evolves what the last R had. We reckon it all combines to create something far more comfortable in its own skin than the awkwardly proportioned regular model, and no doubt there’s a sizeable increase in performance all round thanks in part to the work done to VW’s 2.0-litre EA888 block and the all-wheel drive system it powers.
The turbocharged four-cylinder’s new peak output – which was first brought to light through leaked specification sheets early this year – will rank it well clear of AMG’s A35, and a retuned Haldex driveline that’s keener to shift torque rearwards might give it a dynamic advantage, too. Given that VW’s car is set to be priced to rival that one, at around £35k, this means the Golf R could very well increase on the compelling value for money its lineage has offered. Don’t expect the bump in power to upset the balance of sports car-rivalling performance and practicality that has long been established by its predecessors, though.
Mk8 GTIs will come with both with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard and a new 'shift-by-wire' seven-speed DSG as an option, but the R will be auto only due to low demand for three-pedal variants. It’s a shame, but not a surprise. The R has always been famed for its ease of use – plenty of supercar owners run Golf Rs as their daily modes of transport – leaving the likes of VW’s Golf Clubsport to cater to those after something more focussed. Rest assured those more honed performance variants will retain a clutch pedal.
The switch to auto-only does, perhaps, hint at a more rounded remit for the next R. Expect VW to build on the platform’s proven diversity, with cars equipped with adaptive dampers in particular having a much-appreciated ability to soak up the worst of British tarmac despite the oft-chosen option of enormous wheels and rubber band tyres. Don’t expect that trend to change with the new car by the way; the tyres are barely visible around the 19-inch wheels of this Nurburgring test car as it loads up through the Carousel.
We always knew the Golf R’s arrival would be held until the GTI and GTD had launched. We’re now a month clear of that, though, suggesting this top Golf variant must be imminently due, with a lockdown web preview likely in the coming weeks, before a we’re granted access to the car for real in the summer.
See how the last Golf R faired against the lastest Mercedes-AMG A35 here
t.. maybe the Golf will grow on me. But the MK7 R and GTI was a handsome design. I like the understated but classy and handsome looks.I will be interesting indeed to see how VW keep up with the rest of the pack this generation.
Even the power increase looks to be pretty tame when compared to its rivals.
Hopefully i'll be proven wrong but from those pics it doesn't look like a car to get too excited about
I'll be interested to see how this pans out as I'm currently (and will be for the foreseeable future) doing quite high mileage but I'd like something that can be fun at times too, without sacrificing too much on the comfort stakes.
I'll certainly be interested in how it stacks up to the FK8 and i30N performance in the "easy to live with" stakes.
I will be interesting indeed to see how VW keep up with the rest of the pack this generation.
When the 7 arrived with 220 at most the competition all had 250+.
Even the power increase looks to be pretty tame when compared to its rivals.
Hopefully i'll be proven wrong but from those pics it doesn't look like a car to get too excited about
With regards to performance; as a road car there is much more to refine than just increasing the power.
I will be interesting indeed to see how VW keep up with the rest of the pack this generation.
Fascinated to see what the MK8 Golf is going to be life. The MK7 is a really tough act to follow.
Steering feel and turn in to rival RWD's of the day, styling that made the 1.8 driver look as exciting as a shopping trolley when you parked the GTi alongside.
The GTi mk5 again moved the game on with that any gear driving ability and a drive so good that salesmen could rest easy knowing whatever you'd just been driving to compare it against the GTi would be better for ~£20k of your english pounds. It lost nothing of it's fun factor for the added refinement and had just enough styling to stand out in the carpark and feel special to walk back to.
The MK7 and I sadly anticipate also the MK8 now have styling so devoid of shape or feature that I feel thirsty just looking at it. The mk7 seating position has an awkward slightly off centre wheel, even more off centre pedals and sit you far too high to feel connected to the chassis.
Driving feel and feedback are clearly aimed at the necrophiliac market and if you can detect what is going on at the wheels it will be a bucket load of depressing understeer followed by a rude interruption of any progress by a stability management system that cannot be deactivated.
The only impressive thing about this car is that journalists keep hanging on to the smallest fingerhold to climb back up from depression and give VW praise, perhaps afraid of the icon or losing respect from it's huge market of buyers keen to overtake the Joneses whilst supporting national debt.
Steering feel and turn in to rival RWD's of the day, styling that made the 1.8 driver look as exciting as a shopping trolley when you parked the GTi alongside.
The GTi mk5 again moved the game on with that any gear driving ability and a drive so good that salesmen could rest easy knowing whatever you'd just been driving to compare it against the GTi would be better for ~£20k of your english pounds. It lost nothing of it's fun factor for the added refinement and had just enough styling to stand out in the carpark and feel special to walk back to.
The MK7 and I sadly anticipate also the MK8 now have styling so devoid of shape or feature that I feel thirsty just looking at it. The mk7 seating position has an awkward slightly off centre wheel, even more off centre pedals and sit you far too high to feel connected to the chassis.
Driving feel and feedback are clearly aimed at the necrophiliac market and if you can detect what is going on at the wheels it will be a bucket load of depressing understeer followed by a rude interruption of any progress by a stability management system that cannot be deactivated.
The only impressive thing about this car is that journalists keep hanging on to the smallest fingerhold to climb back up from depression and give VW praise, perhaps afraid of the icon or losing respect from it's huge market of buyers keen to overtake the Joneses whilst supporting national debt.
I think you pointing out the MK2 Golf and saying it was good in its time isn’t relevant as I imagine hatchbacks at the time being very poor to drive and unsporting.
The only big step up in the Golf GTI’s history would be the MK5, the introduction of that 2.0 turbo with 200 bhp and a whole new platform but since then, there isn’t much left to do to make a big change and step up.
I do agree re all journos loving VW. There’s never a bad word to say!
Why do car makers do it? (When did they start doing it - I don't recall this sort of thing 15 years ago). Is there anything more to it than my surmise above?
I do agree re all journos loving VW. There’s never a bad word to say!
It played the same game as the Mk2. And your comment about the Mk2 needs revision as well. No other decent hot hatches? In the era of the 205 GTI and Renault 5 GT Turbo? Not to mention that, by the end of its production run, it was utterly outclassed in its own segment, again, by Honda and Renault (Civic VTi and 19 16V), and also by Fiat and the Tipo Sedicivalvole.
As for journalists and their love of GTIs, could VAGs marketing spend play a role...?
I will be interesting indeed to see how VW keep up with the rest of the pack this generation.
But maybe the 260bhp will be the entry level. More power for the `Performance` version to come later.
The best news for me is the option to have a manual gearbox. Now I'm interested.
Steering feel and turn in to rival RWD's of the day, styling that made the 1.8 driver look as exciting as a shopping trolley when you parked the GTi alongside.
The GTi mk5 again moved the game on with that any gear driving ability and a drive so good that salesmen could rest easy knowing whatever you'd just been driving to compare it against the GTi would be better for ~£20k of your english pounds. It lost nothing of it's fun factor for the added refinement and had just enough styling to stand out in the carpark and feel special to walk back to.
.
Mk8 wise, "only 260 bhp", I find that the MK7 always punches above its weight, cant imagine a 10/15 bhp deficit will hamper it that much against the competition, expect it to be very competitive in its segment, they had a few turkeys but the MK7 went back to what the MK2 did, i.e. wasnt the fastest, lairiest or cheapest but it struck a fantastic balance.
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