Volkswagen has confirmed prices for a new
Golf R
Performance Pack in the UK, just in case you thought it had been a while since PH had discussed that fast VW.
See, look, round pipes and not oval ones
As you may recall when the Performance Pack was announced for Europe, the upgrade is comprised of the (2kg lighter) 'R-Performance' brake system with silver calipers, and 19-inch 'Spielberg' alloy wheels. The electronic limiter is also removed from the 310hp 2.0-litre engine, meaning new top speeds of 166mph for the hatchback and 168mph for the estate, up from 155 in both. The hatchback receives a rear roof spoiler too, providing an extra 20kg of downforce.
It will cost you £2,300, which may seem steep for extra speed most owners will never reach and downforce they'll never need. Luckily the Performance Pack is only available for the DSG version of the car, so all you manual-owning PHers needn't worry about feeling tempted to splurge.
Oh alright, here's a closer look
What you may be more tempted by - and which is available for all new Golf R hatchback models - is the Akrapovic exhaust also announced today. Made available alongside, but not as part of, the Performance Pack, the titanium system features round tailpipes in place of the current oval ones and valve control technology. This apparently results in "an incomparable exhaust sound, particularly at high revs and when shifting gear"; it is priced at £2,975 as a standalone option.
Whichever additions you go for will be installed at the factory, with the price added on to the £32,710 (manual), £33,995 (DSG), or £35,700 (estate) starting price of the car.
Alternatively, if a fast Golf is your thing, you could buy this entire Golf R32 for less than the cost of the Peformance Pack and exhaust together. Which are you more tempted by?