The script has become all too familiar over the past couple of years for fast VW Golfs. Good to drive - really good in some cases - but let down by a sub-par cabin and punchy pricing. Now there is a new era of Mk8.5 GTIs and 333hp Rs, complete with improved interiors and, for the AWD cars, a little more power as well. Plus, it now turns out, prices that haven’t changed enormously either.
£41,655 is the on-the-road RRP of a Clubsport; when we last drove a 300hp Golf GTI in May ‘23, it was from £41,890, and when did you last see a new car at less than its predecessor? The standard kit includes 18-inch wheels (so first option tick is getting those to 19s), Matrix LED lights, heated seats, the new 12.9-inch infotainment screen and Clubsport goodies like the new front bumper.
For those that need a Golf that can get to 62mph in less than 5.6 seconds, the R kicks off at £43,320. Now with 333hp, it can complete the benchmark sprint in 4.6 seconds with the standard seven-speed DSG. Also included are the R-Performance Torque Vectoring and DCC dampers, the latter of which used to be a cost option. The R gets a similar cosmetic refresh to the Clubsport, with the matrix lights, illuminated VW badge and new wheel design.
Practical PHers will be pleased to know that the Golf R wagon continues in Mk8.5 format, now priced from £44,685, but those after the ultimate Golf will want the R Black Edition. It costs £44,570 and comes with a ‘smouldering dark exterior’, which means black 19-inch wheels, darker badges and logos and even slighlty smoked lights like you’d try to sneak onto your mum’s CL back in the day. It looks pretty smart. Also standard is the R-Performance package, with a speed limit raise to 168mph as well as Drift and Special drive modes. All are due on sale this Thursday, August 8th. Perfect time to get a good deal on 2024 versions of the Mk8 Clubsport and 320hp R, then, but don’t say you weren’t warned about the interior. First drives coming soon!
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