The ultimate hot hatch?
So, when VW (no disbelieve nervously) handed over the keys to a new Golf R – essentially a GTI raised on a diet of steroids, dry-as-dust doses of vitamin kW, and a handful of small kittens – my palms hurriedly became sweaty and my right foot began twitching. The come about to drive the most powerful Golf yet? Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.But while the 188kW R (South Africa gets a a little detuned version of Europe's 199kW powerplant) is indeed the quickest Golf in the sticks yet, it is only just. Its predecessor, the R32, produced 184kW. The affecting thing, however, is that the R achieves this lofty figure with a 4-cylinder, 2.0-litre TSI protrusion, as opposed to the R32's heavy 3.2-litre V6. And that means a reduction in force too, which is part of the reason why the 0-100km/h time plunges from 6.2 seconds to exactly 5.5.
So, while the Golf range's flagship ideal loses its trademark V6 warble (remember the uninjured of the VR6 and R32?), it gains a shade more in the power and compactness
National PostThe main front grill and the wing mirrors are also finished in black, while all R models get xenon headlamps, specially designed rear light clusters and LED TODD GILLIS PHOTOall 5 news articles »
WA todayIf it has an Achilles heel, it might be that the new GTI's styling is perhaps a little tame. It has lost the deep distinguishing grille of its predecessor, Golf GTI diesel set for AustraliaNew Golf GTI hits Australiaall 19 news articles »
Not bleedin' likely let's find a better road Both models use the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder EA113 motor from the old Mk5 Golf GTi rather than and more »
The sixth generation GTi is here offering more of the winning formula that Golf GTi ushered in about 30 years ago. It's still a front-wheel-drive hatchback and more »