15 September 2009 - 11:00
Frankfurt show: VW Golf R
The covers have just come off the new VW Golf R in Frankfurt. Don't be fooled by its understated looks, this is one monstrously fast hot hatch.
It's the fastest Golf ever, in fact, powered by the same 266bhp 2.0-litre turbo engine found in the Audi S3. It'll propel the four-wheel-drive Golf to 62mph in 5.5 seconds if you spec the DSG transmission, or 0.2 seconds slower if you'd prefer a manual ’box.
That's more powerful and quicker than both the front-wheel-drive Scirocco R and indeed the old Golf R32, which had a bigger, heavier 3.2-litre V6. Emissions and economy are both hugely improved on the old R32, consumption falling from 26.4mpg to 33.2mpg, with CO2 emissions down to 199g/km from 225g/km.
Though visual, er, enhancements over the Golf GTI remain subtle - new front and rear bumpers, LED running lights and central exhausts being the most obvious - the suspension has been lowered by 25mm while the ESP has been revised with two additional track settings.
Because of the four-wheel-drive hardware, the Golf R weighs in around 80kg heavier than the GTI, though 35kg lighter than the R32.
Don't expect to see many on the road: VW says it expects to sell just 500 or so Golf Rs per year, with prices starting at around £28,500.
That's a few grand more expensive than the slightly more powerful but similarly quick Focus RS: which one would you take?
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Focus for me thanks, drives much better then a Golf, all across the range. And has always done. And the Golf is just too conservative (boring), a hot-hatch for accountants in grey suits. And 28.500 is just a ridicilous price.
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niice!!!!!!!
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loving the looks. i really like the GTi and R spec golfs. i do miss the old lots of spoke wheels though.
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I'd go for the Golf. A fraction slower, but a million times less stupid looks-wise.
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Golf R or Focus RS? Hmmm... the Golf certainly looks better than the Focus and it's more practical, but to be honest, I'd go for a second hand Vauxhall Monaro VXR instead. Can't really beat the combination of 400 Bhp and rear wheel drive for less than 20 grand.
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28,500?? I'll have a 2006 Cayman S with 25,000miles on the clock, please.
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Why do VW keep making all their cars look so dull. If that is the fastest golf ever, why does it not look like it?
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And i still dont like that VW has copypasted a fat Touareg arse onto its Golf. Hideous.
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"Don't be fooled by its understated looks"? It has huge wheels, angry tail light details, big twin exhausts, and HUGE air intakes at the front! It seems prety obvious to me which one's which. I'm not sure I'd have one over the Ford, though. I imagine the Focus RS to be more of a laugh.
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Mikedo I agree with your comment about the huge new rims and the 2 MASSIVE intakes on the front (you can't see them on this pic but if you google it you'll find some frontal pics). I would have one over the ford as I'd imagine insurance to be a lot less and it would be more practical, yet nearly as fast.
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I think It will be faster than Focus RS, mainly beacause It will be able to put that power in the road with the 4WD, any way I think the focus is better looking.
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I have to say that this is a extermely hot golf and the fastest a part from the Golf W12 but that will never be put into production and this will.
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SIK car but would i buy one over a RS nope dont think so but GREAT LITTLE CAR
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hmm.... i would buy this over the focus rs, cos this is much better looking and this would be even quicker around the track than the mergane r26r. just think so
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That Audi S3 engine now avaliable on Scirocco and Golf. FWD and AWD. wich will you take? The S3, Scirocco or Golf? erghh Just go for the Focus RS, the golf is to expansive. I still think that a golf with "r" needs a V6. . .
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Gorgeous golf! Been waiting 12 months for this car to replace my r32, already got my name down at dealers even though they dont know when they arriving. As for the comments about it not being sporty looking... duh thats the all idea, a wolf in sheeps clothing. unlike the rs and the clio,s which have spotty joy boys tampering with their tallywhackers and trying to constantly pass you in their shite-so,s!
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Sounds good to me. But i'd still go for the Focus RS
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Cool but, still want the Reventon
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The price is more than a little eye-watering. I bet that it won't be as good to drive as the Focus RS but it is far better looking. Definitely a sharp suit compared to the RS's shellsuit. Got to give Kowalski a shout out for the Monaro though - I freaking love that car and if you can get one of those in decent nick for sub-£20k it's got to be a bargain.
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I like the look of the Sirocco R more.
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I'd take the more sutle Golf anyday. The RS is insanely brilliant but way too in-your-face.
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if it was between a Golf GTi and a Focus ST id have the quicker, bigger and probly more comfortable ST (in yobo orange). but at that price the Golf for the four wheel drive then it can even be used in winter. thats the point with a hot hatch its ment to be safe with kids in and 4wd must be safer in winter.
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I would have both if I could. I love them both, but I would go for the Golf. 4WD, better looking, and it's a golf.
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Golf R because it is understated, subtle, and there is a wider range of colours available than the yobbish Focus RS (volkswagen.de > News > Der neue Golf > Konfigurator > R) and with 4MOTION, it's less likely to understeer (or oversteer during a moment of wild madness in a sharp corner) and is likely to be more comfy with the active dampers (versus the Focus's spine shattering setup - even with RevoKnuckle) and will be a more relaxing, but still involving, drive. And it's more practical - IKEA Golf R = being able to get home and construct the flatpack. IKEA Focus RS = a morning/afternoon of misery or renting a VW Crafter 163 PS 2.5 TDI manual
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I would go for the Focus RS...The Golf's a better looker, and is nicer for showing off at parties..But knowing the RS will outsteer, out manouver and outrun a Golf is always gonna allow me to win a stare down with a Golf owner..No inferiority whatsoever!
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Though I have never owned a VW Golf, I have been in a few for short and long journeys. I know £28k is alot of money, but when driving the Golf, it oozes quality, and sturdiness. Until this car is put through it's paces by Cpt Slow, comments on it's speed/handling had better be kept on hold. For now it would be Golf every time :)
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zonda-lover commented on this article
15 September 2009
New Golf R or Focus RS?! hmm, for want of speed and insane looks, its gotta be the RS! P.s i got the 1st comment :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
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