Volkswagen Golf R Variant
Traditionally, the Volkswagen Golf R has always been the most powerful model of the model series. Always engineered with all-wheel drive (4MOTION), and always equipped very exclusively. It all began 15 years ago with the original model of this series: the Golf R32. The Golf Mk 4 presented in 2002 with 177 kW/241 PS was, by the way, the first Volkswagen in the world to be offered with a dual clutch gearbox (DSG) as an option. Three generations later, the power output of the sports car now known as the Golf R had grown to 300 PS. In 2017, the current design and technology update of the Golf R boosts this power output to 228 kW/310 PS (between 5,500 and 6,500 rpm); never before has a production Golf been more powerful; never before could a production Golf accelerate faster; and never before has a Golf competed so convincingly with far more expensive sports cars. As an option, its performance can be accentuated by the acoustics of a newly developed sport exhaust system from the Slovenian specialist Akrapovi.
Shifting gears and having the gears shifted
Up to 2014, the Volkswagen Golf R was exclusively available as a two- or four-door hatchback. In 2015, Volkswagen changed all of this and also launched an estate version of the top Golf model. The new 310 PS Golf developed by Volkswagen R is also available in three different body versions today. Their top speed is electronically governed to 250 km/h. However, this limit can be removed with the optional 'Performance package' that will be available starting this fall. With this package, the top speed is increased to 267 km/h or 270 km/h (Variant). The two- and four-door car with a manual gearbox rockets to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds; with the optional DSG, it accomplishes this in an even swifter 4.6 seconds. This gain in dynamics is not only attributable to the new and extremely fast-shifting 7-speed DSG, and the standard Launch Control feature of this model; rather, it is also due to the overall high engine output. That is because the DSG versions offer a maximum torque of 400 Nm (between 2,000 and 5,400 rpm) instead of 380 Nm. The Golf R Variant, which is equipped with DSG as standard, reaches the 100 km/h mark in 4.8 seconds. Experienced drivers who take the new Golf R and Golf R Variant onto a race track can tune the car's performance to this use by using the Race Mode driving profile, which has been added compared with other Golf models, and deactivating ESC (ESC off). The fact that all Golf R cars can be driven fuel-efficiently despite their impressive power output is attributable to the efficiency of today's turbocharged, direct fuel injection four-cylinder engine. The combined NEDC fuel consumption of the Golf R with a manual gearbox is 7.9 l/100 km. With DSG this figure drops to 7.0 l/100 km (four-door: 7.1 l/100 km), and in the Golf Variant R it is 7.2 l/100 km.
The newly designed bumpers, LED headlights and LED tail lights create a design that takes on an even more dynamic look. The tailpipes were placed further out to the sides; this gives the car a wider appearance. At its sides, the Volkswagen Golf R has upgraded exterior mirror caps in Chrome Matt or optionally in Gloss Black or Carbon and various 18- and 19- inch wheel choices. New here are the optional "Spielberg" 19-inch alloy wheels in Black with a high-gloss finish.
As in all new Golf cars, the new infotainment systems, such as the 9.2-inch Discover Pro with gesture control and the digital Active Info Display, are also available in the R models. The systems have a look that has been specifically adapted to the Golf R. In the Sport profile, the 'Sport HMI' of the infotainment system on the centre console shows current engine parameters such as charge pressure or current power demand. The g-Meter also visualises g forces.
Ever since the first Golf R32 was introduced in 2002, it has been no secret that the all-wheel drive Golf R is a sports car that also impresses in everyday driving. It is a genuine Golf. What is fascinating, however, is how the R concept has been transferred to an estate model to create a new combination of 'space' and 'race' qualities. With a luggage volume of 605 to 1,620 litres, the new Golf R Variant is likely the most spacious 310 PS family sports car on the market. To be fair, it should be mentioned that the 'standard' Golf R is also capable of handling any holiday, especially with two people travelling, based on its luggage capacity of 343 to 1,233 litres. Customers who want to make the fast alliance of 'space' and 'race' qualities properties even more dynamic can do this now by ordering an R-Performance titanium exhaust system.
Igor Akrapovi of Slovenia is actually a race car driver by training. But one day he hung up his race suit and began to develop exhaust systems - sport exhaust systems. They are so impressive that Volkswagen worked together with Akrapovi to develop an R-Performance titanium exhaust system for the new Golf R. It will be available for the two- and four-door Golf R (not the Variant). Its name says it all. Like nearly all Akrapovi systems, titanium is also used as the material for the system that is available for the Golf R. The use of this precious metal reduces weight by 7 kg compared with the standard production model's exhaust system. The Akrapovi R-Performance system gives the Volkswagen Golf R an incomparable sound. It ranges from comfortable cruising sound to motorsport sound, according to the driving profile. Especially at high revs and when shifting gears, a sound is generated that is typical of Akrapovi systems - finely tuned, never too loud and yet always fascinating. Like the standard production systems, the Akrapovi system has four exhaust pipes in the Golf R, but they have a fully independent design layout.
Another optional feature available for all Volkswagen Golf R versions is a 'Performance' brake system with a silver R logo plate on the brake callipers. The unit is 2 kg lighter than the production system and thereby reduces unsprung masses. The Performance brake system is extremely durable, especially on the circuit racetrack and with the high brake component temperatures that occur there. The front brake discs are what are known as "built pin discs". In this construction, the brake pot is made of aluminium, while the friction ring is cast steel and is joined to this aluminium brake pot by cast pins. This allows it to expand radially when heated. Other benefits of the brake discs, along with their durability, include their very precise metering. To further improve their hot braking behaviour, the Performance brakes have special brake linings on the front axle. In addition, semi-slick tyres and a 'Performance package' are also available. The latter consists of the removal of speed limiting, the Performance brake system, an additional spoiler lip on the roof spoiler (not on Variant) and a choice of 19- inch "Spielberg" or "Pretoria" alloy wheels.
