Tag: Golf R

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Volkswagen

Should Volkswagen make a Golf R wagon?

Golf R wagon prototype

YES, OF COURSE THEY SHOULD!

And as this spy shot shows it turns out Volkswagen may well be stuffing its most powerful Golf drivetrain into the most convenient and versatile Golf platform, the Variant (aka wagon).

As ever the prototype was snapped close to the Nürburgring and as you can see there was no attempt at all from VW to disguise the car. We hope that means an official release is close by.

A reminder that the Mk7 Golf R is powered by a 221kW 2.0 TSI engine with a 4motion all-wheel drive system. It would be even better if the rumoured Golf R Evo thingy was released as a wagon too. But that’s just being greedy!

[Source: VWvortex | Thanks to Charlie for the tip]

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Audi Volkswagen

Volkswagen to make 283kW Golf R Evo

Volkswagen Mk7 Golf R

Volkswagen’s assault on the upper end of the hot hatch segment has become clearer after word Wolfsburg is planning a more powerful and lighter Golf R model, expected to carry the model designation “Evo”.

The current EA888 2.0 litre engine will be developed and modified with a new cylinder head and induction system to produce at least 283kW. The Golf R Evo will be available exclusively with a 6-speed DSG transmission and Haldex all-wheel drive system. It has a target weight of sub-1400kg.

We can also expect Audi to jump on this bandwagon, too, in the guise of an S3 Plus model featuring the same drivetrain.

This news has emerged from several sources who were at the Detroit Auto Show and spoke to VW’s Franz Eichler, the man poached from Mercedes who oversaw development of the 265kW 2.0 litre four-pot found in the A45 AMG.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
Audi Mercedes-Benz Volkswagen

Volkswagen to ignite hot hatch power war

Volkswagen Mk7 Golf R

Mercedes-Benz makes much of the fact its A45 AMG features the most powerful four-cylinder production engine in the world. But that’s all about to change with word Volkswagen is set to trump the output of the hand-built AMG motor.

The 2.0 litre turbo in the A45 AMG produces 265kW/450Nm and the lab coats from Wolfsburg reckon they can better that with their warmed over 2.0 litre four-pot aiming for a minimum of 283kW (380hp). Volkswagen R engineers also reckon they can push towards 500Nm of torque.

An unnamed VW source claims: “It’s going to be a very fast car. Because it will be able to use all of its torque in first gear, it’s going to get to 100km/h in the very low four-second bracket.”

The A45 AMG limits torque in the first three gears to help protect its dual-clutch transmission. The new Volkswagen engine, able to be fitted to any of the group’s MQB-based cars, will be mated to an all-wheel drive system and specially developed 6-speed DSG which can cope with the predicted torque in all gears.

The engine is “based on an old generation engine block, so it’s cheaper to make than the AMG motor, too, and a lot less complex,” the source added. “It will move the game on again.”

Sounds like fun and games, and that’s just around the Audi and Volkswagen boardrooms as the two stablemates fight over who gets first dibs. Audi thinks its new TT would be a good fit, while Volkswagen has its sights set on the new Scirocco featuring the engine, which should be developed and ready to rumble late next year.

A preview of the engine may come in a concept car later this year, at September’s Paris Motor Show perhaps.

Naturally, Mercedes won’t take any challenge to its power crown lying down, with speculation an A45 AMG Black Series could boast a mighty 300kW.

This is going to be fun!

[Source: motoring.com.au | Thanks Richard to for the tip]

Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf VII R photo gallery

Volkswagen Mk7 Golf R

Volkswagen has belatedly confirmed its new Golf R will be on show in Frankfurt next week and with the announcement comes 24 new pictures of the car. Featuring a 221kW/380Nm 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo and Haldex V all-wheel drive system the Golf R can accelerate to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds.

The Mk7 Golf R will go on sale in Australia in the first half of next year and we do expect it’s engine will be detuned to 206kW for our “hot climate” market, in line with the Audi S3. Like the S3, the Golf R will only be available in Australia in five-door configuration.

UPDATE: You can use Volkswagen’s Golf R visualizer to view the car in different colours etc (our tip: get the 19″ Pretoria alloys).

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Volkswagen

VIDEO: Der neue Golf R

2014 Volkswagen Golf R

Volkswagen is wasting no time in using the promotional possibilities provided by runaway WRC star Sebastien Ogier. Here he teams up with a cleaner to bring us some rather awkward chemistry behind the wheel of the new Golf R.

[Thanks to Brandon for the tip]

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Volkswagen

Here’s the official word on the Mk7 Golf R

Volkswagen Golf R

Volkswagen has come good with official info for its new Mk7 Golf R hero model. As expected the headline stats from the EA888 2.0 litre turbo engine are 221kW/380Nm. And you can read more after the break. We’ve also got a 15 page press release for you which goes into further detail. For example, it says this about the new Haldex V all-wheel drive system:

The 4MOTION all-wheel drive system of the Golf R, further perfected by enhancements such as the Haldex 5 coupling, is activated even before any wheel starts to slip. This eliminates nearly all traction losses. The system achieves this by using an advanced control function based on specific driving conditions. When operating under a relatively low load or when coasting, forward propulsion comes primarily from the front axle, and the rear axle is decoupled. This basic drive layout saves fuel. However, the rear axle of the Golf R can be variably engaged in fractions of a second whenever necessary. This is done via a Haldex coupling, which is activated by an electro-hydraulic oil pump.

If you’re into this car we certainly recommend downloading the PDF to read at your leisure. We’ll bring you more as Volkswagen releases new information.

UPDATE: Volkswagen Australia says it expects to have the Golf R on sale locally in the first half of next year. Our question enquiring about the availability of a three door version was ignored.

UPDATE #2: We thank Volkswagen Australia for this answer, even if we don’t like it: “We are not planning on offering a 3 door.”

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Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf VII R leaked

Volkswagen Golf VII R

It looks almost certain that we’ll see the all-new Volkswagen Golf R revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show after new details have been leaked.

Firstly, the two images show what you’d expect from R GmbH when finishing off the hottest Golf on the Mk7 platform. Like the car itself the bodywork is an evolution of what we saw in the Mk6 Golf R. Notable changes are to the alloys which look to be at least 19″ in diameter. The wing mirrors have gone from gloss black to a satin chrome finish. And at the back of the car centrally mounted twin exhaust tips have been replaced by a more conventional quad set up.

Power comes straight from the 8V Audi S3, so we’re talking 221kW/380Nm. Coupled with a 4motion all-wheel drive system and DSG transmission Volkswagen claims the R can sprint to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds, while manual drivers will need an extra 0.4 seconds to complete the same task. Top speed has been restricted to 250km/h.

Fuel consumption can be quite frugal if you desire, with the Euro combined cycle yielding results of 6.9l/100km.

The new R rides on suspension that’s 5mm lower than the Mk7 GTI and it appears as though Adaptive Chassis Control will remain an option. Although it is expected to have a Race setting added to its bag of tricks.

Officially, all we can find from Volkswagen is that the new R will have its market launch in the fourth quarter of this year, which is why we expect to see a full reveal from Volkswagen very soon.

[Source: Auto Wereld | Thanks to Stu for the tip]

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Volkswagen

Is this the new Golf R and is it coming to Frankfurt?

Volkswagen Golf R teaser

This image has emerged from various French websites and it claims to be a teaser image of the new Mk7 Golf R. That’s pretty much all we can tell you for now, other than the suggestion the new R could be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

It’s a pretty safe bet to expect the Golf R will be an Audi S3 in Wolfsburg clothing. That means the R will benefit from the Haldex V all-wheel drive system and a new 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo producing 221kW/380Nm.

It’s also pretty safe to assume that Australian-bound Rs will fall in line with locally delivered S3s and be detuned to 206kW due to our “hot climate”.

We don’t expect to see the all-new Golf R in Australia until we’re well into 2014.

[Source: Le Blog Auto via WCF]

Categories
Drive Thru Reviews Volkswagen

Drive Thru: Volkswagen Golf R

VW Golf R

Details of the all-paw Golf R first came to light in September last year. Since then there’s been a sense of anticipation building here at AUSmotive HQ. On paper, Volkswagen’s 188kW hero puts forward a compelling case. As with any car the final judgement can only be revealed through first hand experience.

First, a quick glance at how Volkswagen have set the R apart from its lesser siblings. Up front there’s an angular lower grille with large open vents. Fog lights have made way for LED daytime running lights; the only Golf in the range to feature the latest in lighting fashion. Xenon headlights, with cornering assist, are standard fitment, too.

At the back of the car centre-mount twin exhaust tips have carried over from the Mk5 R32. Continuing the nod to current lighting trends are trick LED rear lights, as well.

The front grille, wing mirrors and rear skirt feature gloss black paint detail. Likewise the brake calipers, which are adorned with R badges up front. Model specific 18” alloys complete the look and 19” wheels in the same style can also be optioned.

Inside, think Golf GTI without the tartan seats and red contrast stitching. The steering wheel loses the GTI’s metal insert in favour of a gloss black finish. There are three seat trim choices, including cloth/micro fibre standard trim and optional leather. There’s also racing-style Recaro buckets to tempt your cash reserves.

The overall look of the Golf R is classic Volkswagen and, in this case, the term velvet sledgehammer is perhaps most appropriate. Actually, inside and out, the Golf GTI offers more drama with its splashes of red detailing and standard tartan seat fabric. Despite that, the Golf R gets it pretty much bang on in the looks department.

Under the skin is a 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder with peak numbers of 188kW and 330Nm. The engine was first seen in Australia in 2007 under the bonnet of the Audi S3. Like the current model S3, the Golf R is fitted with the latest Haldex IV all-wheel drive system.

But, the real story of the Golf R is told out on the road.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf R – Australian specs & pricing

Volkswagen Golf R

Official pricing and specifications for the 188kW Golf R have now been released by Volkswagen. These confirm most of the things we already knew, or suspected were correct.

This includes the leaked list pricing which emerged earlier this week: three door manual $48,490; three door DSG $50,990; five door manual $49,990 and five door DSG $52,490. That is very good pricing indeed and we expect Volkswagen Australia will sell a lot of these cars.

To put these prices into perspective the cheapest Audi S3 available in Australia, a three door manual, has a list price of $68,000. There are some equipment differences in standard spec between the two cars, but nowhere near enough to equate for the almost $20,000 premium asked for by Audi. Especially when you consider the cars share essentially the same chassis, engine and all-wheel drive systems. In the UK, for example, the Golf R is actually priced higher than the S3. This not only proves that comparing prices with other countries can be a worthless exercise, but it puts into context what a performance bargain the Golf R has become in Australia.

Rather than go over the finer details again, just go straight to the press release after the jump. Technical specs can also be downloaded below.

All you need to do now is work what colour you want. Your choices are Candy White, Reflex Silver metallic (pictured), United Grey metallic, Rising Blue metallic (AUSmotive’s tip) and Deep Black pearl effect. More pics of the Golf R can be viewed here.

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Volkswagen

VW Golf R – Australian pricing leak

Golf R in Tasmania

Unconfirmed Australian pricing for the Volkswagen Golf R has been published on the VWWatercooled forum. And, if you’re in the queue for the latest and hottest performance Golf the news is good. Very good. This is the alleged list pricing:

3 Door Manual – $48,490
3 Door DSG – $50,990
5 Door Manual – $49,990
5 Door DSG – $52,490

Given the previous list pricing of the old R32 (3dr manual $54,990) and the current Audi S3 (3dr manual $66,403 $68,000) – the S3 is the car the new Golf R is largely based on – that’s some very sharp pencils being used by Volkswagen Australia. Although it is worth noting that those Golf R figures do not include any on road or delivery costs.

Basic specification and options pricing for the Golf R emerged on AUSmotive back in March shortly after a three door model was spotted in Fremantle. It now appears the full pricing for the Golf R range is available prior to official launch (summarised below).

The photo above was taken in Tasmania earlier today and forms part of a Golf R and Golf GTD fleet which will be used for the national media launch over the next few days.

[Thanks to Mick & Ben for the tips]

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf R ready to make a splash

Volkswagen Golf R

The eagerly awaited Volkswagen Golf R is not far from its official Australian launch. AUSmotive understands it will take place in about two weeks from now.

Further evidence of the Golf R’s imminent release came via email announcing a new Golf R dashboard—it’s fancy RSS reader basically. When you customise yours, make sure you add AUSmotive to your list.

Other news confirming the Golf R is not far away is given in the small print of Volkswagen’s current end of financial year sale. For the Golf and Tigian range VW are currently picking up the tab for all on road costs. Obviously the sale ends on 30 June and the fine print reads, in part, “Promotion excludes Golf Wagon, Golf R & Golf GTD”. So, we’ll definitely be seeing the R and GTD before the end of the month.

Back in March AUSmotive brought you the first pics of a Golf R in Australia after it had docked in Fremantle. Expected specs for the 188kW hot hatch surfaced at the same time. It seems the only thing we don’t know is the price. Although, we’ve been told they will come in under MkV R32 pricing.

For those buyers in waiting, and fans of the R alike, here are 15 new images from the Volkswagen UK press archives. Click on the pics to launch wallpaper-friendly 2000px super images.

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