Sitting at the top of the golf pile is the new R model. Is it worth the
extra spend over the great GTI?
2014 VW Golf R Front View
If you’ve been there done that with cars like the WRX, you
might like the new VW Golf R. It follows a similar design ethos being a
turbocharged four-wheel drive thrill machine but it’s a tad more sophisticated.
This privilege costs and while the WRX is still a performance bargain, the Golf
R is pricey. It is marginally cheaper than it used to be, now at $70,990, but
its value quotient has risen given its increase in specification and
performance. Last time we featured the R, there was a decent premium between it
and the talented GTI, making it tough to justify the extra spend. But now with
the GTI up in price to $60,990, there’s only a $10k difference between them.
However, the decision on which hot Golf to buy is now harder still with the
introduction of a middling GTI Performance model pitched at $65,500. At the
time of writing this, we were yet to sample the GTI P but if you want the
quickest Golf, and the extra ten grand simply isn’t an issue, you’ll be mighty
happy with the R. And compared to the mechanically identical $79,990 Audi S3,
it’s a really shrewd buy.
2014 VW Golf R Driver Side Profile
Like all the new Golf 7 models, the new R is superior to its
predecessor in all the key areas. That means more power, better performance and
fuel mileage, a more complete spec list and a better all-round drive.
On the power front, the R is now up over the 200kW mark with
its new 221kW 2.0-litre power plant while torque moves from 350Nm to 380. The
new VW MQB chassis sees the R weigh in 25kg lighter and this, along with the
power increase, sees it join the sub-five second club. That’s if you opt for the
six-speed twin-clutch gearbox, which has been fettled for faster changing. And
most will, but at least VW has a manual option, a rarity these days, and it’s
$2,490 cheaper too.
2014 Volkswagen Golf R – Engine
The Golf R’s character is best summed up with one word;
easy. It’s a doddle to drive quickly; it’s just so effortless and predictable,
but not too sanitized. It’s easy to replicate the claimed 0-100km/h time too,
making it the first VW we’ve driven to crack into the fours. Using the Driver
Profile Selection menu, the driver can tailor the controls to the task and in
the R, Race mode replaces the mere Sport mode of the GTI. This hones the
throttle, steering and gearbox, and with the two-stage ESC system set to Sport,
it dials in launch control allowing for quick and easy 0-100km/h runs. So it’s
fast enough and quicker than the old model by 0.4sec over the 80-120km/h trial
too.
