Frankfurt 2013: Volkswagen Golf R
300 – yes – 300bhp for the Golf. This hatch ain’t hot, it’s on fire!
By Shahzad Sheikh
I’ve got to be honest, it really didn’t look much to behold in the metal. Honestly it seems less dramatic than the GTI. It doesn’t look particularly muscular and could just be a nicely specced 1.4 for all most would know.
But this is not a car to be dismissed lightly. Not with a 2.0-litre engine turboed to put out 300bhp and 280lb ft of torque through a part-time all-wheel drive (4MOTION) fifth gen Haldex system.
That results in a 0-100kph time of 5.3 seconds – 4.9 with the six-speed DSG. Top speed is limited to 250kph, get the limiter removed and it’s somewhere close to matching the Millennium Falcon.
It rides 20mm lower than a regular Golf and 5mm lower than the GTI – adaptive chassis control will be an option. Plus there is progressive steering.
On the outside there is a new front bumper with larger air intakes, revised grille and of course the ‘R’ logo as well as new daytime running lights.
It sits on 18-inch wheels – yes I was surprised they’re not 20s too – with black painted brake calipers. Round the back are smoked LED tail lights, diffuser and four-chrome-tipped exhaust pipes.
Inside there are cloth and Alcantara seats with unique instrumentation featuring blue needles.
What color is this golf R??