TEST DRIVE: 2015 Volkswagen Golf R - Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
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What do you do when you are handed the key to a Volkswagen Golf R? You head straight for the nearest B road of course. Within half an hour I was already on Jalan Gombak, headed towards Genting Sempah and beyond. I think if you had the time any of you would do the same thing if you had a R with you.
So what is a Golf R? It is basically a Mk 7 Golf with a lot of extras. More than even the GTI. Aside from some blue bits inside and a slightly different bodykit outside, it gets a heavily tuned EA888 2.0liter FSI engine which makes 280PS and 380Nm torque making it do a tested 5 seconds from 0 to 100kmh and onwards to a speed limited 250kmh. UK models make 296ps and an even faster 0-100kmh time by 0.2secs. It also has a 6 speed dual clutch gearbox that sends power via a Haldex all wheel drive system. This adaptive control system with advanced electronic diff lock (XDS) is mostly front wheel drive but can channel as much power to the rear wheels when needed (electronically/hydraulically). So it is a Golf GTI with a lot of extra horses as well as extra drive wheels when needed. Of course, you also get other R tuning bits, like a different suspension setup, more equipment and even more noise compared to the GTI (courtesy of a Soundaktor – a resonator built into the bulkhead that amplifies sound into the cabin). And that synthetised sound actually works fabulously well especially in RACE mode. The R makes a very fine impersonation of either a Subaru Impreza or a V8 engine with its burble and rumble. I personally find it adding to the driving experience as the sound adds to the drama.
On the old road from Gombak to Bentong, the R, at slightly higher than normal speeds feels like a normal Golf GTI. But there is Adaptive Chassis Control in the R though. This, especially in Race driving mode (there are various modes, from ECO to RACE) will firm the already firm dampers even more, add more throttle response and steering weighting. So whilst the R will feel like a front wheel drive GTI, it adds another dimension when the going gets tough especially when the road conditions are slippery.
The day I took the R up the windy B road towards Genting it rained earlier. This meant a road that was damp throughout and would actually be a nice test of the R's capabilities. The thing about the ridiculous firm suspension is that at low speeds the ride is quite bad. This feeling is amplified by the 19inch rubber band tyres this 5 door (with the full R Tech Pack). Every time you hit a pothole that is deeper than an inch or so the loud thump felt as if I just lost RM2,000 or the price of having to replace a wheel or a tyre. It is that harsh. So in and around what felt like terrorist bombed roads of the Klang Valley, I take extra precaution by paying attention to the road surfaces. However, once you pile on the speed, the ride actually smoothens out and it just feels like it glides over the bumps, humps and potholes. Actually the faster you go, the better it is. The only problem with this is that you need to drive the R fast everywhere then. Or be very, very careful when driving slowly.
But back to driving the R flat out. It is actually very, very good. On a very tight and bumpy B road the R is so at home taking the corners as fast or as flat out as you dare. Grip levels are so darn high that most will never ever know when it will let go. It has very little understeer (only approaching its very high cornering limits), does not nose dive under braking and does not roll much during corners. This makes it a very nice car to punt around indeed.
Let me try to give an example, the R arrives with a tight 90degree corner going uphill in sight, you can either leave it in fourth at around 110kmh, flick the flappy pedals down a gear to third, lift off the power, tap the brakes just prior to turn in (The R is by no means unsettled at this stage – as it does not nose dive or roll a lot remember). Just before mid corner, or before the apex, you're already feeding in power through the throttle pedal like what you would do in a all wheel drive rally special. When exiting you can actually floor the pedal to the metal and the tail would actually come into play, swinging round whilst the rear wheels come into play via its electronically controlled diffs. It is amazing as whilst you are straightening the R out, you can feel power shuffling around and you rocket out of the corner only to find the next one just a second or so away.
Everything feels almost perfect. In terms of power delivery, lighting quick gearshifts from the dual clutch gearbox and steering that actually works well in placing the car where you want it. I would actually liked the steering to have an even quicker ratio so that it allows the tail to come into play earlier (so that I could have more tail out antics, like when you're driving a Lancer Evo 7-9) but for most of the time, it is rewarding. So bloody rewarding. The chassis is so driver adjustable and responsive that you want to drive the car more and more.
Gombak to Genting Sempah was despatched in under fifteen minutes. A personal record actually. The R has the right size, the right suspension setup and almost the right amount of power to conquer most tight mountainside roads. The 280PS felt just about right for most people (of course, after another run I felt it could use 20 more horses – but don't listen to me here, this is 'expert pro' level bragging going on here).
The R could be the fastest point to point hatchback that money can buy. Of course, there's the manic Mercedes Benz A45. That has 355 PS to play with. That also costs more than RM350,000. This has a price tag of under RM260,000. You can't beat the R for offering the best value for your money. Maybe you could look at a Renault Megane RS 265. That may have a sweeter chassis but less poke and less practicality of this five door R.
Of course, just remember to watch out for potholes almost all of the time or you may eventually need to get new fillings for your teeth or wear a back brace after a while. Or you COULD drive fast all of the time which is impossible as you may get RM2.6billion worth of speeding tickets or end up hugging a tree or lamp post somewhere.
The harsh ride and Soundaktor tuned noise reminded me and a few of my friends on how 'Subaru Impreza' the R is. This rawness is amazing considering that it is a Volkswagen. Of course the premium looking and feeling interior will remind you that it is a Golf. And for that, I think this is the best and most Japanese rally special German car I have driven to date. Amazingly and unbelievably true.
Note: For a Mk6 R owner's take on the Mk7 R, do read Firdaus Asri's review here. I have to state again that he got the wrong R after driving his car and this R here. I have driven both R cars back to back and in the case of the Mk6 R, you should buy a Mk6 GTI as I've stated in an earlier article. That is more entertaining. In the case of Mk6 R vs Mk7 R, the Mk7 is light yearsbetter in terms of chassis dynamics, power delivery and overall feel. Enuff said.
Volkswagen Golf R Mk7 5 door with Tech Pack
Pros: Handling, practicality (hey, it's a five door hatch), noise (artificial or not adds to the excitement), stunning overall performance, superb drive experience
Cons: ride is ridiculously firm on the 19inch wheels, price (whilst value for money for its performance, is still expensive), no full bucket recliners like the officially imported Mk6 R (it seems the seats were somewhat too tight for most that bought the 6 R so VW Malaysia chose to bring the 7 R with the normal Recaro seats instead)
Conclusion: The only Golf that I would ever think of owning. BUT with great power comes great maintenance bills. So be aware of what you are getting into if you buy what is essentially the most competent point to point car that you can buy under RM300,000 in Malaysia. Practical too in five door form. And so surprisingly like a Japanese rally special instead of a continental hot hatch.
SPECIFICATION
Price as tested
Volkswagen Golf R (5-door Tech Pack) 206 kW (280PS) TSI - RM291,888.00
2.0liter TSI turbocharged
Power: 280ps
Torque: 380Nm
Unladen Weight: 1495kg
0-100kmh: 5.0seconds (Tested)
Max Speed: 250kmh
Fuel Consumption : 12.1liters/100km avg. (tested)
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