First Drive Impression: A Proper R-Rated Volkswagen Golf

By Chad Lückhoff

Chad Lückhoff blasts through the mountain passes of the Western Cape to see if he can notice the extra power in the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R.

For a vehicle that replaced the first “people's car”, the Beetle. The Volkswagen Golf certainly has blossomed over the years.

While some may lament the demise of the compact, economical hatchback, there's no denying that the seventh generation Volkswagen Golf remains a firm favourite. It may be larger and considerably more expensive than earlier iterations, but sales figures don't lie. 36 717 examples of the Golf 7 have been sold locally since its release with the GTI making up a convincing 33% of that number with 12 412 units sold since 2013.

The Golf R.

Their flagship Golf offering, the Golf R, has fared just as well, selling 4 050 units and accounting for 11% of the total Golf 7 volume. All this despite the fact that we received a watered-down version of the R with only 213 kW on tap.

The reason for South Africa receiving power restricted units was due to our climate. Volkswagen regarded South Africa as an 'Extreme Heat' environment and concluded that the high-strung R would not survive for long if it were to be tuned to the full-fat 228 kW that the EA888 engine is capable of.

Volkswagen, however, has changed their stance on that matter and after years of monitoring and assessment, have concluded that South Africa should be listed as a 'Moderate Heat' environment and not a High Heat as previously thought.

This is good news for power-hungry fans as now they can get their paws on the 228 kW Volkswagen Golf R in all its glory; unbridled and raw.

Performance.

The Golf R still employs a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, coded the EA888. This unit, in this state of tune, produces 228 kW and 400 Nm torque. That's an additional 15 kW and 20 Nm over the 'vanilla' Golf R we were previously allowed to play with.

It sends the drive to all four wheels through a 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system via a 7-speed DSG gearbox to give the R a 0 – 100 km/h sprint time of 4.6-seconds, they say. They also say that it will go on with the needles stopping at an electronically limited 250 km/h – as is the norm these days.

Trimmings.

Despite the fact that the R is the 'last number' Golf you can buy, there are still a few additional options that one can check on the configurator.

As standard, you will get the Composition Media infotainment system with its 8-inch touchscreen but that can be upgraded to the Discover Media Pro system that will further enhance your multimedia experience and add satellite navigation into the mix.

LED headlights are standard fitment, as is the digital Active Info Display that sees the traditional, analogue gauges replaced with a 12.3-inch LCD display that allows a variety of layouts and an assortment of information to be displayed in the gauge binnacle.

Get creative with the options list and you can spec carbon fibre exterior mirror covers, Nappa-Carbon leather seats and Adaptive Chassis Control, over and above the standard Driver Profile Selection.

Party Pieces.

It's not only a smattering of power that gets added to the 2019 Golf R, should you wish, your Golf R can be equipped with a titanium Akrapovič exhaust that not only gives the R a menacing, yet refined engine note, but shaves 7kg off of the kerb weight. It's a R39 900 option but you can expect most Golf Rs to be fitted with this system at a dealership level.

Further weight saving is had by checking the box for the R Performance brake package that drops another 2kg thanks to aluminium bells on the brake discs. These are fitted with cast pins to allow rapid heating and cooling of the brakes without adverse effects.

But can you feel the additional 15 kW?

In all honesty, unless you drive the 213 kW version and the new one back-to-back, you will hardly notice the difference. The R still pulls strong through the gears and is a blistering machine on the mountain roads.

We drove the R and then climbed into a standard 7.5 GTI and this revealed the Golf Rs Achilles' Heel – its weight. The GTI certainly lacks power, by comparison, you notice a difference between 169 kW and 228 kW, but the GTI feels more agile, more nimble and quicker to respond to inputs, highlighted by the deft steering.

The 4MOTION system weighs the R down, the R is nearly 200 kg heavier than a GTI and this is instantaneously felt.

Verdict.

The Golf R is a heavyweight boxer, primed and ready to deliver a knockout punch. The GTI, by comparison, is the welterweight that will go a full 12 rounds and tire their opponent out, delivering sharp and precise jabs.

Power from the R is intoxicating but there will be a select few times where one will be able to truly exploit all it has to offer. The drivetrain offers a surefooted approach to cornering with little drama and for some this is desirable.

It all comes at a rather steep price though and the R will cost you R 676 000 before adding the options that one would want, such as the new exhaust and the brake package, making this a pricey option.