{"id":10887,"date":"2015-03-20T11:02:47","date_gmt":"2015-03-20T11:02:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wheelsforwomen.ie\/?p=10887"},"modified":"2015-07-09T21:04:57","modified_gmt":"2015-07-09T20:04:57","slug":"volkswagen-golf-r-2-0-tsi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wheelsforwomen.ie\/index.php\/volkswagen-golf-r-2-0-tsi\/","title":{"rendered":"Volkswagen Golf R 2.0 TSI"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"golf_r_2\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The R is Volkswagen’s\u00a0most powerful and fastest Golf ever\u00a0but would you buy one asks Geraldine Herbert<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

What is it?<\/strong> \u00a0The R is Volkswagen\u2019s most powerful and fastest Golf ever and competes with rivals such as Ford’s new Focus RS, the \u00a0Mercedes A45 AMG and Audi\u2019s S3.<\/p>\n

Who is it aimed at? <\/strong>This is a very grown up hot hatch and with a starting price of \u20ac42,445 its not aimed at your average girl \u00a0or boy racer.<\/p>\n

Styling?<\/strong> The exterior of the Golf R is an exercise in subtlety but look closely and the bumpers, lights and chiselled air vents are clues to just how radically different this car is while the quad tail pipes are tuned to deliver an exhaust note with a spine-tingling howl that pairs beautifully with the car’s excellent acceleration and overall performance.<\/p>\n

Under the Bonnet?<\/strong> Subtle it’s not. Hit the ignition and\u00a0 the VW Golf R sounds fast \u2013 and\u00a0 it is \u2013 that growl when you start up is from the same engine as in the Audi S3 so its a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine with 300bhp\u00a0 and rips from 0-100 in 4.9 sec and reaches a licence-losing top speed of 250km\/h. It may share the same transmission and engine with the S3 but there\u2019s a rawness to the Golf R that is particularly appealing.<\/p>\n

What about inside?<\/strong> Once inside you are reminded at every opportunity that this a Racing version of the Golf. Gone are the red pinstripes and tartan cloth GTi signatures replaced by the aluminium trim on the pedals, leather-wrapped steering wheel and the bespoke R instrument dials.<\/p>\n

On the Road?<\/strong> Slip behind the wheel and there is a sense of occasion, that knowledge that you are driving something out of the ordinary. The Golf GTI’s handling has always been really good but the R is a noticeable step up in almost every way.\u00a0 The R’s grip is incredibly good, it feels really light, steering \u00a0 is as sharp as it gets and the harder you push it, the better it responds. With a substantially revised version of the\u00a0 GTi\u2019s \u00a0suspension \u00a0and a four wheel \u00a0drive system the R sticks like glue to the road irrespective of weather conditions. It is also very comfortable and absorbs any bumps on the road surprisingly well.<\/p>\n

\"golf_r_3\"<\/a><\/p>\n

And Safety? \u00a0<\/strong>As you\u2019d expect \u2013 and, let\u2019s be honest, need \u2013 the Golf R is loaded with safety \u00a0features that helps tame this beast including a five star EuroNCAP rating,\u00a0higher safety specification and four-wheel-drive system for extra\u00a0grip.<\/p>\n

Options?<\/strong> The Golf R is available as a three or five door and a choice of manual or automatic transmissions.<\/p>\n

Economy and cost? <\/strong>Running costs will relate directly to how much fun you’re having, but the official figures suggest the Golf R returns 6.9 litres per 100 km \u00a0or 40.1 mpg. Co2 emissions are 159 g\/km so it will cost you \u20ac570 per year to tax.<\/p>\n

Verdict?<\/strong> The Golf R is a super blend of beastly power\u00a0 and practicality, sporty yet economical, classy but understated and ferociously fast but incredibly composed.\u00a0 At \u20ac45,280 it is a rare indulgence but it is an intoxicating amount of fun in a practical everyday car; when it comes to sizzling hot hatches this is, quite simply, as good as it gets.<\/p>\n

Why you\u2019ll buy one? <\/strong>Handling, refinement; practical<\/p>\n

Why you won\u2019t? <\/strong>VW’s\u00a0GTi<\/a> does most of it for less<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rivals<\/strong>
\nFord Focus RS \u2013 to be confirmed
\nAudi S3<\/a> \u2013 Priced from \u20ac50,370
\nMercedes A45 AMG \u2013 Priced from \u20ac58,250
\nHonda Civic Type R\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Watch a video of the Golf R Below<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n