Volkswagen has announced that its 256 HP, AWD Golf R is coming to the US market just like the R32 and other über-Golfs before it. And though switching the enthusiast’s Golf from a V6 to a turbo-four was the right decision, there’s just one minor problem: this Golf has competition. Subaru’s WRX may not be the prettiest car out there, but it offers 265 turbocharged horsepower to the Golf R’s 256, and it starts at a budget-basement $25,500. Previous R-badged Golfs have cost upwards of $30k, or approaching the $34k, 305 HP WRX STI. Of course the Golf R does have some advantages: an optional dual-clutch transmission, a cleaner look, a European badge… but in addition to having less horsepower than a WRX, it weighs a good 100 pounds more. In short, the Golf R may be manna from heaven for Volkswagen fans who are disappointed in the new Jetta, but it’s not exactly going to turn America’s performance market upside down.
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Same exact arguments that have plagued the R32 since its 2004 debut. I’m a big fan of it, as well as the WRX, but they feel like two completely different beasts on the road. Sure, they compete on paper, but for most people it ends there. The R32’s additional weight and NVH make it more luxurious and smooth, while the WRX’s lighter weight and peaky engine make it more of a true street-legal rally car. Sounds like the Golf is taking one step closer to direct competition, but there’ll probably still be some distance between them.
That or Subaru’s trying to meet it going the other way, but with an even cheaper interior and more electronic strangulation than my 05.
Count me as one of the people who would prefer a Golf R to any Subaru or Mistubishi. The wings, cheap-ish interiors and lack of refinement of the WRX and EVO have put me off buying one, as much as I respect their performance.
The Golf R could well be the perfect package for lots of folks.
Ditto. I like and respect he Evolution X and WRX/STI. But, being a professional in my mid-30s, I already feel like they’re a little too boy racer to serve as a daily driver or to show up to the office in. As track day/weekend toys they’re excellent, however.
The GTI, and likely the new R, provide most (if not more) of the fun with enough refinement and day-to-day useability to be a perfect choice. Of course, I’m biased. I bought a MKV GTI over those other cars far those very reasons.
Exactly…part of the reason my 62-year-old professional dad feels comfortable daily driving an R32, and nobody gives him a hard time about it. Attracts a lot less attention from cops and racers, too. He looks at it like a fun, budget-minded alternative to a pricey and finicky Porsche (to paraphrase Mr. Farago’s own review of the car here 6 years ago).
I’ve read elsewhere that the DSG is a no-show for the Golf R in the U.S., it’s manual-transmission only from what I’ve heard.
Nice change of pace from the Gen2 model which was DSG only. Made a lot of people mad, especially the tranny purists and tuners who like to crank it up to 2x-3x stock output (the DSG couldn’t handle it).
Absolutely correct.
VW sent me 2 replies claiming their market research for a “race inspired” vehicle meant manual transmission only for the R model.
That’s a deal breaker for me, who has yet to find AWD on anything VW currently makes other than their 2 SUV’s. Pity.
I read it would be 6-speed manual only. I like it!
Along with the power increase, VW is promising bigger brakes, an uprated suspension, 18-inch wheels, center-exit dual exhaust and a more liberally tuned ESP. Perhaps most interestingly, the Golf R will be available in both two and four doors and be paired exclusively with a manual transmission. That’s right, we said it.
So can you buy a car which is cheaper than the both the Golf R and Impreza WRX, has better power to weight ratio and is RWD? *Cough* Mustang! *Cough*.
I know where my money would go.
My money went there with a 2010 Mustang GT. Four unscheduled service visits and 52 days out of service later, I put the thing back to Ford under the lemon law. Notwithstanding the immense amount of frustration and hassle the car caused me, I’d have accepted the 2011 replacement Mustang if Ford hadn’t tried to charge me the full MSRP price difference on options I already had in the 2010. That just seemed so ridiculously unfair and unaccomodative (to coin a phrase) on Ford’s part that they lost my business forver. And they lost the business of about 8 of my friends and family who were planning buy Ford products in the next year.
However, I will agree that the 2011 Mustang is an amazing performance value, and I hope and expect most people who buy one will not experience the problems I had. Mine was a rare lemon, but it certainly left a sour taste in my mouth (har har har).
@Sinistermisterman. I don’t think that many will cross shop the Golf R, or WRX and Evo with a Mustang. Pony cars are different beasts.
@Talkstoanimals. There are stories like that from every car manufacturer.
I really like the idea of this car. I’ll be even more interested, or not, depending on how the all wheel drive is set up.
It’s one of the on demand Haldex set ups, which due being the latest generation is more responsive, is still not as good as the set-ups on the WRX / EVO particularly on snow.
I’m aware of the Haldex (the only non Haldex VW would be the Touareg), but I’m wondering how they’ll manage the torque split. I honestly see little point in sending the majority to the front wheels in regular driving as is usually done (the Tiguan is 90% front until slip is detected). The only positive benefit in powering the front wheels is if the minimum is sent, and not until yaw angle is already acheived, otherwise those powered fronts are a liability.
Still if the car is right otherwise, and I suspect that’s the case, I would go for a Haldex chip to fix this potential issue. As far as I know this is an invisible upgrade (unless your dealer tech thinks donuts are a diagnostic tool).
subaru’s interoirs and VW’s currently do not belong in the same sentance.
Yes this will probably push 30, but thats still far away from sti prices.
IMHO, the biggest problem for the STI, is the new WRX, which preforms as well, if not better then the sti buy for 10 grand less.
subaru’s interoirs and VW’s currently do not belong in the same sentance.
Neither does VW reliability and Subaru’s. I am yet to meet a VW owner you hasn’t called the tow truck once.
@drifter
99 B5 Passat with 140K, 94 Miata with 105K, 08 R with 30K, and a CX-7 with 6K. None have ever been on the hook. Hell, none have even had a CEL. There, that’s one for ya.
My 2001 Audi A4, 2006 VW GTI, and 2008 VW R32 were never disabled to the point that they couldn’t get somewhere under their own power.
The worst problems of each: Torn vacuum line in the Audi, 100 EUR repair; grenaded A/C system in the GTI (apparently common), fixed under warranty; wonky ignition switch in the R32, fixed under warranty.
Hm, my sti was just barely over 30 out the door 5 years ago (33.5 actually), NEW.
With that being said, I’m always glad to have another choice, even if it is down a bit on power….
This would be an interesting buy in the mid to late teens after 5 years or so and 50k miles.
I hope this engine filters up to the 2012 Audi A3.
kudos to VW for only offering this rig with a 3rd pedal not the double cost transvestite
No you don’t, the R runs the EA113 from the old Mk5 Golf GTI, not the newer Audi sourced EA888 that the Mk6 GTI runs.
In the R this engine has a degree of low down lag, and has just about reached its end of life.
Strange, my 08 MKV GTI has the CCTA motor, I believe this is known as the ea888 motor. It has a chain driven camshaft, and high-pressure fuel system. I believe the ea113 is also known as the BPY motor – belt driven camshaft….etc.
Why would VW go with an older design in the Golf R? I thought the BPY motor went away sometime in the early 2008 model year.
@ Ben –
Are you sure about that? I’m almost 100% certain that the engine in the R is based on the new CCTA/EA888 that debuted in ‘08.5 with timing chain and a whole host of other improvements over the previous gen motor.
I R Not.
I hope this doesn’t follow the typical American car buyer pattern:
Step 1: Europe or Asia gets some hot model car not sold in North America. The press goes gaga and enthusiasts say, “if they sold that here, I’d buy one in a heartbeat.”
Step 2: Car company in a delusional fit thinks that American enthusiasts will actually buy said European or Asian model hot car. So they move the steering wheel to the other side (if needed) and announce that hot car is coming to America.
Step 3: Press and enthusiasts squeal in glee!
Step 4: Base price is released, enthusiasts who prior were offering their right testicle, their youngest daughters virginity and first born child now go, WTF, that’s kind of expensive.
Step 5: Car arrives and goes on sale in America. The press raves about new hot model the American consumer can buy.
Step 6: Car company sells 12 of them in the first month, but, but, but, they said they would buy them.
Step 7: Hot model is deleted from line up 2 to 3 years after US introduction and car company says screw you on doing that again.
Step 8: Enthusiasts that never bought hit the auto blogs saying, “ehh, it wasn’t all that good anyway.”
I suspect they’ll take 18 months to sell 5000, just like the 04 and 08 models. It’ll probably also hold its resale value very well like they do.
@ Urlik –
The ’04 R32, of which I was an owner, was essentially sold out in less than 12 months, IIRC. There were a few lingerers, but all in all VW had very little trouble selling the original .:R. It’s also the only car I’ve ever owned where I sold it for a profit. I was lucky, I picked it up “used” with 1,500 miles on it for $24k and sold it about a year later for $26.
I still regret selling that car. What a farking mistake THAT was. That car still holds its value like gold, amazing stuff.
Another plus on the ’04 Mk IV .:R is that it was probably one of the most bulletproof VWs ever built. I know a handful of people that still own them with between 40,000 – 100,000 miles on them and outside of wear and tear items there have been amazingly few issues with these cars.
The MK V R32 was a different story. Dealers had a hard time moving those for a variety of reasons ranging from limited powertrain choices to the economy to the rather lukewarm response that the MK Vs received from the enthusiast community.
@heardon
You may think the MkV went slower but it took virtually the same amount of time as the Mk IV to sell 95% of them. You can find the threads on the whortex.
My brother promises he will have one of these as soon as they are available. He currently has a Infiniti G37 and before that he had a Golf 337 which was an amazing VeeDub. With the chip this car will be a screamer. It sure looks better then the Subbie. I like the look of the EVO but its got “boy ricer” written all over it, thus the Golf R would be the professionals choice.
The professional fuddy-duddy or the professional euro-sport fan who can’t afford a Porsche/BMW/Audi?
Or the professional euro-sports fan who doesn’t want to burn stacks of money on the Porsche, recognizes the crippling stigma of being a BMW owner, and doesn’t really feel the whole LED-DRL thing of a higher-priced yet comparable-offering VAG product.
Yeah, as someone who drove off the lot this summer in a MkVI GTI, I’d like to echo the chorus of ‘You can’t really compare this to a Subaru or a Speed3.’
There is a guy with an identically colored new WRX in my office building who always gives me the crook-eye. Sure, he’d blast me from a dig, but I’m significantly better equipped to entertain clients. His is a beautiful car, but when you become an adult, a little understatement goes a long way.
Additionally, this summer and fall, me and the wheels have hit every mountain range from NC to Quebec (save for the Catskills.) After every drive, no matter how long, my passengers and I want more more more; I’m pretty sure if that were Japanese seats, I’d probably need a couple days respite from the suspension and bolstering.
As for the VW launch of the R, thumbs up on the manual.
I’m slightly confused, though. Now, NAmerica has 4 basic tiers for the Golf, the 2.5, the TDI, the GTI, and now the R. They’ve been pushing the GTI as the semi-halo, but here comes a very identical-in-appearance car. Neither the GTI nor the R are visible sports cars, just hot-hatches. With the previous reliability issues of the R, and the lack of visible differences to the man on the street, you gotta wonder if VW might have been better off releasing the Scirocco in limited numbers. That could have helped the inevitable brand-slide the ’11 Jettas will cause better than another Golf trim.
Even better than the Scirocco would be the Scirocco R.
I’m holding out for the Scirocco-R. And holding, and holding, and holding…
This is a car I would very much like.
But a VW! Owning one is a terrifying prospect, and the few VW dealers I have been in have not done anything to advance the reputation of their kind.
I gotta say, I’m pleasantly surprised at how reliable my 2008 GTI has been over its 33K miles. Only the iPod adapter went bad and was replaced, and a loose rear license plate light bulb was tightened. Nothing else.
However, I was thoroughly pissed at the fact that the rear discs needed to be replaced at 30K miles with the pads (still not sure I believe the tech). Unforgivable for any car.
The Mk Vs have been very reliable. My 08 R32 has had zero trips to the dealership for problems in its 25K miles. I’m also lucky that I have one heck of a good dealer up in Abilene, TX.
“However, I was thoroughly pissed at the fact that the rear discs needed to be replaced at 30K miles with the pads (still not sure I believe the tech). Unforgivable for any car.”
You must learn to drive less aggressively. Then they will last longer.
I truly hope VW’s reliability issues continue to abate. They are one of the few manufacturers that has cars that appeal to me. I’d be pleased if I could consider a Vee Dub when I am ready for new wheels in a few years.
Ford makes PT Barnum proud of his Doctrine
” One born every mins” in the long run is very bad for biz,
or just Crappy tire in Canuckstan, they only pay minimum to mechanics, expect them to milk customers on repair, pad up the bills. Changing un-necessary parts.
Slowly it has created a bad reputation any car owners avoid them like Plague.
Unless is emergency.
“That just seemed so ridiculously unfair and unaccomodative (to coin a phrase) on Ford’s part that they lost my business forver. And they lost the business of about 8 of my friends and family who were planning buy Ford products in the next year.”
My wife has an Evo IX and I had an ’08 R32 until I recently supersized it and got an AWD Toyota Sienna. I hated her car because it was too raw and noisy. The interior and gauges suck except for the amazing Recaro seats. I also generally prefer DSG to manual, though i do like to keep my skills up occasionally, and the Evo really is a blast to drive quickly. I loved the R32 rain sensor that closed he windows and moonroof if I left them open and it rained. I loved the ultra-fast, perfect shifts of the DSG. I loved the way it pretended to be a luxury car with a nice interior until you punched the gas or pulled a paddle and then the excellent sound of the VR6 was released and it made the drive enjoyable despite not quite being able to keep up with the Evo. She hated mine for the refinement, luxury, gadgets, weight, lack of turbo power, and the lack of the Evo’s supernatural grip. She loves the rawness of her Evo, she loves the turbo power and the astounding handling. She even likes how it looks! They’re two similarly priced high performance, AWD cars, but they otherwise are as different as can be. I’d have gone for the 4-door had it been available, but the lack of the DSG almost completely kills it for me and when you subtract the mellifluous VR6 I know that even if I were ready to down-size again, the Golf R wouldn’t even get a test drive. The Scirocco R is a beauty, but FWD in a sports car is a turn-off. Now a Passat R36…
“I had an ’08 R32 until I recently supersized it and got an AWD Toyota Sienna.”
Dude,
I feel for you :-)
I love it. If I hadn’t just bought a 2010 VW this past summer I’d be all over this. I didn’t want to wait cause I figured it’d be DSG only and I only buy manuals. You can’t even compare this to the jap cars, they are only similar on paper and appeal to very different people.
The EVO/WRX usually appeals to a different set than GTI/R20.
Concerning the price of the R. The GTI pushes 30k (sticker–not sure what actually purchase price is) so I expect the R to come in at around 33K.
@Advance_92
So the most important quality of car is its badge? Try concentrating more on the car and what it delivers and less on the badge and you might avoid paying the “stupid tax”.
@hubcap
The question part of your response is exactly the opposite of what I was saying. The statement part is exactly what I was saying.
One thing I will miss in this car is the VR6. That engine sounded wonderful in my MK IV R32 and it really was a very reliable, great sounding engine overall. Terrible gas mileage for the power (averaged around 19 in the city, 25 highway), but a great, great motor.
That video makes me miss the sound of my recently sold 2007 MKV GTI. The stock exhaust subtly filled the cabin with a great rumble. As it is though, buying a VW was a trial I’ll likely not repeat. The car just let me down too often. Brilliant car with suspect design.
The realities are, with the exception of the CC and the European Sirocco, I don’t get VW styling. Both the garden variety Golf and the Impreza are, charitably speaking, repulsive. For many decades I had Rabbits and GLI Jettas and thought them all ugly…but they were era-appropriate fun to drive and that outweighed my aversion to their looks. I still believe that fun trumps looks.
And of course they were also relatively unreliable as opposed to my original early 60’s bug which was virtually un-killable. Ancient history, I know, but modern reliability compared to my last 4 Subarus suffers also. I just drive the Subies… and drive them hard…and they never complain. In these Adirondack hills I live in, AWD is impressive and tenacious, even on dry roads. I did look at the R32 and like most smaller VWs, for me, it had an awkward driving position. The steering wheel to pedal position is just wrong, similar to my old Acura GSR. The R32 also has VERY narrow lat support, much like the Honda S2000, which is fine for women and more diminutive men than myself. I’m also not crazy about the ‘third-gear-is somewhere-up-there-by-the-dashboard’ shifter on every German car except some M vehicles or the Cayman…and the DSG was the kiss of death. So the R32 was a very real reject for me on numerous levels despite its fun nature and one of the best sounds of any car…at any price.
I very much like the looks of my 09 STi even if at my advanced age I don’t fit into the boy racer crowd. Of course, at my age, I’m not really interested in what anyone else thinks anyway…and that includes the flames I’ll get from these comments. The STi rides better than my friends BMW 135i but admittedly that isn’t saying much. The WRX and STi are both brutally quick but the STi is the real road carver and I suspect that’s where the VW will outshine the Subies. I have high hopes for this new R…and perhaps it will bring me back into the VW fold. If it has R32 handling, a nice seating position, a comfortable seat, and a snick-snick shifter…it will be my next car.
As a WRX 5 door fan, the Golf R is of interest to me. If might be a bit slower than the cheaper WRX, but the design and material quality is much higher and worth the cost. The one major problem is that it is coming with a stick only. That might be wonderful for racing around on the weekend, but for real people who commute in real traffic, the DSG is the only way to go. Trust me, after 150 clutches to creep a couple of miles, you will start daydreaming of an automatic or a DSG.
I remember scrutinizing the R32’s specs carefully when it was first released in the U.S., and came to the conclusion that it’s just a pseudo-enthusiast’s car. Perhaps, to me, performance-oriented models without any recent racing history just don’t stir my car passion that much.
I find it very hard to believe Golf R shoppers will cross shop other non-German brands such as the WRX.
Once you get into a WRX, you tend to want to upgrade to a STI/Evo, then GTR. Sans family obligations. :)
If I bought my first AWD performance compact car with a VW moniker, an Audi S4, S6, and S8 seems more logical as the next step(s) up.