Volkswagen Golf R – Hyper Hatch
A hot hatch that builds horse power now starting with a ‘3’, where will it end? Not in a hedge if you’re driving the 4 Motion Golf R. This Mk 7.5 evolution has an all new twin-clutch DSG 7 speed gearbox and some slight styling changes on the front and rear.
Inside, the glossy (optional) touch screen infotainment system is quick to connect through your phone but is prone to pudgy finger marks. There’s also that brand new virtual cockpit, (not as good as Audi’s optional spec) but it’s worthy of Golf standards. You can flick through the modes selecting Energy, Distance or speed virtual dials, which will always display your speed no matter which dial you choose, which is a good thing considering there’s 306bhp waiting to be unleashed.
It’s the every man car, it reaches many audiences and isn’t associated with any one class. It mixes hot-hatchery with subtle sophistication. It never shouts desperately for attention, but those who know, know. It’s undemanding in urban traffic chaos, it sits there happily burbling away. Sitting there, waiting to inch forward you drift off listening to it burble. No aches or pains here, as the Recaro seats are perfectly balanced, gone the indented hip flexor seating position.
It’s rapidly quick once it gets going..and going….aaaaaand going. It combines lovely torque ability from low down the rev range to way up high. The paddles are small and function perfectly well. I nearly expected shiny aluminium ‘plates’ but these little nubs do a good job of shifting up and down the gears. There are a couple of different driving modes available, Eco, Normal, Race and Individual – where you spec it exactly to your liking. There’s not a road out there that could fase this car. Except for one where you needed to perform a 3 point turn, as the lock is very tight. I haven’t noticed a wheel lock as limited on a car in a while. Maybe it was the particular week I was having but the limited lock-to-lock issue occurred a number of times.
It also didn’t help that the steering is a little bit heavy when optioning the 19” ‘Spielberg’ Alloy wheels. Every pore in the road should be considered, if you miss a pothole before the tyre indents itself into the road, you’ll certainly feel it.
It’s an aural delight to listen to, from first blip of the throttle through to the pedal, under the seat and then that wonderful exit out the back quad exhausts! Even when stuck in slow moving throttle I found myself playing with this aural delight, I loved how well it’s tuned to resonate in the cabin.
However, as a three door Golf, it’s starting price is €46,595 before options. And this is where you start to wonder if it’s worth it over a GTI? The factor’s you need to consider are, is it cheaper to run than let’s say, an equivalent 300bhp BMW? We’re talking insurance, servicing and other monthly running costs. If you weigh it up like this, it becomes a more reasonable beast. If you look at it as a plus 45k Golf, you’ll do yourself no favours. Ask yourself if you can justify the cost v’s fun value? Because it is a lot of fun, but what’s the point in owning a car like this if after 3 months of ownership, you drive it just like any other Golf?
Special mention : Aural dynamics – it’s Operatic to listen to. Lapiz blue, you know what to do.
Needs work : That price tag.
Specs:
| Max Power 306bhp | Petrol / Automatic |
| 0-100 km/h in 4.6s | Road Tax € 570.00 |
| Price €47,370 (as specced) | Claimed economy Averaging at 10.7 l/100km |
