Volkswagen Golf R review

Despite the 12bhp uplift in power (torque is unchanged at 310lb ft), the venerable EA888 turbocharged 2.0-litre feels much as it did before. Almost lag-free, it doles out satisfyingly elastic performance as it pulls hard and smoothly from idle all the way through to the 6800rpm cut-out. Combined with the total traction transmission it makes the Golf a clinically efficient point-to-point machine with the sort of easily accessible pace that delivers slingshot corner exits and stress-free overtakes. 

Outright urge is as strong as you'd expect, with VW claiming 4.6 seconds for the whizz-bang 0-62mph sprint and a top speed pegged at an electronically limited 155mph.  Our Black Edition test car also featured the R Performance Package (usually a £1,950 option on the standard version) that raises the top speed to 168mph (and adds a ‘Drift’ mode, natch).  

Its composure, traction and faithful responses make it an easy car to drive quickly, but keen drivers who really push it will be rewarded by tail-engaging torque vectoring.

Richard Lane

Deputy road test editor

Also available is featured is lightweight and wallet crippingly expensive (£3,315) Akrapovic exhaust that’s promises to give the Golf greater voice, especially if you press hold the start button for at least a second and a half without touching brake pedal to initiate a theatric flare of revs to 2500rpm once the engine churns into life. One for those neighbours you can’t abide, perhaps?

Even so, when fired-up in this manner the Golf still lacks the instant aural drama of the old Audi RS3, or even the, admittedly much pricier, Mercedes-AMG A45. There’s a greater baritone than before, but the R remains a fast hatch that would rather let others play the peacocking game. 

That said, the sound actuator that pumps synthetic engine noise into the engine has been given a more gravelly delivery, the synthetic nature of which won't be to all tastes. Thankfully it can be switched off through the enhanced driver mode set-up that offers greater customisation and even a new Eco mode that softens the throttle response and serves-up earlier shifts from the seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox.

The eager engine is matched to a seven-speed DSG (there’s no manual) that shuffles cogs quickly and decisively. Better still, in the raciest driver modes the transmission now holds gears when in manual mode, refusing to shift-up when you hit the limiter. It can still get wrong footed at low speeds, especially when pulling onto a roundabout or out of a junction, but in all other situations it performs with snappy precision - although we can't help feel a pang of sadness that there's no six-speed manual option to inject a little extra driver involvement.

The brakes, too, are up to snuff. With ventilated 357mm front and 310mm rear discs, there is strong stopping ability even after repeated blows during track use. There's little too much bite at the top of the travel, which means a delicate touch is required, but past that point pedal feel is good, providing the driver with confidence when wiping off speed in a hurry.