When a team of engineers from Volkswagen created a sizzling Golf Mk1 in their own time, the end result was the Golf Sport idea, which made its debut on the 1975 Frankfurt Motor Show. Volkswagen took loads of convincing that there was a viable marketplace for a scorching hatch, however it put the Golf GTI into limited production, and was overwhelmed by the demand. The GTI turned one thing of an icon as it made its mark as a staple part of the Golf line-up, accounting for up to 10 per cent of sales. As the bar was raised ever greater, so the GTI acquired more and more powerful. Then, the even more efficiency-orientated Golf R32 was launched, and that was adopted by the Golf R, which reached the milestone of breaching the 300bhp barrier for the primary time. • Volkswagen Golf R Mk7 (2014-date) - Hottest Golf blends fine performance with spectacular on a regular basis versatility. The newcomer was obtainable with three or five doorways, and there was a alternative of six-pace manual or DSG automatic gearboxes. Power came from a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine.
By July 2015 the R was also supplied in a extra practical Estate body style, with the same mechanical specification because the hatchback model. An updated Golf R arrived in April 2016 with LED lights all round, digital dials, a brand new infotainment system, a 10bhp enhance and quite a lot of exterior design tweaks. Which one ought to I purchase? Most Golf Rs have five doorways and a DSG computerized transmission; for those who choose a sportier look and don’t care a lot about rear seat entry, a three-door mannequin would possibly better fit your needs. Both handbook and auto containers are nice to use, so which one you go for is only a matter of private preference. All Golf Rs include sports suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels and xenon headlights. A Performance Pack was also launched in November 2017. Available solely with the DSG transmission, it brought 19-inch alloys, stronger brakes and a 166mph top pace (168mph for the estate).
There was a sporty rear spoiler for the hatchback, too. The Golf GTI and GTD supply most of the R’s features and benefits, but in packages which are cheaper to purchase and run. After the urgency of the Golf R, these might seem fairly anaemic, though, which is why Audi’s 362bhp (later to be 395bhp) RS 3 would possibly hold extra attraction for those after a performance-targeted expertise. Yet while the RS 3 is beautifully constructed and properly kitted out, it’s additionally expensive to purchase and run, with second-hand prices starting at £30,000. These elements additionally apply to the 355bhp Mercedes-AMG A forty five which, as with the RS 3 and Golf R, comes with 4-wheel drive. Don’t overlook the 326bhp BMW M135i and its replacement (from May 2016), the 340bhp M140i, both of that are great enjoyable with their rear-wheel-drive set-ups. Volkswagen offered a Golf R Mk6 Cabriolet, but a really poor sales efficiency meant a Mk7 version never saw the light of day.
The Golf R hatchback got here with a choice of either a manual or automated transmission, however the Estate was offered in DSG auto form solely. Some owners have been irritated by the difficulty of squeaky door rubbers. Applying some Gummi Pflege is the best answer to this downside. The wheels on all Golf Rs can endure from corrosion, while the 19-inch rims can also buckle if the car runs by means of too many potholes. There are not any surprises inside the Golf R; it’s clearly laid out and very nicely made. In consequence, this car’s cabin is an absolute breeze to reside with. Facelifted models from April 2016 get a digital dashboard that looks a lot smarter than the previous set-up. Boot house stands at 340 to 1,233 litres - 37 litres less than in a front-wheel-drive Golf - but the Estate offers further room for those who need it. You should buy a practically new Volkswagen Golf R for between £17,250 and £37,290 on our sister site BuyaCar. Golf R homeowners can choose fastened or variable servicing.
