Volkswagen Golf R
The 2015 Volkswagen Golf R is the fastest, most powerful, and most agile variant of the Golf platform that you can buy today. It's also the most expensive. The R builds on the success of the Golf GTI, a vehicle that I loved so much that I called it "one of the best hot hatches ever." So is the Golf R better than the best? Like the Golf GTI, the 2015 Volkswagen Golf R is powered by the automaker's turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine codenamed EA888. However, the R get a significant retune and a 72-horsepower boost over its stablemate. Total output sits now at 292 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Power and torque flow through VW's six-speed DSG semi-automatic transmission. The R has no available manual transmission option, so those who love clutching will have to step down to a GTI model. After the gearbox, torque is split and shared between all four wheels via the automaker's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.
This setup uses an electronically controlled Haldex center differential to send up to 50-percent of available torque to the rear axle on demand. On paper, the Golf R nips at the heels of the new 305-horsepower Subaru WRX STI. Speaking of twisty roads, the Golf R grips the pavement with 235-width tires wrapped around 19-inch wheels. Changes direction via variable ratio electric power steering with two modes: sport and normal. The Golf R features three preset drive modes that tweak the various aspects of the vehicle's performance with Sport, Normal and Comfort. A fourth Individual preset is customizable, allowing the driver to mix and match settings for the steering, engine and front lighting. In addition to the three drive modes, there's also a three-mode stability control system that progressively reduces the amount of computer intervention at the handling limits from full to moderate to nearly none at all. 2015 Volkswagen GTI Yes, the car that many say was the original hot hatchback in 1975 is still one of the best in that class some 40 years and seven generations later.
2015 Subaru WRX STI With tons of power and gobs of grip, the apex all-wheel drive Subaru performance goes toe to toe with the competition. 2015 Subaru BRZ review The BRZ has less power, but makes up ground with superior handling. 2013 Ford Focus ST When it comes to the drive, this hot hatch does nearly everything right. Adding to the settings mix is our example's optional DCC -- or Dynamic Chassis Control -- adaptive suspension which electronically adjusts the firmness of the ride with comfort, normal and sport settings. These modes are automatically chosen by the drive-mode selector. Personally, I thought that all three settings were fairly sporty, but did notice a bit more of an edge to the bumps in the road and a bit less roll in the firmer settings. It was apparent before I even reached my favorite backroads that the Golf R is head and shoulders a much more potent performer than the GTI. The acceleration is much more immediate, but also less dramatic.
With the 4Motion system splitting torque between all four corners, a launch-controlled hard start wastes no energy squealing the tires. The hatchback simply takes off like a turbocharged bullet, swinging both the speedometer and tachometer with ease. Gear changes from the dual-clutch gearbox are ridiculously quick and almost seamlessly smooth. Upshifts happen within the span of a blink and downshifts are met with computer-precise blips of the throttle that don't upset the chassis. However, the Golf R really starts to shine when the road starts to bend. With its 4Motion all-wheel drive system, the rear wheels aren't just along for the ride like they are in the front-wheel drive GTI. I was able to more liberally add power after a tight apex and to carry a bit more speed through broader, sweeping bends. The steering offers the same level of excellent feedback that made me fall in love with the GTI, but the R feels much more planted.
