2019 Volkswagen Golf R Test
Four years after the dual-clutch-automatic-only R32, Volkswagen returns to the white-hot-hatch arena with the Golf 鈥塕. 600 颅premium over the three-door. As with the R32, the R is limited to 5000 units in the U.S. VW also dumped the R32鈥檚 six-cylinder for a detuned version of the Audi TTS鈥檚 2.0-liter turbo four making 256 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of 鈥塼orque. It trumps the R32鈥檚 output of 鈥?50 and 236, respectively. The four-cylinder/manual combo shaved about 200 pounds from the R; curb weight is now 3354. That left us scratching our heads over the 5.9-second 0-to-60-mph time we measured, which is 0.5 second slower than the R32鈥檚. Explanation: Manual shifting and our fanciest footwork can鈥檛 compete with the R32鈥檚 launch control. The R鈥檚 power-to-weight advantage shows up at the top end where it reaches 120 mph in 23.1 seconds, 1.0 second earlier than in the R32. Speed builds smoothly and stealthily here; the torquey engine feels like a miniature 颅version of a big Bentley鈥檚.
Comparing the R with the hard-edged Subaru Impreza WRX STI or even harder Mitsubishi Lancer Evo MR is inevitable and not to the VW鈥檚 advantage鈥攊t is slower, takes longer to stop, and corners more softly. All-season 18-inch rubber hampers the R. Compared with a GTI wearing all-seasons, the R鈥檚 0.86-g skidpad score is less grippy by 0.02 g and its 186-foot 70-to-0 braking distance is 11 feet longer despite larger and vented rear discs. We鈥檇 bet that an R wearing summer tires would reestablish the hierarchy; too bad they鈥檙e not a factory option. 30,765 GTI with the Autobahn package isn鈥檛 easy. Four grand may still seem like a lot for questionable performance gains. 1500 bundle including a sunroof, a navigation system, keyless entry, and an upgraded stereo. The subtle styling doesn鈥檛 convey that the addition of the rear drive axle balances the weight a tad better and that this is the best Golf chassis to date. Turn-in is crisp, with understeer progressively building to the limit. Chucking the car into corners, a technique prevalent among drivers in this class, can induce both yaw and stability-control activity. Everyday livability is on par with that of a standard Golf, which is to say good; it鈥檚 颅luscious when compared with an Evo鈥檚. It is this, the powertrain鈥檚 sublime sophistication, and its contemporaries鈥?lack of 鈥塵aturity that will move every last R. Its limited numbers should help, too. TEST NOTES: Exhibits less understeer on the skidpad than the GTI, even with the never-off stability control. Launches happen without wheelspin, no matter what the revs.
Can anyone tell me what's wrong here? I have a '98 VW Passat. Sometimes when I stop at a light for long periods, My car's RPM's drop considerably, then jump back up, and the car starts sputtering, like it wants to stalling out. When I move the car after the light turns green, the car sputters while moving, with the RPM's going up and down, and then shooting up to like, 3000 or so RPM's. Can anyone tell me what wrong? Sounds like your spark plugs need some changin cause I had a similar experience with VW. Get a Tune Up and I'm betting it will fix your problem! Wires could be worn- you didn't state mileage, also coil packs may be going, but no CEL. Or, the O2 sensors are bad- I am leaning more toward that issue. Sounds to me like vacuum is low. Check your intake boots and hoses.
It could also be low fuel pressure. It's not spark as that would cause a check engine light to come on as a misfire. Just going on what I've been told, must be crank position sensor. You mean the crank position sensor. Left side, you cannot miss it. There were no VW Beetle's produced in 1988 and there is no such thing as a engine mount sensor. Sticky/Locking stifle and jumping? L O N G TIME. I didn't know Volkswagen made horses. Perhaps your question is in the wrong category? Oh yeah. you own one of those really RARE VW's.. Jump starts were not always necessary especially if it was unlocked, but just be VERY careful where you connect the cables. You can really get quite a kick if you hook them up wrong. You DO realize you posted this in the VW section - right? Good luck with your Horse.. 68 vw and a late 68 vw? If its a 1.8T the dipstick should be sticking out of the middle of the middle of the intake manifold, right around the center of the engine bay. If you're having trouble finding the dipstick I'm going to assume you have the 30V V6 motor. The dipstick is under the left engine cover.
