VW's Hot Hatch Gets Even Hotter
When we tested the 2018 Volkswagen GTI, the Roadshow staff agreed that its sweet blend of performance and price, fun and function make it one of the best "bang for the buck" rides on the road. But what if you had just a bit more buck? Could you get a bit more bang? Meet the revised 2018 Volkswagen Golf R: it takes pretty much everything that's great about the GTI and adds more power, more grip and a much greater focus on performance. It also packs better tech with a handful of unique safety features and an eye-catching fully-digital instrument cluster. Fortunately, adding all that extra bang hasn't thrown off the Golf R's balance. It's still a well rounded ride that's very easy to live and it's still a great daily driver for those with slightly more twisty drives. Built on the bones of the GTI, the Volkswagen Golf R is powered by the same 2.0-liter four-banger.
However, the R's powerplant has been upgraded with a unique cylinder head, turbocharger, pistons and direct injection system. Basically, everything important save the block has been modified. The result is a boost in power to 292 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Come for the power, but stay for the torque. The Golf R's engine pulls nicely at pretty much any speed. Peak torque comes on at a casual 1,800 rpm, which makes for off-the-line performance (especially with launch control), but the broad and flat torque curve also begets very responsive throttle response whether around town or around a fast corner. New for 2018, is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DSG) option with paddle shifters. I'm sure it's plenty fast -- VW is a brand that has proven to know its way around a dual-clutch box -- but my example was blessedly equipped with the standard six-speed manual transmission. Rowing your own gears is really the best way to experience VW's hottest hatch, and I highly recommend it.
A number of factory- and retailer-fit options are available on the Volkswagen Golf GTI, allowing buyers further to customise their vehicles. LCD screen, which is mounted in the centre console, is supplemented with a simplified display in the instrument panel and verbal instructions. The driver or passenger can use the screen to pinpoint where the car is on a moving map display. A traffic jam avoidance facility will be able to calculate alternative routes and the radio can memorise the latest traffic information bulletin even when switched off. Rear ABS wheel sensors are used to determine the distance the car has covered and to provide information when the car is turning. Further system components include a solid state magnetic compass concealed under the roof and a three-way roof aerial for radio and GPS (Global Positioning System). The aerial receives signals from the satellites in orbit around the earth from which the system is able to calculate the position of the car on the surface of the earth. A digitised road map, stored on CD-ROM in the car, is accessed. This contains road details and other information such as the locations of airports and stations.
It is effectively a digital street plan of Great Britain. The desired destination is selected using the buttons on the centre console. The system evaluates satellite signals and those from the wheel sensors and compares these data with the digitised CD-ROM road map. Quite quickly, by comparing the movement of the car with the map and its approximate position from the satellites, the system can calculate the position of the car. The road, street or motorway the car is on is then displayed and the route to the chosen destination calculated. The system employed in the Golf also allows for a choice of different types of route - for example, avoiding motorways or cross-country drive. Should the driver deviate from an indicated route, the voice will politely request that he or she make a safe U-turn. If the driver does not oblige, the system will automatically calculate a new route and continue to issue instructions to reach the destination. The Golf is sold with Volkswagen-designed stereo equipment. This sits neatly within the dashboard and is ergonomically designed for ease and safety of operation and maximum security. A dash-mounted CD player is standard; it can be upgraded to an armrest-mounted six-disc CD autochanger for a small premium.
Your Andy's account is now active and you're logged in. All available coupons will be applied automatically in your shopping cart! At Andy's Auto Sport, we have a huge variety of Volkswagen Golf steering wheels to ensure that you have every steering wheel option available to you. Not able to find what you are looking for? Your Volkswagen Golf steering wheel is what connects you to the road, giving you feedback as to how your vehicle is handling. Many people install aftermarket performance steering wheels to help increase this feel, as they are often of more solid construction and therefore transfer more information to the driver. Your Volkswagen Golf steering wheel is right in front of you every time you drive, so it makes sense that many consider it to be one of the most important changes you can make to enhance your driving experience. Steering wheels which are larger than your Volkswagen Golf factory wheel will make steering easier and smoother in motion, while smaller wheels will require more driver input but will allow for finer steering input and control.
