(continued from the previous page)
Interior Design
Just like the exterior, the interior has been enhanced to make it even more
purposeful and demonstrate its role at the apex of the Golf range.
On opening the door, the driver and passenger will note aluminum "R" kickplates
on the sills, before sliding into deep bucket seats. These are adorned with an
"R" logo on the head restraint and are upholstered in supple leather.
The squared-off steering wheel is also swathed in leather, with
gloss-black-finished spokes that carry through from the exterior design. Other
R-specific features include: blue pointers for the instruments; the shifter knob
with an "R" motif; aluminum trim for the dashboard and doors; and aluminum
pedals.
The Golf R comes extremely well equipped, even in base form. Fully automatic
dual-zone climate control is standard, along with a multifunction steering
wheel, Premium VIII audio with eight speakers, aux-in, a Media Device Interface
with iPod connectivity, and Bluetooth. The Golf R with Sunroof and Navigation
adds the RNS 315 touchscreen navigation system; a 300-watt Dynaudio sound
system; a sunroof; and Keyless Entry with push-button start.
Just like the rest of the Golf range, the R is practical and versatile. The
high-lifting tailgate provides easy ingress and egress to a load area that
offers 15.3 cubic feet of space. And with the folding rear seat back split 60/40
- and featuring a pass-through - there's real flexibility for load carrying.
Engine and Transmission
The Golf R is fitted with the most powerful Golf production engine ever seen in
the U.S. The car uses an updated version of the EA113 2.0-liter turbocharged
inline four-cylinder engine, rather than the EA888 engine used in the current
GTI. Like the EA888, the EA113 uses direct fuel injection and double overhead
camshafts with variable intake timing. Because the Golf R develops more power
and torque than the GTI - 256 horsepower and 243 lb-ft compared with 200 hp and
207 lb-ft - a number of changes have been made. The cylinder block is
reinforced, stronger connecting rods are fitted, and a BorgWarner K04
turbocharger is used, boosting at up to 17 psi. With manufacturer estimated fuel
economy ratings of 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, this is the
most fuel-efficient Golf R model ever sold in the U.S.
The Golf R is offered with a slick shifting, close-ratio six-speed manual
transmission that features a magnesium selector housing and cable operation with
very short lever movements. The latest-generation 4Motion all-wheel drive is
also standard on the Golf R. This system uses a Haldex clutch pack that
continuously varies the amount of torque sent to the rear wheels, depending on
whether slippage is detected at the front. In normal driving, the Golf R acts
like a front-wheel-drive machine, which has benefits for fuel economy. However,
if needed, up to 100 percent of the torque can be directed to the rear wheels
for traction on more challenging surfaces.
Suspension
The Golf R has unique calibration for its suspension, even compared with the
GTI. At the front, it uses a damper-strut layout with lower control arms and a
stiff, tubular anti-roll bar that combine to help keep the front tires planted
during hard cornering, reducing body roll and heightening steering feedback.
At the back, there's a compact multilink independent layout that features coil
springs, telescopic dampers, and an anti-roll bar. The four-link layout features
three lateral control arms-the spring mounting, the track rod and upper control
arm, and a trailing link at each wheel. Suspension assemblies are attached by
way of a rear-axle subframe and, as at the front, rubber and metal mountings
that are soft in torsion but stiff radially are used to help ensure the
anti-roll bar responds immediately and suppresses body roll effectively.
The spring and damper units are located separately on each side of the car at
the rear, with the coil spring bearing directly on the trailing link and the
damper attached to the wheel hub assembly. This enables the suspension geometry
on the compression stroke to generate a toe steering effect that maintains
neutral behavior, or some slight understeer, in all driving and load-carrying
situations. It also helps ensure excellent driving stability on rough, uneven
road surfaces. Stylish 18-inch-diameter aluminum-alloy wheels are shod with
225/40 all-season performance tires.
Steering and Brakes
The Golf R uses a third-generation electro-mechanical power steering system that
is able to vary the feel of the steering to suit the speed and driving
situation. It is firm and direct when driving at highway speeds, requiring less
effort at parking speeds. Other advantages of the system include its mild
self-centering action, and its ability to help compensate for driving hazards
like crosswinds and steep road cambers. In the Golf R, the steering ratio is
quicker than the GTI's for an even sportier on-road feel.
The brakes were modified to cope with the Golf R's higher level of performance
as compared to the GTI. Golf R gets vented 13.6-inch-diameter front and
12.2-inch rear discs, up from the GTI's 12.3-inch-diameter vented front and
10.7-inch solid rear discs. Naturally, anti-lock brakes (ABS) are standard,
along with electronic brake pressure distribution (EBS) and hydraulic brake
assist (HBA). The latest version of HBA is able to discern whether the braking
is "normal" or an emergency according to the speed with which the pedal is
depressed. In the event of an emergency, HBA helps increase the brake pressure
and activates the ABS.
Safety and Security
The 2012 Golf R comes with an array of standard safety features. For driving
security, enhancements include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-Slip
Regulation (ASR), and an Electronic Differential Lock (EDL). A hill holder
function automatically applies the parking brake when the vehicle comes to rest
and the brake is depressed in traffic, preventing the car from rolling backwards
or forwards. The brake is released once the driver presses the accelerator
pedal. This is especially useful in slow traffic on long inclines.
Should the car be involved in a crash, the occupants are protected by driver and
passenger front and front side thorax airbags together with Side Curtain
Protection head airbags for front and rear passengers. Volkswagen's advanced
Intelligent Crash Response System shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors,
and even switches on the hazard lights if the car is involved in certain types
of collisions.
Like all 2012 Volkswagen models, the Golf R is covered under the no-charge
Carefree Maintenance Program. All scheduled maintenance is covered for the
length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty - three years or 36,000 miles,
whichever occurs first.
Model Line-up
Golf R
Starting at $33,990, the two-door Golf R comes equipped with Bi-Xenon
headlights; dual-zone Climatronic air conditioning; cruise control;
leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel; power windows with auto up/down
function; leather seating surfaces; 60/40-split folding rear seat with pass
through; aluminum pedals; a leather shifter knob and brake lever; and Bluetooth
technology. The eight-speaker sound system has an in-dash six-CD changer, AM/FM/SiriusXM
Satellite Radio, and auxiliary input jack along with an iPod adapter.
Golf R with Sunroof and Navigation
Starting at $35,490 for the two-door model, this adds: a power tilt-and-slide
sunroof; Keyless Entry with push-button start; the RNS 315 touchscreen
navigation system; and the eight-channel 300-watt Dynaudio premium sound system.
Volkswagen Golf R: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications