2015 Volkswagen Golf R Unleash your Rrrr.
By Larry Nutson
Senior Editor and Bureau Chief
Chicago Bureau
The Auto Channel
This is the third and final chapter of my Golf trilogy that began three months ago. The first two chapters were about the 2015 VW Golf GTI and the 2015 VW Golf TDI Clean Diesel.
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For 2015 the Golf R has 292 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque from its turbocharged and direct-injection EA888 TSI 2.0-Liter engine. That’s 36 hp and 37 lb-ft more than the previous version. For now, the only transmission is a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. It offers a launch control feature that enables a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of 4.9 seconds. The top track speed is 155 mph. That’s plenty quick for a very practical hatchback.
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The Golf R’s sport suspension setup is specifically tuned to the car. Compared to the base Golf, the ride height is lowered by 0.8 inches. That’s 0.2 inches lower than the GTI. The strut-type front suspension has a newly developed lower control arm and the multi-link rear suspension was enhanced with different tuning of the toe-link bearings.
Compared to the previous model, steering response has been improved by a new Progressive variable-ratio electric power assisted rack-and-pinion steering. The lower steering ratio in the center allows the car to respond more quickly when entering a turn, while the higher ratio at the ends of the rack reduces the amount of effort needed near full steering lock, such as when parking. The steering wheel needs just 2.1 turns from lock to lock, whereas the standard Golf needs 2.76 turns.
The Golf R has the uprated brakes from the GTI Performance Package. At the front, the car has 13.4-inch diameter vented discs that are 1.2 inches thick, while the vented rear rotors are 12.2 by 0.9 inches. Black brake calipers include the “R” logo at the front. Up front, the single pistons per side are 2.4 inches in diameter and are 1.7 inches at the back.
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The new Golf R is equipped with specially designed bumpers, side skirts, and standard 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 225/40 performance summer tires. Or, 235/35 performance summer tires mounted on 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels are also available. The Golf R is visually distinguished from the GTI by details such as standard Bi-Xenon headlights with newly designed LED daytime running lights in a dual-U design and a two-branch exhaust system that has four chrome tips.
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For the 2016 model year, a six-speed manual transmission will become available, featuring a reinforced clutch and a short-throw shifter.
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Here on The Auto Channel you can compare the Golf R to other performance compacts. And, you can spec out your own Golf R and “Unleash your own Rrrr.
It’s fair to say that the 2015 Golf R is the top performer in the hot-hatchback segment. Although its price hovers in the $40,000 arena, the all-out performance packaged in a VW Golf will surprise many drivers of even higher priced performance cars.
All-in-all there is a lot to like about the Golf R. This could easily be an only-car that is very practical to move a family about, providing versatile cargo carrying and when you feel the urge, hit the track.
When my week of drive time in the Golf R came to an end it was a bit difficult for me to give up so much fun. Serious fun! However, perhaps it was a good thing to remove the temptation to drive too spirited.
As we go to press July auto industry sales are being reported. VW reports that the all-new Golf family of vehicles delivered 6,717 units, a 174.6 percent increase over last year. G-Rrrr-eat!
© 2015 Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy
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