We’re six months in, and therefore we are roughly halfway through our allocation of new cars to evaluate for 2011, but I’ll stick my neck out and say that this is my favourite car of the year.
I must admit though, that when our esteemed editor returned from the Golf R’s track launch two months ago, full of compliments about the new Volkswagen that’s almost all Audi underneath, and almost all Audi in pricing too, I was sceptical. I wondered why anybody in their right mind would fork out almost half a million bucks for a Volksie when for just less than R10 000 more you could have a car that’s nearly identical mechanically, but with four rings displayed proudly across its grille.
Yes, there is a whole lot of Audi S3 going on in the new Golf R, with the same 188kW/350Nm turbocharged two-litre, the same all-wheel drive system and identical performance claims to match. Thing is, Audi introduced its current S3 four years ago, and while I can confirm that its best parts, like a magic torque curve and completely lagless pull off, are carried over, its styling is getting on a bit and its early generation MMI radio/navigation interface is due for a makeover.
The Golf R gets fresh sixth-generation lines that I wouldn’t exactly call sexy, but are indeed attractive especially with those standard 19” alloys, and inside the dashboard’s all modern with an optional touchscreen radio and nav system. So for the same price, almost, you can choose between an ever-so-slightly outdated Audi or a crisp new VW - not exactly an easy choice is it?
This test car was the six-speed manual version and not the renowned DSG semi-auto option, but I’m cool with that because VW and Audi manual shifters are so suave in their lever action. Whether gently hooking up and down through the box, or rushing through the H-pattern with reckless abandon, the next gear’s always ready and waiting with a positive snick into place. It’ll save you R14 500 in sticker price as well.
All-wheel drive in sporty cars is a contentious issue in markets such as ours and, no matter which way you look at it, is irrelevant 99 percent of the time. The extra undercarriage gear inevitably adds weight (a front wheel drive Golf GTI weighs a full 128kg less) and in many cases inherently creates understeer in full-on track situations, but the Golf R pulls it off nicely.
Torque steer is a non-event under full throttle acceleration, and this is a good thing when there are 188kW of power with the potential to wrench the steering wheel from your grip. Put pedal to metal and this Golf squirts off in the exact direction you aim it with no fight from the controls. Somehow VW’s managed to combat the understeer too, and while it will still push out wide if you get really stupid with your right foot in a tight bend, it rewards a cleverer driver with a highly tolerant front-end.
With hot hatch power wars where they are now, approaching 200kW, big-output turbo four-bangers suchas these often deliver power in one big frenzied dollop of uncontrollable shove. Some Golf R rivals with this type of moer-you-in-the-backside acceleration are great for excitement, and passengers will be in awe of your flexing biceps and steering death grip, but here the delivery is nothing of the sort.
This VW’s power comes on in a long alacritous swoosh, right from 7 o’clock on the tacho and uninterrupted up to redline. It’s this characteristic alone that had me in lust with the S3 years ago and I’m happy to say I’m in love again. Choose a gear, any gear, at any time and the R will douse you with delicious torque.
Volkswagen may have been a little ambitious with its 5.7sec 0-100km/h claims, but in real-world conditions the R wasn’t too far off with a best Vbox time of 6.4sec at Gauteng altitude. It took some practise to achieve this result, however, with that all-wheel drive grip hindering things a bit on initial take off. Best results came off of a smooth and dusty launch area where the four wheels broke traction momentarily before blasting down the strip.
Interestingly, our less powerful and front-wheel driven Golf GTI test car back in 2009, was marginally quicker to 100km/h (6.3sec) and only just off the R over the quarter mile at 14.60sec to 14.37. Keep in mind though, that this particular unit was a freak of automotive nature and was in fact faster than VW actually claimed.
VERDICT
Perhaps the Golf R’s biggest rival is its little brother the GTI, which is a fantastic car in itself and costs about R85 000 less. As illustrated above, its performance numbers are certainly not worth the price difference, but to me, the Golf R has a sort of black magic about it that can’t be quantified in monetary value.
Monetarily speaking, however, a Golf R specced with every possible option will cost just about R550 000, and as Oom Fred, my old-school barber who drives a haggard Bantam bakkie, said when I parked outside his shop for a trim: “Dis nie a Golfie nie”. He’s right. It’s an Audi with VW badges, but it’s the best Golfie I’ve ever driven and possibly the best car I’ve tested all year. I’ll take mine in white. - Star Motoring