If ever there has been an eagerly anticipated Golf R, it has been the eighth generation and I was one of the privileged few that got my hands on pre-launch units to road test before they arrive here early next year.
As you should know by now, the eighth edition Golf R runs the tried and tested 2.0-litre four-cylinder EA888 engine that produces 235kW/400Nm in this latest iteration that means it’s the most powerful Golf R to date.
Running the well-known seven-speed DSG box down to a new 4Motion system with R Performance Torque Vectoring that allows the power to not only move from the front to the rear wheels when needed, but also from right to left at the rear.
This combo results in a Golf R that is way more dynamic than before and lots of fun when the road twists and turns.
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By the numbers
But the straight-line guys who buy these cars to go clean everybody up at the dragstrip, will be more interested in how quick the Golf 8 R is.
And The CItizen Motoring can tell you that the Golf R hit its claimed time of 4.8 seconds to 100 km/h, while running a 13-second quarter mile, and getting through the 1km mark at 223 km/h. So, the Golf 8 R is also the fastest iteration.
We don’t have pricing yet, but I can tell you that if you opt for a basic model, then you will have a very fast hatch that is all business suit like but devoid of some emotion. Which is okay for some.
But should you want to make more of a high-performance statement, then opt for the model that comes with the Akrapovič exhaust and Black Performance Package that adds drift mode, an increased top speed of 270 km/h, and black 19-inch Estoril alloy wheels.
It is way more fun, and what a Golf R should be in my opinion.
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Golf R test data
| Volkswagen | Golf 8 R |
|---|---|
| Model year | 2022 |
| Odometer | 5 140 km |
| Test date | 12/11/2022 |
| Test temperature | 19 Degrees |
| POWERTRAIN | |
| Engine capacity | 2.0-litre |
| Induction | Turbocharged |
| Fuel | Petrol |
| Driven wheels | AWD |
| Transmission | 7-speed DSG |
| ENGINE OUTPUTS | |
| Power | 235 kW @ 5 300 – 6 300 rpm |
| Torque | 400 Nm @ 2 100 – 5 350 rpm |
| Licensing mass | 1 438 kg |
| Power to weight | 163 kW/ton |
| Power to capacity | 118 kW/litre |
| ACCELERATION DATA | |
| 0-100 km/h | 4.81 seconds |
| 1/4 Mile time | 13.07 seconds |
| 1/4 Speed | 175.73 km/h |
| 1/2 Mile time | 20.48 seconds |
| 1/2 Speed | 212.81 km/h |
| 1 km time | 23.46 seconds |
| 1 km speed | 223.43 km/h |
| Top speed (Claimed) | Limited to 250 km/h |
| 60-100 km/h | 2.63 seconds |
| 80-120 km/h | 3.24 seconds |
| 100-200 km/h | 12.90 seconds |
| FUEL CONSUMPTION DATA | |
| Claimed fuel economy | 7.8-litres/100 km |
| Test average | 9.5-litres/100 km |
| Tank size | 55 litres |
| Range claimed | 705 km |
| Range test | 579 km |
| CO2 emissions | 195 g/km |
| TYRES | |
| Size | 255/35 R19 |
| Make | Goodyear Eagle F1 |
| PRICING | |
| Price at test | N/A |
| Warranty | 3-Year/100 000 km |
| Maintenance plan | 5-Year/100 000 km |
