Golf R is new hot hatch king

LED daytime running lights, sexy alloys, three large air intakes up front, black-louvered radiator grille, prominent chrome R signs next to the grille, side skirt extensions and black mirror housings come standard.

The deposed ruler of the VW clan is the superb Golf GTI and in his place strides His Majesty, the new Golf R.

But before panic sets in, the arrival of the R doesn't mean the demise of the GTI. They will compete side by side, but for different segments of the market.

Whereas the GTI does battle in the R323 700 - R328 200 combat zone, the R's fight is at the considerably higher level of R408 930 - R423 430 where it takes on pricier contenders such as the hot numbers from Audi, BMW, Volvo and Ford.

R you ready...?

However, the R more than tackles them head-on - it shows them a clean pair of heels in more ways than one, as I found out recently on the Kyalami race track in Gauteng where VW allowed a small group of motoring journalists to grow horns in both versions of its hot new R.

The R’s class also shows in the cabin.

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To put the R in perspective, it is the most powerful Golf ever built, blasting out 188kW and 350Nm giving it a 0-100km/h sprinting speed of 5,5 seconds and top speed limited to 250km/h.

Whereas its legendary predecessor generated its power from a 3.2-litre, six cylinder engine the new model is armed with a 2,0-litre, four-cylinder direct injection petrol engine with turbo-charging (TSI) - a high-tech combination which works superbly well, particularly on the race track when the torque peaks at 2500rpm and maintains it right through to 5000rpm.

All this power translates into glue-like grip thanks to VW's 4MOTION all-wheel drive system which has been substantially upgraded (but is much too technical to discuss in details here).

It simply means that when the high-octane is gushing the R feels more polished, more dynamic and more exciting than just about everything else in its class.

An exciting optional extra

Credit for much of the R's amazing cling must go to its running gear made up of front-end McPherson struts with helical springs and telescoping shock absorbers, backed by a multi-link set-up at the rear. Together they work so well that the car's ESP system only becomes involved when the going becomes seriously hectic.

It is the same basic set-up used before, but made sportier by lowering the ride-height by 25mm and re-tuning the dampers, springs and stabilisers.

(An exciting optional extra is Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) that continually adapts suspension damping to drive conditions and allows the driver to choose between "Normal", "Sport" or "Comfort" mode).

A really cool looker.

To give the speedy R extra stopping power the brakes have been upgraded from a 16-inch system to 17-inch system with internally ventilated discs and R-specific brake callipers painted a high-gloss black with R-logo.

The Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) was also modified and can now be switched to a new Sport mode via an ESP button which delays intervention and gives the car even more exciting dynamics.

The electro-mechanical power-assisted steering has been sharpened and buyers also have the option of Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) which fine-tunes it even more.

Solidly planted

To help keep all this refinery on the road the R has new 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped with 235/35 rubber.

The new R is available as a six-speed manual or with a six-speed DSG shift and I got to drive about 15 laps of the tricky, twisting circuit in each of the models.

Interestingly the DSG is a fraction (5.5 seconds vs 5.7 seconds) faster over the 0-100km/h dash than the manual and easier to cope with on the track when you use the flappies on the steering wheel.

Optional extras include, amongst many others, Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) and Rear Assist – rear view camera with Park Distance Control.

After pussy-footing around the track for a few laps to familiarise myself with the car and course lay-out I put foot and instantly thrilled to the grunt, gurgle and pop from the twin outlets as we scooted around more rapidly, clipping the apexes and enjoying the flat-out straights - amazed at the way the R clings, slows down and handles.

I have done a few dynamic driving courses and high-speed training courses in other cars on the same race course but very few other standard road cars have felt as planted, as confident and as willing to go as this R.

Smiles of fun

Driving this car is smile a minute, mind-boggling fun. We all thought the new Golf GTI was the best since sliced bread and Coco-Cola when VW let us loose on the same track at the launch of the latest GTI - but the R is in a different class altogether.

I know the GTI fan club in this country is huge and incredibly loyal but I reckon it will take just one drive in an R for any one of them to be smitten by this R version.

She's fun to drive - a smile every mile (or 1.6km - but that doesn't rhyme).

Volkswagen says it is looking at about 270 sales for the year which is sort of determined by the production allocation although they reckon they might be able to squeeze out a few more if the demand is there.

I think the order-placers at VW might just as well start practising their squeezing because other than its eye-watering price tag there is very little to curtail sales enthusiasm for the R.

As sporty as it is, it even impresses when it comes to glugging expensive forecourt juice with the DSG model down to 8.4-litres/100km while coughing out just 195g/gm of CO2.

A looker

And what's more, it is a really cool looker, sporting a little more brag than the GTI with standard features such as LED daytime running lights, sexy alloys, three large air intakes up front, black-louvered radiator grille, prominent chrome R signs next to the grille, side skirt extensions and black mirror housings.

The instruments with their blue pointers - the speedometer scale reads up to 300km/h.

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There is also no mistaking this car from the back with its show-offs such as new rear light clusters, bumper with diffuser, centrally positioned tailpipes, R-logo and roof-edge spoiler.

The R's class also shows in the cabin, typically decorated with high-end fittings and furnishings including heated, fully adjustable sports seats, adjustable leather steering wheel, R gearshift knob, carpet floor mats with grey, aluminium door tread plates with R-logo and the instruments with their blue pointers and a speedometer scale that reads up to 300km/h.

Swagger features

Stainless steel sport pedals and R-specific instrument and door accents wrap it all up very neatly.

More swagger features on the list include Park Distance Control, a headlight cleaning system, hill hold control, rain sensor, tyre pressure indicator, automatic climate control system and a zooty radio-CD system with MP3 player.

If all of that is still not fancy and fabulous enough, optional extras include Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), Rear Assist - rear view camera with Park Distance Control, the choice of two upgraded sound systems, a satellite navigation system, electric sunroof and leather racing bucket seats.

Without the optional extras the models and prices are:
2.0 TSI 4Motion (188kW) Manual R408 930
2.0 TSI 4Motion (188kW) DSG R423 430

Prices include a five-year/90 000km service plan, three-year/120 000km warranty and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty.

Specifications

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Driving the new Volkswagen Golf R (Full HD)

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Volkswagen Golf R (English subtitles