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As we reported in May, Volkswagen is making big cuts to the Golf lineup in the US. Already announced for end of production in 2019 are the Golf Sportwagen and Golf Alltrack. For 2020, the current base Mk7 Golf returns and will be offered in just one trim, called the Value Edition that includes features like Keyless entry, Wifi, heated seats, and 16-Inch alloy wheels while the GTI will come in S and SE trims. Missing from the 2020 lineup is the Golf R. Volkswagen has confirmed to Motor Authority that the Golf R has reached end of production for the current generation. The Mk8 generation will likely see the base Golf removed from the US lineup and the GTI and Golf R will be the only entries. We'll see the Mk8 generation Golf introduced in the fall of this year for European production in 2020, but the U.S. won't see the new version of the Golf/GTI at dealerships until the 2021 model year. View full article

When it comes to hot hatchbacks, there is a line that floats around in my head from one of the earlier episodes of Top Gear. “I love hot hatchbacks as they offer drawback free motoring. You can put a chest of drawers in the back and then take it home at a million miles per hour.” The only hot hatch that has come close to this is the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Not only is a hoot to drive, but you can carry your friends and stuff with no real issue. But what about the Volkswagen Golf R? It offers the space as the GTI, but with a more powerful turbo engine and all-wheel drive. But the Golf R also comes with a price tag that is nearly $10,000 more than Golf GTI. Is it worth the extra cost? The Golf R uses the same turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder found in the Golf GTI, but the wick has been turned up. The R’s 2.0L pumps out 292 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This comes paired with either a six-speed manual (what my tester featured) or six-speed DSG. No matter the transmission, Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system comes standard. Acceleration in the Golf R is an exciting experience. It only takes a brief moment for the turbo to spool up and then hold on. Power comes on a fast and steady rate. The six-speed manual is a bit notchy when changing gears. Like other Volkswagens equipped with the manual, the take-up point for the clutch is very narrow and you’ll have to have your foot almost off the floor to find it. It should be noted that the manual is over a half-second slower than the DSG - 5.1 vs. 4.5. But the manual does give you a bit more control with controlling the engine’s performance and making you feel that you’re playing a role. The 4Motion AWD system helps put the power down and keep the Golf R glued to the road when it’s dry. But the system really comes into its own when it is snowy. A few days into my loan and Mother Nature decided to drop a bit on snow in the Metro Detroit area. Driving through unplowed roads, the 4Motion system was able to keep the vehicle moving through some deep snow. One issue that arose was a too-eager stability control system that would come on every few seconds to combat wheelspin when driving through the deep snow - something you don’t want. At least Volkswagen was smart to equip the Golf R with a sports mode for the stability control to allow some wheelspin. This made all of the difference to keep the Golf R moving. Handling-wise? It is like a Golf GTI. Entering a corner, the Golf R feels composed and doesn’t show any sign of body roll. Steering is a bit disappointment as the R doesn’t have the weight or feel you would expect in a performance car. The ride is slightly firmer than what you find on the GTI as some bumps and road imperfections will make their way inside. There are adaptive dampers, but you’ll need to spend an extra $3,000 to get it (along with some other features). Personally, I find the standard suspension setup is ok for most people. Volkswagen has made some slight exterior changes for the Golf R such as a new slim grille, 19-inch wheels, a set of quad exhaust tips. On one hand, I wished Volkswagen could have done some more work to make the Golf R a bit more exciting to look at. On the other hand, the downplayed nature of the Golf R’s changes gives it the ability to hide its true nature. The interior of the Golf R is mostly the same as the standard Golf, which isn’t a bad thing. A lot of the traits that we like in the standard Golf such as high-quality interior, loads of space for passengers, and one of the easiest infotainment systems to use. The only changes Volkswagen did make are a set of sport seats, flat-bottom steering wheel, and carbon fiber trim. If there is one problem for the Golf R, it is the price. As I mentioned in the introduction, the base Golf R is about $10,000 more than the base GTI. For some folks, this is tall order as the GTI can you 85 to 90 percent of the Golf R’s performance at a reasonable price. But for others, that extra 10 to 15 percent the R offers is very much worth the extra cash. Disclaimer: Volkswagen Provided the Golf R, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2017 Make: Volkswagen Model: Golf R Trim: N/A Engine: Turbocharged 2.0L TSI DOHC 16-Valve Four-Cylinder Driveline: Six-Speed Manual, All-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 292 @ 5,400 Torque @ RPM: 280 @ 1,800 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 22/31/25 Curb Weight: 3,305 lbs Location of Manufacture: Wolfsburg, Germany Base Price: $35,655 As Tested Price: $36,475 (Includes $820.00 Destination Charge) Options: N/A View full article

Volkswagen has a double feature for next week's Detroit Auto Show. One will be a production model, while the other one is a concept. First up is the production model which is the 2015 Volkswagen Golf R for North American. Like its European counterpart, the Golf R will come with a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder with 290 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. New for the North American version is the choice between a six-speed manual or DSG transmission. Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive system will get all of that power to the wheels. 0-60 MPH is quoted at 4.9 seconds for the DSG and 5.3 seconds for the manual. Other changes for the 2015 Golf R will include a stability control that can be fully turned off, a new adaptive suspension system, xenon headlamps, and daytime LED running lights. Volkswagen says the Golf R will go on sale in the first quarter of 2015. Now onto the concept which is a concept Passat that gets up to 42 MPG. The surprising part? Its not a hybrid or a diesel. Meet the Passat BlueMotion Concept which shows the German automaker's idea of producing a high mileage gasoline powered vehicle. The Passat BlueMotion concept features a direct-injected and turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder engine with 150 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with a DSG dual-clutch transmission. Other fuel saving tricks for the BlueMotion cylinder deactivation, start/stop system, and coasting function which decouples the transmission from the engine when a driver lifts off the accelerator pedal. One item that will be appearing on Passats very soon is the Reef Blue Metallic color that the concept wears. Source: Volkswagen William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 NEW VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R MAKES ITS U.S. DEBUT AT THE 2014 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW - Most powerful production Golf ever for the North American market - New car has an estimated 290 horsepower, but is more fuel efficient than previous Golf R - EA888 TSI® 2.0-liter engine propels DSG® equipped Golf R from 0 to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds - Car features new 4MOTION® all-wheel-drive system - Golf R will go on sale in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2015 Herndon, January 8th, 2014 - The North American International Auto Show will see the U.S. debut of the latest Golf R, the most powerful version of the Golf ever to be sold in this market. With an estimated 290 horsepower, the new Golf R has 34 hp more than the previous version, which was sold as a 2013 model. Despite the additional horsepower, the new R model is expected to be considerably more fuel-efficient than its predecessor: on the European cycle, the car is gets a combined figure of 33 mpg with the six-speed manual transmission, up from 28 mpg. Like all three previous Golf R models, the new model transfers its turbocharged power to the road via a permanent all-wheel-drive system; in this case, the latest version of the 4MOTION® system with a fifth-generation Haldex® coupling. To ensure great chassis dynamics, there's a new sport suspension, the "progressive" variable-ratio steering system, and a stability control system ("ESC Sport") which can now be deactivated for track driving. Other highlights include the optional DCC dynamic chassis control system. Equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, the Golf R will reach 62 mph from rest in 5.3 seconds, an improvement of 0.4 seconds over the old car; with the six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission, the car completes the sprint in just 4.9 seconds. The new Golf R is equipped with an extensive package of exclusive features. Along with specially designed bumpers, side skirts, and 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, the Golf R can also be 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 with four chrome tips. Inside, the Golf R underlines its position as the flagship of the model range with sport seats with leather seating surfaces, a leather-wrapped three-spoke sport steering wheel, ambient lighting, and R-specific instrumentation. The most powerful and fuel-efficient Golf R will be launched in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2015 in four-door form only. High-tech turbocharged engine The Golf R has an even more advanced version of the EA888 four-cylinder turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® 2.0-liter engine that's fitted to the new Golf GTI. The engineers boosted power to an estimated 290 hp, delivered at 5500 rpm, thus creating one of the most powerful four-cylinder production engines in the world. Maximum torque has been increased to 280 pound-feet, available over a broad speed band from 1800 to 5500 rpm. To attain this output, the Golf R model's 1984-cc engine was subjected to a motorsports-style development program. The following components were modified or completely redesigned compared to the GTI engine: the cylinder head (together with exhaust valves, valve seats, and springs), pistons, high-pressure injection system, and turbocharger. The Golf R model's EA888 series engine has innovative engineering solutions such as water-cooled exhaust gas channels running through the cylinder head to the turbocharger (to help efficiently reduce full-load fuel consumption) and a dual injection system with direct and multi-port injection. Thanks to its new fully-electronic coolant control system, the Golf R TSI engine has much more efficient thermal management with a reduced warm-up phase that reduces frictional losses and fuel consumption. In addition, the TSI engine has variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust sides, as well as two-stage exhaust-valve lift. This helps enable optimal control of the charge exchange process for better performance, fuel economy, and lower emissions. 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system The Golf R has always used 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive. Using refinements such as the Haldex 5 coupling, the latest-generation 4MOTION system is activated before any wheelspin occurs, helping eliminate nearly all traction losses. The system achieves this by using an advanced control function based on specific driving conditions. When operating under a relatively low load or when coasting, the front wheels are driven and the rear wheels are decoupled, helping to save fuel. However, the rear wheels can be engaged in fractions of a second whenever necessary via the Haldex coupling, which is activated by an electro-hydraulic oil pump. A control unit continually calculates the ideal drive torque for the rear wheels and controls how much the multi-plate clutch should be closed by activating the oil pump. The oil pressure increases the contact pressure at the clutch plates in proportion to the torque desired at the rear axle. So, the amount of pressure applied to the clutch plates can be used to continuously vary the amount of torque going between the front and rear wheels. If necessary, nearly 100 per cent of the drive torque can be directed to the rear wheels. In addition to the Haldex coupling that acts longitudinally, four electronic differential locks (EDS) that are a function of the electronic stability control system act laterally. The system briefly brakes a wheel that is slipping, enabling uninterrupted and stable transfer of drive power to the wheel on the opposite side. In addition, the Golf R is equipped with the XDS® cross differential lock at the front and rear. The latest version, known as XDS+, applies this functionality to a larger range of dynamic performance, helping make the vehicle more agile. When the car is being driven at highway speeds, brake pressure is applied to the inside wheel to help restore optimal traction as soon as the electronics detect excessively light loads. XDS+ thereby operates like a limited-slip differential and thus compensates for understeer during faster cornering. The new Golf R is equipped with "ESC Sport" as standard. The system is activated by a two-stage switch on the center console. When the driver presses this switch briefly, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) switches to the "ESC Sport" mode. In very fast driving on a race track, the ESC system has a higher threshold in this mode. When the ESC button is pressed for longer than three seconds, the system is fully deactivated for high-performance track driving, a feature that is available only on the Golf R. Chassis features The Golf R features a sport suspension setup that is specifically tuned to the car. Compared to the base Golf, the ride height was dropped by 0.8 inches, which makes the Golf R lower by 0.2 inches than the GTI. In the Golf R, 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. The engineers designed the running gear of the new Golf R for maximum driving fun combined with extraordinary stability and good long-distance comfort. Compared to the previous model, steering response was improved thanks to the new "progressive" variable ratio steering rack. In addition, maximum attainable cornering speeds were significantly increased and understeer all but eliminated. With progressive steering, there are 2.1 turns of the wheel (380 degrees) from lock to lock, compared with 2.75 turns (500 deg) for less powerful Golf models. The new steering operates with a progressive gear ratio, perceptibly reducing steering effort in maneuvering and parking. On country roads with lots of bends, the experience is enhanced because the steering is more direct. The new Golf R can be ordered with the second-generation DCC dynamic chassis control as an option. DCC offers three driving modes: 'Comfort', 'Normal', and 'Sport', which are selected and displayed via the center console touchscreen as part of the "Driving Profile Selector" functionality. In "Sport" mode, the dampers are stiffened for more agile handling. The DCC system adaptively controls the damper valves via a further developed and refined control algorithm. DCC takes input signals from wheel displacement sensors and accelerometers as well as vehicle information from the Chassis-CAN bus to compute these values and adaptively adjust the optimal damping force. Moreover, damping forces are selectively applied to the four wheels individually. With the new generation of DCC, it is now possible to independently vary rebound and compression damping while cornering. Race mode. The Driving Profile Selector has three programs in the Golf R, and four in conjunction with DCC: "Normal", "Individual", and a "Race" mode that has been specially designed for the Golf R. In combination with DCC, "Comfort" mode is also available. All modes were specifically tuned for the Golf R. In "Race" mode, which is designed for high-speed track driving, damping is increased and engine response and the shift points of the DSG transmission are configured to be even sportier. In the "Individual" driving profile, the driver can combine mode settings for various individual parameters. Brakes. The Golf R has the uprated brakes from the GTI Performance model. At the front, the car has 13.4-inch diameter vented discs that are 1.2 inches thick, while the rear rotors are 12.2 by 0.9 inches. The black brake calipers have the R logo on them. Up front, the brake pistons are 2.4 inches in diameter and are 1.7 inches at the back. Exterior Volkswagen R GmbH has developed numerous new exterior elements for the flagship Golf. They include the bumpers, side skirts, rear diffuser, dual chrome exhaust tips per side, the lights, and standard 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The Golf R is distinguished at the front by a new bumper design with exceptionally large air inlets, a modified radiator grille that sports an "R" logo, and newly developed daytime running lights that are integrated into the Bi-Xenon headlight housings. The LED daytime running lights form a distinctive dual "U" design beneath the headlights. From the side, the Golf R is characterized by newly designed 18-inch "Cadiz" aluminum-alloy wheels shod with 225/40 tires, black brake calipers with the "R" logo, body-color "R" style side skirts, "R" badges on the front fenders, and "Matte chrome" door mirror caps. Rear details that define the new Golf R include an "R" design diffuser, four chrome tailpipes, and an "R" logo on the trunklid. Interior As in the three previous Golf R models, Volkswagen R GmbH has extensively upgraded the interior. The most powerful Golf is equipped with sport seats in the front and leather seating surfaces that feature outer seat surfaces, inner side support panels, and head restraints upholstered in dark "Carbon" Nappa leather. Meanwhile, the center sections of the seats are trimmed in dark or light Nappa leather. Leather is also used to trim the upper and lower grip zones of the three-spoke "R" sport steering wheel, which has a chrome "R" logo on its lower cross bar. The decorative inlays of the dashboard and door trim panels feature the "Carbon Touch" design; ambient lighting is also integrated in the door trim panels as standard. The door sill kickplates, pedals, and foot support are designed with a stainless-steel look. The instruments and the touchscreen's start menu were also customized. When the ignition is switched on, the illuminated light-blue tachometer and speedometer needles sweep once across the entire scale to their end pins. The instrument needles are also automatically illuminated as soon as the driver's door is opened. The radio or navigation-system touchscreen shows an animated "R" logo on startup. The new-generation radio and radio/navigation systems will be available with a 5.8-inch screen on U.S. market Golf R models. The touchscreen features proximity sensors: as soon as the driver or front passenger moves a finger near to the touchscreen, the system automatically switches from display mode to input mode. VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT BLUEMOTION® CONCEPT MAKES GLOBAL DEBUT AT THE NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW - Estimated highway fuel economy rating of 42 mpg - Highly efficient powertrain uses 1.4-liter EA211 TSI® engine and DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission - Engine is world's first inline four cylinder with cylinder deactivation Chattanooga/Detroit - The Passat BlueMotion® Concept that is being presented by Volkswagen of America at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit shows just how fuel-efficient a non-hybrid, gasoline-engined mid-size sedan can be. Based on the current Passat that was developed specifically for North America, the BlueMotion label defines the version that has the best efficiency in the model lineup. The Passat BlueMotion Concept features an all-new version of the Volkswagen 1.4-liter EA211 TSI® engine with direct injection and turbocharging. On top, this Passat also offers Active Cylinder Management (ACT) technology, previously seen on the European Volkswagen Polo and Golf models. ACT deactivates the valvetrain on cylinders two and three for situations when the driver only applies light throttle pressure to maintain specific city speeds. Another Volkswagen innovation that helps save gas is the coasting function, used also on the Jetta Hybrid. As soon as the driver releases the accelerator pedal, the DSG® transmission decouples the engine, allowing the Passat to roll with the lowest possible mechanical drag from the other moving components. Additional fuel savings come from the stop/start system, which shuts off the engine when the car comes to a temporary stop. As soon as the driver lifts their foot off the brake, the 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine starts again. All these measures result in a manufacturer estimated highway fuel economy rating of 42 mpg. The Passat BlueMotion Concept also delivers 150 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The Concept's striking Reef Blue Metallic color will be introduced on other Passat models, too. The interior of the Concept also offers two-tone seats that carry blue dividing lines between the darker and lighter leather seating surfaces. The stitching indicates this is a member of the BlueMotion family, which has been rolled out globally since 2006 on many highly fuel-efficient Volkswagen models. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 22, 2013 Volkswagen has officially pulled back the curtain on the next-generation Golf R, making its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. The new Golf R packs the same 2.0L turbo-four found under the new Audi S3 with 296 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Impressive numbers when compared to the outgoing Golf R which packed 256 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. Power is channeled to all four wheels via Haldex system and the choice of either a six-speed manual or dual-clutch transmission. Other changes to the Golf R include a 0.78 inch drop to the suspension, aggressive body kit, dual exhaust pipes popping out from the middle, and a choice of eighteen or nineteen-inch wheels. Volkswagen says the Golf R will be going on sale in Europe sometime later this year. No word on when the U.S. will get it, but we're guessing sometime in late 2014 or 2015. Source: Volkswagen William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 GOLF R – THE NEW FLAGSHIP Volkswagen R GmbH workshop Wolfsburg, August 2013 Power of the Golf R increased to 300 PS Fuel consumption with DSG reduced to 6.9 litres per 100 km - New TSI propels Golf R with DSG to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds - Golf R makes its debut with a new 4MOTION all-wheel drive system and progressive steering Wolfsburg, August 2013. It is the year of the Golf. The first six months of 2013 have already seen the debuts of the new Golf GTI, Golf GTD, Golf Estate and Golf TDI BlueMotion. Now, Volkswagen is continuing its Golf product offensive with the flagship of the model series – the new Golf R. The sports car is powered by a newly designed 300 PS TSI (221 kW), which is 30 PS stronger but up to 18 per cent more fuel efficient than that in the previous model. Like all three previous Golf R models, the new model also transfers its turbocharged engine power to the road via a permanent all-wheel drive system; in this case, it is the latest version of the 4MOTION system with a fifth-generation Haldex coupling. Delivering pure dynamic performance are a newly configured sport suspension system (body height lowered by 20 mm), the new progressive steering system and "ESC Sport" – which can now be fully deactivated for driving on a race track. Optional highlights include the further developed DCC dynamic chassis control system with the driving profile selector that features a new Race mode. The Golf R with a manual gearbox reaches 100 km/h after just 5.1 seconds (previous model: 5.7 s); with an automatic dual clutch gearbox (DSG) the sports car completes the classic sprint in an even faster 4.9 seconds. The car's top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. Despite the car's exceptionally agile driving performance and 30 PS more power, fuel consumption of the Golf R was reduced from 8.5 to 7.1 l/100 km compared to that of the previous model. CO2 emissions were also improved from 199 to 165 g/km. Even more fuel efficient is the Golf R that is equipped with a Stop-Start system and battery regeneration, together with the optional 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). In this configuration, fuel consumption is 6.9 l/100 km (159 g/km CO2). Fuel savings compared to the previous model with DSG (8.4 l/100 km) are 1.5 l/100 km, which represents the mentioned 18 per cent improvement. The new Golf R is equipped with an extensive package of customised and exclusive features. Along with specially designed bumpers, side sills and 18-inch alloy wheels, the Golf R can also be visually distinguished as an impressive sports car by details such as standard bi-xenon headlights with newly designed LED daytime running lights (in dual-U design), dark red LED rear lights and two-branch exhaust system with four chrome tailpipes. Inside, the Golf R underlines its position as the flagship of the model range with sport seats in a "fabric-Alcantara" material mix, leather-trimmed three-spoke sport steering wheel, ambience lighting, automatic climate control and a radio-CD system with touchscreen. The market launch of the most powerful and fuel-efficient Golf R as a two and four-door car will take place in the fourth quarter of this year. TSI engine of the Golf R High-tech turbocharged engine. Like the current Golf GTI, the Golf R is powered by further advanced engine design of the four-cylinder EA888 engine series. Compared to the previous engine, numerous technical details were modified to reduce fuel consumption and emissions and at the same time to increase power and torque values. The engine has a newly designed cylinder head, for example. Compared to the 169 kW / 230 PS Golf GTI Performance, designers boosted engine power of the Golf R by 70 to 221 kW / 300 PS (from 5,500 to 6,200 rpm), creating one of the most powerful four-cylinder engines. Maximum torque has increased 30 Nm to 380 Newton metres; it is available over a broad speed range from 1,800 to 5,500 rpm. To attain these values, the TSI, with a displacement of 1,984 cc, was subjected to a development programme similar to that of a motorsport engine. The following components were modified or completely redesigned compared to the already highly agile GTI engine: the cylinder head (together with exhaust valves, valve seats and springs), pistons, high-pressure injection valves as well as the turbocharger. Efficient thermal management. The turbocharged direct petrol injection engines of the EA888 series all have innovative detailed solutions such as water-cooled exhaust gas channels running through the cylinder head to the turbocharger (to reduce efficiently full-load fuel consumption) and a dual injection system with direct injection and multi-port injection. Thanks to its new fully-electronic coolant control system, thermal management of the TSI in the Golf R is also much more efficient with a reduced warm-up phase; this reduces friction losses and fuel consumption. In addition, the TSI has variable valve timing with dual camshaft adjustment. In addition, valve lift on the exhaust side can be switched in two stages. This solution enables optimal control of the charge exchange process for better performance, fuel economy and low emissions. 4MOTION all-wheel drive in the Golf R Fifth-generation Haldex coupling. Permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive has always been a trait of the Golf R. The latest generation 4MOTION system is now being used in the fourth-generation Golf R. This all-wheel drive system is coupled with a 6-speed gearbox that has a reinforced clutch and short-travel shifting. Another optional feature is automatic shifting with a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) that also offers manual shifting as an alternative. The 4MOTION all-wheel drive system of the Golf R, further perfected by enhancements such as the Haldex 5 coupling, is activated even before any wheel starts to slip. This eliminates nearly all traction losses. The system achieves this by using an advanced control function based on specific driving conditions. When operating under a relatively low load or when coasting, forward propulsion comes primarily from the front axle, and the rear axle is decoupled. This basic drive layout saves fuel. However, the rear axle of the Golf R can be variably engaged in fractions of a second whenever necessary. This is done via a Haldex coupling, which is activated by an electro-hydraulic oil pump. Situation-based power distribution. A control unit continually calculates the ideal drive torque for the rear axle and controls how much the multi-plate clutch should be closed by activating the oil pump. The oil pressure increases the contact pressure at the clutch plates in proportion to the torque desired at the rear axle. So, the amount of pressure applied to the clutch plates can be used to vary continuously the magnitude of the transmitted torque. The wheels of the 300 PS Golf R are prevented from spinning even when driving off and accelerating, because the control unit regulates the torque distribution as a function of dynamic axle loads. Activation of the Haldex 5 coupling is based primarily on the engine torque demanded by the driver. In parallel, a driving status identification system within the all-wheel drive control unit evaluates such parameters as wheel speeds and steering angle. If necessary, nearly 100 per cent of the drive torque can be directed to the rear axle. Four-wheel EDS as transverse locks. In addition to the Haldex coupling that acts as a longitudinal lock, four electronic differential locks (EDS) integrated in the electronic stability control system act as transverse locks. The system briefly brakes a wheel that is slipping, enabling uninterrupted and stable transfer of drive power to the wheel on the opposite side. In the Golf R, the electronic differential locks are implemented at both axles in what is referred to as four-wheel EDS. XDS+ makes tracking in bends more precise. In addition, the Golf R is equipped with XDS+ at the front and rear axles. This brakes the wheels on the inside of a bend during fast driving through bends, optimising steering behaviour. In the latest version, known as XDS+, this functionality is applied to a larger range of dynamic performance – making the vehicle more agile even when the car is not in an acceleration state. In technical terms, XDS+ is a functional extension of the electronic differential locks. When the car is being driven fast, as soon as the electronics detect excessively light loads on wheels on the inside of a bend, the hydraulics of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) apply brake pressure to this wheel to restore optimal traction. XDS+ thereby operates as a transverse differential lock that compensates for understeer during fast cornering. ESC Sport. The new Golf R is equipped with the "ESC Sport" function as standard. The system is activated by a two-stage switch on the centre console. When the driver presses this switch briefly, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) switches to the "ESC Sport" mode. In very fast driving with lots of bends – such as on a race track – the ESC system reacts with a delay, which enables even more agile handling properties. When the ESC button is pressed for longer than three seconds, the system is fully deactivated for professional driving on a race track – this deactivation is only available in the Golf R and not in any other models of the Golf series. Sport suspension of the Golf R Synthesis of sportiness and comfort. The Golf R has a sport suspension setup that is individually tuned to the 300 PS all-wheel drive car. Compared to the base Golf, its ride height was lowered by 20 mm, which makes the Golf R 5 mm lower than the GTI. In the Golf R, a MacPherson-type front suspension (spring struts) with a newly developed low wishbone and track-stabilising scrub radius delivers optimal handling and steering properties and well-balanced vibration behaviour. The multi-link rear suspension of the all-wheel drive Golf R was enhanced in numerous areas; among other improvements, Volkswagen perfected this modular high-performance suspension's lateral rigidity, which is necessary for steering, by implementing new bearing tuning of the steering link. Dynamic performance. Engineers designed the basic tuning of the running gear of the new Golf R for maximum driving fun combined with extraordinary driving stability and good long touring comfort. Compared to the previous model, steering response was made even more agile with direct steering gear ratios by the car's progressive steering system. In addition, maximum attainable speeds were significantly increased when driving through bends. The running gear was tuned to be more neutral for this purpose, avoiding understeering all the way up to the car's performance limits. The new calibration of the all-wheel drive system makes a decisive contribution towards achieving neutral handling. Response times of the Haldex coupling were minimized, and the drive torques that occur in specific driving situations were optimized for maximum neutrality, avoiding self-steering effects even under high load. The result is more uniform and predictable steering response in bends. To attain optimal mechanical grip, stiffness values were precisely controlled for springs and anti-roll bars and intentionally designed not to be too stiff. In conjunction with the extremely fine adjustment of damper characteristics, the new Golf R shows an exceptional ability to follow the line the driver wants to drive precisely – on both flat and uneven route profiles. This makes handling very precise and smooth up to performance limits. The car's neutral handling in curves is also combined with very good driving stability thanks to the innovative layout of all running gear components. This excellent driving stability is especially noticeable in lane changes and load alterations. In tuning the new Golf R, the development team also focused on harmonious and predictable reactions of the running gear. Ride comfort. Along with dynamic performance, suspension comfort was perfected compared to the previous model. The running gear harmoniously absorbs both small and large unevenness of the road surface. With the very large spread of positive properties mentioned – direct, neutral and stable handling combined with a high level of ride comfort – the running gear of the Golf R delivers a unique synthesis of maximum dynamic performance and ideal long touring capabilities. Progressive steering. Like the Golf GTI, the Golf R is equipped with the newly developed progressive steering system as standard. Drivers do not need to turn the steering wheel as much to turn a desired radius; they also do not need to reach over the steering wheel as often in tight bends. With progressive steering, it takes 2.1 turns of the wheel (380°) to reach the end stop; with the standard steering system of less powerful Golf models it takes 2.75 turns (500°). Background: Conventional steering systems operate with a constant gear ratio. The new steering of the Golf R meanwhile operates with a progressive steering gear ratio. This perceptibly reduces steering effort in manoeuvring and parking. On country roads with lots of bends, and when making turns, the driver experiences a plus in dynamics due to the more direct layout. DCC. The new Golf R can be ordered with the second generation of DCC dynamic chassis control as an option. DCC offers the three driving modes 'Comfort', 'Normal' and 'Sport', which are now selected and displayed via the touchscreen on the centre console as part of the "Driving Profile Selector" functionality. In "Sport" mode, even more dynamic handling is implemented. The DCC system adaptively controls the damper valves via a further developed and refined control algorithm for setting the damper characteristics. DCC takes input signals from wheel displacement sensors and accelerometers as well as vehicle information from the Chassis-CAN bus to compute these values and adaptively adjust the optimal damping force for every driving situation. Moreover, damping forces are selectively applied to the four wheels individually. With the new generation of DCC, it is now also possible to fully independently vary rebound and compression damping for transverse dynamic manoeuvres – a significant benefit in optimising vehicle dynamics. Driver profile selector with Race mode. New in the Golf R is the Driving Profile Selector that is a standard feature of DCC. A total of four programmes are available, and five driving programmes in conjunction with DCC: "Eco", "Normal", "Individual" and the special "Race" mode that was specially tailored to the Golf R. In combination with DCC, "Comfort" mode is also available. All modes were specifically tuned for application in the Golf R. In "Race" mode, damping is increased (which further reduces movements of the body structure), and engine response and shift points of the (optional) DSG are configured to be even more dynamic. In the "Individual" driving profile, the driver can individually combine mode settings for the various single components. When in the "Eco" driving profile, on the other hand, the engine controller, air conditioning and other auxiliary units are controlled for optimal fuel economy. Vehicles with DSG also have a coasting function in Eco mode. When the driver releases the accelerator pedal – e.g. when slowing down to a traffic light or on route segments with descents – the DSG disengages and the engine idles, which enables optimal utilisation of the kinetic energy of the Golf R. Brakes. The extremely durable brakes were also adapted to the higher power levels of the Golf R. Here, Volkswagen uses a 17-inch system with internally ventilated discs and black brake callipers (with "R" logo) at all four wheels. In front, the brake pistons have a diameter of 60 mm, while 42 mm pistons are used at the rear. The 30 mm thick brake discs of the front wheels have a diameter of 340 mm; the rear discs are 22 mm thick and 310 mm in diameter. Exterior of the Golf R Customised styling. Volkswagen R GmbH has developed numerous new exterior details for the flagship Golf. They include the bumpers, side sills, rear diffuser, chrome dual tailpipes of the exhaust system (left and right of the diffuser), layout and lighting design of the bi-xenon headlights and standard 18-inch and optional 19-inch alloy wheels. Front end. The Golf R can be distinguished from the front by a new bumper design with exceptionally large air inlets, modified radiator grille (with "R" logo) and newly developed daytime running lights that are integrated into the housings of the bi-xenon headlights. The LED daytime running lights form a distinctive dual "U" design beneath the dual headlights. Side profile. From the side, the Golf R is characterised by newly designed 18-inch "Cadiz" alloy wheels with size 225/40 tyres, black brake callipers with "R" logo, side sill panels in "R" style painted in body colour, "R" badges on the front wings and "Matt chrome" door mirror caps. The sports car may also be ordered with optional 19-inch alloy wheels; Volkswagen R GmbH also offers "Cadiz" wheels in this size; in addition, "Pretoria" wheels are exclusively available in 19-inch format as "flow-forming" wheels (especially lightweight and sturdy) in motorsport design. Rear section. Rear details that define the look of the new Golf R include smoked LED rear lights with a distinctive light-coloured stripe in the middle, diffuser in "R" design, four chrome tailpipes and an "R" logo on the boot lid. Eight colours. The range of exterior paints comprises eight body colours. A new paint was created specifically and exclusively for the Golf R: "Lapis Blue Metallic". Alternative colour choices are "Pure White", "Tornado Red", "Night Blue", "Limestone Grey Metallic", "Reflex Silver Metallic", "Deep Black Pearl Effect" and "Oryx White". Interior of the Golf R Sport seats in cloth/Alcantara with carbon-look leather. As in the three previous Golf R models, Volkswagen R GmbH has extensively customised and upgraded the interior of the new model as well. This most powerful Golf is equipped with what are known as top sport seats (front). The middle panels are designed in "Race" fabric ("Titan Black") with black backstitching. Meanwhile, the side panels are executed in Alcantara ("Crystal Grey"). The outer surfaces of the seats and the head restraints are designed in "Clip" cloth upholstery ("Titan Black"). Decorative seams in "Crystal Grey" form a contrast to the dark areas. An "R" logo is embossed on the backrests of the front seats. As an option, Volkswagen also offers a Nappa-carbon leather package. Here, the outer seat surfaces, inner side support panels and head restraints are all upholstered in dark "Carbon" Nappa leather. Meanwhile, the middle seat panels may be ordered in either dark or light Nappa leather ("Anthracite" or "Modern Grey"). The decorative seams are "Crystal Grey" in the leather upholstery version as well. Leather is also used to trim the upper and lower grip zones of the three-spoke sport steering wheel in "R" design. Last but not least, the steering wheel's lower cross bar has a chrome "R" logo. Here too, all leather elements are upgraded by decorative stitching in the contrasting colour "Crystal Grey". The decorative inlays of the dashboard and door trim panels feature the "Carbon Touch" design; ambience lighting is also integrated in the door trim panels as standard. The door sill guards are illuminated as well (in blue). The pedals and foot supports are also designed in stainless steel look as standard. Customisation extends down to the floor mats, which have upgraded piping in a contrasting colour. Instruments in "R" design. The instruments and the start menu of the touchscreen on the centre console were also customised. To give a sporty feel from the very start, when the ignition is switched on the illuminated light-blue needles of the tachometer and speedometer sweep once across the entire scale to the end pin – in the case of the speedometer to the 320 km/h mark. The instrument needles are also automatically illuminated as soon as the driver's door is opened. The touchscreen of the radio or radio-navigation system (Composition Touch radio is standard) shows an animated "R" logo as a start screen. Also new and upgraded with an "R" badge is the accessory used to start the Golf R: the ignition key, specifically its case; it represents perfection in the smallest details. Radio and radio-navigation systems. Volkswagen is equipping the Golf R with redesigned radio and radio/navigation systems. All systems have a touchscreen as standard. The new device generation is available in three different display sizes: 5 inches, 5.8 inches and 8 inches. For the first time, Volkswagen is implementing displays that have proximity sensors (5.8-inch display and above): as soon as the driver or front passenger moves a finger near to the touchscreen, the system automatically switches from display mode to input mode. The display mode shows a screen that is reduced to just the essentials. In the operating mode, on the other hand, the elements that can be activated by touch are specially highlighted to simplify intuitive operation. The displays also have a function that lets users scroll through lists or browse CD covers in the media library with a wipe of the hand. Car-Net. Car-Net is offered for the Golf R in conjunction with the Discover Pro radio-navigation system and the "Premium" mobile phone interface. It consists of a set of new mobile online services. For example, Car-Net lets drivers integrate highly up-to-date traffic information into dynamic route guidance and input online Points of Interest (POI) into the navigation system. It also integrates the 360-degree panoramic street perspective images of Google Street View. Realistic photographic satellite images can also be displayed, which are based on the Google-Earth™ map service (Google Maps). Overview– quick facts Key aspects in alphabetical order • Automatic gearbox: - 6-speed DSG • Cargo capacity: - 343 litres to 1,233 litres • Character: - Flagship with racing DNA • Colours: - "Tornado Red", "Pure White", "Lapis Blue Metallic", "Reflex Silver Metallic", "Limestone Grey Metallic", "Night Blue Metallic", "Deep Black Pearl Effect" and "Oryx White Mother of Pearl Effect" • Drive system: - All-wheel drive • Driver assistance and performance systems: - Electronic Stability Control (ESC) including ABS, brake assist, traction control, XDS+ electronic differential lock, four-wheel EDS, engine - drag torque control, countersteering assist (standard) - ESC Sport (ESC mode, e.g. for race courses) - Driver Alert System (standard) - Automatic post-collision braking system (standard) - Progressive steering (standard) - ParkPilot (standard) - Tyre pressure monitoring indicator (standard) - DCC dynamic chassis control - ACC plus adaptive cruise control Front Assist surroundings monitoring system with City Emergency Braking - Dynamic Light Assist dynamic main beam control - Driving profile selector including Race mode - Light Assist main beam control - Cruise control system - PreCrash occupant protective system - Rear Assist - Lane Assist lane-keeping assistant - Road sign recognition • Engines – petrol: 2.0 TSI with output of 221 kW / 300 PS • Equipment line: - R • Infotainment: - Standard radio: "Composition Touch" (5-inch screen) - "Composition Colour" radio (5-inch screen) - "Composition Media" radio (5.8-inch screen) - "Composition Media" radio with navigation function "Discover Media" (5.8-inch screen) - "Discover Pro" radio-navigation system (8-inch screen) - Dynaudio sound system - Car Net (Online services) • Market launch, Europe: - Fourth quarter of 2013 • Prices (Germany): - Golf R – from 38,325 euros • Production location: Wolfsburg plant • Running gear: - Front: MacPherson strut suspension - Rear: modular performance suspension - Progressive steering • Standard gearbox: 6-speed manual gearbox • Wheels: - Standard wheels: 18-inch "Cadiz" alloy wheels - Optional wheels: 19-inch "Cadiz" alloy wheels and "Pretoria" View full article