The arrival this year of the Golf R moves Volkswagen abreast of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru Impreza WRX STI among high-performance compact sedans with all-wheel drive.
The new R excites VW driving enthusiasts, who remember the fun of the R32 models which were sold in the U.S. in 2004 and 2008. Those were powered by V-6 engines.
A 256-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gets this one moving in a rush; that is more horsepower than the earlier V-6s generated.
The 2012 R, a spirited handler, is planted very firmly in cornering. It is almost 300 pounds heavier than the VW GTI front-drive, which I drove last year. The GTI, too, had a turboed 4-cylinder, though its horsepower level was 200, far below the R’s 256. The R uses direct fuel injection and double overhead camshafts for the most powerful Golf production engine ever in the U.S.
A 6-speed manual is the only transmission for the new R – a precise short-throw. VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system delivers all power to the front wheels in normal situations, and can shift 100 percent to the rear wheels when adverse conditions create slippage.
The added weight of the AWD setup, though slowing the R just a bit, lends a secure feel. A stiff, tubular antiroll bar at the front helps reduce body roll. The hatchback averaged 22.9 miles per gallon in overall driving; its EPA rating is 19/27.
Highlighting the exterior for the five-door hatchback are three large black air intakes up front to help cool the engine, a short sloped hood, side skirts along the lower edge of the body, an enlarged tail spoiler at the rear and “R” badging. Twin exhaust pipes are positioned centrally beneath the rear bumper.
Eighteen-inch alloy wheels are of attractive design, much more so than the five-horseshoe-shaped openings in the GTI wheels. Large 13.6-inch brake discs are installed at the R’s front wheels; they’re painted black and are clearly visible through openings in the wheels.
The interior features leather, with aluminum-look metallic trim at the doors and instrument panel, as well as on the pedals. Deep sport bucket seats add ride comfort; a driver will notice how deeply bolstered when exiting, particularly a male driver. The steering wheel is squared off at the bottom. Rear seats are roomy in legroom and headroom, though cargo space measures barely more than 12 cubic feet.
There is little wrong with the VW Golf R. One thing that bugged me, though, was when I was driving pretty much north, and the directional indicator showed a big “S” for south. No matter where I drove, the indicator was opposite. So, Jan, son Brent and I, after 50 miles into the countryside to bid farewell to Florida-bound Emily Adams, found a deserted road, pulled the owner’s manual from the glove box, pushed a couple buttons, drove the VW in a full circle at 6 miles per hour – and, still, the little R was fully turned around in its directions. Oh, well.
With the turbo engine, AWD, electronic stability control and side-curtain airbags as standard, the R’s sticker price came to $35,360. Among other items are automatic climate control, Sirius satellite radio, power windows/locks/mirrors, heated front seats and cruise control.
Notes from e-mail
Bud, regarding your recent article on the fourth-generation Honda CR-V, I guess my 2005 must be “second generation.” It has one great feature that Honda discarded with the third generation. That move was a boo-boo, from my perspective. Putting the gear shifter up on the dashboard just beyond the driver’s right-hand placement on my second-generation was great. That, 60,000 trouble-free miles later (which is how far the car has been driven), should have been a prizewinner, kept and copied by competitors. I guess I have owned well over 20 cars in my lifetime, and that shifter location was the best thing I’ve experienced, all the way from driving one of George Romney’s large station wagons to a trio of small Renaults. I can’t help but wonder what made Honda go “back to the floor” with the shifter. I guess the dashboard placement for the shifter is a thing of the past, at least for Honda. – D.T.
I heard of lots of complaints with the CR-V’s dash-placed shifter, D.T., and I’m sure when you replace your ’05 with a newer one, you’ll catch on to the lower position in about two days. A popular minivan offers the shifter up high on the dash; no, I knew you weren’t interested in a van. I’m old enough to remember George Romney’s automobiles. The Rambler/American Motors leader was a force in pushing economy in cars.
2012 Volkswagen Golf R
$35,360
(price as tested)
MPG City 19 Highway 27
Vehicle type: Sporty compact four-door
Wheelbase: 101.5 inches
Length/Width/Height: 165.8/70/57.5 inches
Weight: 3,350 pounds
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Fuel mileage: 22.9 mpg
Fuel tank: 14.5 gallons
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles basic; 5/60,000 powertrain
Competitors: Mazdaspeed3, Subaru Impreza WRX, Mini Cooper S, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart
Built at: Wolfsburg, Germany
Parts content: Germany 61 percent
THE STICKER
$34,590 base
$770 Destination
PLUSES
All-wheel drive
Turbo power
Refined interior
MINUSES
Low fuel mileage
Relatively high price
Directional miscue
