Downsizing. It can be a fairly dirty word; in today’s world of budget, travel, and cost-cutting, it’s no wonder why people generally don’t like the term. In the car industry, this doesn’t necessarily equate to a bad thing. Take the most hardcore Golf as an example; it has dropped the ‘32’ moniker, along with the previous 3.2-litre VR6, replaced instead by a 2.0-litre turbo. While some motoring purists will lament this downsizing exercise, for me it make a lot of sense, especially considering today’s petrol prices. Read on, our Test Drive / Review of the MK VI Golf R
The common misconception is that this Golf R shares the same EA888 powerplant fitted to the Mk6 Golf GTI. It doesn’t; instead, the Mk6 Golf R uses the EA113 engine from the Mk5 Golf GTI, reinforced and with new, alloy cylinder heads, uprated pistons, high-pressure fuel injectors, along with a new turbo set at 1.2bar of boost. The result from this? The Mk6 Golf R makes 270PS at 6,000rpm and 350Nm at 2,500rpm, easily besting the Mk5 Golf R32. Equipped with a six-speed DSG box, the Golf R is able to complete the zerotohundred sprint in 5.5secs.
Lots of Golfs have those 'R' LEDs on the rear nowadays, but not all of them have central mounted tailpipes.
From the front, quite easy to mistaken for a regular TSI.
Having heard of my recent obsession with VW cars, Zaibi Motors offered me the chance to have a brief test drive of the Golf R they had in their showroom. Completely easy to drive slow, it is when you plant your foot in the accelerator, when the ultimate surge forwards, that you realize that the R is a completely different machine altogether from the GTI. My eyes peeled back as I watched the blue-lit speedo climb rapidly towards 150mph with effortless ease. In corners, the combination of Haldex all-wheel drive and XDS active diff system works brilliantly keeping the Golf planted to tarmac. I will remember for a very long time the speeds I carried into and out of one of my favourite corners. This brief first impression was enough for me to scratch the GTI away in my imaginary garage; replaced instead by this hottest hot-hatch from Volkswagen.
Central mounted twin tailpipes for the R.
More R badgery on the rear, along with LED tail lights.
R detailings inside remind you that you're in something special. More stealth than a GTI.
Happy to go fast, happy to go slow. Happy when munching corners.
Volkswagen has yet to sell the Golf R in Malaysia, so I’ll have to wait very patiently to get my hands on a test unit to come up with a more extensive report. In the meantime, folks who are waiting for the arrival of the Golf R; wait no more. The one you see in pictures here is actually available for sale from Zaibi Motors (contact details below). They also have a stunning Scirocco R for sale; both of which are UK spec models. Perhaps if you mention Zerotohundred, you might be able to get a better price(!).
For 'Roc enthusiasts, Zaibi Motors also has one unit of the Scirocco R...
Zaibi Motors
Lot 61 Jalan Maarof Bangsar
Kuala Lumpur, 59000
Wilayah Persekutuan
Tel: +603 2283 1737
Golf R (UK spec brochure)
• Zerotohundred: 5.5secs
• Top Speed: 250km/h (limited)
• Engine: 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder, direct injection
• Power: 270PS / 6,000 rpm
• Torque: 350Nm / 2,500 – 5,000 rpm
• Weight: 1521kg (kerb weight)
• Fuel Economy: 8.4L / 100km (combined, claimed)
• Wheels: -
• Tyres: -
• Price: N/A
GOLF.6 "R" - YouTube
VW Golf 6 R 2.0 Turbo 325PS/450NM www.Sport-Wheels.de - YouTube
Volkswagen Golf R - YouTube
B&B Gives VW Golf R 362hp HQ - YouTube
Golf R.Teil 1 - YouTube
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