The New Golf R Is The Most Powerful Ever, Obviously

More hp, more torque, better AWD. What’s not to like?

One of the hottest hot hatches just got even hotter. The new Golf R is finally here and the fanatics can finally stop holding their breath!

The Golf R has always been one of the most highly regarded hot hatches in the market and commands some serious respect among enthusiasts and the new Golf R will surely be no different. It’s faster, more powerful, has a new AWD system and still looks utterly brilliant, although not quite as good as the previous generation in my opinion.

So, getting into the details of the new Golf R, just how fast is it? Well, it can achieve 0-62mph in just 4.7 seconds thanks to ‘the most progressive all-wheel drive in this category’ according to VW.

This new all-wheel drive system is a 4MOTION system with R-Performance Torque Vectoring and the kicker is that power doesn’t just vary between the front and rear wheels, but also between the left and right rear wheels as well. This allows for the AWD system to squeeze extra traction out of each corner, optimising how each rear wheel behaves as the tyres screech and grip onto the ground, pulling the Golf R around tight bends.

Another great marketable stat for the new Golf R is that it’s recorded to be a whole 19 seconds faster around the famous Nurburgring track in Germany, compared to the previous generation Golf R, with a time of 7:51 minutes.

Of course, the DSG is still there in the form of a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and as for horsepower, the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine produces 316hp and 310lb-ft torque.

Other goodies include an optional Akrapovic exhaust system which is 9kg lighter and offers a nicer sound with valve control and a R Performance package which includes a larger spoiler, higher top-speed of 168mph and 19-inch sports wheels.

Although VW says the new Golf R offers a more dynamic driving experience, there is still no evidence that it will be available with a manual transmission so for those that think paddles just don’t offer the same experience, it could be a deal breaker. Although, with that lightning-quick DSG, a manual option would be noticeably slower around a track.

Tell us what you think about the new Golf R, in the comments!

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