Volkswagen's Fastest Golf For Australia
Volkswagen Group Australia has confirmed the fastest Golf so far - the Golf R which debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show - will be launched locally.
Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, the all-wheel-drive Golf R is faster than the current V6-powered R32 model which is currently on sale. Zero to 100km/h takes 5.7 seconds compared to 6.5 seconds for the R32.
Maximum power is 199kW at 6,000rpm and peak torque of 350Nm is achieved between 2,500rpm and 5,000rpm. Those figures eclipse the R32 model, but importantly, the Golf R is kinder to the planet with fuel consumption of 8.5l/100kms (21 per cent less than the R32) and emits 199g/km (down from 255g/km for the R32.
The Golf R is even better with the twin-clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG) - zero to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds, fuel consumption is down to 8.4l/100kms and emissions are down to 195g/km. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h (the same as the R32).
Drive is to all four wheels via a further improved version of Volkswagen 4Motion system (for the furst time an electric pump isused to build hydraulic pressure and activation of the all-wheel-drive system no longer requires a difference in speed between the front and rear axles). In extreme cases nearly 100 per cent of the drive can be directed to the rear axle.
Naturally high-tech driver aids features include a Electronic Stability program and Dynamic Chassis Control. Massive 17-inch brakes handle the stopping requirements and Golf R rides on 18-inch alloy wheels with standard 225/40 tyres (235/35 are optional).
Disinctive exterior and interior appointments distinguish the Golf R - a combination of high performance and luxury appointments very stylishly done (in the same way as the R32).
Although pricing and local launch details have not been confirmed, we expect the Golf R will be around the $60,000 mark.
