Volkswagen Golf R

As the most powerful small car ever offered by Volkswagen, the 2012 VW Golf R has a dual purpose in appealing to previous owners of the previous Golf R32 and to bring new visibility to the R line of performance vehicles.

While the R32, which was offered for three models years beginning back in 2004, was powered by a 3.2-liter VR-6 making 250 bhp, the new Golf R uses a pumped up version of the GTI’s turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4. Tweaks to this powerplant, including direct injection, raise output from 200 to 256 bhp and torque from 207 to 243 lb ft. As a result, the Golf R is more powerful than the VR-6 R32 with better weight balance—the Golf R has 60 percent of its weight on the front axle, 40 percent on the rear and a curb weight of 3300 lb.

VW says the Golf R is capable of 0-62 mph acceleration of just 5.9 sec. Like the original R32, this newest model also offers all-wheel drive as standard equipment and comes with a 6-speed manual only.


The Golf R has a more aggressive look than the standard models thanks to larger blacked-out inlets in the lower front fascia, a gloss black grille, LED daytime running lights, bi-xenon headlamps, and a half-inch lower ride height. The Golf R rides on 18-in. Talladega 5-spoke alloy wheels, and it’s also fitted with upgraded brakes with black calipers, flared door sills and a blacked-out rear diffuser with prominent twin exhausts.

Inside, the car features a leather-trimmed sport steering wheel with a racing-inspired flat bottom, aggressively bolstered sport seats, and an option package that includes a sunroof, automatic climate controls, keyless ignition and on-board navigation.

Lighter Nose, Crisper Turn-in

By opting for the GTI’s turbo four, VW has made the Golf R more nimble than the nose-heavy R32. However, that advantage is somewhat mitigated by the difference in power delivery, which was more immediate in the normally aspirated R32. The turbo takes a bit more time to spool up into its sweet spot.

In a drive of the VW Golf R, a Euro-spec version with the twin clutch DSG system, I found it much more rewarding to manually select lower gears in the twisty bits to keep the revs up and the car more responsive. When I’d let the gearbox automatically upshift to a higher gear, I felt a distinct pause in the engine’s ability respond to my right foot. The 6-speed manual, while not be as quick as the DSG against the clock, should prove to be a more rewarding to drive by allowing the driver to hang onto a specific gear when pushing the car hard.


In addition to the better balance, the Golf R also makes great use of the Haldex center differential, which seems almost telepathic in the way it engages the rear wheels, giving the car a neutral attitude in cornering. The steering is also quick, with good feedback—the car felt much like another all-wheel-drive pocket rocket of days gone by, the Lancia Delta Integrale. The Golf R is a great vehicle for point-and-shoot driving.

By offering the Golf R in a choice of 3- or 5-door body styles, Volkswagen hopes that—despite coming with just a 6-speed manual—this sporty new model will appeal to a wider audience. Pricing has yet to be announced, but VW says it will be about the same as the previous R model, starting around $31,000. About 5000 are expected to be built with deliveries beginning this fall.