Golf R Observations and Questions

[AdamD]

But in the wet, the last place you want to be is a tight corner with FWD. Understeer all the way into the gutter or worse.

but doesn't ESP change the landscape again as far as control is concerned in AWD cars.

FWIW, I think that generalising about FWD v RWD vs AWD without additional detail and context is misleading. I wrote this post a while ago which sums up my 2c on the subject, if you're interested:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f112/front-wheel-drive-vs-rear-wheel-drive-vs-all-wheel-drive-40707-4.html#post456577

From that post: Remember too, the driving wheels really only have an impact on vehicle handling when power is applied, or when using engine/compression braking (ignoring the weight issues of an AWD setup).

[OilBurna]

also depends on your 4wd setup ie primary rear or front bias.

[Prodigy]

I just read the review on the R in the latest Motor Magazine, they put it head to head against the Lancer Evo X and it faired very well. They said there not much in it especially in a straight line with the R doing a time of 5.37 sec 0 - 100 km/h compared to the Evo's 5.30 sec.

[REXman]

I just read the review on the R in the latest Motor Magazine, they put it head to head against the Lancer Evo X and it faired very well. They said there not much in it especially in a straight line with the R doing a time of 5.37 sec 0 - 100 km/h compared to the Evo's 5.30 sec.

I bought that mag just for the R review. I can't believe how much golf's have changed!!

Who would think you can get a car that is built like a car worth twice as much, and you get comparable performance to an EVO. Amazing car for the money. now if we can hurry and get mine delivered!!! I can't read anymore about it!! They did say the Evo had had the performance edge, which is fine as far as the times show it's close. 5.37 vs 5.30 and 13.65 vs 13.56. But like the GTI, it is a different league when it comes to buil quality and design. And it's cheaper by a bit too. 74990 vs 63500 (tested). Can't say I would buy a nap car for that much unless it had the letters GTR in the name.

[REXman]

Also as for 4wd vs rwd vs fwd,

I think of it like this. Picture a shopping trolley. A rwd in comparison will be PUSHING it from the rear around the isles. A fwd will be pulling it from the front. Awd will be doing both. Obviously the PULLING method is the most difficult out of the three.

Also, when launching, a fwd is again the weakest here as the car naturally lifts the nose and plants on the rears, hence why fwd spin so much, they do not contact the tyres to the road as well as the alternatives.

But having driven GTI myself as well as a type r and jap SSS, I can vouch for these cars being still really good. Its Just they don't touch the rwd and awd's.

[ccoops79]

Also as for 4wd vs rwd vs fwd,

I think of it like this. Picture a shopping trolley. A rwd in comparison will be PUSHING it from the rear around the isles. A fwd will be pulling it from the front. Awd will be doing both. Obviously the PULLING method is the most difficult out of the three.

Also, when launching, a fwd is again the weakest here as the car naturally lifts the nose and plants on the rears, hence why fwd spin so much, they do not contact the tyres to the road as well as the alternatives.

But having driven GTI myself as well as a type r and jap SSS, I can vouch for these cars being still really good. Its Just they don't touch the rwd and awd's.

Hey REXman,

Can i ask why you went for the DSG over the standard manual transmission ?

Thnaks

[AdamD]

Picture a shopping trolley. A rwd in comparison will be PUSHING it from the rear around the isles. A fwd will be pulling it from the front. Awd will be doing both. Obviously the PULLING method is the most difficult out of the three.

I really only see it in such plain terms once torque exceeds grip in a given scenario. So, exiting a tight corner under power in the wet, I'd take an AWD car any day. Of course with the greatest traction on board, it'll power out cleaner and faster than either a front or rear driven equivalent.

But a constant-radius corner taken on part throttle at high speed? I'd go for whichever car has the lower weight and most balanced weight distribution.

Also, when launching, a fwd is again the weakest here as the car naturally lifts the nose and plants on the rears, hence why fwd spin so much, they do not contact the tyres to the road as well as the alternatives.

Yep, agreed, front wheel drive vehicles are at a disadvantage in this respect. I'll also add that your typical experienced performance driver will gravitate to rear drive over front because of the inherent handling traits under power, and because undriven front wheels often yield better steering feedback. You can't really generalise about four wheel drive in this context because there are several types, including the quasi-FWD setups, and they vary dramatically.

But having driven GTI myself as well as a type r and jap SSS, I can vouch for these cars being still really good. Its Just they don't touch the rwd and awd's.

Have to disagree with you there, solely on the basis of generalisation. As I've said above, performance drivers tend to prefer RWD handing characteristics, so manufacturers tend to build serious performance models to satisfy that market. Plenty of the best performance cars in my estimation are RWD or AWD. But I don't base their superiority solely on their driven wheels - only in part. RWD or AWD doesn't in of itself make a car great.

(I personally would rate plenty of front-drive cars above AWD machines playing in the same segment. Just look at UK Top Gear's recent hot hatch shootout as a good example - a great little FWD won the test.)

[REXman]

Hey REXman,

Can i ask why you went for the DSG over the standard manual transmission ?

Thnaks

Hey Ccoops79,

I think really I bought the DSG because it was something different to try. I test drove it and couldn't argue with the speed of the gear changes. It also made an awesome sound when down changing gears.

The fact that it's apparently better on fuel (don't care too much) and it's got a higher top speed (like ill ever test that often) than the manual are things I found out after I bought it.

Someone else also mentioned how useful it is being able to change gears without upsetting the balance of the car as much mid-corner.

Being in Sydney with the traffic also helped me lean towards my first ever auto-style box.

If you can drive it but haven't yet bought a manual, I would choose a manual though as they are a pretty sweet and a more easily upgradeable system!

[oshuyi]

hey rexman have u driven the manual golf R yet? if u have, how does it compare to the wrx manual?

[REXman]

hey rexman have u driven the manual golf R yet? if u have, how does it compare to the wrx manual?

Hey Oshuyl,

I have driven a manual. I would say for starters the R has a 6 speed not a 5, but you might already know that. Im assuming If you have had a WRX and thats what/why you want to compare.
I found that the standard set up in the R has almost as short a throw as the WRX with the STI short shift kit installed. But the thing thats better with the VW box is that it was not as notchy to put through the gears, and also easier to select reverse from a forward gear which annoying in the WRX.

R box is also nice and crisp. Where aa stock WRX box is a bit spongy in comparison.

[ccoops79]

Hey Oshuyl,

I have driven a manual. I would say for starters the R has a 6 speed not a 5, but you might already know that. Im assuming If you have had a WRX and thats what/why you want to compare.
I found that the standard set up in the R has almost as short a throw as the WRX with the STI short shift kit installed. But the thing thats better with the VW box is that it was not as notchy to put through the gears, and also easier to select reverse from a forward gear which annoying in the WRX.

R box is also nice and crisp. Where aa stock WRX box is a bit spongy in comparison.

Hey REXman,

Thanks for your feedback on the manual R gearbox. I have not been able to locate much information on people's experiences with the manual R so it was very nice to read your perspective, cheers.....

[Corey_R]

One of the things I noticed in my 5 minutes in a manual R, is that the clutch travel is much less than in my Polo GTI. The friction point isn't really that far from the floor. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing - I guess people would adjust to it.... just an observation

I'm getting the DSG anyway

[Lima]

I finally got some quality time behind the wheel of a Golf R on Wednesday. Here's what I discovered -> Drive Thru: Volkswagen Golf R

[Fab_R]

Nice write up Lima.

[ConR]

One of the things I noticed in my 5 minutes in a manual R, is that the clutch travel is much less than in my Polo GTI. The friction point isn't really that far from the floor. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing - I guess people would adjust to it.... just an observation

I'm getting the DSG anyway

Any idea how it compares to the clutch on the GTI? I'm guessing gear throws are just as long?