Mk7 Golf R Discussion Thread

[Mikey1]

Wow....

Beijing Auto Show 2014 – Volkswagen R 400 Study - VWVortex

Wow is a massive understatement! If it was priced right, wouldn't this wipe the smug smile off every A45 AMG owner, many of whom are existing hot hatch defectors from Audi and Volkswagen. I noticed the resurrection of the highly fancied, albeit expensive, Recaro sports/race seats and twin centre exhausts. Volkswagen must finally be listening to what its enthusiast customers want! Now, if only it would be available with a good old fashioned manual transmission...

[nat225]

I doubt that the new R is up to its hype.. but it has only been 1 week and a bit since launch.

Imo dealers tactics on not giving good discounts wont last long IF it follows the sales pattern of the new mk7 gti pp (4 dealers i have seen have a new PP GTI on the floor... based on the mk6 sales pattern these should have been gone).

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[Mikey1]

Wheels Magazine Golf GTI PP vs Golf R Review

As has been previously reported, though without any detail, Wheels May 2014 has just been released. It's a fabulous read, cover-to-cover, containing articles about the new Audi TT, Subaru WRX, Mercedes C-Class and a classic comparison between the new BMW M235i and a 1988 BMW E30 M3. Of course, it's the GTI PP and R which you are all interested in.

Where do I start. Of yes, the R lost. Why? Well because Wheels criteria rewards the underdog. Let me explain, the GTI PP really is much greater than the sum of its parts. Volkswagen took the already highly praised standard GTI to a new level of performance and value with the electronic/mechanical LSD and all the other goodies for just another $4,500. ($4,000 actually, as Wheels hasn't acknowledged the recent $500 across the board price rise of existing models.) The ride, even with its big wheels adorned with recommended 280kPa tyre pressures gave a cushy ride in Comfort mode. The R with its recommended 260 kPa tyre pressures gave a firm ride in Comfort mode. I'll quote the second last paragraph word-for-word, which pretty much sums up their thoughts:

What seals the deal for us is the GTI Performance's outstanding dynamic depth, and it's thinking person's persona. If it were human, it would have a university degree and love watching the ABC, whereas the R is more like a fit, cashed-up tradie who hasn't quite nailed the finer points of social etiquette.

Due to copyright laws, please don't ask me to post a scanned copy of the road test review.

Does this comparison review change my mind on my order? Hell no, but anyone tossing up between the two should get hold of this review before placing their order. While I agree in principle with every comment the tester made, my selection criteria overrides that of the tester/Wheels magazine, and perhaps every forum member on this thread would feel the same.

[Dutch77]

What seals the deal for us is the GTI Performance's outstanding dynamic depth, and it's thinking person's persona. If it were human, it would have a university degree and love watching the ABC, whereas the R is more like a fit, cashed-up tradie who hasn't quite nailed the finer points of social etiquette.

Due to copyright laws, please don't ask me to post a scanned copy of the road test review.

Does this comparison review change my mind on my order? Hell no, but anyone tossing up between the two should get hold of this review before placing their order. While I agree in principle with every comment the tester made, my selection criteria overrides that of the tester/Wheels magazine, and perhaps every forum member on this thread would feel the same.

Could sway a few GTI buyers who were considering the R to save a few pennies, but can't imagine R buyers, especially those on this forum being swayed down to the GTI.

Thanks for the Wheels commentary. I've got my latest Motor but haven't got around to reading it yet, suffice to say the standard GTI had the new WRX and an SS Commodore covered (to be fair, all good vehicles for their intended buyers).

I'm not even swayed to go to the PP, but maybe that's because I don't watch the ABC.

[andrew7]

Won't change my mind Mikey1 Evo mag summed up best, the extra grunt, growl and fizz of the R elevates it to a whole new level. Also, I found it to be a great ride in comfort, love the look particularly the Lapiz Blue and the classy interior.

[Mikey1]

Won't change my mind Mikey1 Evo mag summed up best, the extra grunt, growl and fizz of the R elevates it to a whole new level. Also, I found it to be a great ride in comfort, love the look particularly the Lapiz Blue and the classy interior.

I knew it wouldn't andrew7. One of the Wheels captions reads: Entering the moodily Golf R is like being spruiked into a Kings Cross nightclub.

The review did contain an interesting quirk, which might be of interest to some. This relates to the progressive steering system turns lock-to-lock. My understanding from reading the official Volkswagen AG press releases for Euro spec models is that all GTI and R variants have the same 2.1 turns of the wheel, but Wheels specifically differentiates the GTI as having 2.2 turns and the R as having just 1.9 turns. Now, I recall somebody mentioning that with the larger 19 x 8 inch wheels, there may be less steering lock because of the 1/2" wider wheels compared to the standard 18 x 7.5 inch in other markets, but Wheels have quoted the same 10.9m turning circle, as per the recently published VGA brochure.

[andrew7]

Looking forward to reading Wheels Mikey1

Interesting thing about R v Gti PPis that the difference is only $6k. For a raft of performance upgrades, AWD , the grunt, and Kings Cross Nightclub effect (!) I think its worth it (the moment you push the stop start button and the engine growls/burbles into life is almost enough

[Fab_R]

Holy ****!!!

The Beijing official release.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh5GdYUvw2Q

[Mikey1]

Holy ****!!!

The Beijing official release.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh5GdYUvw2Q

This would definitely take Volkwagen to the top of the (luxury) hot hatch class if it was ever put into production. I wonder how many kw of power would be sacrificed for the mythical hot climate we supposedly have that no parts of Europe apparently experience?

[Fab_R]

This would definitely take Volkwagen to the top of the (luxury) hot hatch class if it was ever put into production. I wonder how many kw of power would be sacrificed for the mythical hot climate we supposedly have that no parts of Europe apparently experience?

Ah yes mikey1.... They will probably peg it back to 221kw lol....

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[Rogue wolf]

Wouldn't get to excite about it, if the r costs $67 fully optioned on road then the r 400 would be at least $80k+, by time it's released likely have the next range of A45 coming into production at similar 0-100 times imo

[anduril]

For those tightarses wanting to save a couple $ to buy their R you can download the Wheels magazine as a preview on your iPad's Newsstand app, then go to the Golf R vs Golf GTI PP article and download that specific article to read the full thing without having to buy the whole magazine.

Then again, after doing that I ended up forking out $6.49 to read it cover to cover

[andrew7]

Bought the Wheels mag this morning, good read. This sums up why I chose the R : "...It's quite clearly the best VW ever to wear an R badge, from its brilliant engine and searing performance to its intimidating presence and cheek straining AWD grip. In many ways, for many people, it trumps the GTI PP visual and acoustic understatement...(later)...a bassy hum at idle becomes a rumbunctious gurgle on the move as the R supplements it's induction growl with an all pervading exhaust burble through its four rear pipes".

[solo72]

[Dutch77]

^ tone the bodywork down a fraction and this is what the 7 R should have looked like.