Volkswagen is celebrating the world premiere of the new Golf R, traditionally the most powerful model of Volkswagen’s most successful product line.
The Golf R will be the first Volkswagen to launch with a new all-wheel drive system before the end of this year: 4MOTION with R-Performance Torque Vectoring.
Optional R-Performance package
The new 320PS Golf R is the product line’s most powerful model to date and sprints from 0 to 62mph in just 4.7 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 155mph. However, the Golf R can also be ordered with an optional R-Performance package, which enables the top speed to be increased to 167mph. However, it’s less the individual driving performance that shapes the character of the new Golf R, but rather the combination of a powerful 420Nm of torque, cutting-edge running gear and the most progressive all-wheel drive in this category that define a new status quo in terms of dynamics.
The new all-wheel drive system and high-tech running gear create a host of innovations, offering maximum agility and driving pleasure. The 4MOTION system with R-Performance Torque Vectoring is the new control centre that distributes the engine’s output to the four driven wheels.
A new rear final drive distributes the drive power of the turbocharged petrol engine in the Golf R not just between the front and rear axles, but also variably between the two rear wheels. This makes it possible to significantly increase the agility, particularly when cornering.
Vehicle Dynamics Manager
As a world first, the all-wheel drive is also networked via a Vehicle Dynamics Manager (VDM) with other running gear systems such the electronic differential locks (XDS) and adaptive chassis control DCC. Thanks to this close integration of the different systems, the new Golf R offers optimum traction characteristics and neutral handling with the utmost level of precision.
The new Golf R’s set-up was fine-tuned on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. When combined with the R-Performance package, the Golf R even comes with a dedicated Nürburgring driving profile, known as ‘Special’.
As part of this driving profile, all key drive parameters are geared towards the legendary race track – including the new all-wheel drive. And the results are measurable: as shown during in-house test drives, the Golf R – which is equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) as standard – is up to 19 seconds quicker per lap around Nürburgring Nordschleife than its predecessor (07:51 minutes).
