The first VW Golf 8 R units have arrived in SA and we got behind the wheel of the all-wheel-drive performance hatchback – first at the Aldo Scribante race track in Gqeberha and then in the Western Cape. Has it been worth the wait (and hype)?
Let’s get straight to the bad news. Sadly, this R model will only arrive early next year, folks. While we have driven the new Volkswagen Golf 8 R locally this week, the newcomer will only hit local showrooms in the first quarter of 2023. Due to a lack of stock coming from Germany, Volkswagen SA does not have enough units to start retail operations. Pricing isn’t available until then either, but we’ll give you a list-price forecast at the bottom of the article.
Volkswagen’s R performance sub-brand has proven very popular in South Africa. Since its debut back in 2007, almost 6 000 units have found homes in the Republic. That’s not quite on the same level as the GTI lineage, but the R is far more performance-focused. Both the Golf 7 R and 7.5 R were immensely popular, so the new Golf 8 R has quite a legacy to live up to.
What’s On Offer?
With peak outputs of 235 kW and 400 Nm, the South African-spec Golf 8 R offers the model’s maximum outputs, as offered in Europe.
Under the skin sit a revised version of the VW Group’s MQB platform and the latest iteration of the EA888 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine. It produces peak outputs of 235 kW and 400 Nm – no detuning due to hot climate or poor fuel quality here; this is the full-fat version! All that shove is sent to all 4 wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and VW says the new Golf R will sprint to 100 kph in just 4.7 sec. Having said that, we’ve found Golf Rs tend to be a bit quicker than claimed. Could a 4.5-sec 0-100 kph time be possible?
Full specifications of the Volkswagen Golf 8 R
The Golf R comes reasonably well-equipped. Nappa leather, sports seats, a Discover Pro navigation infotainment system, 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof and dynamic chassis control are standard, with options including an Akrapovic exhaust, IQ Matrix LED headlights, uprated Harman Kardon audio, adaptive cruise control and the Black Style Package. Customers will have a choice of 3 exterior colours: black, blue and white.
Meanwhile, Drift mode and a higher top speed are offered as part of an extra-cost Performance Pack, but we’ll have more details and pricing for this and the other options early in 2023.
A sign of the times. As in the Golf GTI, the traditional transmission lever has been replaced by a shift-by-wire selector.
The Golf R’s cabin is sporty, tech-laden… and quite minimalistic. R-themed cues include blue ambient lighting and an abundance of blue detailing and R badges. Keen-eyed fans will have spotted the blue R on the multifunction steering wheel (you press that to activate Race mode). Like the GTI, the Golf R has a stubby selector on the centre console, rather than a conventional transmission lever – it won’t be to everyone’s taste, but it does free up some cabin space – and a configurable digital instrument cluster (replete with R-specific display).
The digital instrument cluster of the Golf R features blue highlighting and the R logo.
Rivals? There aren’t many. The Volkswagen Golf R now competes with the likes of the BMW M135i xDrive, Mercedes-AMG A35 Hatch and don’t forget its cousin, the Audi S3.
What Is It Like to Drive?
At the Golf R’s launch event, we made a beeline for a white example purely because we had been told it was one of very few early units fitted with the optional Akrapovic exhaust. Upon start-up, the motor emits a deep throaty rumble, which, in an era of ever-tightening emissions and noise regulations, was a pleasant surprise. While it was oh-so-tempting to hit the blue R button on the multifunction steering wheel to engage the flagship Golf’s raciest drive mode right away, we chose to depart the centre of Cape Town in an altogether civilised manner.
The Golf R sounds quite rorty at startup, but we expect that many buyers will opt for the optional Akrapovic exhaust setup.
In its default settings, the Golf R is an excellent “daily driver” – it blends luxury, comfort, ease of use and, believe it or not, economy. During our highway drive, we saw an indicated consumption figure of just above 8 L/100 km – that’s commendable, given the newcomer’s sporty pretensions/lofty engine outputs. On-road refinement and ride quality are excellent.
Once we’d left the N1 and turned onto a quiet stretch of tarmac, it was time to punch that R button and unleash the Golf R. In an instant, the engine noise increased and the exhaust ends bellowed to let onlookers know a special vehicle was about to grace them with its presence.
In Race mode, the Golf R’s transmission is highly responsive and slots each gear rapidly. Earlier, when the direct-shift gearbox was operating in Comfort mode, things were much more relaxed, as if changes were executed slowly, almost imperceptibly, instead of with a rifle bolt-like action. The gearshift paddles on the steering wheel look and feel the part too.
The Golf R is fitted with attractive 19-inch allows and comes fitted with a beefed-up braking system. The blue brake calipers are particularly eye-catching.
As the Golf R charged through a set of challenging corners (as rain started falling), two impressions came to mind: “Good grief, this is one quick hatchback” and “This car feels utterly planted”. Thanks to the 4Motion all-wheel drive and the clever torque vectoring, it may require some deliberate manhandling or careless antics to get the Golf R out of shape.
Unless you’re a pro driver, you’ll run out of talent and bravery long before you hear this fleet-footed Volkswagen’s tyres squeal. As we reached the bottom of Franschhoek Pass, the rainfall became torrential. Therefore, we slowed to a brisk, as opposed to rapid, pace.
The Golf R’s cabin is tastefully appointed, but we’re not big fans of the multifunction steering wheel’s capacitive touch pads.
Still, in these treacherous conditions, the Golf R’s grip levels remained lofty and we used the opportunity to assess the newcomer’s steering setup. It’s suitably quick and direct, but doesn’t offer very much feedback. If you’re looking for more driver engagement/involvement, try the Hyundai i30 N DCT. There are no doubts about the VW’s sheer pace and precise handling, but much like every preceding R model, there’s a lack of “that ultimate thrill and rush”.
But then again, the Golf R and its Audi, BMW and Mercedes-AMG rivals are designed to deliver compelling performance matched with day-to-day usability that harder-edged hot hatches cannot match. This car is remarkably easy to drive quickly; it covers ground rapidly and you could happily drive it on a long trip with your family. For the average petrolhead, who hardly ever spend time on a track, the Golf R should cover all the performance bases.
As before, the Golf 8 R has an assortment of drive modes, but the most noteworthy one is the Individual setup, which allows you to fine-tune the powertrain and suspension’s responses. Race mode can get a bit much (the ride’s quite firm), Sport is enough to quicken the pulse, but to get the most out of the package, you should toggle the settings to suit your preference.
The Golf R allows drivers to choose between various drive modes and toggle myriad powertrain and suspension settings.
Individual has TEN settings for the adjustable dampers, and you can go even softer than the car’s own Comfort setting. The opposite is true too, with the possibility of stiffening the ride quality beyond the Race setup. Performance enthusiasts may lean towards high performance and rapid ‘shifts for short, sharp driving jaunts, but when you’re traversing poorly maintained roads for hours on end you’ll appreciate the softest possible suspension for optimal comfort.
Downsides? Well aside from the stock shortage problem, and not knowing exactly how much the Golf R will cost when it goes on sale, we do have a few grumbles. The ‘wheel’s fiddly capacitive touchpads are frustrating to use, but to be fair, it’s not a problem specific to this Volkswagen model. Perhaps they become easier to use with familiarisation, but we doubt it.
Then there’s the engine sound, which isn’t very inspiring. The Golf R pumps some artificial noise into its cabin (depending on which drive mode is active) but, unless you’re driving with the windows down, you can’t fully appreciate the motor’s timbre. The Akrapovic plumbing shaves 7 kg off the vehicle’s weight and enhances the sheer volume of the exhaust note, but it doesn’t sound more melodious than the soundtrack emitted by the standard R’s four ‘pipes.
Everyday practicality and on-road comfort remain strengths of the Golf R package, although the ride quality is very firm in Race mode.
How much does the Volkswagen Golf 8 R cost in SA?
It’s at this point of a launch review that we usually confirm the vehicle’s price, the cost of the options, as well as the warranty and service/maintenance plan, but VWSA does not want to share the price of the new Golf R until the model goes on sale in the first quarter of 2023.
The outgoing model cost under R800k when it was discontinued, but we can use the Audi S3 as a good yardstick for the new Golf R, which is traditionally more affordable than its cousin from Ingolstadt. The Audi S3’s list price is R883 000 and we reckon its VW equivalent will cost around R850 000. With all options ticked, a Golf 8 R may cost more than R1 million.
Summary
The days of the performance hatchback may be numbered; if this is to be the final Golf R, it does not disappoint.
We expected the Volkswagen Golf 8 R would be fast, comfortable, have a well-appointed cabin and be the perfect evolution of what’s clearly a successful formula. Well, that it is. The newcomer doesn’t tick all the boxes for ultimate driver involvement, but that’s okay, because this model is not strictly targeted at performance-car buyers. Most Golf Rs will be used as family cars and for commuting, which is why refinement and luxury have been prioritised.
If you’re keen on acquiring one of the last few thoroughbred performance hatchbacks, you will just have to wait just a bit longer, while Volkswagen AG battles to overcome vehicle production-, supply chain and logistical challenges. If you’re impatient and frustrated (as many are), we have a solution, though. At the local drive of the Golf R, VWSA also gave us extensive time behind the ‘wheel of the Tiguan R, which has the same 235 kW engine, 4Motion, plus the option of an Akrapovic exhaust. The best part? It’s available right now.
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Why is the Golf 8 R delayed in SA?
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