Where to start. The Golf in general has without a doubt been a leader in the hot hatch marketplace. Always been a car that has excited the younger generation into affordable and desirable sports car motoring, and it’s not going to back off now! Nope, it certainly isn’t even thinking about it. Volkswagen has had a rest for a little while with this model, but here it is again, the Golf R. And to add a little more zest to the drive, they have added horses. Yep, if you thought the once 288hp Golf R was quick, the new one has been updated to 320hp.
As with most German marques, styling can sometimes be hard to spot. Each new model gets small tweaks here and there, and the Golf R is no different. Where the Golf R sees most of the upgrades is in the fine-tuning of the performance of the car. The smallest improvements can make all the difference.
Styling can sometimes be hard to spot
Before we share more on the performance, Let’s get in. The car is an all-around usable machine. Great for the runs to the office, grabbing the shopping, family holiday drives across the UAE, and then a weekend spot on the track to re-enact the dreams of being a racing driver. It, therefore, goes without saying that the furniture needs to keep up with all this. In a nutshell, it does. Great comfort for trips short or long, and hugs nicely for the racier driving. Volkswagen is renowned for using very durable materials in the cabin, with the Golf R no exception.  The settings on the very capable and intuitive infotainment system allow you to make adjustments to things such as ambient lighting. All are quite bright colours to suit your mood. There is a mix of button types too. Some have touch, like the volume and the temperature controls, and others have haptic buttons. General concentrated around the steering wheel. The best place really for keeping your eyes up and watching the road. However, I am curious why car makers still love to place piano black surfaces. This means, especially in a warm country like the UAE, that after each drive you will probably be buffing the fingerprints from the steering buttons and the buttons under the main screen. There are also a couple of buttons that sit very close to your hands when holding the steering wheel. The R button that is used to select the driving modes and the heated steering wheel button. I did wonder why my steering was getting warm on the move, then it occurred to me I had inadvertently pressed the heated steering button with the ball part of my palm.
In order to keep you from becoming a tic-toc victim
The infotainment has a very easy-to-use touch screen interface and is angled more towards the driver. Almost like using a mobile, with a number of app like squares and a home button to the left. It does have Carplay for ios and android connections. Though is a little slow connecting at times. Could be just a firmware update requirement. There is plenty of little cubby holes around the car. Side pockets would fit a large water bottle. Two cup holders in the centre console, and a couple of pockets on either side of the back seats.
Ok performance! Now in order to keep you from becoming a Tic Toc video victim, it’s wise to understand a few dynamics. This car is generally quite a light car, pushing out 320hp through 4 wheels from a 2-liter TSI turbo engine. It may have a number of great tech features, such as ABS and traction control, but there is still a caution to be paid with this car if you get a little too excited. Yes, it will power slide to, there is a drift mode that says so. But it does not make you a race driver. The car demands a little respect. Stab the throttle on a corner and yes, the car will start twisting and tensing itself and will start juggling all the control systems and adaptive suspension to find traction at the correct wheel and find that grip that you’re demanding that it gives. It is better than the last model, however, there is still a small amount of slip before grip when working the car hard.
Quite honestly Yes
James has a most positive and illuminating view of the world, finding soul and animation in our ever-manufactured global environments.
A traveler by nature, James has grown his professional and diverse career in Supply Chain, Photo-journalism and Digital Marketing management by acquainting himself with different traditions and cultures of more than 35 countries around the world. Capturing memories, creating identities, and gaining great perspectives.
In addition, James takes on the recent challenge of founder and creator to push his internationally recognized freelance and corporate experiences into new and exciting times with the advent of Brand Command. A brand and marketing company recognizing the creative talents of others around the world and placing soul and emotion into the image of its clients.