INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
I remain perpetually wrong-footed by the Volkswagen Golf R, the more powerful all-wheel drive upgrade to the venerable VW Golf GTI
I always expect I'm in for a driving experience that is as measured and calm as it is fast
The super-GTI is a little newer
luxury like leather, ABS, and power steering.The Mk2's straight lines gave way to the Mk3's curves, and by then, VW had developed its VR6
Most engines with two banks of cylinders have a V angle of 60 or perhaps 90 degrees; with a V angle of just 15 degrees, the VR6 engine was
able to fit in the tight confines of the Golf's engine bay
For the Mk4 and Mk5, this morphed into the Golf R32, where the VR6's power and torque were better harnessed by all-wheel drive.
Practical five-door body, rapid AWD powertrain.
Jonathan Gitlin
Practical five-door
body, rapid AWD powertrain.
Jonathan Gitlin
The rear wing can double as a carrying handle.
Jonathan Gitlin
The rear wing can double as a carrying handle.
Jonathan Gitlin
Practical five-door body, rapid AWD powertrain.
Jonathan Gitlin
The rear wing can double as a carrying handle.
Jonathan Gitlin
For the Mk6 car, VW dropped the 3.2 L
VR6 engine and the "32" from the name plate
A high-output version of VW's 2.0 L turbocharged four-cylinder replaced the bigger, heavier engine, and thus, the Golf R was born.For model
year 2025, the base Golf R is now $47,100, at least until next month, when the impact of the Trump administration's tariffs starts to become
While that's a high price tag for a five-door hatchback, it's actually noticeably cheaper than the Mk7 we tested in 2016 when you account
