The new generation Volkswagen Golf R was supposed to debut in July at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. However, at first it was postponed to September, and then completely canceled. So the most powerful Golf was presented without show and pomp. But he still has something to surprise.
The appearance of the "erka" should not be a secret due to leaks, although the final version is still designed a little differently. The daring five-door received a large glossy air intake grille, against which small “fangs” stand out in body color. The diffuser that hides the four tailpipes of the Akrapovic exhaust system is also made of glossy black plastic. The car is equipped with 19-inch wheels by default.
Sitting in the cabin and ignoring the sporty front seats and the ubiquitous R-series logos, one might not realize that you are sitting in the fastest Golf, and not just a well-equipped car of this family. The hatch received a 10.0-inch touchscreen, virtual instrument cluster and leather trim.
But the main thing, of course, is hidden inside. The Germans decided not to change the well-proven recipe and left the 2.0-liter turbo engine from the previous Golf R under the hood. Its output was increased to 319 hp. and 420 Nm (it was 310 hp and 380 Nm). All released Golf R traditionally will be all-wheel drive. In the US and Canada, buyers will be able to choose between a 6-speed "mechanics" and a 7-speed "robot" DSG, while only a two-pedal version is available to Europeans.
Acceleration time from 0 to 100 km / h decreased from 4.9 to 4.7 seconds. Top speed is still limited to 250 km/h.
The Golf R is equipped with a sports suspension with stiffer springs and anti-roll bars. The engineers also added a lightweight aluminum subframe and increased the negative camber on the front axle to allow for faster cornering speeds as well as increased stability. Ground clearance relative to the "civilian" model is reduced by 20 mm.
Erka also has a more powerful braking system. 358mm front brake discs are used. A larger master cylinder and twin-piston aluminum front calipers are used.
The new generation Golf R received two additional modes: Special and Drift. The first one is Nürburgring-specific and has softer damping settings than the Race mode to ensure maximum contact with the road. This helps the car cope with the wavy profile of the "Green Hell".
Drift is designed for spectacular cornering. This is achieved by changing the parameters of the electronic stability control system and the redistribution of torque through the all-wheel drive.
In Western markets, the Volkswagen Golf R will go on sale in 2021.
The new Volkswagen Golf R set a power record and got a drift mode
