Richard Hammond reviews the Golf R

[Justin Fox]

http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/cars-motorbikes/2010/02/new-vw-golf-is-a-pocket-rocket.html

[kaoticice]

nice review.
But in my opinion, i think the Golf R needs to have more street creds, it's a little to subtle in terms of its look + performance considering all current fwd competitors.
Good news for tuners tho :P

[Frenchie]

I think you should wait for this R20 to hit the shores Justin and do a little review - who knows it may well be the car for you ;)

[nath_mk6]

Hmm can't wait to have a run in one of those :) subtlety is what it's all about nothing worse than someone doing up a nice car into a look at me machine, nice subtle and tasteful changes is what it should be all about IMO

[elisiX]

I wish they'd release the retail pricing here already. bah!

[nath_mk6]

Lol tick tock tick tock may is approaching :)

[Cam]

Good read
:)

Can't wait until they do a video review. Maybe next season of Top Gear hopefully....

[defaultx]

Yeah I'd love to see a video review of the new R. Still, I think the pricing is what is going to make this car unjustifiable for me.

[burgs]

Keen to see how it drives in person, i am betting that although it is faster than the outgoing R32 it wont be special enough for many current R32 owners to trade in for one:(

[chris32]

I hope they do a review on the next season of top gear, i'll be interesting to watch.

[Rev 555]

Just got the latest edition of Motor (its a good edition too) and it has a review of the Golf R -

The Oz Specs one will only have 188kw ?????? Cooling issues like the Oz spec S3 which less power than its European sibings.

[R32Perth]

Not sure if I would trade my 32 for the R, but certainly a test drive will be the verdict......

[nath_mk6]

Yeah they released the lower power info late last year from memory, but didnt the S3 usually end up with more than advertised anyway? It's like they decide to do this and then forget to make the changes in build sometimes

[Jig]

Keen to see how it drives in person, i am betting that although it is faster than the outgoing R32 it wont be special enough for many current R32 owners to trade in for one:(

Your right there Burgs. I would'nt trade the R32 for the Golf R. Even if I did not SC my R32, I still wont trade up for the Golf R. I am sure it will be a special car though.

[G-rig]

Golf R sounds good to me, it's what everyone has been waiting for since forever.

The only thing that wont be as good is the sound, but apparently it sounds pretty good anyway (don't mind the DSG fart sound).

Agree it may have less character than the R32 but the power and MK6 improved quality should make up for it

I don't mind the understated feel, when you know what's underneath. A few cosmetic mods and personal touches wouldn't hurt though.

[Frenchie]

I know what G-rig is getting now >D

[G-rig]

I know what G-rig is getting now >D

Not sure what I'll get to be honest, got to sell mine first!

[defaultx]

Just got the latest edition of Motor (its a good edition too) and it has a review of the Golf R -

The Oz Specs one will only have 188kw ?????? Cooling issues like the Oz spec S3 which less power than its European sibings.

Yep that's right, I heard that too. Some of the dealers I spoke to were disappointed about this but end of the day it just leaves more to be gained when you for your visit to APR haha. If there is cooling issues, which I assume there is with the new GTI too, I think I'm going to invest in an APR intercooler to overcome that issue when I start upping the power.

[Capercat]

I'm thinking of the new R to replace my auto runabout, might even get DSG!

[G-rig]

Still don't know if it's worth the extra over a GTI (the main time it would be is in the wet and on the track - don't track my cars anyway).

[Capercat]

We still haven't been told the price difference between the GTI & R.

[nath_mk6]

I'm thinking of the new R to replace my auto runabout, might even get DSG!
Ah to be financially secure enough to have an R20 as a 'run about' sigh...

[burgs]

I would be betting around the $60K mark on road.

[G-rig]

Ah to be financially secure enough to have an R20 as a 'run about' sigh...

Agree, pretty nice 'run about'.

[Howie]

^ it's the same argument about the MKV. Is the R32 worth the extra money over the GTI? To most, it's no. Though once you consider how much STANDARD equipment the R32 gets over a GTI you'll see that a fully optioned GTI (equal to R32 std equipment) is only 10K less than a R32. The 10K gets you AWD and a mother of an engine. It was worth it for me.

I can't remember where I heard it but is it true that a FULLY OPTIONED MK6 GTI is above $55K? Whatever the fully optioned cost is, it should be around or at least $10K more for the MK6 R'20'. i.e., $65,000 - $70,000

The missus and I have agreed to test drive one once it gets released with the possibility of upgrading. Her pick is a blue one.

[elisiX]

Howie the GTI in my signature is $57k with a 10% discount from full RRP. Pricing is not released on the R as yet however it will be no worse than the current MKV R32. Speculation suggests that leather will not be standard but xenon's will. All other options on my GTI in my signature will be optional on the new R. I'd expect the R detailed in my signature to come in about the $65k mark with a smaller discount that which I got on the GTI. Full RRP using current R32 pricing puts the R in my signature at just over $70k. And that's without any options. Personally, I am waiting for the pricing to be confirmed. There's word that it might come in quite a bit less than the R32. My GTI is due to arrive on the 5th May however if pricing is released and the R in my sig spec for $60-65k, ill switch. If not I will be more than happy to take delivery of the GTI. I just hope that the R pricing is released before the GTI gets here.

[nath_mk6]

In fact Howie a fully optioned GTI on the road in NSW is actually a small amount of $70K (5dr DSG with all the mods $3K DD and onroads) so I'm not sure that the R will be $10K for the Mk6 as that would be way too much for a golf at around $80K

I think the general idea from people is that the R will be around the mid to high $60K plus options etc as you've summised, but then again who knows till they release the pricing.

[G-rig]

I agree Howie, but there was a bigger difference between the R32 and GTI than the Golf R and GTI.. it's moreso an AWD GTI than a V6 cult classic, which is why it would be an easier decision to chose the GTI.

Shame the r32 is a fair bit heavier and once you tune the GTI it would be as faster anyway. It is a pearler of an engine but next time would prob just get a GTI for something a bit more cost effective.

Agree it would be crazy spending 55k (after discounts/driveaway) so wouldn't go too overboard with the options or you could step into the next car UP.

[defaultx]

Agree it would be crazy spending 55k (after discounts/driveaway) so wouldn't go too overboard with the options or you could step into the next car UP.

I might be the crazy guy you're referring to haha! My MK6 GTI has sat nav, leather, xenons, 18" detriots, reverse cam and with a corporate discount came to a few grand under the $60K mark. I'm told the R won't be eligible for corporate discounts for at least the first year or two of sales simply because there is no need for it - people will still buy it.

The R won't have leather standard if the pics from the UK are anything to go by but the xenons should be standard.

One of the dealers I dealt with said I should hold off for the R until we worked out the corporate discount. Once that was applied the car was too far from the expected asking price for the R and so the wait began for the new GTI...

[G-rig]

I might be the crazy guy you're referring to haha! My MK6 GTI has sat nav, leather, xenons, 18" detriots, reverse cam and with a corporate discount came to a few grand under the $60K mark. I'm told the R won't be eligible for corporate discounts for at least the first year or two of sales simply because there is no need for it - people will still buy it.

The R won't have leather standard if the pics from the UK are anything to go by but the xenons should be standard.

One of the dealers I dealt with said I should hold off for the R until we worked out the corporate discount. Once that was applied the car was too far from the expected asking price for the R and so the wait began for the new GTI...

Sometimes it's good to be crazy haha.. as long as you get a good discount and you usually can the more options you go for (i wouldn't pay RRP on a 60k GTI, but if you got 57k down to 50-51k with the options you want then that's more reasonable.

Good point about no discounts on the Golf R, although the GTI's are selling themselves too i guess with 4 month waits. People pre ordering the Golf R must be happy to pay RRP, as the dealer doesn't have to do anything and still no firm prices/specifications - I can't see how you can negotiate a good deal after leaving a deposit.

[defaultx]

Sometimes it's good to be crazy haha..

Haha yeah, this is my new toy and I didn't want to do it by halves :P


People pre ordering the Golf R must be happy to pay RRP, as the dealer doesn't have to do anything and still no firm prices/specifications - I can't see how you can negotiate a good deal after leaving a deposit.

Yeah I can't see these guys that have locked in a pre-order getting better pricing. Again, the people who have pre-ordered probably aren't fussed about costs and the discount would be neither here nor there. I think the whole corporate discount is being withheld from the R to maybe try and keep its "premium" position in the market. This being said, it is all speculation till we see the real pricing released!

[sameatworld]

Hi Guys

Have ordered an R with a small deposit late last year. Upgrading from MKV Stg2 GTI. The condition of sale was subject to pricing (including corp discount), subject to devlivery date (wanted one before July 1st if possible for tax purpose). A draft contract was drawn up and this can be then finalized when the car is delivered to take advantage of the governments tax break from last year. Not having a final price for the car actually worked out well since from 1st of January most of car prices have gone down due to lower import tax. My dealer have been quoting around 60k or less for 5dr dsg stock. Yet to see exactly how it will all turn out but the dealer knows what to do if he is to indeed make a quick easy sale. Otherwise, I will just keep my car for a bit longer >.<

[burgs]

In fact Howie a fully optioned GTI on the road in NSW is actually a small amount of $70K (5dr DSG with all the mods $3K DD and onroads) so I'm not sure that the R will be $10K for the Mk6 as that would be way too much for a golf at around $80K

I think the general idea from people is that the R will be around the mid to high $60K plus options etc as you've summised, but then again who knows till they release the pricing.

$70K for a fully optioned GTI sounds a bit much?, I recent priced up a White Manual 3 door with leather and sunroof with a corporate discount for $44K driveaway, how can 2 more doors, dsg, HIDS, 18" Wheels and Satnav equate to another $26k?

For a number of months the dealers I have been talking to have been talking $55K plus on roads (another $3K) your under the $60K mark for a car comparable with your STI's and Evo's, throw in leather at $3K and a Sunroof for $2K, for the low 60s you are talking a bloody good value European car. It still wont be as special as the R32, but at $10K plus shy of S3 money it represents great value and will bring more people into the european car scene. Hopefully a few people go stage 3 or the upcoming stage 4 and we can start to see some more hypo golfs 4 banger golfs out there in the future :)

[nath_mk6]

It all adds up I guess, official costing is along these lines:

Mark 6 Golf GTI $38990.00
5 Doors $1500.00
DSG $2500.00
18" Detroit Alloy Wheels $1200.00
Adaptive Chassis Control $1500.00
Bi-Xenon Headlights w/ Dynamic Cornering Lights $2000.00
Electric Glass Sunroof $1900.00
Metallic Paint/Pearl Effect $700.00
Park Assist, with PDC front and rear $1400.00
Rear View Camera (RVC) $500.00
Tinted Windows - Dark Side and Rear $400.00
Electronically Adjustable Drivers Seat $600.00
Leather Upholstery - Vienna $3300.00
Media Device Interface (MDI) $270.00
Premium Blue Tooth $1390.00
RNS510 Satellite Navigation with Dynaudio Excite 300W $3800.00
Total $61950.00

This is plus onraods, GST and in this case LCT, and of course with no discounts, but from my understanding this is the RRP of a fully optioned GTI.

[burgs]

I love my car, but thats a lot of money for a GTI.

[nath_mk6]

I know, granted people get discounts but still, wow.

One of the reasons I took what was in stock, 5dr, DSG, MDI and sensors for under $44K.

[G-rig]

No point getting a fully optioned GTI (IMO) as you could just get the R for that money and resale would be better. You don't usually get much back later for all the options as buyers will still compare them to cheaper ones and the redbook doesn't take it into account either (which i assume the dealers may refer to for trades).

[defaultx]

The prices for options listed above are pretty much the stock prices, the dealers actually have heaps of margin in each of these and can move a lot!

If the R comes out bone stock at the 60k mark it still wouldn't be enough to push me over.

I haven't loaded mine with options but I've got the things I wanted and end of the day, this is my new baby, I didn't want to regret not getting an option that appealed to me now (at the time of buying).

[Lima]

I reckon Hammond could have written that review without even driving the car.