VW Challenges the S3 - Golf R revealed at Frankfurt Show

[fingermouse]

I actually liked the mk4 R32 and don`t believe VW have captured that look since, also think Audi came up short with the 8p S3. The new Golf R is powered like the Anni mk5 now but with 4wd still not sure about the mk6 looks over the mk5 looks some bits look better but if you debadged both in mint condition I bet some people would think the Mk5 is newer than the mk6.

 

[voorhees]

I actually liked the mk4 R32 and don`t believe VW have captured that look since, also think Audi came up short with the 8p S3

my thoughts as well R32 mk 4's better than the mk 5 and the new S3 just misses some tweeks to make it look like an S3 rather than a badged A3.

the Golf R will sell well.

 

[jojo]

Doesn't a remapped Golf GTI makes around the 260bhp mark? The Golf R is a bit pointless in my opinion, unless you really want 4WD, and even then, it's a Haldex version, not a genuine 4WD set up as some will point out. I can see a lot of 'R' replicas doing the rounds though, it would have to be something special chassis wise to get the thumbs up over a standard GTI in my opinion.

 

[voorhees]

if its 270 standard then what would it be remapped ?

 

[jojo]

if its 270 standard then what would it be remapped ?

310ish judging by what the 8P S3 maps too, as it's pretty much the same engine, if not exactly the same. So everyone who is going to buy a Golf R is heading straight for a remap?

 

[Ess_Three]

300-330 BHP, like the S3s I imagine.

As jojo says though, the chassis will have to be very good indeed to make it a better drivers car than the GTI, which doesn't seem to suffer from not having drive to the rear wheels - or the additional weight associated with it!

 

[Staz]

Doesn't a remapped Golf GTI makes around the 260bhp mark? The Golf R is a bit pointless in my opinion, unless you really want 4WD, and even then, it's a Haldex version, not a genuine 4WD set up as some will point out. I can see a lot of 'R' replicas doing the rounds though, it would have to be something special chassis wise to get the thumbs up over a standard GTI in my opinion.

By all accounts the GTI is a very capable car but not for the serious driver. I would hope the R has all the effort behind it to make it an RS slayer!

 

[Ess_Three]

By all accounts the GTI is a very capable car but not for the serious driver. I would hope the R has all the effort behind it to make it an RS slayer!

I'm not sure I'd agree...
Mk5 GTI was a better drivers car than the R32...Mk6 is a fine car, lacking about 100 BHP!
More fun than many...that's for sure.

The R needs to be better than the Mk5 R32 - dumping that boat anchor from the engine bay will have helped matters, that's for sure!
Time will tell...

 

[Staz]

I'm not sure I'd agree...
Mk5 GTI was a better drivers car than the R32...Mk6 is a fine car, lacking about 100 BHP!
More fun than many...that's for sure.

The R needs to be better than the Mk5 R32 - dumping that boat anchor from the engine bay will have helped matters, that's for sure!
Time will tell...

Pretty much every review I have read of the Mk5 and the Mk6 say it's a great car, but none of them have specified that it's an amazing handling car, a trackday weapon, a Porsche worrier, etc etc

I'd love to see the R knock the R26R off the top spot.

 

[Ess_Three]

Pretty much every review I have read of the Mk5 and the Mk6 say it's a great car, but none of them have specified that it's an amazing handling car, a trackday weapon, a Porsche worrier, etc etc

I'd love to see the R knock the R26R off the top spot.

No VAG car ever will be, in the same way as the hardcore specials, like the R26R. They are too heavy, for a start.

 

[Staz]

No VAG car ever will be, in the same way as the hardcore specials, like the R26R. They are too heavy, for a start.

I think if you can sort a chassis properly and have enough power it's possible. But agreed perhaps the R26R is just a little too focused to be attainable. I would like to to at least come close though.

 

[Ess_Three]

I think if you can sort a chassis properly and have enough power it's possible. But agreed perhaps the R26R is just a little too focused to be attainable. I would like to to at least come close though.

But they will neither give it enough power (say 330BHP?) or give it a sharp enough chassis (too hard for old duffers, won't do 200,000 miles etc) to ever challenge something like the R26R.

I would love them to...but VAG owners don't want stripped out, trackday weapons - they want fully loaded uber-barges with all the toys and safe enough for your Nan to drive. Or so they (VAG) seem to think.

So it looks like you and I will be 1st and 2nd on the list of dissapointed people.
Boo!

 

[emery1990]

But if they wanted surely they could lighten them down and create something on the r26r's level. but of course get rid of the reason people buy audis, good power and comfort .

 

[jojo]

But if they wanted surely they could lighten them down and create something on the r26r's level. but of course get rid of the reason people buy audis, good power and comfort .

That's if they wanted to, the problem is they don't. I think there's only like 200 allocation of those R26R's available to the UK Public, and not all of them are sold, so how big is this lightweight hatchback market do you guys really think there is? It's cool for us to all talk about it, but how many of us would actually go out and buy one?

 

[emery1990]

Depends on its use, a person who does long miles aday would probally want the comfort side of the car with the power, but not good round a track or fast round country roads. wheres me, i drives around my local city, maximum of 10 miles to any destination so i couldnt be bothered about comfort tbh and obviously some, tyhen i wouldnt have to fork out 1.5k to get it handling well.

mains reason i wouldnt would be the price ! atm

 

[Essflee]

That's if they wanted to, the problem is they don't. I think there's only like 200 allocation of those R26R's available to the UK Public, and not all of them are sold, so how big is this lightweight hatchback market do you guys really think there is? It's cool for us to all talk about it, but how many of us would actually go out and buy one?

Exactly...

Were comparing an R26R track weapon with a road driven golf...

Uncompariable...

 

[N8]

I'd still have an audi