High-performance Golf with DSG blasts 0 – 100km/h sprint in 5.0 seconds Golf R makes its debut with a new 4MOTION all-wheel drive system and progressive steering

Melbourne, April 2014. Volkswagen Australia completes its market introduction of the new Golf range with the fastest Golf ever. The fourth generation Golf R arrives in Australia with greater performance, more innovative technology and a higher level of standard equipment than ever before.

206kW TSI engine
Like the current Golf GTI, the Golf R is powered by further advanced engine design of the four-cylinder EA888 series, which in this latest iteration, receives modifications to enhance power output and fuel economy, similar to a development programme of a motorsport engine.

Compared to the 162kW GTI engine, the following components of the 206 kW engine were modified or completely redesigned: the cylinder head (together with exhaust valves, valve seats and springs), pistons, high-pressure injection valves as well as the turbocharger. These modifications, coupled with a host of advanced driving technologies, lifts the Golf R to new levels of excitement.

4MOTION all-wheel drive
Now a legendary feature in the Golf R, the latest generation 4MOTION system is coupled with a six-speed gearbox that has a reinforced clutch and short-travel shifting. Further perfected by enhancements such as the Haldex 5 coupling, activated even before any wheel starts to slip, eliminating nearly all traction loss. When operating under a relatively low load or when coasting, forward propulsion comes primarily from the front axle, and the rear axle is decoupled. This basic drive layout saves fuel. However, the rear axle of the Golf R can be variably engaged in fractions of a second whenever necessary. This is done via a Haldex coupling, which is activated by an electro-hydraulic oil pump.

XDL makes tracking in bends more precise
The Golf R is equipped with XDL at the front and rear axles. This extended attribute, part of the electronic differential lock, brakes the wheels on the inside of a bend during fast driving through bends, optimising steering behaviour. In the latest version of this technology, known as XDL, this functionality is applied to a larger range of dynamic performance – making the vehicle more agile even when the car is not in accelerating. When the car is being driven fast, as soon as the electronics detect excessively light loads on wheels on the inside of a bend, the hydraulics of Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) apply brake pressure to this wheel to restore optimal traction.

Driving Profile Selector with Race mode
The Driving Profile Selector is a new feature of the Golf R, a standard component of the adaptive chassis control fitted to the hot Golf. Five programmes are available: "Eco", "Normal", "Individual", "Comfort" and the special "Race" mode especially tailored to the Golf R. In "Race mode", damping is increased and engine response and shift points of the (optional) DSG are configured to be even more dynamic.

ESP Sport
In keeping with the Golf R's performance heritage, the new Golf R is equipped with the "ESP Sport" function as standard. The system is activated by a two-stage switch on the centre console. When the driver presses this switch brief ly, Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) switches to the "ESP Sport" mode. In very fast driving with lots of bends – such as on a race track – the ESP system reacts with a delay, which enables even more agile handling properties. When the ESP button is pressed for longer than three seconds, the system is fully deactivated for professional driving on a race track – this deactivation is only available in the Golf R and not in any other models of the Golf series.

Golf R makes a statement
On top of its enhanced performance, as the flagship model in the Golf range, the Golf R is distinguished by multiple visual design cues. From the matte chrome mirrors to the motorsport-inspired 19-inch 'Cadiz' wheels on the car's muscular exterior, to the customised sports seats with 'R' badging and pedals in brushed aluminium, the Golf R sets new standards for not only the Golf range, but for other performance cars, too.