Photos by Volkswagen (VW)
The new Golf R, which has been on the market since the beginning of the year, with 235 kW / 320 PS and a torque of 420 Newton meters outperforms all previous Golf R models. To ensure that the power is optimally transferred to the road, Volkswagen engineers have developed a new 4MOTION all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring on the rear axle. It forms the basis for the improved handling of the Golf R, which sets new standards in its vehicle class.
VW Golf R sets standards
The Golf R is traditionally the most powerful model of the bestseller. It is all-wheel drive, highly dynamic, particularly exclusive in design and equipment, and always a technology beacon in its class - the Golf class. And so it is this time too: The Golf R is the first Volkswagen to take off with a new all-wheel drive: "4MOTION with R-Performance Torque Vectoring". The system, which is intelligently networked with the Driving Dynamics Manager, enables a new dimension in sportiness.
"With the Golf R, it was our goal to achieve the most neutral driving characteristics possible. That means: We want the vehicle to neither understeer nor oversteer; it should be easy to control at all times“, Explains Jonas Thielebein, engineer responsible for the Golf R. The developer of Volkswagen R is particularly proud of the torque vectoring system. The power of the drive is distributed via a new rear axle drive not only between the front and rear axles, but also between the two rear wheels. In this way, the agility of the Golf R can be significantly increased, especially when cornering. “The Torque Splitter shifts the limit area into new dimensions. Driving behavior is as neutral as possible, even at high speed, ”adds Thielebein.
The R-Performance Package
The Golf R can optionally be ordered with an "R-Performance Package"; in this case the maximum speed is increased to 270 km / h. The R-Performance package also includes a larger, distinctive rear spoiler for additional downforce on the rear axle, 19-inch rims in the "Estoril" design and the two additional driving profiles "Special" (Nürburgring mode) and "Drift". The driving profile selection opens thanks to quick access by lightly pressing the R button on the steering wheel.
Two driving profiles for maximum performance
The "Drift" mode opens up a new level of driving dynamics away from public roads and further exploits the potential of torque vectoring by provoking oversteer instead of neutral driving behavior: In this mode, the maximum possible torque is available on the wheel on the outside of the bend. By default, the ESC is in drift mode in the "Sport" operating state. The control electronics of the Golf R then intervene very late. But real drifts are also possible: To do this, the ESC must be set to "OFF".
More control for the driver
In both modes of the R-Performance package, the accelerator pedal characteristic has been carefully designed to offer an unfiltered performance feeling. This high level of control is an advantage for perfect drifts on snow and ice, but also on asphalt. The transmission application of the 420 Nm drive has been optimized in both special and drift mode in order to keep the speeds permanently high. The DSG dual clutch transmission shifts up as late as possible and down as early as possible in automatic mode in favor of power delivery.
For the first time since the introduction of the DSG, the transmission remains in manual mode in both modes if this has been activated by the driver. Unwanted falling back into automatic mode is a thing of the past. This is what professionals like Benjamin Leuchter, who as a brand ambassador and at the same time as a test and development driver at Volkswagen, played a major role in the development and tuning of the new Golf R, have always wanted. “My conclusion is clear: the new Golf R is the top model in the series! The new all-wheel drive, which distributes the power perfectly to the wheels, and the two new driving modes are a lot of fun. "
Don't worry, of course that was far from being the case when it came to auto / auto tuning. Our magazine still has tens of thousands other tuning reports in stock. Do you want to see them all? Then just click HERE and look around. Or are you particularly interested in the Volkswagen brand? Then the following excerpt with other vehicles is definitely the right one.
Stunt driver Tanner Foust Golf R MK8 VW ID.4 Drift
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