The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R has Joined the Ranks of Serious Performance Cars | MotorWeek Track Test
2024 ж. 18 Мам.
91 753 Рет қаралды
More than any other brand over the decades, Volkswagen has proven that you don’t have to spend a whole lot of money to have a whole lot of driving fun. But, after experiencing their R32's and legendary Golf R's, we realized they had a far more serious side as well. Well now, it’s time for us to get down to business again with a track test of the latest Mark VIII Golf R.
📖 Read the Volkswagen Golf R review here: www.motorweek.org/reviews/roa...
🚗 Check out more Road Tests here: www.motorweek.org/reviews/roa...
📺 Watch full episodes of MotorWeek here: www.pbs.org/show/motor-week/
Follow MotorWeek on social media:
Facebook ( / motorweektv )
Twitter ( / motorweek )
Instagram ( / motorweek )
A VW Golf gets up to 60 in 4 seconds. A Golf. The successor to the original Beetle. Insane.
Not really, 3.9 seconds
@@AngelValdovinos ? Downhill maybe
That's with the rollout feature on the dragy and down a slope lol
@@louisolivierfortin lol
my first Volkswagen was a mk1 Golf/ Rabbit with a fuel injected 1600cc 4 speed fantastic car but they have really evolved tremendously since then Heck the rabbit was a mighty leap forward from the beetle alone
The EA888 motor is a gem. It’s not the most characterful and it’s peak numbers aren’t exactly standout. It’s a gem because it makes useable thrust EVERYWHERE in the rev band. It’s smooth and refined, easily gets 30-35 mpg if you drive like a normal person and it has longevity. If the EA888 is unreliable why would VW still be using it’s basic design since 2008? No engine is perfect but it’s internals are durable as hell.
I still like the older Golf R32 MK4. I always love the sound of that VR6 engine.
Yes the VR6 has a very distinct sound indeed!!
Worked at a VW dealer when the 03 20th GTI and then the R32 arrived. Boy did we break'M in during PDI. .
Been watching MW since the 80s and this kind of performance numbers back in the day was just unimaginable coming from a production car inflation adjusted at this non-exotic price.
This dude's voice is so iconic.
I'm just shocked that John is still alive.
@@internetavenger was hoping id find this haha
Yep, these were 911 Turbo numbers back in the 90s
I love how you took the plastic cover off the engine
It's called a beauty cover. Scotty Kilmer loves throwing them as he cusses about them!
Why cover engine up in plastic. I dont get it a lot of car compainea do it
Suppress noise. More noise now from direct injection cars valve train now.
@@jaydibernardo4320 😂😂
4.1 Seconds to 60 is as fast as a Tesla Model 3 Long Range! Very Impressive!
Screw teslas
@@alvaroperez7879 just don't be grounded when you do
*0-60 in 4.1 seconds is ungodly fast for a factory hot hatch.*
RS3, AMG , M140i etc.
@@PaulWashington.. any hot hatch that isn’t from a luxury brand is what I meant
@@PaulWashington.. I have owned BMW m3/m4 2018s ultimate editions.. and this DSG would keep up with them... Interior here is premium, solid built. I can't say nothing negative about this car. I have this in white w/manual. Fantastic. Traded in my 2020 STI. It doesn't give you the "raw" feeling STI does... but upscale interior, beautiful ambient and outside lighting.. hard to say no.
@@revelare_xvii6269 Also, an RS3, AMG and M140i aren't in the same price range as a Golf R. Some of the people in the comment section are too stupid to grasp that.
The only thing I don’t like is the terrible screen interface. I would much prefer traditional switches in the dash to perform basic tasks…
The LCD touchscreens are the worst thing to ever happen to automotive interiors.
thats the #1 complaint. I dont' know what the #2 complaint is because I dont' think there is one.
the feeling of a third pedal and a stick have always part of the golf driving experience, I wouldn't want an automatic in one. I am impressed with the way the new drive modes handle on the new golf either way, 100% of torque being where you need it is very nice.
100% of the max 50% going to the rear wheels
Save the manuals ❤️🔥🔥
Manuals are awesome, but I kinda can't help but disagree with respect to the golf R. The 3rd Gen EA888 benefits greatly from the DSG transmission. Plus, if you decide to tune your car to get more power, you have to use reduced torque tunes with the manual transmission cars unless you want to spend thousands on an upgraded clutch, whereas the DSG can handle tons of extra power with just a TCU tune.
@@jackwicker I have a manual mk8 golf R. It’s not a matter of performance and power. It’a the smile that it puts ok your face when you drive it
@@Evinrudeeee I love manuals, but I love the DSG in my Mk7R too. The DSG farts are just splendid. I won't lie. I do miss rowing through the gears sometimes, but I think the DSG is at least as fun as the manual on the R.
Nicely done review.
A 12 second Golf has been the dream of every Golf tuner.
front looks like scion iM
I know it does, right?
Thank you! This thing is sooo good! I saw one yesterday and wanted to buy it. Maybe In next two years I might get one of these as a second fast car.
Great job From Argentina 🇦🇷 Keep it up
That is 1 amazing car right there and practical as well
That blue paint is beautiful! I would be getting tickets left and right lol!
Great work Sir thank you
12.5 in the quarter at 111mph is faster than a Dodge Viper in the mid 90's!
cost more too
@@retrocompaq5212 haha Ohhh yeah, that too.
key word mid 90s
I feel like people don't realize how nice hatchbacks are for everyday use until they actually own one.
Yes but not this golf 8
Oh damn! 12.5 quarter mile. That’s Corvette territory not long ago.
I said a legitimate "Wow" when I heard that. Gonna surprise a lot of people with that thing
To add, that Motorweek's time, usually they are slower than other magazines' testing numbers.
I had a 19’ GTI Rabbit edition in Candy White with the 6 speed. It was a great car for everyday use for sure. Also a super handsome car with an upmarket feel in the cabin. However, I had the car for about 6 months and I became bored with the performance so I took it to VW and got an APR tune pushing it north of 300 HP BUT THAT just added wheelhop. This MK 8 R just might be the answer to my performance desires. Car is fast!
Upgraded dogbone mount and Tyrolsport subframe bolts significantly reduce wheel hop to almost zero. I had the same problem with a mk6 GTI making 270 hp and 320 lbs./ft of torque until I upgraded those components (under $400 for both but worth it).
I made it sound like I no longer have the MK6 GTI but I still have it and I love it. Now that it’s 12 years old people assume it’s just an older VW Golf and are shocked when their newer Audi or BMW has to work extra hard just to keep up (ex. it runs neck and neck with an F30 335i from “speed limit” to 140 mph in Mexico for research purposes).
This car weighs 3400 lbs. Has way more than 315 hp. More like 375. What's the boost level on this car? Your results may not be the same!!!
VW is under reporting HP to keep audi happy.
@@shawncarr9855 Makes sense.
I am guessing the allwheel drive and dual cluthc have a lot more to do with it. Heard owners report the 6 speed at around 5 seconds on a great launch.
I really wish yall would tell the RRR lap times and top speed on track you mentioned.
The performance yes! The exterior and infotainment...sub-par.
That’s VW for you!
It looks way better in person, and the infotainment gripes are way overblown. Source: I own one.
@@MyFactsOverYourFeelings ⁵tu 6
@@maxwellchace4986 I'm here in Germany and have seen it at local ve dealers way before it landed on US soil. Mayne the exterior will grow on me but as for now, I'm hanging on to my MK7.5 R
The exterior is growing on me. But damn that infotainment and infotainment ergonomics.
Love my 7.5 R I'm intagrated engineering stg2 tunned I'm pushing close 440hp its definitely hoot to drive and still managing to get 34 mpg when I'm just cruising
440 bhp? You must be on corn.
@@entrrt nope for the 2019 Golf R wth the intagrated engineering stg2 tune the claim those numbers at the crank one of these days I'm gonna get it dynoed and see what it puts down at the wheels
@@scottroberts5529 Hmm. Yea that seems a little high of a claim on just pump gas. It'd be interesting to see your WHP/WTQ#'s What do they claim for tq?
@@scottroberts5529 You have a US or EU model?
Probably just me but I keep thinking the front end would look better if the VW badge was half the size. Otherwise I think the R looks great.
Is it true they discontinued the vr6 engines because they couldn't make the differentials last in testing?
I really want this car. Not the new Z not the Supra not the STI/WRX this is the one I want in my garage.
Definetively more power than reported!
I would like to see what It will do with stage 2 apr tune on it!
I will let you know when they release their tunes. The car is being prepped for more power with other mods now. Lighter wheels, 6 piston brake kit, Bilstein b16 when they get their testing done on the new MK8 as well as various other mods. The car is already ridiculously fast in the back roads here in East TN/NC area. The HP numbers VW claims are underrated based on all dyno runs the car has been put through. With just another 100 HP this car will be a true track weapon. With 150 it would be scary to most people.
Even though I am a BMW guy, I am amazed at how sweet this Golf R is. Amazing!
@@germanengineering204 What are you laughing at? Car does 12.5 in the 1/4- stock.. mods are sure to come.
What if VW considered doing GTI and R models for each of its cars including the ID4 and ID Buzz EVs?
The performance Electric cars will have the GTX moniker. Not Gti from what we are being told.
It’s a nice car. I’d only buy one if I had set the money aside for the stage 1 kit offered by many companies. It’s absolutely transforms this from a fast hot hatch to a super car level performer for about $3,000. But out of the box it walks the Civic type R and the STi and the i30 N by a huge gap.
Stage 1 on the VWs is typically just an ECU tune for $600-$800. Stage 2 is where the fun begins. I have a MK7 R with stage 2 by EQT and it is a monster.
@@sinnaever not trying to be that guy, but ive driven plenty of cars. Im yet to drive a golf Type R , ive had my eye on the mk7 type R for a while now, and would want to tune it too, hopefully by the end of this year 🙏
@@sinnaever how much hp you pushing bro, if you dont mind me asking
@@angulo3047 on EQT Stg 2 on 93pump it hit 418hp peak on dyno. I've seen other guys charts and were similar eqt tune and bolt ons with it at just under 400. Each dyno is different, but roughly 400 with stock turbo and internals. I've seen guys on corn and an XL Turbo set up easily in the 500-600 range. But that takes more money and more parts.
The only difference is the Civic and the Subie will still be on the road after 100k miles.
I ran my MK8 Golf R the other day at the track and got a 12.4 at 109.6 mph so the numbers are pretty accurate for the most part
Does this car have a rough ride? I want to buy one be as a daily driver. What would you advise. As a point of reference I daily drive a 2020 Jetta GLI and my fun car is a 2018 Ford Focus RS which does have a rough ride. Both on my channel.
@@mxtv1258 I test drove one last monday on some very old streets in Fort Worth TX and thought it took them well enough to not be bothersome on a daily. And that's with me not even being in Comfort Mode. I am pretty much sold on putting a deposit down on a 2024 before the end of the year. And will be keeping the manuals alive. VW salesperson said 2024 is likely to be the last year for manuals. FYI: didn't buy that 2022 used with 15k because they were asking $1,000 less than its original purchase price! Retarded
@@mattjubie I was thinking about this a day ago and I was going to try to get a 2024 also. I think that makes the most sense for myself. I tried to get a 2023 20th Anniversary Edition but they started out above sticker, once they were at sticker if you were slow they were gone.
2:04 Why is the reverse camera on during this 0-60 launch?
THat is CGI
John Davis is a legend.
Wow, This is The Perfect Hatchback !! 😎👌🏼
These things with a tune are crazy
Golf R...fantástico eu quero um desse da. Deus abençoeí 👃🇧🇷.
45K? So in today's crapy inflated market I'm assuming 50k possibly?
R32 mk4 with vr6 always in ❤️
This would look so much better as a two door. 4.1 second 0-60 is pretty darn impressive! This will smoke my ND2 MX-5 Mazda. Not even close.
Your ND2 is much more fun to drive. Of course your ND2 is nowhere as quick: half the power, no AWD, and no DSG.
And your ND2 is 60% of the price.
But the four doors are selling so, the formula has to be working right?
Wow! Very nice
Was this car's suspenssion raised-up?
I get the mature looking approach, and it is a fine looking car, but damn VW..... Give us a little bit of an aggressive exhaust note. Teslas sound more aggressive.
It’s actually pretty great in person. Much, much louder than the previous generation.
I had a golf ...but wow .. this is insane 🤪 😅 crazy fast ...
I still miss by '83 Rabbit GTI, but damn.....
is the vacation still ongoin'?
The 2003 mazda 3 hatchback looks good
did you get lost?
This car looks amazing
Will it last 200K miles with a generous share of urban stop & go & idling with proper fluid changes, or will it turn costly to keep after 100K miles? That is lot of power out of a small engine- not sure if I have ever seen that from a production 2.0 liter. Tuners for sure on their quest to go fast and last 30-50K miles before blowing a canoe through the valvetrain.
It won't do 200k. Volkswagen never do with a major overhaul.
@@oreally8605 Had a '08 Jetta Sportwagon 2.5. Traded at 8 years and 205k - NEVER touched that motor. Pulled like a mule to the day I traded it.
then buy that ugly GR Corolla instead if you want a reliable 200K all wheel drive manual hatchback
Gotta wonder about those power numbers. Using my old Z06 as a comparison, this thing has 90 less HP and weighs 300 lbs more yet it has the same 0-60 and 1/4 mile time?
Technology changes.
Its called all wheel drive - much better at putting the power down
German hp > American hp
@@KP-xi4bj I have a C6 and a MK7 GTI with an is38. They are dead even. It's nice not having to wait for the power with the Vette though. It's always there. The GTI is a ton of fun. Both good cars.
$55,00 if you want to buy one. I upgraded to BMW after dealerships wouldn’t budge, especially considering VW’s questionable interior control design. My MK7 GTI is over 7 years old and has 102,000 miles. Great little car.
Traded my 7.5 I bought used with low miles only 7 months ago for an 8. It’s my favorite car I’ve ever owned. Including my BMW 2 series which was ALWAYS in the shop. But I have heard they e improved since I owned that beautiful little lump of gorgeous trash 😉
VW absolutely nailed the driving dynamics. But it’s a shame the interior can’t hold a candle to the early 2010 MK6’s (the ones still built in Germany not Mexico). Those MK6’s have a higher quality dash, trim, seats, headliner, dials and even carpeting. Would I trade a MK6 GTI for an MK8 GTI or Golf R? Duh. Obviously. But my point still stands!
Some MK8’s are built in Germany again. But the quality of materials is still subpar to a 2010’s. I’ve sat in MK7’s and 8’s and the lower quality materials are obvious.
I need a Golf R to find the correct Vunder Voman!!!
Damn 4.1 seconds crazy
I really like the golf r, just wished they made a model that had more ground clearance. Like an outback sport of sorts. Performance like this with utility would be amazing!! The only other thing I don’t like, is too much technology. I hate digital dashboards. I like old school gages. Too much touch pannel stuff. I prefer old school buttons I can actually feel.
that is what the Macan GTS is for...
Finally something that is competitive and will give the type r run for its money, and it's German and 2.0L motor 😀
Who would have ever dreamed a VW Golf would do a 4 sec 0-60 and a 12 sec quarter mile.
was less than 20 years ago the Corvettes were doing it in 4.3
Impressive
A hatchback that could beat super cars of just a few years ago.. amazing
Except a 10 year old lambo will still smoke it.
4.1 and 12.5 out of 315HP insane.
This has way more than 315 HP, the Germans are known for fudging they're numbers.
it's quicker than that actually.
The zenith of the hot-hatch! I’ll take mine with two pedals, thank you… (Good thing Subaru decided not to undertake a new STI)
Thank you for helping killing the Manuals🙃
@@sawyoutube9279 lol IKR three pedals almost always if it's an option
Sadly every day there's more people that say that and then go and buy an automatic. It's really sad how our passion is slowly going away and some "enthusiasts" don't even care. But I guess we'll have to adapt. That said I'll keep driving manual for as long as I'm able to. @@rahatchoudhury175
@@sawyoutube9279 that’s good everyone should just do what they enjoy. Anyway you’re right, it does become empty words sometimes
I patiently was waiting for this car. However, the on-screen menus and controls are not intuitive. So much, that I decided to wait a bit longer. A screen and soft touch "buttons" are not a solution for everything VW.
Dynamically a good car, but the front end does nothing for me. I am sorry and I always thought it was a good looking car.
dude you got to see one in person. Unless you have horribly different taste than me
The narrator of this video reminds me of the radio and TV shows of 1930s and 1940s 🙂
its the same guy. He started doing radio in the 30s
That Golf is 2 seconds faster in the 1/4 than a 1995 mustang cobra...shoot it faster than 95% of the cars made in the mid 90's..i guess i need to stop living in the past..lol
The ‘22 GTI R HVAC controls are criminal……
I wish the driver would have given feedback on how the car handled
The gti and golf r are still “available”. Tell that to my local dealer…
Great car. Too bad about that deal-breaker of an interior.
The R did the 1/4 mile 12.5 @ 111mph!
Carwow timed theirs @12.3
0-60 in 4.1 lol Damn, this is about to get some Supras, mustangs and etc lol However I don't like the styling inside or out but the gauges are nice
supra does 0-60 slower than a kia optima or a chevy malibu, its junk for ricer kids
@@retrocompaq5212 What world are you living in, I'm interested
A 200mph speedo? Really? And here I was thinking that the 180mph speedo in my Focus ST was overkill... 😂😂😂
Wow! Nice! I've never been a VW fan, but that's a sweet car! Better hope it's reliable!
I see they have priced it like a super car. I think I would be much more inclined to spend $ 45k on a Camaro SS or an LT-1 Camaro and save $7k (on the LT-1) or a Mustang GT . I just think a jazzed up econobox is not a $45k car. I don’t care how many spoilers and big wheels you throw on it, it still looks like a box.
$45k for an SS, LT-1 or GT?!! Man I need some of what you’re smoking! 😜
looks lies in the eyes of the beholder
Jazzed up econobox? Obviously you have never driven one.
I’ve driven every version but this new one and it drive there is nothing really special about it. It’s not attractive, it used to be a fun car for a reasonable price but take away the reasonable price and I’m not impressed. At the $45k price there are faster choices and there is faster choices that look sooooo much better. It is basically a Golf. Which is an econobox. This one is just faster and drives better. If it was $30-35K, I would say bravo VW but at the same price as a BMW 2 series which is rwd and much better looking I gotta say you must be smokin…!
maybe you're still too young. My Camaro & Mustang days are over with. I am turning 50 soon and can't be driving around in a yellow Camaro anymore. So I traded BumbleBee in on my wife's Grand Highlander and putting a deposit down on a 2024 Golf R. Plus my kids will finally have legroom without require me to open my door, get out, & move my seat up to the max. Guess that's what it means becoming a responsible grownup. At least the 315hp 6 speed will help me still feel young on the inside deep down in my plumbs.
A dealer tried selling one to me for 65k today 😂
An "economical" S3?
same chassis etc. audis just have some additional noise dampening etc, to make more premium feel, but basically a/s3 is golf gti/r more or less. rs is another thing, and true audis really start at number 4..
Nope, a sportier S3, the S3 has a normal Haldex AWD with open diffs all around while the Golf R has a new AWD system with rear wheel torque vectoring
but you can still get a manual in the Gold R :)
Did I miss the slalom and braking tests?
This is our long term vehicle so we do not repeat track tests but we did do our full testing on it a few months ago and you can see it here: www.motorweek.org/reviews/road_tests/2022-mitsubishi-outlander
@@Motorweek Thank you! I missed that video.
@@Motorweek 1st day on teh job? Nice try but that link you gave was for a Mitsubishi Outlander, lol
Beautiful car & great performance. Reliability (log term) would be the only reason I would not buy this car. Too bad Toyota doesn’t make an exciting hatch like this.
Actually the ea888(engine) is quite reliable and tuning friendly
Toyota is developing a Corolla GR. Wait for it.
Only the first gen EA888 was unreliable. Later versions resolved the issues and are very reliable. I’d choose this car over any BMW.
RIP PAT GOSS 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
This is new news for me, when did Pat Goss pass away ?
A big GTI owner from the start; 1983. The Controls on the ‘22 GTI are a huge blunder. Not for this otherwise GTI buyer/driver.
The exterior looks like a Civic Si 😂 or my vision is blurry
Your vision is just bad if you think this looks like an Si 😬
@@foxtrot685 maybe just the grill? Now that I have coffee in me, I would like to retract my statement 🤣
Put down the alcohol.
Not too helpful when they have a person get in the backseat and say” it’s kinda tight” but don’t say if he is 5’6” 6’ or 6’6”
Sat in one Monday and back seat is much more leg room than my Camaro. I'm 5'10 without a haircut and sitting behind my driver position front seat adjustment my knees werent touching the back of the front seat. This is the sport car to get if you have back seat passengers
Digital instrument panels look dumb, the fact that they try to look like a real set of gauges is insulting.
People like it because it's "new and trendy" and think it's more expensive. Wrong. Full LCD display like these are cheaper than analog gauges. Analog gauges are full of fancy LED lighting, complicated parts, servo motors and microprocessors. LCD panels are cheap.
Digital instrument clusters are customizable, which means you can see much more information, in a much more focused manner, than in analog clusters. So, they are the exact opposite of dumb! They make the default view look like a classic tachometer - speedometer, so that you can use it immediately and not feel like you don't know what's happening. If anything, they are quite sophisticated, and you need to spend time playing around with them, to get to know how to use them. I know, I've had a 2022 Taos for a month now, and still don't know how to do 90% of the stuff it does!
Extremely stupid comment.
Still not worth the $10,000 to $20,000 markup at the dealer. You can get a 2018 stingray from a dealer for the same price😕
Bought mine for MSRP. Not every dealer is marking them up.
@@shawncarr9855 true...dealer I went to said the same (no markup), which is why I am not going to name what city they're in, because I'll be putting a deposit down on a 2024 after I drove the used 2022 R they had for sale. Damn did that test drive give me a boner. THe craxy thing is that they were asking $44,500 for the 2022 used car with 15k on od.
Get a GTI & Golf R Manual!
why would you get the GTI if you already have the R? Did you mean "or" instead of "&"?
..........little bit Fast vehicle emmmmm really fast.
Let’s see a Golf R v Civic R
Regular Golf has been discontinued. Only the GTI and Golf R remains.
@@dantesinfernopurgatory7826 The battle of the R's - Golf R v Civic R
Mk6 still the best looking
315HP? mmm.. That's probably to the wheels.
It's insane how much cheaper this car is in the States.... it's no longer considered peoples car here due to price tag of over 60k euro. You can get BMW that will wipe the floor with VW for that money
Spoiler not wing.
The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R only comes in two exterior colors.
correct, 2 if you don't consider black or white a color
Not bad. I'd still take the type r
I was thinking the same until I looked in the mirror and saw a face that is turning 50 soon. I'll save the Civics for the young punks. Im going with the more mature and classy Golf R
*Not including markup
type r competitor?
if type R were all wheel drive and not styled for teenagers
@@mattjubiei think it was brand new at the time i didn’t think a golf r would be that fast or faster than a type r
How old is John davies ? HE seems not gonna retire anytime soon
retire from what? I know retired people who work more than I am guessing he does
John sure is getting older lol
If you're not getting older, you are dead!
You are too. Just wait until you are John's age, if you even get that old?
I'm depply sorry for the Lost of Pat Goss i see this program 37 years in puerto rico
who told you Pat was lost?