Golf

• Golf R 2022 Presented

  The Volkswagen Group has introduced a new sports iteration of the popular model...

  We start with the powertrain, because that’s what VW has been working on the most. The 2022 Golf R has a turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 315 hp and 420 Nm of torque. That’s an increase of 27 hp and 41 Nm, which doesn’t sound like much, but it means a lot in terms of acceleration and performance.

  In the United States and Canada, the engine will be paired with a standard six-speed manual transmission while the European version will be offered exclusively with the DSG. Regardless of the selected transmission, all models will be equipped with an all-wheel drive system.

  

  The Golf R can accelerate from 0-100 km / h in 4.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km / h.

  Sporty features extend beyond the engine compartment as well, as the Golf R has a sporty tuned trap with stiffer springs and protective bars. Engineers also added a lightweight aluminum subframe and increased the negative cam on the front axle to allow for higher cornering speeds as well as greater stability. The changes also improve the look of the car as the Golf R stands 20mm lower than the standard model.

  In addition to the above-mentioned changes, the model has a modified adaptive damping system, electronic differential locks and a variable ratio control system. Drivers can also choose from six different driving modes, including Comfort, Sport, Race and Individual.

  They were joined by two new settings called Special and Drift. Special mode is optimized and has softer damping settings than Race mode to "maintain maximum contact with the road". This helps the car deal with "wavy surfaces" on the road.

  

  Leaving aside the performance characteristics, the Golf R has a sporty front bumper with unique air intakes and glossy black accents. The model also features a unique grille with a blue crossbar that glows as soon as the engine starts.

  There are also sports side panels, matte chrome exterior mirror covers and 19-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in high-performance summer tires.

  In the interior, customers will find Nappa leather sports seats with blue accents and R logos on the backs. The designers also gave the model an artificial carbon fiber lining, stainless steel pedal covers and a multifunctional sports steering wheel. Other beauties include a digital instrument panel and a 10-inch entertainment system.

  

• Tested: 2022 Volkswagen Golf R Is the Hottest Hatch

  More power, precision, and refinement come to VW's redesigned 315-hp hot hatchback.

   
   

  The hot-hatch genre has, at times, made us feel very old. Our younger selves would have happily tolerated a bouncy ride, a laggy engine, or a raucous cabin if it kept the price low and the fun-to-drive quotient high, but our backs, our patience, and our eardrums aren't as forgiving as they once were. Volkswagen seems to understand.

  We recently drove a Europe-spec VW Golf R around our Michigan stomping ground and concluded that it stays true to the franchise. The new Drift mode may be the star in the highlight reels, but the Golf R's distinguishing trait is that it's so much more well rounded than your typical hot hatch.

   

  

  HIGHS: Potent and refined powertrain, quicker than before, entertaining chassis.

  The heart of the Golf R remains a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, but Volkswagen massaged the software and moving bits to a Civic Type R–beating 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, gains of 27 and 30, respectively. Most turbo fours this powerful feel as though they were tuned by Michael Bay, with their barely controlled, explosive power delivery. Not this one. The fourth-gen EA888, an iron-block holdout, is linear and refined in its work, even at its most violent. Engage launch control and the optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic slips a clutch through most of first gear rather than slamming shut in the axle-shaft stress test we've grown accustomed to from other all-wheel-drive products. The transmission of our Euro-spec Golf R flicks through the gears at a furious pace as 60 mph arrives in a quick 3.9 seconds and the quarter-mile is dispatched in 12.5 seconds at 111 mph, placing it well ahead of the last automatic Golf R we tested.

   

  

  An R button on the steering wheel pulls up a driving-mode-selection screen on the central display—this is the easiest-to-use function of the otherwise infuriating new infotainment system. All U.S. cars come standard with the R-Performance package. The pack's Special mode readies the R to tackle the Nürburgring by sharpening the throttle, livening up the transmission, and dialing in the 15-position electronically controlled dampers. This mode is also perfect for terrorizing your local twisties, where the driving experience can best be described as that of a Porsche 718 Cayman with a back seat. Yes, this Golf—with a transversely mounted four-cylinder in an economy car's body—is that good. The steering is quick if a touch short on feel while the 235/35R-19 Pirelli P Zero PZ4s howl at their 0.99-g limit. The firm brake pedal works the 14.1-inch cross-drilled front rotors with precision, stopping from 70 mph in 151 feet and from 100 mph in 304.

  LOWS: Hefty price, maddening touch controls.

  

   

  The revised all-wheel-drive system abandons the previous model's center coupling for a pair of electronically controlled clutch packs, each dedicated to one of the rear-axle half-shafts. By varying pressure in the clutches, the Golf R can shuffle the left-right torque distribution to aid rotation. With Drift mode activated, the system delivers all the rear-axle torque to the outside tire in turns, but don't expect cinematic powerslides: The car is capable of routing only 50 percent of the engine's grunt to the rear axle.

  That's fine by us, because the Golf R's thrills are more sophisticated than sliding sideways and sending up smoke signals. If you're more interested in speed, precision, and refinement, this is your hot hatch. Hopefully you've been saving like a grown-up, because the Golf R carries a very adult price, starting at $44,640.

  (https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a37200521/2022-volkswagen-golf-r-us-drive/)

• The Golf is again the best-selling car in Europe

  Although sales in March jumped 63% from last March, the results are still far from those achieved before the pandemic.

  With the exception of last year's crisis, last month's sales in Europe were the lowest since March 2013 and 22% lower than in 2019. At the same time, diesels reached a historically low share of only 24%.

  According to data from 26 markets in Europe, sales jumped from 842,094 last year to 1,374,313 units in March, according to Jato Dynamics. That this is still not a reason to celebrate is confirmed by the fact that quarterly sales are only 1% higher than in the same period last year, ie the lowest since 1986.

  "The European market is far from pre-pandemic, and governments need to take action to increase sales and restore customer confidence," said Felipe Munoz, a global analyst at JATO Dynamics.

  What is required?
  Only two groups of vehicles, SUVs and electrically powered models, recorded a positive result. In March, electric vehicles reached a record 16%. Recall, last March the share was 9.7%, and in 2019 only 3.4%.

  The share of SUVs has risen even more. In March 2019, it was 37%, last year 40%, and this March as much as 45%. The largest increase in popularity is recorded in Sweden, Norway and our neighboring Slovenia and Hungary.

  Best selling Golf

  The Golf has regained the title of best-selling model on the European market, with an increasing share of hybrid performances. Sales were 26,265 units, or only 836 units more than the second-placed Peugeot 208, which is the quarterly winner.

  The Opel Corsa is in third place, ahead of the Clio and Polo, and the fourth place was taken by the Tesla Model 3, also by far the best-selling electric model.

  Let's also mention the novelties. The newly launched Citroen C4 reached 5,671 registrations, and the Opel Mokka up to 5,560 units. Electric VW ID.3 and ID.4 had slightly lower sales.

• The Volkswagen Golf 8 is the best-selling car in Europe

  Last year, the Volkswagen Golf was again the best-selling car in Europe with around 312,000 units sold. Also, the Golf 8 was chosen as the best car in Germany by Auto Motor und Sport, Auto Bild and Auto Zeitung.

  After its introduction at the end of 2019, the Volkswagen Golf 8, despite the corona virus pandemic, took first place in car sales in Europe and Germany. In 2020, more than 312,000 units were sold on the European market, and 134,000 in Germany.

  

  The Golf 8 has been available in all major versions since its introduction, along with the GTI, GTD and GTE models which has given it a special wind in the back. High demand for hybrid models has also contributed to this success. That’s why by the end of the year, every third Golf sold was a hybrid.

  In Germany, the new Golf 8 has been named the best car in the compact class. He defeated 16 opponents in tests conducted by Auto Motor und Sport, Auto Bild and Auto Zeitung.