New Kid On The Block.. The 2011Golf R

I like the style of all modern VW’s. The Scirocco is the suave, cool people carrier, the Touareg is pant-wettingly handsome and the new Passat is simply fabulous.



Certainly, the new hot Golf R ticks all the relevant boxes. It has twin exhausts, big wheels, multi function, leather steering wheel, carbon fibre racing bucket seats, a sunroof and a turbocharged 2 litre engine that kicks out 188kw. That is a lot for a car of this size, so obviously the performance is electrifying. You go from 0 to 100 in 4sec and you keep on going until your peripheral vision meets up at the back, by which time the needle is sitting at just under 200km/h.

Think of this car, then, as a five-star luxury hotel. They’ve thought of every little detail so it looks fine in the brochures. Put simply, it’s fast and extremely fun but the renewal of what was the old Golf R32 has been more comprehensive than is usually the case with VW’s models. The entire front has been redesigned which gives the car a radical new appearance, carving out a distinctive personality. This, coupled with the angled lines of the front bumper and the new headlamps, reinforces the impression of speed and sportiness.

Every time I started this machine up, the vibration of the engine worked its way up my spine, like Morse code tapping out a message: I need to be floored!


Idling at a robot, you simply can’t wait to hear the “oohs” and “aahhs” from pedestrians in shock following a short four-wheel spin and devilish speed to the next intersection.
So, it looks good, makes plenty or power, and benefits from all-wheel drive. In all gears (especially third and fourth) there is an accelerative sensation , pulling that blue needle across those white numerals with quite a lot more urgency than a GTI. The R’s steering has been recalibrated and I must admit, is a touch too light at speed but remains accurate, quick and supported by outstanding suspension. Ride quality is good and body roll absent, even at racing speeds.

There is a touch of understeer if you leave your braking too late, but if you match your corner entry speeds properly the R is brlliantly balanced and has outstanding traction control.
In real-world driving its composed ride (thanks to those big alloys), all-weather/road condition dual-axle traction, stunning cabin finish and infinitely superior blend of performance and economy make the Golf R a really compelling proposition.


The Golf R is a sexy looking hatch that may be the ticket for those looking for something new for the driveway that won’t show up in the neighbors drive way as well. It has my vote and remains a contender worth serious consideration.