Topic: Volkswagen Announces Golf R for U.S. Market

[vdk]

In a way I do agree. I don't see regular folks passing on an entry level Bimmer for this. I would though.

[Erik]

Best automotive news in ages!

[toolatecrew]

I really like this car. AWD and some extra HP. I hope that the new engine does not have the silly noise tube. If they stretch 6th gear out to srop the RPM down to say 2500 at 120kph (which they should given that the base engine could easily handel this) this would be just about perfect as an all around car. A solid high way cruiser, all season (AWD) fun car with a nice interior and the utility of 4 doors and a hatch. It would adress nearly everything I'd want about my GTI

I will complain about the price!

34 US with the dollar almost at Par wwould be less than 35K Canadian not over 40 K. I know they will price it as they like and I cn't change it. I know it will be limited edition and they can make an extra few thousand in profit on the few they will sell becuase they can set their price.

But at 35K its what I would want as a replacement for the GTI I could likley live with for a long time. At 40 K plus there is no chance I'd get one and that makes me sad.

[Shnak]

UK GTI = 1318KG
UK Golf R = 1521KG

Canadian GTI = 1389KG (F'n safety features)

So the Canadian/American R should be roughly 1602KG (3531lbs)  Slightly heavier then a STi and EVO, much heavier then a similar powered WRX, but WAAAY more refined then any of them.

Should be a compelling vehicle.....I may have to check one out in a few years.

That is a lot of extra weight over a GTI, sadly.

An AWD system typically adds 200-250 pounds by itself... And the GTI isn't a light car to begin with; it's a German vehicle, afterall, it's got to feel like a tank! 

[Shnak]

I really like this car. AWD and some extra HP. I hope that the new engine does not have the silly noise tube. If they stretch 6th gear out to srop the RPM down to say 2500 at 120kph (which they should given that the base engine could easily handel this) this would be just about perfect as an all around car. A solid high way cruiser, all season (AWD) fun car with a nice interior and the utility of 4 doors and a hatch. It would adress nearly everything I'd want about my GTI

I will complain about the price!

34 US with the dollar almost at Par wwould be less than 35K Canadian not over 40 K. I know they will price it as they like and I cn't change it. I know it will be limited edition and they can make an extra few thousand in profit on the few they will sell becuase they can set their price.

But at 35K its what I would want as a replacement for the GTI I could likley live with for a long time. At 40 K plus there is no chance I'd get one and that makes me sad.

Well the R comes in fully loaded trim only, does it not? A GTI with the Luxury Leather Package ($2,600) goes for $35k. It's not unreasonable to ask $3-4k on top of that for the R...  AWD alone is usually around a $2k premium, and bigger engine another $2k. Add another $1k for the privilege of driving an exclusive 'Golf R' and you're quickly at that $40k mark.

[quadzilla]

Well the R comes in fully loaded trim only, does it not? A GTI with the Luxury Leather Package ($2,600) goes for $35k. It's not unreasonable to ask $3-4k on top of that for the R...  AWD alone is usually around a $2k premium, and bigger engine another $2k. Add another $1k for the privilege of driving an exclusive 'Golf R' and you're quickly at that $40k mark.

Have agree with that price which would be the base R price as there is at least one option package you can add. Again, I'm thinking this will not make it to Canada so we will never have to worry about that. Start saving your $US if you want to buy one.

As to is this car worth the premium over the GTi, that would be up to the individual buyer. Is a BMW M car worth more than a regular BMW? Is the STI worth more than a WRX? Some say yes, others (usually without the money  ) say no.

[Weels]

Yeah - a full load GTI is $37K & change, so the R would be well north of $40.  Wonder if we will ever get the chance to actually find out.
After my initial excitement, i'd wager that if I had to choose between the two, i'd probably go with the GTI.  Why?

- Probably not worth the min. $5,000 price premium
- GTI's a great handler even with fwd.  Would awd be that much better?
- Stock 2.0T probably has enough juice for me, if not, more is a chip away (same with R, i know..)
- I'd prefer the DSG (Gasp!!    Please don't ban me)

For me, i only want a manual in a true sports car - meaning something you pull out of the garage on a nice summer night or weekends.   For a daily driver, a DSG tranny seems ideal - sharp shifting & some fun when you want it, and auto convenience when you don't feel like shifting in traffic, which for me would be always.  Although.... if the R is that good, i might throw that rule out the window...

[tpl]

If the R is sold here then in 2013 I guess I'll have three choices at my VW dealer:

An R
A GTI
A Golf TDI Highline  with HID lights ( just like the US model) added to it.

I won't go to the USA to buy an R** but if Canadian dealers will do the import and offer some kind of warranty without upsetting the marketing gurus at VW Canada... well we will see.

** I won't go to the US to buy anything.

@WxyOne   I think I like the DSG as well but I am not yet convinced that I wouldn't save the money and buy a 6mt in my next car...if 6mt is still available anywhere.

[Spheric]

Great news.

The humble Golf is a great car to toss around, so I can imagine how much fun the R will be especially in winter.

[safristi]

  tpl someone has taken the Pith out of You.....................OR   have u decided to come out of the SpaceCollider.......!!!!! .....

[dkaz]

A lot of VW (and Mazda and Volvo and Saab) owners tend to run on winter tires in the winter, no one's complaining about the winter traction. I don't think the AWD is there for better winter traction, the AWD is there to provide better all round grip and handling.

[toolatecrew]

I really like this car. AWD and some extra HP. I hope that the new engine does not have the silly noise tube. If they stretch 6th gear out to srop the RPM down to say 2500 at 120kph (which they should given that the base engine could easily handel this) this would be just about perfect as an all around car. A solid high way cruiser, all season (AWD) fun car with a nice interior and the utility of 4 doors and a hatch. It would adress nearly everything I'd want about my GTI

I will complain about the price!

34 US with the dollar almost at Par wwould be less than 35K Canadian not over 40 K. I know they will price it as they like and I cn't change it. I know it will be limited edition and they can make an extra few thousand in profit on the few they will sell becuase they can set their price.

But at 35K its what I would want as a replacement for the GTI I could likley live with for a long time. At 40 K plus there is no chance I'd get one and that makes me sad.

Well the R comes in fully loaded trim only, does it not? A GTI with the Luxury Leather Package ($2,600) goes for $35k. It's not unreasonable to ask $3-4k on top of that for the R...  AWD alone is usually around a $2k premium, and bigger engine another $2k. Add another $1k for the privilege of driving an exclusive 'Golf R' and you're quickly at that $40k mark.

Like I said 34 K US is leas than 35 K Canadian. Becuase they overprice the Base GTI in Canada doesn't make any less palatable in terms of my buying power that the R will also overpriced.

I understand why they do it..becuase they can..doesn't mean I like it.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Have it on good word plans are underway to offer the Golf R in Canada this time around. 

[vdk]

A lot of VW (and Mazda and Volvo and Saab) owners tend to run on winter tires in the winter, no one's complaining about the winter traction. I don't think the AWD is there for better winter traction, the AWD is there to provide better all round grip and handling.

I would pay for AWD right now. That traction control light in the dash keeps blinking, very annoying!

For me this would be the perfect car: great interior, good engine + mods, looks good, AWD traction, good handling, versatile. Overall - possibly the best choice out there for me.

[vdk]

Most GTI owners have their cars reflashed. The same applies to WRX and STI owners I'd think.

[Flinter]

I really like this car. AWD and some extra HP. I hope that the new engine does not have the silly noise tube. If they stretch 6th gear out to srop the RPM down to say 2500 at 120kph (which they should given that the base engine could easily handel this) this would be just about perfect as an all around car. A solid high way cruiser, all season (AWD) fun car with a nice interior and the utility of 4 doors and a hatch. It would adress nearly everything I'd want about my GTI

I will complain about the price!

34 US with the dollar almost at Par wwould be less than 35K Canadian not over 40 K. I know they will price it as they like and I cn't change it. I know it will be limited edition and they can make an extra few thousand in profit on the few they will sell becuase they can set their price.

But at 35K its what I would want as a replacement for the GTI I could likley live with for a long time. At 40 K plus there is no chance I'd get one and that makes me sad.

Well the R comes in fully loaded trim only, does it not? A GTI with the Luxury Leather Package ($2,600) goes for $35k. It's not unreasonable to ask $3-4k on top of that for the R...  AWD alone is usually around a $2k premium, and bigger engine another $2k. Add another $1k for the privilege of driving an exclusive 'Golf R' and you're quickly at that $40k mark.

Like I said 34 K US is leas than 35 K Canadian. Becuase they overprice the Base GTI in Canada doesn't make any less palatable in terms of my buying power that the R will also overpriced.

I understand why they do it..becuase they can..doesn't mean I like it.

I'm loving this Golf R and I hope it makes it to Canada. If it does, it will be interesting what VW does with the pricing. Is it going to be priced as a limited edition car for VW enthusiasts, or is it going to be priced to sell in reasonable volumes and compete with cars like the Subaru WRX, WRX STi, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, EVO??

- WRX Hatch MSRP Base/Limited = $33.4K/$36.4K,
- Mitsubishi Ralliart Base/Premium = $32K - $36.2K

- WRX STi Sedan Base/Sports Tech. = $38K/$41.6K
- WRX STi Sedan Base/Sports Tech. = $38.9K/$42.5K
- Mitsubishi EVO GSR Base/Premium = $42K-$45K
- Mitsubishi EVO MR = $51.8K

Given the beautiful looking interior I think VW could get away with charging a 1-2K premium for this Golf R compared to the WRX Limited or Ralliart Premium. If it is in the $40K+ range, my money would be going to a STi or EVO.

[toolatecrew]

260 isn't THAT much power for something 3500 pounds.....

320hp and 320 tqs is just a chip away. Good thing is, the reflash is on the market already.

The unfortunate thing is that almost every response to the lack of power in a GTI or now this R is "just a chip away." This can be said for any vehicle. .

I don't think that's true at all.

By far the majpority of cars out there can't have the same HP and Torque bump from a simple reflash that the GTI does..simply becuase most cars aren't trunbos. Chips usually have a minor effect on NA engines. Turbo engines do becuase boost pressure can so eaily be manipulated by software.

I'm not defending VW's lower HP/$ figures just the idea that most or even lots of cars can get a large power boost with a reflash. I agree that given the weight AND the the AWD that 300 hp would be nice. The AWD eliminates the issues with putting big HP through the front wheels .

I have not had my 08 GTI reflashed but as soon as warranty is up its on the list. 

[safristi]

..the Majpority of Trunbos are equal to the love U give when into the Sunday Sauce........ ...I'm witching teh Pheeladilphia harmonia vs CinquaCentro Bengays..............good game......

[johngenx]

Another addition to the hatch-on-steriods segment is good, regardless of which you prefer.  Keeps the competitive juice flowing.  I'd have a very tough time picking between the VW and an STi.

VW pro:
Sweet interior, high resale, 4-motion is excellent AWD, lots of HP left to find, refined feel to the whole thing, six speed DIY shifter.
VW cons:
Lots of money for a Golf, a little down on power in stock form, terrible dealers.

STi pro:
I like the five-door "ripped" body, high resale, DCCD AWD is untouchable, also a lot of HP to be found, six speed DIY shifter.
STi cons:
Lots of money for an Impreza, dealers only slightly better than VW, spartan interior, a dull blade in terms of refinement

Jeez, no obvious winner.

[mmret]

Another addition to the hatch-on-steriods segment is good, regardless of which you prefer.  Keeps the competitive juice flowing.  I'd have a very tough time picking between the VW and an STi.

VW pro:
Sweet interior, high resale, 4-motion is excellent AWD, lots of HP left to find, refined feel to the whole thing, six speed DIY shifter.
VW cons:
Lots of money for a Golf, a little down on power in stock form, terrible dealers.

STi pro:
I like the five-door "ripped" body, high resale, DCCD AWD is untouchable, also a lot of HP to be found, six speed DIY shifter.
STi cons:
Lots of money for an Impreza, dealers only slightly better than VW, spartan interior, a dull blade in terms of refinement

Jeez, no obvious winner.

IMO it just comes down to whether or not you can live with the relative harshness of the STi as a DD. If its not a DD then get the STi.

For me I don't think I'd like to do a GTA commute in the STi, but the Golf would be just dandy.