Volkswagen Golf R Mk8 review – Blistering fast….but too serious for a hot hatch?
In a world that unconsciously loves theatrics, simply “getting the job done” isn’t enough to make a name for yourself that transcends your niche. While there are many better mixed martial artists, the average person may only know who Conor McGregor is. And while there are many far better rally drivers, the average young enthusiast may only know who the late Ken Block was. And both the Irishman and the late American had something in common – good theatrics that resonated with the audience. This, I promise you, is a review about the Volkswagen Golf R Mk8, but allow me to explain just where I’m headed with this…
You see, just like the names mentioned above, the world of cars has its own famous theatrical contenders. The average Lamborghini makes teenagers go wild, and so does the typical red Ferrari. And in the world of hot hatches, well you have the AMG A35 and A45 that forces out burbles and ‘pops & bangs’ to boost its appeal. It takes a deeper level of understanding of cars & driving to appreciate something that’s proper quick, but doesn’t exactly beg for attention like the Volkswagen Golf R…
I had the chance to sample this briefly back in 2022, albeit in its fully imported (CBU) guise. There wasn’t enough time for me to appreciate it, so when the locally assembled (CKD) was made available for a review, I just had to try it. Here’s the Golf R at a glance…
Volkswagen Golf R Mk8 | |
Engine | EA888 Evo4, 2.0L TSI |
Max. Power | 320 PS @ 5,600 – 6,500 rpm |
Max. Torque | 400 Nm @ 2,000 – 5,600 rpm |
Transmission | 7-speed DSG |
Drivetrain | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
0-100 km/h | 4.8 seconds |
Suspension | McPherson (front) |
Brakes | 2-piston (front) 1-piston (rear) |
Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S005 |
Tyre Size | 235/35R19 |
Price (OTR w/o insurance) | RM334,012 |
Exterior & Interior
Geely’s founder, Dr. Li Shufu once said that a car was just “two sofas with four wheels”. And while that may be somewhat true for the average econobox and to the average commuter (who doesn’t even care about the colour of their car), it doesn’t quite apply to everything else.
To a certain degree, your car reflects who you are. And in the case of the Golf R, it is the athlete in baggy clothes that still can’t hide their physical prowess. The big wheels are necessary for the R to clear the big brakes, which are also super necessary.
There are also the gaping vents, tiny rear wing, and rear diffuser, just to help it sit somewhat happily while you blast through some B-road or take it to the track. The only touches to spice things up here are the “Lapiz Blue” accents that are reminiscent of the R32.
The “Lapiz Blue” treatment craws into the interior, and inside here the Golf R is just as practical as its non-R counterparts, albeit with some sporty touches. It is performance -focused and utilitarian if anything. And if you think it’s boring, well, the average Porsche interior doesn’t have much to offer either if you’re into “flashy” luxury cabins. Everything feels good in here, except for the silly “touch” buttons (which are fortunately no longer in the Mk8.5).
Driving Experience
It is fun to drive a slow car fast, but after a certain point it starts to feel bloody unsafe. You could lose grip, your car feels like it’s going to topple in the corners, and you finally understand why fast cars have big brakes. Oh, and there’s the obvious lack of power too. The Golf R is perfect for you if you’ve always been somewhat of a fast driver but you have always been limited by either the capability of your car or the depth of your pockets. Now that you’ve finally gathered enough funds, here is a fast car to suit the new you.
The Golf R loves to be driven fast. Its DSG shifts are spot on and it feels even more satisfactory with the Akrapovic exhaust system pushing out those ‘farts’. The real edge of the Golf R over its competition is the sheer amount of traction that it has. There’s no doubt there are mechanical losses (you can’t escape physics), but it just feels like you can get all of the power from the EA888 Evo4 engine (340 PS/400 Nm) to the road. And that’s fantastic. Sure, the FL5 may be grippier, but traction is where the Golf R shines.
With the Golf R, it feels safe pushing it to its limit. And when things get a bit awry, its AWD system and torque vectoring technology become your guardian angles – potentially saving you from embarrassing situations. Now we don’t condone being a hooligan on the road. What we’re saying is that you want to reach the boundaries of your driving skills, the Golf R is a great companion (please do it safely and legally). So much so, that it may not be necessary to have a “weekend car” and a “daily driver” as the R can be both quite well.
The only issue with the Golf R is that it isn’t very “playful” as some may say. It is a proper fast hot hatch, but not one that cares too much about flare. It doesn’t push you to drive it fast despite how capable it truly is. Driving it is like sparring a professional fighter when you’re a beginner. It is a sparring session – why on earth would they need to knock you out or “go hard”? It doesn’t prove anything. With the Golf R, it is you that needs to push it. And when you do, it shines at its absolute best.
Verdict
No doubt a proper hot hatch by Volkswagen. It could use a bit more flare, but a true champion doesn’t need frills.
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