Volkswagen Has Teased The Golf R Performance Pack That Will Take The Fight To The New Civic Type R

The hyper hatch Golf can now be optioned with a performance package that features adjustable shock absorbers and high-performance brake pads and discs

Michael Fernie

14 Mar 2017

Previewed on Volkswagen’s own YouTube channel, the hottest version of the seventh generation Golf has been released and updated through brake and suspension upgrades. The Golf R Performance Pack features adjustable shock absorbers, drilled brake discs and upgraded pads to make it that bit more hardcore, but power and torque go unchanged from its 2.0-litre turbocharged unit. That means 310bhp and 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds using a Haldex four-wheel drive system as a helping hand.

The Golf R has however received a 12bhp boost in its recent facelift, bringing it just 6bhp short of the new Civic Type R. Although the Performance Pack doesn’t build on power, top speed has managed to increase to 166mph compared to the current 155mph limit. Also, a new titanium exhaust system saves 7kg and should increase the bark made by the four-pot engine.

The Performance Pack uses the ‘air curtain’ implemented by the standard Golf R as seen in the promotional video. It uses new front air intakes and side skirts to optimise aerodynamic efficiency as well as a small rear lip spoiler which apparently adds 20kg of downforce once up and running. A rear diffuser also doubles as a housing for the exhaust tips.

With the hyper hatch sector getting more and more crowded in recent times, it seems that Volkswagen is making sure its headline Golf is staying competitive with the likes of the Ford Focus RS and Civic Type R. Sadly, it is not clear whether the Performance Package will be sold in the UK but it will be available soon for the continental European market.

Comments

By far volkswagen has to be the most underrated car make in the American Market

Most Americans seem to think that they are too ‘bland’, they don’t appreciate the understated way VW and Audi Performance products go about their business. They want brash styling and waywardness. They don’t want a Golf that looks like any other Golf. Of course here in Europe that’s one of the main reasons why we love them.

They’re often underrated in general - they’re generally good cars and I’d consider the upper models (Passat, Tiguan, CC) as entry-level luxury. But I’d also say SEAT and Skoda are pretty underrated as well. We have a SEAT Ateca Xcellence 4drive and its interior feels luxurious while being faster to 62mph than a Toyota GT86.

However it has the moat overrated market on Balkan

I actually think Volkswagen got what they deserve in America. To be fair, Volkswagen never paid a whole lot of attention to USA. Both Golf MK7 and new Tiguan arrives at US market way after European markets get them. The “Passat” a.k.a. the NMS is just a dismal mid size sedan that don’t really sell at all while the true Passat, the MK8, is absent from US market.

Well its good that theyre getting over their little scandal pretty nicely

Yeah - I think they did it well. They’ve changed their image to become more “fun”, which is definitely a good strategy.

Wow, titanium exhaust is quite unusual for hot hatches
I’m excited!

Hatches are now going well over 300hp. Hope one day Alto will also have 600hp stock from factory

Or a Fortwo🤔

An alto with a 600hp engine sounds as ridiculous as us religiously following traffic rules.

and I wish one day Chevy Beat can have 1000hp stock

I have never been more interested in a Golf since the R32. Good times!

But…can Alex fit his fist in the exhaust like he can with the Type R?

Would anyone else have this over the new type R any way lol

oh by far, far better looking, four wheel drive, probably more practical on the streets, probably a more comfortable interior, definitely better electronics, a more understated presence instead of that silly sized wing on the civic. The list could honestly go on.

Type R is going to be way faster on track, possibly more fun to drive (but that’s subjective)
But on real roads in regular weather conditions even the current stock Golf R is faster due to AWD
Not to mention better comfort, practicality, interior quality etc
So Golf R all the way
(But still tbh I like the new Type R)

I would

I would…I can’t even look at the new type r especially the rear and it’s no longer can revs high compared to the previous one..for me,the last type r was the FD2R