Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) has very quietly announced the availability of the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf R. The top hot Golf comes in two variants – a basic three-door model and a more expensive five-door with a Tech Pack, similar to how the Golf GTI is sold here.
Both models get new, more aggressive front and rear bumpers, deeper side sills, adaptive bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, smoked LED tail lights and quad exhaust pipes. The base model gets 18-inch “Cadiz” five spoke alloy wheels wrapped in 225/40 rubber, while the five-door is treated to wheels in the same design, but measuring 19 inches in diameter and shod in meatier 235/35 tyres.
That’s not all – the five-door also adds automatic headlights and wipers, a panoramic sunroof, electric folding and heated door mirrors, cruise control, keyless entry and start, a space-saving spare wheel and a rear view camera. Even parking sensors – front and rear – are only available on the more expensive model.
Inside, the R differentiates itself from the rest of the Golf range with an R-badged flat-bottomed steering wheel, white stitching, blue needles for the instrument cluster, a lap timer for the multifunction display, stainless steel pedals, faux carbon fibre trim, and R-badged sports seats. Those seats are upholstered in Alcantara for the three-door, and Vienna leather for the five-door.
Here too, you get your money’s worth, with the five-door model also coming with a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, an adjustable front centre armrest with rear air vents, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and the top-of-the-range Discover Pro navigation and infotainment system with an eight-inch touchscreen (the three-door has to make do with the lesser Composition Media system with a smaller 5.8-inch touchscreen).
But no matter which model you punt for, you get the most important equipment of all: a 2.0 litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine making 280 PS from 5,700 to 6,200 rpm and 380 Nm from 1,750 to 5,600 rpm. Equipped with a six-speed DSG and 4Motion all-wheel drive, the R rockets to 100 km/h in five seconds flat on its way to a top speed of 250 km/h. Start/stop and regenerative braking come standard.
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All models get the XDS+ electronic differential lock and variable-ratio progressive steering system, but only the five-door gets Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) with driver profile selection.
This all makes sense when you look at the price tags for both models – the base three-door comes in at RM247,060, while the five-door with the Tech Pack costs a rather more eye-watering RM287,060. Both prices are on the road excluding insurance.
The Volkswagen Golf R come in four colours – Pure White, Tornado Red, Lapiz Blue Metallic and Deep Black Pearl. As with all Volkswagens sold in Malaysia, both models come with a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and a five-year mobility guarantee.
Head to our new car research site, CarBase.my for the full specifications and equipment details of the new Volkswagen Golf R. You can also compare it to its nearest rivals to find out which tyre-scorching hatchback is really for you.
