2022 VW Golf R Debuts With 315 HP, Torque Vectoring AWD, A Manual Gearbox

[cawimmer430]

Hey Raza - 6-SPEED-MANUAL-TRANSMISSION IS STANDARD. 



2022 VW Golf R Debuts With 315 HP, Torque Vectoring AWD, A Manual Gearbox And Drift Mode

The Volkswagen Golf R has developed a cult-like following, and fans are in for a treat as the 2022 model is sportier and more powerful than its predecessor.

Starting under the hood, the 2022 Golf R has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 315 hp (235 kW / 319 PS) and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque. That's an increase of 27 hp (20 kW / 27 PS) and 30 lb-ft (41 Nm).

To the joy of driving enthusiasts, in the United States and Canada, the engine will be paired to a standard six-speed manual transmission. Customers will also be able to opt for a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). Oddly, the European version will be offered exclusively with the DSG – sorry, no manual across the pond.

Regardless of which transmission is selected, all models will come equipped with a performance-oriented all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring. Volkswagen says it helps to eliminate understeer and reduce the car's cornering radius, while also making the model "noticeably more" agile.




How fast is it?

Thanks to this setup, the Golf R can accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.7 seconds. Given enough room, the hatchback will eventually hit a limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

The sporty features extend beyond the engine compartment as the Golf R has a sport-tuned suspension with stiffer springs and anti-roll bars. Engineers also added a lightweight aluminum subframe and increased the negative camber on the front axle to allow for higher cornering speeds as well as improved stability. The changes also improve the car's looks as the Golf R sits 0.8 inches (20 mm) lower than the standard model.


When it comes time to stop, owners will be glad to know the Golf R has a beefier braking system that features larger and wider front discs that now measure 14.1 inches (358 mm) tall and 1.3 inches (33 mm) wide. There's also a larger brake master cylinder and two-piston aluminum front calipers.

Besides the aforementioned changes, the model has a modified adaptive damping system, electronic differential locks and a variable-ratio steering system.  Drivers can select from six different driving modes including Comfort, Sport, Race and Individual.





About that 'Drift Mode'

They're joined by two new settings called Special and Drift. Special mode was optimized for the Nordschleife and it features softer damping settings than Race mode to "maintain maximum contact with the road."  This helped the car to cope with the "undulating surfaces" of the Green Hell.

Drift mode, on the other hand, allows the car to – surprise, surprise – drift. It does this by changing the parameters for the electronic stability control system and optimizing power distribution to the all-wheel drive system.

The Golf R also benefits from a vehicle dynamics manager which monitors and optimizes the car's various systems and components. In particular, Volkswagen said it can calculate "optimal clutch control for the selective wheel torque control function to further optimize the agility and stability of the Golf R." It also helps to counteract oversteer and understeer for neutral handling.

Putting aside the performance features, the Golf R has a sportier front bumper with unique air intakes and gloss black accents. The model is also distinguished by a unique grille with a blue crossbar that illuminates as soon as the engine is started.

Further back, there are sportier side skirts, matte chrome exterior mirror caps and 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in summer performance tires. Rounding out the highlights are a sportier rear bumper, a gloss black diffuser and a four-tailpipe sports exhaust system.

Moving into the cabin, buyers will find Nappa leather sport seats with blue accents and R logos on the backrests. Designers also gave the model faux carbon fiber trim, stainless steel pedal caps and a heated sport steering wheel with a dedicated R button. Other niceties include a digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch infotainment system with R-specific displays.





Coming to North America next year

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R will go on sale in the United States in the "latter part of 2021" and pricing will be announced closer to launch.



Link: https://www.carscoops.com/2020/11/2022-vw-golf-r-debuts-with-315-hp-torque-vectoring-awd-a-manual-and-drift-mode/

[SJ_GTI]

Oh snap. I assumed my next car would be Subaru (WRX likely since I get the employee discount), but that sounds pretty sweet. And I very much prefer the hatchback body style.

The trick will be is it worth an extra ~10-15k over a WRX.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Artificially limited to 155 MPH? Pffffffft. My Jeep isn't artificially limited.

[MrH]

Looks good.  I want to see the new STI though.  I have high hopes that it'll be decent.

[Payman]

Nice evolution of the design, except the Civic-esque "blades" on the lower front fascia that everything else seems to have as well. Good looking interior, and love that a manual is standard. But I still feel it seems slow for a 315 hp AWD compact car. Unless that reflects a 0-60 time with the manual gearbox (which would make sense and actually pretty good), this should be in the 4.2 - 4.4 second range with the DCT.

[SJ_GTI]

I think the front end is a lot more cohesive than my car...I like it.

[FoMoJo]

Neat little package.

[Raza]

[Raza]

Nice evolution of the design, except the Civic-esque "blades" on the lower front fascia that everything else seems to have as well. Good looking interior, and love that a manual is standard. But I still feel it seems slow for a 315 hp AWD compact car. Unless that reflects a 0-60 time with the manual gearbox (which would make sense and actually pretty good), this should be in the 4.2 - 4.4 second range with the DCT.

It usually takes a tick or two to get from 60 to 62.5 and manufacturer estimates are usually pretty conservative. I wouldn't be surprised to see the manual doing 4.5 in magazine tests and the DCT doing 4.1-4.2 with launch control (completely useless number, honestly).


Looks like a sunroof will be available too! I'm getting one.

[SJ_GTI]

I saw on TCL that it is only coming in three colors: Blue, Black, and White.

[Payman]

It usually takes a tick or two to get from 60 to 62.5 and manufacturer estimates are usually pretty conservative. I wouldn't be surprised to see the manual doing 4.5 in magazine tests and the DCT doing 4.1-4.2 with launch control (completely useless number, honestly).


Looks like a sunroof will be available too! I'm getting one.

Can you get plaid seats or is that GTi specific?

[r0tor]

It looks like... a Golf R

Hopefully it doesn't understeer like... a Golf R

[Eye of the Tiger]

It looks like... a Golf R

Hopefully it doesn't understeer like... a Golf R

That's an easy fix

[Payman]

It looks like... a Golf R

Hopefully it doesn't understeer like... a Golf R

"Regardless of which transmission is selected, all models will come equipped with a performance-oriented all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring. Volkswagen says it helps to eliminate understeer and reduce the car's cornering radius, while also making the model "noticeably more" agile."

[SJ_GTI]

My Golf does understeer relative to my Z3, but it's way better than any FWD car. Accelerating in a turn helps the car rotate IME,  which to me is a sign of an adequate AWD system. It's not as good as my S4, which could oversteer with acceleration, but it's good and relatively neutral.

[r0tor]

"Regardless of which transmission is selected, all models will come equipped with a performance-oriented all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring. Volkswagen says it helps to eliminate understeer and reduce the car's cornering radius, while also making the model "noticeably more" agile."

They have been using that tagline for a couple generations... It's still a FWD based awd system

[mzziaz]

No manual in Europe? Assholes!!

[Payman]

No manual in Europe? Assholes!!

Really weird. It's usually the other way round.

[cawimmer430]

No manual in Europe? Assholes!!

Probably because if this thing had a manual it wouldn't and couldn't fulfill the fantasy CO2 emissions regulations from the EU[SSR].

Frankly we should be thankful that we can still drive an ICE car in Europe. The idiotic POS EU[SSR] is currently checking if they can legally ban the internal combustion engine. 

[Raza]

Can you get plaid seats or is that GTi specific?

I believe that's only a GTI thing.

[veeman]

I'd love to see a comparo between this, Honda Civic Type R, and Hyundai Veloster N.

[Payman]

I'd love to see a comparo between this, Honda Civic Type R, and Hyundai Veloster N.

Is the Focus RS done? I can't keep up like I used to.

[MrH]

Is the Focus RS done? I can't keep up like I used to.

It's dead

[CaminoRacer]

Is the Focus RS done? I can't keep up like I used to.

I don't care nearly as much as I did 10 years ago. I don't subscribe to any of the new car magazines anymore (C&D, Motortrend, etc). Instead, I prefer magazines and articles that discuss car culture, history, roadtrips, and other experiences with cars. So I really enjoy the Hagerty magazine and also picked up a copy of The Road Rat, which is a super thick quarterly magazine from the UK.

[Laconian]

I'd love the Engineering Explained YT channel in magazine form. I'm much more about the technology than the cars themselves. IMO cars became less interesting when their sharp edges got rounded off by computer aids. I like the idea of high performance cars which demand high performance driving. Nowadays, high-po cars just indulge the shitty skills of their trust fund passengers...

[Payman]

I don't care nearly as much as I did 10 years ago. I don't subscribe to any of the new car magazines anymore (C&D, Motortrend, etc). Instead, I prefer magazines and articles that discuss car culture, history, roadtrips, and other experiences with cars. So I really enjoy the Hagerty magazine and also picked up a copy of The Road Rat, which is a super thick quarterly magazine from the UK.

Yeah, up to about 10 yrs ago I had about 20 years of subscriptions to the big 3 car mags. Now I try to keep up with internet snippets.

[Payman]

I'd love the Engineering Explained YT channel in magazine form. I'm much more about the technology than the cars themselves. IMO cars became less interesting when their sharp edges got rounded off by computer aids. I like the idea of high performance cars which demand high performance driving. Nowadays, high-po cars just indulge the shitty skills of their trust fund passengers...

He's good. Subscribed.

[MX793]

Is the Focus RS done? I can't keep up like I used to.

There might be a new one for Europe at some point.  Ford is done with cars other than the Mustang in the US.

[MX793]

My interest has waned as cars got less driver-focused and more about infotainment and driver assistance (autopilot, lane assist, etc).  Also, far more emphasis on SUVs and crossovers, which generally don't appeal to the corner-carving enthusiast in me.

The ubiquity of turbo-4 bangers focused on low/mid range grunt has been a turn-off as well.  They all sound the same (ranging from bland to unpleasant), with the same powerband characteristics.  I guess they are priming us for electric cars.