The Extremes of the VW Golf Range Show Up in Detroit: e-Golf and Golf R

Neither the VW e-Golf nor the Golf R are fresh news in Europe, as both had their world debuts at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show. However, their U.S. debut is taking place at the Detroit Motor Show, which is why we decided to revisit them for a recap.

Going on sale in select states in the fourth quarter of 2014, the e-Golf is VW’s first fully electric vehicle for the U.S. Available in five-door form only and fitted with all-LED headlights, the e-Golf is powered by a 115-horsepower electric motor which delivers 199 lb-ft (269 Nm) of torque, allowing the EV to reach 25 mph (40 km/h) from rest in 4.2 seconds and to get to 62 mph (100 km/h) in approximately 10.4 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 87 mph (140 km/h).

Average driving range for the VW e-Golf is between 70 and 90 miles (116-146 km). The 24.2 kWh lithium-ion battery can be fully charged in less than four hours using the available 220-volt wall box for a garage or carport. However, at a 110/120-volt electrical socket it will take around 20 hours to charge the battery. There’s also the option of fast charging using the standard Combined Charging System (CCS) plug – it takes around 30 minutes for to charge the battery to 80 percent of its capacity.

As for the Golf R, it’s the most powerful Golf ever to be sold in the United States (albeit sporting 6 hp less than the Euro-spec model), with 290 hp and 280 lb-ft (391 Nm) from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Mk7-based Golf R covers the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint in 5.3 seconds with the six-speed manual (0.4 seconds quicker than the old car). When fitted with the six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox, the Golf R completes the sprint in 4.9 seconds.

The VW Golf R will be launched in the U.S. in the first-quarter of 2015 in four-door form only – which makes VW’s decision to display a two-door model in Detroit rather curious.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

New VW Golf R Will Arrive in the U.S. in Q1 2015 with Less Power and Only as a 4-Door

Following the world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September last year, the U.S. premiere of the VW Golf R will take place at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show.

The most powerful Golf ever to be sold in the United States, the Golf R, is powered by the most advanced version of the EA888 four-cylinder turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0-liter TSI engine.

Producing an estimated 290 horsepower (some 6 hp less than the Euro-spec model rated at 296hp or 300 PS), the new Golf R has 34 hp more than the previous version, which was sold as a 2013 model. The engine produces 280 lb-ft (391 Nm) available between 1,800 to 5,500 rpm

Naturally, it is faster too, covering the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint in 5.3 seconds with the six-speed manual (0.4 seconds quicker than the old car). When fitted with the six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox, the Golf R completes the sprint in 4.9 seconds.

Despite being more powerful, the Golf Mk7-based Golf R is also significantly more economical. On the European cycle, the car gets a combined figure of 33 mpg US (7.1 l/100 km) with the manual gearbox, up from 28 mpg US (8.4 l/100 km).

Just like its predecessors, the new Golf R features a 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, this time with a fifth-generation Haldex coupling. There’s also a new sport suspension, progressive steering and a stability control system (ESC Sport) that can be deactivated for track driving. VW also offers the DCC dynamic chassis control system as an option.

As its European brother, the U.S.-spec Golf R features specially designed bumpers, side skirts, 18-inch alloy wheels, standard Bi-Xenon headlights with LED DRLs and four chrome exhaust tips, among other upgrades. Inside the Golf R gains sport seats with leather seating surfaces, leather-wrapped three-spoke sport steering wheel and R-specific instrumentation.

The VW Golf R will be launched in the U.S. in the first-quarter of 2015 in four-door form only.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY