New VW Golf R makes the art of driving more fun with ‘R Performance Package’

by womenonwheels

March 23, 2021

New Golf R makes the art of driving more fun with 'R Performance Package'

The new Golf R, which has been on the market since the start of the year, outperforms all previous Golf R models, boasting 235 kW / 320 PS and a torque of 420-newton metres.

To make sure that the power is brought to the road as effectively as possible, Volkswagen’s engineers have developed a new 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring on the rear axle. It forms the basis for the improved vehicle handling of the Golf R.

The Golf R has traditionally been the most powerful model of the bestselling car. Featuring the all-wheel drive and the most exclusive design and equipment, this highly dynamic car always represents the gold standard of technology within its class – the Golf class.

The R Performance Package:

The Golf R can be ordered with an optional R Performance Package, which increases the top speed to 270 km/h in this case. The R Performance Package also includes a larger, prominent rear spoiler for extra downforce on the rear axle, 19-inch wheels in the Estoril design and two additional driving profiles, “Special” (Nürburgring mode) and “Drift”.

Two driving profiles for maximum performance:

Away from public roads, ‘Drift mode’ opens up a whole new level of driving dynamics and further exploits the potential of torque vectoring by provoking oversteer instead of neutral vehicle handling.

The ESC in Drift mode is set to “Sport” as standard, meaning that the Golf R’s control electronics kick in at a very late stage. However, real drifts are also possible: the ESC just needs to be switched to OFF.

More control for drivers:

In both modes of the R Performance Package, an accelerator pedal characteristic has been sensitively crafted in order to create an unfiltered sense of performance. This high degree of control is an advantage when it comes to perfect drifts on snow and ice, or on asphalt.

In both Special and Drift mode, the gearbox calibration of the 420 Nm drive has been optimised in order to keep the rpm consistently high. In automatic mode, the dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) thus switches up as late as possible and down as early as possible, which aids power development.

For the first time since the introduction of the DSG, the gearbox will stay in manual mode in both modes if the driver has selected this. Unintentionally slipping back into automatic mode is now a thing of the past!

“Our goal with the Golf R was to make its driving characteristics as neutral as possible. In other words, we want to ensure that the vehicle does not under-or oversteer – it should be as straightforward as possible to control at all times”, said Jonas Thielebein, the engineer in charge of the Golf R.

“The selective wheel torque control allows you to take the car to new limits. Even at high speeds, the vehicle handling remains as neutral as possible”, Thielebein adds.

Picture: VW media centre