Volkswagen introduces Golf R Special Edition
BY JUSTIN HILLIARD | 29th Aug 2018
VOLKSWAGEN Group Australia (VGA) has announced that the aptly-named Golf R Special Edition will launch in the fourth quarter this year, with the feature-packed hot hatch to be limited to 400 units and priced from $61,990 before on-road costs.
Attracting a $5500 premium over the DSG five-door upon which it is based, the Special Edition compensates enthusiasts with a longer list of performance-focused, lightweight equipment.
Specifically, it includes gloss-black 19-inch Pretoria alloy wheels that save 1kg per corner, as well as an upgraded braking package consisting of 340x30mm cross-drilled front discs, silver callipers and performance brake pads – a combination that saves an extra 2kg of weight.
The Special Edition’s diet does not stop there, with its titanium exhaust and rear muffler system from supplier Akrapovic increasing the Golf R’s bark, while further reducing weight by 7kg. While the hot hatch’s signature quad tailpipes remain, they are instead round.
These four R Performance upgrades have been exclusively offered in Europe since the facelifted Golf R launched last year but now make their way Down Under, albeit in a restricted capacity.
The Special Edition picks up gloss-black side mirrors and an ‘R Performance Options’ tailgate badge to further distinguish itself from the regular Golf R, while a 400W Dynaudio Excite sound system is added inside.
Four paintwork options are on offer, including Tumeric Yellow for the first time, as well as Deep Black, Pure White and Lapiz Blue. The Special Edition’s only other option is a power-operated panoramic glass sunroof ($1900).
Like its regular siblings, the Special Edition is motivated by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 213kW of power at 6500rpm and 380Nm of torque from 1850 to 5300rpm.
It sends drive to all four wheels via Volkswagen’s 4Motion system, extended electronic differential lock (XDL) and seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission.
While VGA is yet to release performance figures for the Special Edition, it is expected to sprint from standstill to 100km/h in around 4.8 seconds.
Fuel consumption on the combined cycle test should be about 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres, while carbon dioxide emissions will be around 166 grams per kilometre.
As previously reported, all Golf Rs – including the Special Edition – now feature the previously-optional Driver Assistance package (adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist and high-beam assist) as standard.
Forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and tyre pressure monitoring were already included.
Standard equipment otherwise includes a 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, satellite navigation, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and black Vienna leather upholstery.
Speaking to journalists this week at the Polo GTI and Beats national media launch in northern NSW, VGA passenger vehicles product manager Todd Ford explained that local demand prompted the Special Edition’s introduction.
“The much-publicised European availability of new Volkswagen R Performance Options in 2017 subsequently generated extraordinary local interest and inquiry from our most enthusiastic performance customers,” he said.
“The limited-release Golf R Special Edition is not only a more focused Golf R, but one that represents tremendous premium value and really does exemplify our ‘performance everyday’ philosophy.”
The Special Edition is the third restricted-run variant in the Golf R’s current generation, joining the sold-out Wolfsburg Edition and Grid Edition.
Sales of the Golf have significantly improved this year, with 12,107 examples sold to the end of July – a 21.1 per cent increase over the 9999 deliveries made during the same period last year.
As such, the Golf currently holds fourth position in the sub-$40,000 small-car segment, trailing the Toyota Corolla (21,737 units), Mazda3 (19,533) and Hyundai i30 (17,158) but ahead of the Kia Cerato (11,660) and Honda Civic (8587), among others.
