Who said that station wagons have gone out of fashion and can’t be captivating and sporty? To indulge the sporting itches of all dads with heavy feet, the worst compact family member of all is back, Volkswagen Golf R Variant. After the successful experiment with the seventh series, the wagon version of the Golf 8 is also granted the cura-R: 320 HP 2.0 TSI engine, all-wheel drive and a lot of nastiness. But also a good dose of practicality. Will it be the perfect sports car for the family? While we wait to try it, we know all its features.
From the outside, the Volkswagen Golf R Variant is much meaner: rims, exhausts and air intakes are huge
For years, the Variant versions of the best-selling Golf have always played a role from extras. Closed between the classic two-volume compact and the larger and more versatile Passat in the wagon version, since their debut the family Golfs have always struggled to stand out. After a couple of series not very happy aesthetics, the successful seventh series led the Golf Variant to an unexpected success.
For this, with the previous seventh generation Golf has tried to experiment, bringing some pepe now appreciateda wagon version. In fact, the Golf Variant GTD and the first, unreleased VW Golf R Variant made their debut, with mechanics derived from the two-volume R but with a lot more practicality. The formula, although not very common in Italy due to the cursed super-stamp, is liked. And now, the Wolfsburg manufacturer is ready to bring the R version back to the eighth generation of its smallest wagon. This operation follows theextension of the R range, also landed on T-Roc, Tiguan and Arteon.
Based entirely on the eighth generation Golf in Variant version, the familiar Golf R has one decidedly more eye-catching style than the previous Golf R.. First, the front is dominated by large air intakes painted in glossy black to let the 2.0 turbo breathe under the hood. Also stands out grille with R logo, which however (apart from the blue upper mustache) is identical to the Golf in the R-Line version. THE infallible details to discover a true R are, for example, i circles, 19-inch with behind oversized brake discs and blue calipers.
In order not to be mistaken, there are now traditional ones calotte degli specchietti in brushed aluminum and the huge four split exhausts. Always behind, then, the sporty bumper, the larger wing and the simple logo R instead of the word Golf make it unmistakable for an expert eye. Finally, the painting is splendid Metallic Lapiz Blue, typical of every Volkswagen R.
Inside the sports seats are paired with space and practicality: over 1,600 liters of trunk
If from the outside the changes compared to the classic Golf Variant are several, inside the music doesn’t change too much. Despite the new sporty nature, in fact, the new Volkswagen Golf R Variant also offers lots of space and practicality, which reach levels never before explored on a Golf, not even familiar. The new Golf R Variant is indeed 4.63 meters long, almost 40 cm longer than the Golf hatchback. A nice increase in size, which does the pair with a 61mm longer wheelbase than the Golf hatchback which now reaches i 2,68 m.
This leads to one space for people and luggage indeed optimal. If the front passengers have the same experience as a traditional Golf, the space behind the second row occupants is much more generous. The real gem, however, is the trunk, also I 611 liters, which rise to 1.642 with the rear seats folded down. That’s just 40 liters less than the larger and more expensive Passat Variant, with which it shares the modular platform MQB. And if you are looking for a car suitable for the whole family, here you will find (fast) bread for your teeth. Even this Golf Variant, albeit in the R version, can be equipped with roof bars he was born in electrically retractable tow hook, to quickly tow all your hobbies.
However, we are still on a Golf R, and in fact there is no shortage of sporty details. All the seats they are covered with a gray fabric and alcantara texture with blue details, and the front ones are sporty and containment, with integrated headrest. Due to the spread of screens and soft touch buttons almost everywhere, the interior of the Volkswagen Golf R Variant does not differ much from that of a normal family Golf. There is a central molding in carbon fiber, and the digital instrument cluster has dedicated graphics. The most marked difference with a “normal” Golf is the steering wheel, sporty and covered in leather with blue stitching and equipped with generously sized steering wheel paddles.
The mechanics of the Volkswagen Golf R Variant are the same as the hatchback: 320 hp, all-wheel drive and incredible performance
But let’s talk about the real gem of Volkswagen Golf R Variant: the mechanics and performance. In reality, there are few innovations in this sense. The engine under the hood is the now classic 2.0 TSI 4 cylinder turbo (initials EA888) which equips all the sports cars of the Wolfsburg company and in general of the VAG Group. In this declination, however, the 2.0 delivers well 320 hp and 420 Nm of torque, 20 more than the other more versatile version of the Golf R, the VW T-Roc R compact SUV. With this and the Golf hatchback, the Golf R Variant shares the modular platform MQB, a guarantee of ease of driving and a precise and predictable frame.
The change it’s the classic 7-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic, and the traction is integral. It is the tried and tested 4Motion, but with some changes compared to the past. As we have seen on the new Golf R, even its Variant version integrates the all-wheel drive dynamic control of the DCC chassis and the XDS electronic self-locking differential. This means that when the 4 driving modes are changed, the car will change a lot of character, passing from one exceptional stability on difficult surfaces to a’excellent agility in dry conditions, with a clear reduction in understeer.
And speaking of understeer we cannot mention the exciting new Drift mode, which also comes on the familiar and brings a healthy and surprising oversteer of… power. By selecting this mode from the infotainment screen, in fact, much of the torque will be distributed to the rear wheels, allowing you to perform in real drifting, once unthinkable on a Golf Variant. Despite the longer wheelbase, Volkswagen also wanted to make this Golf R Variant fun and agile to drive. Like? By doing the tuning on the circuit of Nürburgring Nordschleife, merciless and inflexible testing ground. It will be fun in the curves, but on the straight Volkswagen Golf R Variant remains a real bullet. L’acceleration 0-100 km / h, thanks to the Launch Control, is covered in solos 4.9 seconds. The full speed? Self-limiting at 250 km / h, or 270 km / h by choosing the R-Performance package.
How much will the new Volkswagen Golf R Variant cost? In Europe from 51,000 euros
We therefore have in our hands, indeed, between the pages a family member with avery recognizable aesthetics, of a very powerful engine, of a refined mechanics and, we hope, of one driving dynamics capable of entertaining. In all, this good thing for enthusiasts, however, remain the key features of the Golf Variant, that is, lots of space for people and luggage, lots of technology and an easy and intuitive user experience.
Volkswagen Golf R Variant really looks like the compact family car perfect for those who have to combine family and the need for space with an incurable passion for engines. Ma how much does a Volkswagen Golf R Variant cost? In Europe, the starting price is set at approx 51.600 euro. In Italy, however, (where it has not yet been included in the official list) the Golf R sedan starts at over 53,000 euros. It would therefore be reasonable to expect a price list of about 54 / 55,000 euros. Not exactly shabby, of course, but we are facing aalmost unique car, with very few direct rivals.
The other sporty midsize wagons or are less powerful, like Skoda Octavia RS e Ford Focus ST SW, or more expensive, such as Audi S4 or BMW M340i. The only real direct rival besides the aforementioned VW T-Roc R is the Spanish half-sister, the Cupra Leon Sportstourer 4Drive, which, however, has a good 20 hp less. The rival in the house then cannot count onVolkswagen brand appeal, which at least in Italy still acts as a tip of the balance. Super bubble insane aside, anyway, this Volkswagen Golf R Variant could be the perfect sports car for those with family or a lot of space. We can’t wait to see it live, to get to know this wagon with a sporty soul. And you? What do you think? Do you like this sporty all in one or would you prefer a classic family one and a smaller sporty one for the weekend? Let us know in the comments: it’s your time.