In the over 120 years of performance car production, we’ve seen quite the smorgasbord. These gorgeous silhouettes, staggering power plants, and engaging chassis have been culturally worshipped all around the globe as objects of desire. But while the masses have shared this lust, only some could afford these bespoke, performance-focused packages. We had patches of affordability over the years, but it wasn’t until Volkswagen came along in 1975 and moved the goalposts for the masses.
Now credited as the first ‘hot hatch’, the legendary Golf GTI debuted at the renowned Frankfurt International Motor Show and never looked back. A true trailblazer, the Golf GTI Mk1 took the world by storm with its lightweight chassis, four-speed gearbox and fuel-injected four-cylinder. While it didn’t possess colossal horsepower numbers, the Mk1 GTI’s lightweight package, agile handling, engaging chassis, practicality and affordability made it an instant hit.
Volkswagen decided to take attainable performance to a new level in 2002 by introducing the Volkswagen Golf IV R32. The gruff hatch featured a formidable six-cylinder engine, delivering an astounding 177 kW (241 PS) from a capacity of just under 3.2 litres. The R32’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system and pioneering DSG dual-clutch gearbox set a new standard in compact performance, resulting in the birth of Volkswagen’s premium ‘R’ performance brand.
Fast forward to 2023, VW has now sold over 300,000 R models, building a loyal cult of fans in the process. So, with two decades worth of cars in the rearview mirror, it was time to celebrate the present with a special edition; the Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years Edition. Not set on just chucking the latest hot hatch on a plinth, Volkswagen decided to bring the whole performance family to Sydney Motorsport Park for a back-to-back track test.
So, with seven different models to break down and various overlaps between packages to unpack, here is a play-by-play and celebration of one of the best lineups of affordable performance cars on sale in Australia today.
VW Polo GTI
The baby of the family, but ultimately, the most fun to drive. With a weight of only 1305kg and 147 kilowatts, the Polo GTI grunted its way around corners with a playful tone. Some might sneer at the Torsion beam rear axle, but it just added to the car’s playful chassis and the adaptive sports suspension minimised body roll with aplomb. With that much power going through a front-wheel-drive system, there were elements of understeer, but the extended electronic differential did an excellent job of minimising that push while still feeling engaging to drive.
Verdict: An addictively fun package dripping in visual and driving throwbacks to the original GTI cars. Everything a hot hatch should be.
VW Polo GTI Specs
- Max power, kW: 147 @ 4390 – 6000 rpm
- Max torque, Nm: 320 @ 1450 – 4390 rpm
- Transmission: 6 Speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG)
- Driven wheels: Front Wheel Drive
- 0 – 100 km/h: 6.8 seconds
- Weight: 1305kg
- Wheelbase: 2560mm
- Length: 4080mm
VW Golf GTI
A big bump in power and torque over the Polo GTI, but the Volkswagen Golf GTI still shares the front-wheel-drive dynamics. The independent rear suspension and adaptive chassis control are the most noticeable differences, which keep the chassis flatter, especially under fast gradient changes.
Verdict: Slightly more serious than the Polo, but still bags of fun in a front-wheel-drive package. It does remarkably well sending that much power to the front wheels without sending you into a tyre wall.
VW Golf GTI Specs
- Max power, kW: 235 @ 5200 – 6600 rpm
- Max torque, Nm: 420 @ 2000 – 5550 rpm
- Transmission: 7 Speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG)
- Driven wheels: Front Wheel Drive
- 0 – 100 km/h: 6.4 seconds
- Weight: 1409kg
- Wheelbase: 2631mm
- Length: 4287mm
T-Roc R
The first car of the day with all-wheel-drive and a noticeable difference in driving characteristics. Despite power and torque being down on the Golf GTI, the T-Roc’s ability to pull out of corners was immense. You do feel the increase in weight under hard braking, but for a car that sits a little higher than a hatch with a very practical layout, the T-Roc R is immensely capable.
Verdict: More practical than the GTIs and easily quicker to 100km/h, the T-Roc R looks unassuming, but its lap times are far from it—a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
T-Roc R Specs
- Max power, kW: 221 @ 5300-6600 rpm
- Max torque, Nm: 400 @ 2000-5300 rpm
- Transmission: 7 Speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG)
- Driven wheels: 4MOTION all-wheel drive
- 0 – 100 km/h: 4.9 seconds
- Weight: 1590kg
- Wheelbase: 2595mm
- Length: 4236mm
Tiguan R
The car that least looked like it belonged on track was also the most surprising. Acceleration was ferocious for a car with SUV stature, and its cornering was equally remarkable. The 1737kg of weight and higher centre of gravity was felt under heavy braking, but for a car that can go anywhere, it more than held its own between apexes.
Verdict: An exercise in engineering excellence. Probably the least engaging of the bunch, but so, so fast for an SUV. Chassis magic at its finest.
Tiguan R Specs
- Max power, kW: 235 @ 5600-6500 rpm
- Max torque, Nm: 400 @ 2000-5600 rpm
- Transmission: 7 Speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG)
- Driven wheels: 4MOTION all-wheel drive
- 0 – 100 km/h: 5.1 seconds
- Weight: 1737kg
- Wheelbase: 2681mm
- Length: 4520mm
Golf R Wagon
There’s always been something mischievous about driving a wagon on track, and the Golf R is no exception. Its lower centre of gravity and lighter weight result in a car that’s as practical inside as the Tiguan R but substantially more engaging and capable on the race track.
Verdict: Basically, a baby Audi RS4. 1844mm of rear luggage length (longer than the Tiguan R) but lower, lighter and faster. The most underrated car from the R lineup also appears to be an endangered species. Grab one before they are discontinued next year.
Golf R Wagon Specs
- Max power, kW: 235 @ 5200 – 6600 rpm
- Max torque, Nm: 420 @ 2000 – 5550 rpm
- Transmission: 7 Speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG)
- Driven wheels: 4MOTION all-wheel drive with R-Performance Torque Vectoring
- 0 – 100 km/h: 4.9 seconds
- Weight: 1670kg
- Wheelbase: 2681mm
- Length: 4644mm
Golf R
A car that’s reputation speaks for itself. It’s so popular that VW has to fulfil the backlog of orders before taking new enquiries. One of the fastest to 100km/h in the bunch and one of the fastest on track. Grip for days, sure-footed under heavy braking and predictable chassis behaviour. There’s a reason this package is so popular; it’s simply one of the most capable performance cars on the market.
Verdict: Effortlessly fast, planted through corners and solid under braking. Almost another species compared to the Golf GTI.
Golf R Specs
- Max power, kW: 235 @ 5200 – 6600 rpm
- Max torque, Nm: 400 @ 2000 – 5600 rpm
- Transmission: 7 Speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG)
- Driven wheels: 4MOTION all-wheel drive with R-Performance Torque Vectoring
- 0 – 100 km/h: 4.8 seconds
- Weight: 1558kg
- Wheelbase: 2631mm
- Length: 4290mm
Golf R 20 Years Edition
Just in case the regular Golf R is too tame for you, VW has come along with this monster. Limited to 50 units, the Golf R 20 Years is feature packed: Akrapovič titanium exhaust, increased power (+10kW) and torque (+20Nm), panoramic sunroof, Harman Kardon premium audio, and exclusive styling elements. Not surprisingly, it’s already sold out.
Verdict: The fastest car of the day. Obviously, driving dynamics were very similar to the Golf R, with everything being turned up 5%. Worth it for the Akrapovič titanium exhaust alone; the 20 Years edition is guaranteed to be a future classic.
Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years Edition Specs
- Max power, kW: 245 @ 5600 – 6500 rpm
- Max torque, Nm: 420 @ 2100 – 5500 rpm
- Transmission: 7 Speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG)
- Driven wheels: 4MOTION all-wheel drive with R-Performance Torque Vectoring
- 0 – 100 km/h: 4.6 seconds
- Weight: 1556kg
- Wheelbase: 2631mm
- Length: 4290m
Conclusion
It’s pretty incredible that Volkswagen has been able to produce so many different performance packages using their tried and tested 2.0-litre TSI, but after a day at the track, it’s easy to see why. The engine at the core of it all is a little beast that boasts power and torque figures that many four-cylinders would envy.
Yes, Volkswagen shares a lot of components across the performance platforms, but as I found out, driving them at their limit, they are each their own creature. They are fun, capable, reliable, and, most importantly, attainable. While only a few will get their hands on the 20 Years special edition, any of the cars sporting ‘GTI’ and ‘R’ badges are equally worth celebrating.
Disclaimer: The Author of this article, Justin Jackie, was invited to take part in this performance showcase as a guest of Volkswagen Australia.
