2018 VW Golf R Explained – Video
The 2018 Golf R is available in one trim—Golf R with DCC and Navigation. It features new LED headlights unique to the Golf family, with the Adaptive Front-lighting System and LED daytime running lights, along with LED taillights. Other new standard features include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display and Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, a fully customizable instrument cluster.
Volkswagen’s motorsports division, has developed numerous unique exterior elements for the flagship Golf R. These include the bumpers, side skirts, rear diffuser, rear spoiler, and dual-exit chrome exhaust tips, and standard 198-inch “Englishtown” aluminum-alloy wheels.
For 2018, Volkswagen R interior upgrades focused on comfort and technology. The most powerful Golf is equipped with front sport seats with 12-way power adjustment for the driver and leather seating surfaces featuring a new design for this year, integrated with “R” logo embroidering. A flat-bottom, leather wrapped sport steering wheel integrates a chrome “R” logo on its lower cross bar, along with contrast stitching.
The Golf R has a more advanced version of the EA888 four-cylinder turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® 2.0-liter engine than what’s fitted to the 2018 Golf GTI. The engineers boosted power to 292 hp, delivered at 5,500 rpm, thus creating one of the most powerful four-cylinder production engines in the world. Maximum torque has been increased to 280 pound-feet, available over a broad speed band from 1,800 to 5,500 rpm. To attain this output, the Golf R model’s 1,984-cc engine was subjected to a motorsports-style development program. The following components were modified or completely redesigned compared to the GTI engine: the cylinder head (together with exhaust valves, valve seats, and springs), pistons, high-pressure injection system, and turbocharger.
The latest-generation 4Motion system is activated before any wheelspin occurs, helping eliminate traction losses. The system achieves this by using an advanced control function based on specific driving conditions. When operating under a relatively low load or when coasting, the front wheels are driven and the rear wheels are decoupled, which can help to save fuel. However, the rear wheels can be engaged in fractions of a second whenever necessary via the center coupling, which is activated by an electro-hydraulic oil pump.