VW Golf R Performance Pack Review: A Welcome Injection Of Automotive Steroids

With super sticky tyres, a shouty exhaust and better brakes, the new 'Performance' options turn the already appealing Golf R into an enticing prospect
VW Golf R Performance Pack Review: A Welcome Injection Of Automotive Steroids

Not so long ago, the VW Golf R was the de facto affordable-ish performance car recommendation. With four-wheel drive, a sub-five second 0-62mph time and affordable running costs all wrapped up in a handsome £30k package, it’s always been stonking value for money.

The trouble is, since the Golf R’s 2014 launch, the pointy end of the hot hatch spectrum has become, err, pointier. Ford will now sell you the all-wheel drive, 345bhp Focus RS hooligan with its Drift Mode for Ken Block Wannabes, the bonkers Honda Civic Type R came and went - replaced by an even more potent version - and at the more premium end of the market, the Mercedes-AMG A45 and Audi RS3 are more powerful than ever, with the latter knocking on the door of 400bhp.

VW Golf R Performance Pack Review: A Welcome Injection Of Automotive Steroids

VW’s response with the facelifted, ‘Mk7.5’ Golf R? It has 10bhp more than it used too. Oh, and the new ‘Active Info Display’ LCD instrument cluster seen in the rest of the facelifted Golf range, plus the posher ‘Discover Pro’ infotainment system. But that’s just the standard R. If you want to turn things up a notch, you can opt for the ‘Performance’ pack.

In a Golf GTI, the Performance option adds a little extra power and a ‘VAQ’ electronic locking differential. Since the R already has quite a bit of poke to it and a four-wheel drive system it doesn’t really need either, it gets a different set of ingredients. Chiefly, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, the mere mention of which piques our interest, since we’re well aware of how transformative these dry-biased, super sticky boots can be.

VW Golf R Performance Pack Review: A Welcome Injection Of Automotive Steroids

The exact contents of the kit will vary depending on your region, but it’s looking like the UK pack will have the Cup 2s, upgraded front brakes, a smart little black strip along the rear spoiler, and a socking great titanium Akrapovic exhaust system. Handily, the DSG-equipped R we were handed the keys to at Circuito Majorca had all of the above fitted, and my word, it’s a belter.

As standard, it takes a lot to overcome the grip of the R’s Haldex four-wheel drive system and stray into inevitable understeer territory, but that point is now even further away. And that’s even the case on the hairpin-happy Balearic track we found ourselves on, which I suspect would make a standard R feel a lot more clumsy.

VW Golf R Performance Pack Review: A Welcome Injection Of Automotive Steroids

The turn in is that little bit sharper, and there even seems to be a little more life to the steering than before. It’s still a fairly one-dimensional car, of course, and isn’t the most playful thing at the limit thanks to the front-biased four-wheel drive system. Cup 2s don’t change that, but it’s going to take a while to get bored of the ridiculous reserves of grip.

All those tight hairpins gave plenty of opportunity to try out the new stoppers too, which it turns out are surprisingly resistant to fade. The upgrade sees the front brakes be given a “built pin” construction, meaning they behave much better when experiencing the sort of high temperatures you expect with track driving. They’re 2kg lighter, too.

VW Golf R Performance Pack Review: A Welcome Injection Of Automotive Steroids

Finally, there’s the exhaust, which is - pleasingly - not as loud as you might expect. It ups the volume just enough, and both inside and out of the cabin it chucks a pleasingly gnarly note out of its four tail pipes. The icing on the cake is a 7kg weight reduction (bro) compared to the standard system. It looks pretty awesome, too.

Remote video URL

If you’re thinking all this sounds quite expensive, you be right. Probably. We won’t know how much the full kit will be in the UK until nearer its Q3 2017 launch, but the exhaust on its own is £2700 if purchased separately, so we can expect the whole shebang to push the R much closer to Mercedes-AMG A45 and Audi RS3 territory. But then again, I’m not sure how much either of the mega hatch pair has to offer over a Performance-kitted R in terms of driving fun, aside from the Audi’s warble-tastic exhaust note.

VW Golf R Performance Pack Review: A Welcome Injection Of Automotive Steroids

Even with the hot hatch world becoming ever more convoluted the R still stands out as an appealing thing, and with these changes, it’s better than ever. We’ll be trying our best to get hold of one for a drive on the roads as soon as we can, but for now, the R Performance has made one hell of a first impression.

Comments

Anonymous

If only the R had the RS3’s 400bhp inline 5…

04/14/2017 - 11:29 |
20 | 2
Freddie Skeates

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

That would make it a bit similar to an rs3 though

04/14/2017 - 11:31 |
36 | 2
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Aren’t they made by pretty much the same company?

04/16/2017 - 03:12 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

Love the tail lights!

04/14/2017 - 11:30 |
2 | 0
JenstheGTIfreak (pizza)

Would you have it over the GTI though?

04/14/2017 - 11:41 |
10 | 4

Completely different experiences. I feel like the GTI is more dramatic thanks to its lack of grip. When flooring it on the on ramp of the motorway the GTI will spin its tires, which is exciting. R not so much. The R will rip your face off launching though ;)

04/14/2017 - 12:17 |
12 | 0

This is a bit of a cop out, but I want to try one of these on the road first before making that call! As for the standard R, I’d rather have a GTI Performance Pack. SuperJimbo hit the nail on the head - lack of grip adds drama. The R is just a bit too capable for its own good, and doesn’t require quite so much input from the driver.

04/14/2017 - 22:28 |
12 | 0
Tomislav Celić

Me waiting for the Focus RS500
Me dies from waiting

Funny thing: They will sell it when the GT350r goes out of production.
GT350r is unlimited production car

04/14/2017 - 12:11 |
94 | 2

Unlimited production?
Rly?
Apparently the Shelby GT350R WAS LIMITED TO 37 UNITS
For 2015 tho….
After that
Idk

04/14/2017 - 13:53 |
24 | 2
Joshua Persaud (Wagon/Estate Squad) (Sleeper Squad) I need a

In reply to by Tomislav Celić

RIP Tomislav _ - 2017

04/14/2017 - 18:14 |
12 | 0
Anonymous

Big Question is: Why 5 doors?

04/14/2017 - 12:37 |
8 | 6
JenstheGTIfreak (pizza)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Why not?

04/14/2017 - 14:05 |
10 | 0
JenstheGTIfreak (pizza)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

It is available as 3 door

04/14/2017 - 14:05 |
12 | 0
Anonymous

Even more sharper front bumper? Check
Louder exhaust? Check
Appeals to f*ckboys? Check
Costs over 30 grand? More checks than how much you need to actually buy the car

04/14/2017 - 12:49 |
40 | 4
Jun Kaile Yamauchi

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I thought the Civic was the daddy of alk f*ckbois.

04/15/2017 - 13:23 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

My favorite part of this article?
This.

04/14/2017 - 14:54 |
24 | 2
Anonymous

When can i buy one

04/14/2017 - 17:57 |
4 | 0
Paul Anderson

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Q3 2017

04/14/2017 - 21:18 |
4 | 0
DJ N

The look of the R Performance has got the perfect blend of “I’m just a regular Golf” and “VROOOOOM”

04/14/2017 - 20:12 |
6 | 2
Anonymous

Ur drag cousin is better than you boi….

04/15/2017 - 07:15 |
0 | 8

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