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Spring is just around the corner and it is high time to finally dedicate yourself to all the hot driving fun devices of this world. That's why I'm really looking forward to being able to share my creative nonsense about driving fun & tuning from time to time on autohub.de, true to the well-known motto: “Because cars are fun”.
We are always happy to receive suggestions and feedback and of course you are welcome to make suggestions on driving equipment of any kind, which we should look at for you.
But now put the sports seats upright, put on the driver's gloves and read the following lines at full throttle MotorOli... (in the original by the way here):
(H) eili (G) ´s (P) lechle, it was an R-life: Martin Gräf shows us why it is worth playing (with) golf ...
Take 2 and continue: Today, by the way, Premiere in the constellation, as you will find them regularly in the future, namely together with the FotoRalph. Just make more fun with the bald eccentric by my side and is certainly an asset to the small show with the manageable audience. We are not quite "Blog Gear" yet and so the coal has to be held together. It was pretty expensive for us, after all, to get Clarkson off the BBC. At least there are steaks en Masse. The good thing but just depends with Charlie Sheen in Vegas and recovers from the stressful presence moderator. 😉 Do not worry ... So we start small and then let go We are gradually increasing in the immeasurable. Each video is a bit different in style and we look forward to your feedback! I can not emphasize that often enough, because we monkey ourselves for YOU and look for the coolest boxes. Friezes uncool, car too little rubber on the tarmac or did not fit any pre-eminently articulating way to any senior office stallion? Skin in the keys and let it out ... We are extremely flexible level and adapt our fine stories always a little.
In any case, in today's “on tour” episode, we followed the distant call from tuner legend and Swabian passionate Martin Gräf from Ohmden. Die-hard fans should immediately slide restlessly back and forth on the chair, open the top button of the shirt and gasp. Others may not (yet) be familiar with the name ?! But at the latest, if you put the whole thing in the context of HGP and Turbo, the doorbell also rings for the lights in the last row of storm in the upper room. These three wondrous letters stand for a small but fine manufacture that is well known far beyond the borders of the country and sells its "snails" to distant desert states. We are of course not talking about commercially mediated beauties or other high-class academics, but rather deliciously fine turbo preparations and “all around”. Only needs to be mentioned at this point, not that someone is crying. The species are both not exactly cheap, only swallow the best gas and turn mainly men's heads, but an HGP is guaranteed to be less bitchy. But we get off the topic.
HGP-turbo
I would even say that it is one of the most famous golf refiners in the world. HGP has stood for turbo conversions for over 20 years and specializes in products from the Volkswagen Group. The clientele also includes some business bosses and celebrities. The boxes are anyway pretty exclusive (unfortunately for many), but what has always characterized HGP is the high quality. No matter what the boys install, it just works and that in everyday life or after many kilometers. In the interview below you can also see, for example, that the HGP endurance tester already has a lot on the clock.
The Golf 7 R
But today it's about the youngest offspring from the house, which is based on the current Golf 7 R. A little history should not be missing at this point: The Golf has been available as the "R" since 2003, because this year the Volkswagen subsidiary R-GmbH (or at that time Volkswagen Individual GmbH) laid the foundation with the Golf (4) R32 for everything that goes beyond GTI and 2,8 and should be even more fun. 241 PS paired with the in-house 4Motion all-wheel drive system ensured refreshed faces and (even more important) great Nipples… Ears to the fans. A V6 just sounds like it sounds and that could be refined with exhaust systems from the accessories. In the 5 Series, a few horsepower were added (so it was 250 hp), but the principle remained with the concept as above. The now legendary 3,2 liter V6 with this wonderful sound had to give way to a supercharged 6 TFSI engine with only 2,0 pots in the successor Golf 4. Downsizing due to EU emissions regulations and, as a result, more economical engines was the main reason for this cure. Suboptimal side effect: a completely different soundscape due to the design ... How do you explain this vividly: A chorknape may be able to sing high like a eunuch, but it just doesn't get a rich, dull bass in the style of Brad Roberts, Chad Kroeger or Barry White. Ok, there is even more power (265 PS / 272PS) and at least turbo feeling, but somehow the box with the engine is now just as nailed as Dieter Bohlen (s sewing machine) in top form.
It is, however, as it is and evolotorisch conditioned, we are now at 300 nailing PS series in the 7er Golf R arrived. Presented at the IAA 2013 and already available for some time in the showroom at the friendly dealer around the corner, it mobilizes from the well-known four-cylinder direct injection in the latest generation the aforementioned performance, which provides quite a bit of driving pleasure. 4,9 seconds elapse with the DSG version until you have reached the 100 km / h - at 250 km / h is electronically controlled. Consumption in practice remote "NFTZsss" EU third-third mix is indicated with 6,9 L / 100 km - Super Plus mind you. Of course, can also deviate upwards in the fun.
You can find a comparison with two direct competitors and some data here.
Undeniably, the Golf R makes fun from the factory and frankly, I think the box is extremely cool. A R is and remains special, because with him you can just do it all somehow. He has space, looks sporty, does not contribute too thick and the quality is inside and out first cream. Haptics and operation as well. The four-wheel drive is also getting smarter and makes it like me: If it is not needed, it latches itself and lets "those in front" do times. That spares you and saves energy - as if you were the rear axle. thanks to the electronic differential lock XDS also fast highway speeds are quite a pleasure, as the power in very tight corners selectively targeted always the way from the engine to the asphalt and rarely dissolves in the air. ESP can be switched off completely and put over the adaptive damper push of a button the body of comfort, normal, sport in the in any case funny R mode, in which all systems are clocked on "Rrrrrr". Everything is then taut and sensitive to a maximum. Accelerator pedal, DSG switching time, steering and of course the chassis will then skillfully be released well dosed.
And how is this with the HGP?
Martin Gräf makes use of this fun base and refines the whole thing with selected components that are meticulously adapted to each vehicle after extensive development. At the end, there are 426 PS on the paper that the dynamometer spits out. Sounds nice at first - admitted. But Kenner does not impress that directly, because HGP is well-known for achievements far beyond 400 PS. Since a Golf can ever get more than 700 PS, which then but also with 70.000 € (plus golf course) to book beats. Yes, I would be too much, but once you've been on site and sees in what clinical purity and perfection HGP is working and what all the development, testing and voting effort is necessary - quite apart from the whole TÜV and bureaucracy - who understands the background better. Therefore, it costs just, what it costs and the brand is by itself already exclusive (he). That's about the same with an expensive Swiss watch. I'm not here today as a customer, but as a tester here and therefore prices affect me more peripherally, although the topic should end up in a surprise for me But more on that later.
The “7 Series” is standing there in front of the hall between some customers and development vehicles and is appealing at first glance. HGP-turbo.de is on the door. The stickers now have cult status and fit really well. Otherwise, of course, I'm always happy about R, S, RS, GT-R, GTI and all the beautiful abbreviations that just scream "Take me and have fun with me". HGP and R in combination is therefore a doubly refreshing fulfillment, because something is guaranteed to happen. Looks completely normal from the outside, except for the black OZ Ultraleggera HLT in 19”. An HGP brake caliper shimmers underneath. "Are Ceramic Brakes", Martin calls to me. But otherwise everything looks like R and good. No intrusive tuning or Krawallostyle. Subtle, noble and sporty at the same time. That's how an R stands, I think. Inside, of course, "full hut" and as far as everything series. That fits in well, because there VW really does a very good job. Make something right from the factory. You just have to say!
And off. We do not have time and we still have a lot to produce. After careful warm-up and relaxed then cruise a first impression: Drives and nails first 2.0 TFSI-moderately normal. Not loud, aggressive or intrusive. Everything smells. However, if you hone the optional driving programs and move your right foot to the floor panel, then a hurricane breaks in. It's like chilling in paradise and the sun is shining on your stomach, drowsing with relish. But suddenly, a hurricane with a thunderstorm pulls up and discharges in real time, so that you open your eyes wide in terror to understand what's going on. Thanks to HGP modifications, this puny 2 liter machine makes such a pressure that the Toupé will slip on your neck if you do not apply enough adhesive cream. The box goes from exaggeration without exaggeration, as if you had rammed a thumb into the buttocks of a sleeping lion. The exhaust roars and spits at once in a completely different pitch, which makes us extremely eager and conjures a smile in the face. 3,82 seconds are on the GPS up to 100 km / h. Easily reproducible thanks to launch control and all-wheel drive. GOSH! These are performances on the Porsche 911 (997) GT 3 RS level. Or imagine a Ferrari California driver who can really get on his nerves. Sure, these acceleration values are also a piece of regular table numbers, but everything under 4 seconds is already a real house number. No less impressive are the performance beyond the 100, because until 200 it is from the state only 13,2 Sec - again: "thirteen-two"!
Everything from the series engine, mind you with series transmission. And what exactly happens there: Well, HGP takes on the series charger (1,15 bar boost pressure) and among other things swaps the compressor wheel for a completely redesigned, enlarged version so that the extreme pressures can be mastered without stalling. This is accompanied by the enlarged turbine side, with which the boost pressure can now be increased to a stable 1,85 bar without any problems. A positive side effect from the cure: the full boost pressure is already at 2600 rpm. at. The max. Torque is increased to a remarkable 560 Nm, which is shortly after 3000 rpm. already press on the crankshaft. Since ventilation must also result in burns, HGP changes the high-pressure pump prophylactically and equips it with a slightly larger piston diameter. This ensures that the production version gets all that baked when it is "fired" at 220 bar Super Plus and the engine always has sufficient fuel available. The HGP draws the air required for fulminant combustion through a K&N air filter insert with an optimized air supply. At the end, you exhale through a 4-flow stainless steel exhaust system with flap control and modified catalytic converter. In our case, the car was equipped with DSG, which is also undergoing a specially developed software optimization along with a revision of the DSG clutch so that the DSG also comes along cleanly and sorts the gears accordingly quickly. Specifically, the series version will be provided with more clutch plates so that the considerable 560 Nm torque can still be transmitted cleanly tomorrow and the clutch does not go up in smoke when starting with LaunchControl. The technology is in the detail.
Screwing a little bit of turbo is not art anymore, but this is about more than just "fat power". The 426 PS in combination with the further optimization of the components lead to these crazy driving values. The sum makes it so. The HGP is not just fast due to its 4Motion four-wheel drive, but especially in corners. Because the 19 "wheels stick miraculously on the asphalt with the Pirelli P Zero in 235 / 35 ZR 19 and pass on the impulses of the road unfiltered and perfectly to the experienced driver via a KW DDC chassis.
What do you want to hear?
The HGP is a Eierlegendwollmichsau and I save me the meaningless metaphors like "Wolf in sheep's clothing" or the like. With this car you can easily master long distances relaxed, but also robbing, what the stuff holds. With luggage, passenger and dog from me on vacation? No problem! If there should be a racetrack on the way, you can spontaneously park useless luggage in the box and "just" burn some fast laps into the asphalt. It does not matter which weather prevails, because even with completely disabled ESP in the rain, the more understeer designed car is easily mobile. You have to provoke him with load changes until he shows his tail. With appropriate winter tires on snow, but I guarantee pure winter driving pleasure, true to the motto "Fährste (at least a little) across, see more".
Let's come to the still open and all-embracing question: "What does the kit cost?"
I want to make it short, because here the surprise finds its way. No, we are not in the 5 range 😉 We are at an acceptable 8.700 € for the performance upgrade (air filter, loader changes, high pressure pump, exhaust, DSG software adaptation, DSG reinforced clutch with more fins and V / Max suspension) of the Series Golf R in the DSG version - including installation and of course accepted by the TÜV. According to HGP, everything else can remain. Even the series R brake does not need to be changed.
At the end are 426 PS at 6.400 RPM. and a maximum torque of 560 Nm at 3.300 rpm. with true GPS-rated top speed of 291,51 km / h. So let's say 292 km / h the planer is running. You can let it, I would say.
The test car was included 57.700 € and its price was composed as follows:
- 39.900 € test car price without tuning
- 8.700 € Performance increase as described above in the package
- 2.500 € Suspension KW DDC
- 3.600 € HGP Ceramic Brake (370mm / 8 Piston)
- 3.000 € 19 ″ wheel set OZ Ultraleggera HLT
Regarding the price, you have to say: Yes, it's also coal ... But let's calculate differently. For example, you can get a decent used Golf 7 R for around € 30.000. If you add the 8.700 €, I get a relatively attractive 38.700 € for a “3,8 sec. Car”, which also keeps what it promises. There aren't many alternatives that can do all of that and, above all, it doesn't say HGP on it.
Heiligs Blechle I say again ... What else is there to us?
We definitely go to Martin more often, because we had a lot of fun despite limited time! Then with more time and more driving pleasure, promise!
- Here Go to the gallery with some selected pictures to the car.
- And the movie is beautiful here.
- Worth reading: The interview with the HGP boss here!