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With the Golf R Variant connects Volkswagen high utility value with athletic abilities. We were on the road with the station wagon, which works both in front of the Ikea store and on the Nordschleife.
The very first number that the Head of Driving Dynamics Karsten Schebsdat reveals is right: within 7 minutes and 51 seconds, the Golf R Variant, which costs from 51.585 euros, circles the famous, a good 20-kilometer-long Nordschleife of the Nürburgring. Just to be able to classify this value: A mighty and still halfway modern Lamborghini Murcielago with a potent twelve-cylinder doesn't manage that any faster. The 235 kW / 320 PS station wagon from VW appears quite discreet when you consider that it has super sports ambitions and would like to let off steam on the tracks of this world.
The four-pipe exhaust system alone clearly shows even less informed road users that it is better not to mess with the athletic Golf. The blue brake calipers behind the at least 18-inch wheels and of course the specially designed bumpers are also outstanding. Inside, Golf R passengers expect blue applications on the steering wheel and seats as a specific characteristic of the sporty top model, which is only available in "Pure White", Deep Black "- and the characteristic" Lapiz Blue ", the actual R color .
There is power in the Golf R Variant
In order to get the Variant as dynamic as the conventional sedan with the short rear end, the team around Karsten Schebsdat had to fiddle around and readjust the chassis. The engineers were able to deal with a large part of the coordination work on the simulator - computing power and modern software applications make it possible. Speaking of performance. The charged two-liter four-cylinder can also be enjoyed on this side of the racetrack, which in reality is likely to be more of an application.
Tempting is, for example, the bearish torque for a gasoline engine (420 Newton meters) from 2.100 tours. This is how the Wolfsburg becomes a sovereign everyday combination that causes grinning faces every time you take a detour on the lonely country road. And the certainty of being able to overtake a truck on the mountain in no time at all gives a reassuring feeling.
But not only the emphatic thrust of the all-wheel drive with the never-ending traction (4,9 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h) creates joy, but also the successful overall set-up. The adaptive chassis and the tightly padded seats guarantee a minimum of comfort, so that the station wagon cuts a fine figure on long journeys. And there is no need to discuss the space of the 4,64 meter long compact, because it is actually no longer compact with the wheelbase plus of 5,5 centimeters compared to the not exactly petite sedan. This is not only felt by the passengers in the second row in the form of generous legroom, but also by any hobbyists or gardeners when they pack the trunk, which has a maximum capacity of 1.642 liters.
Too much touch instead of buttons
When it comes to infotainment, Volkswagen pulls out all the stops, donating features such as the multi-configurable instrument cluster, which consists of a pure display area, a large touchscreen and a head-up display (700 euros surcharge). However, the architects overshoot the mark with one or the other solution. A mechanical volume control is clearly missing, and the operation of the air conditioning via the soft-touch surfaces or menu is not optimal, with sometimes delayed reactions. There should definitely be a few physical buttons in the modern age of infotainment.
What is nice about the Golf R Variant is its complex character. He mimes the cruiser that skillfully swallows bumps. Its smooth seven-speed dual-clutch transmission works quickly when required, but thanks to turbo power, it doesn't have to if the restrained pace is canceled. In race mode, the station wagon goes wild, tightens its dampers, changes the steering characteristics and, if necessary, drives famous sports cars in front of it with its snappy acceleration.
Assistance systems convince
Of course, the fastest Golf Variant also has every imaginable assistant, warns of cars in the blind spot (440 euros) or parks automatically (215 euros). At no extra charge, it brakes autonomously if necessary - and maintains previously saved speeds. The cruise control has a distance control and even brakes automatically to a standstill at the set speed with the flowing traffic - an important feature these days with comfort and safety relevance. The technicians achieved a harmonious coordination. Even braking down completely is gentle and does not let the passengers nod their heads.
By the way, it is nice that performance at the gas station does not have to become a rampant experience, as the average consumption of 7,2 liters per 100 km shows. It shouldn't be able to hold it with full utilization of the power, but that's okay too. Power still comes from fuel.
Technical data
Compact class, length: 4,64 meters, width: 1,79 meters, height: 1,47 meters, wheelbase: 2,68 meters
R: 2,0-liter four-cylinder petrol with direct injection and turbocharging, 235 kW / 320 PS, maximum torque: 420 Nm at 2.100 to 5.350 rpm, seven-speed automatic (double clutch), all-wheel drive, 0-100 km / h : 4,9 s, top speed: 250 km / h (270 km / h with performance package), average consumption: 7,2, CO2 emissions: 164 g / km, efficiency class: C, emissions standard: Euro 6d-ISC-FCM , Prices: from 51.585 euros (54.585 euros with performance package)
In brief
Why: Because it is so changeable and, so to speak, the egg-laying woolly milk pig
Why not: Because you don't really need that much power
What else: Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Shooting Brake, Audi S3 Sportback, Cupra Leon Sportstourer, Ford Focus ST tournament