Review: Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R (2017-20)

Overview

Production of the Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R commenced in February 2017 and it was released in Australia in August 2017. Manufactured in Germany, the all-wheel drive Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that was mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed double clutch transmission. The Mk7.5 Golf R Wolfsburg Edition was also released in Australia in August 2017.

DJHB and DJHA engines

While the European Mk7.5 Golf R was powered by Volkswagen’s DJHA engine which produced peak outputs of 228 kW at 5500-6500 rpm and 400 Nm at 2000-5400 rpm, Australia received the detuned DJHB engine which produced 213 kW and 380 Nm (see table below). According to Volkswagen Australia, the Mk7.5 Golf R DSG could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds (compared to 4.6 seconds for the European Golf R).

Comparison with Mk.7 Golf R

Compared to the Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf R , the Mk7.5 Golf R could be identified by its re-profiled bumpers, new LED headlights and daytime running lights, full LED tail-lights and alloy wheels designs. Inside, the Mk7.5 Golf R featured larger infotainment screens; the standard ‘Discover Pro’ media and navigation system had a 9.2-inch display.

Haldex 5 all-wheel drive (AWD) system

The Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R was equipped with a Haldex V all-wheel drive system (Volkswagen’s ‘4MOTION’). The Haldex V system consisted of an electronically controlled and hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch coupling that was located in front of the rear axle differential (at the end of the prop shaft). Under low loads or when coasting, the rear axle was decoupled to reduce fuel consumption. If, however, there was a loss of front wheel traction or such a loss was anticipated by on-board sensors, then an electro-hydraulic oil pump applied pressure to the clutch plates to transfer up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels (for a 50:50 front:rear torque split).

As standard, the Volkswagen Golf R was fitted with an ‘Extended Electronic Differential Lock’ (Volkswagen’s ‘XDL’). When cornering, the XDL responded to the unloading of the front inside wheel by applying the brakes to that wheel to prevent wheelspin and minimise understeer.

Body and dimensions

Like the Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf R , the Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R was underpinned by Volkswagen’s MQB (Modularer Querbaukasten) platform. As such, the Mk7.5 Golf R hatch was 4263 mm long, 1799 mm wide, 1436 mm tall and had a 2626 mm long wheelbase. The Mk7.5 Golf R hatch had a luggage capacity of 343 litres with the rear seats in position, though this increased to 1233 litres when they were folded down.

Suspension and steering

The Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R had MacPherson strut front suspension with lower A-arms and independent, four-link rear suspension; both the front and rear suspension had coil springs and an anti-roll bar. As standard, the Mk7.5 Golf R had electronically-controlled, adaptive dampers (Volkswagen’s ‘Adaptive Chassis Control’) which could vary damping resistance according to road conditions. With Adaptive Chassis Control, the driver could also select from Normal, Comfort and Sport settings which adjusted steering weight, throttle response and transmission programming.

The Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R had rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance and a progressive ratio such that the amount of steering wheel rotation required to turn the wheels decreased as steering lock increased. Furthermore, the Mk7.5 Golf R had a turning circle is 10.9 metres.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

As standard, the Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R was fitted with the following active safety technologies –

• Front Assist with Pedestrian Monitoring: used a radar sensor to detect if the Golf R was closing too quickly on the vehicle ahead. If this occurred, Front Assist 1) provided audible and visual warnings to the driver; 2) brought the brake pads into contact with the brake discs and increases braking assistance to prepare for an emergency stop; and, 3) briefly applied the brakes (a ‘jolt’) to alert the driver. If the driver failed to respond, Front Assist would apply the brakes automatically to avoid or reduce the severity of a collision;
• City Emergency Brake: an extension of Front Assist, City Emergency Braking operated at speeds up to 65 km/h and used a radar sensor and front camera to monitor the area ahead for vehicles and pedestrians. If a collision was anticipated, the driver would be alerted via visual and audible warnings. If the driver failed to respond, the system would initiate emergency braking;
• Fatigue Detection: monitored driver behavior at speeds in excess of 65 km/h for signs of fatigue. If the driver exhibited signs of fatigue, a tone would sound and a warning would appears in the multi-function display; and,
• Multi-collision brake: after a collision, multi-collision brake would automatically apply the brakes for controlled deceleration to reduce kinetic energy and the likelihood of a second collision.

Driver assistance package (optional)

As a $1300 option, the Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R could be specified with a Driver Assistance Package which included the following technologies –

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): using a radar sensor, ACC could apply the vehicle’s brakes to reduce vehicle speed and maintain a pre-set distance to vehicle ahead. ACC could also cause the vehicle to accelerate back to its cruising speed when the road ahead was clear;
• Lane Assist (lane departure warning): using a camera to recognise lane markings, Lane Assist could detect unintentional lane drifting or changing and provide corrective steering actions for up to eight seconds. If the corrective steering actions were insufficient, the driver would be warned via steering wheel vibrations;
• A Blind Spot Monitor: active at speeds above 15 km/h, the Blind Spot Monitor used rear radar sensors to detect other vehicles up to 20 metres behind the Golf R. If detected, an LED indicator in the door mirror would illuminate to alert the driver to their presence. If the driver indicated that they were intending to change lanes, the indicator would flash more brightly as a warning signal;
• Rear Traffic Alert: when the driver was reversing from a parking space, Rear Traffic Alert system used radar sensors in the rear bumper to detect traffic up to 50 metres away that may cross the vehicle’s intended path. If approaching traffic was detected, the driver would receive visual and audible warnings. If the driver did not respond to the warnings and there was an immediate collision risk, the brakes would be applied automatically;
• Park Assist: could detect parallel and right angle parking spaces and provide automated steering for the parking manoeuvre while the driver controlled vehicle speed;
• Proactive occupant protection system: in a potential accident situation, the seatbelts would be tensioned and windows closed; and,
• Dynamic Light Assist: used a masking function to partially dip the main-beam headlights when oncoming traffic was detected.

Brakes

The Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R is understood to have 340 mm by 30 mm ventilated front brake discs and 310 mm by 22 mm ventilated rear discs.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the related Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf received a five star safety rating which included a 94 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 89 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset crash test, occupant protection was generally assessed as good, though protection for the driver’s lower leg was rated as adequate. Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test though, in the more severe pole test, chest protection was rated as marginal and abdominal protection as adequate.

Features: Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R

Standard features for the Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R included 8.0J x 19-inch ‘Spielberg’ alloy wheels with 235/35 R19 tyres, Volkswagen’s ‘Discover Pro’ media and navigation system with a 9.2-inch display (with gesture and voice control), an eight speaker sound system, MP3/WMA/AAC-compatibility, 3.5 mm auxiliary and SD card inputs, Volkswagen’s ‘App-Connect’ USB input for smartphone integration (including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, ‘Vienna’ leather-appointed upholstery, a power adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings, heated front seats, cruise control with a programmable speed limiter, front fog lights, LED headlights with dynamic cornering, LED daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, 40/60 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking with proximity key (i.e. keyless entry), power adjustable mirrors with folding and memory functions, power windows, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, an electromechanical parking brake, push-button start, LED interior ambient lighting, tyre pressure monitoring, a 12 volt power outlet in the centre console, rear privacy glass, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

As standard, the Volkswagen Golf R was equipped with Volkswagen’s ‘Active Info Display’, a 12.3-inch configurable TFT display in place of the standard instrument cluster.

2017 Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R Wolfsburg Edition

The Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R Wolfsburg Edition was released in Australia in late August 2017. Solely available with a seven-speed double clutch transmission, the Golf R Wolfsburg Edition was distinguished by its 19-inch ‘Pretoria’ alloy wheels which had a grey metallic finish, carbon fibre door mirror housings and choice of Oryx White Pearl, Lapiz Blue Metallic and Deep Black Pearl Effect paint finishes. Furthermore, standard features for the Golf R Wolfsburg Edition include a 400 watt Dynaudio sound system, ‘carbon’ Nappa leather-appointed upholstery, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert and Dynamic Light Assist.

Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R Grid Edition

The Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf R Grid Edition was released in Australia in December 2017. Released to provide a more affordable price point for the Golf R range, the Golf R Grid Edition had ‘Race’ sports cloth and Alcantara combination upholstery (rather than the ‘Vienna’ leather upholstery of the standard Golf R) and could be identified by its black door mirrors.

2018 Volkswagen Golf R Special Edition

Released in Australia in August 2018, the Volkswagen Golf R Special Edition was distinguished by its:

• Dynaudio 400 watt audio system;
• 19-inch ‘Pretoria’ alloy wheels that weighed 9.6 kg;
• ‘R Performance’ exhaust and rear muffler system developed in co-operation with Akrapovic. The exhaust and muffler were produced from a temperature-resistant titanium alloy that was seven (7) kg lighter than the standard exhaust system. The R Performance exhaust could be identified by its four round exhaust tips and produced ‘unique sounds that range[d] from unobtrusive to roaring’;
• Cross-drilled front brake discs with special performance brake pads, which also contributed to a 2 kg mass reduction. Visually, the upgraded brake package could be identified by a silver logo plate on the brake caliper; and,
• Gloss black door mirrors and a tailgate badge.

Specifications

• Specifications: Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf GTi and Golf R (August 2017)
• Specifications: Volkswagen Mk7.5 Golf GTi, R and R Wagon (September 2018, MY19)