Golf R on Auto Express First Drive

[mac7]

Does anyone know if the leather seats have contrasting grey stitching, as per the Recaros and standard cloth? I seem to recall seeing a photo of a Scirocco R with leather and that had the grey stitching.

[SilverChariot]

Does anyone know if the leather seats have contrasting grey stitching, as per the Recaros and standard cloth? I seem to recall seeing a photo of a Scirocco R with leather and that had the grey stitching.

Doesn't look like it (the gear lever has the grey stitiching, but the seats don't seem to have it):

[keelaw]

Golf R is a very nice car, faster, AWD, and all that, but i much prefer the contrasting red trim you get all over the Golf... really helps to lift the whole car waaay above a standard cooking Golf.  The R just looks too TDI with a bodykit for me.

[mac7]

Doesn't look like it (the gear lever has the grey stitiching, but the seats don't seem to have it):

Thanks - I knew someone would have a pic.

Golf R is a very nice car, faster, AWD, and all that, but i much prefer the contrasting red trim you get all over the Golf... really helps to lift the whole car waaay above a standard cooking Golf.  The R just looks too TDI with a bodykit for me.

I know what you mean. I wonder what an R would look like with a GTI grille..

[Tailpipe]

I just read the review in full. Very good indeed. The only reason the car didn't get the full ***** stars seems to be the price, which is fair in my book. I like the following points made:

- AWD makes the power more usable more of the time
- Suspension settings give the car great composure on all surfaces but also tenacious grip (not true for Audi's S3 which is often too hard)
- Performance is a real step-up from the GTI
- It is a flagship for the Golf range in a way that the R32 wasn't.

I get the impression that the VW team's tweaks make the R substantially different from the Audi S3 in terms of the overall experience offered. All in all, there's not much to complain about. They mentioned that the DSG in Sport mode is a bit too keen to drop a gear when you floor and too keen enough to change up when in comfort. Understood. But when you change gears manually with the paddles - as you should in this car - changes are seamless.

I am really warming to this hot hatch. 

[mac7]

They mentioned that the DSG in Sport mode is a bit too keen to drop a gear when you floor and too keen enough to change up when in comfort.

I know a solution to this...    but if you must have a slush 'box I guess the shift map can always be altered to give more desirable change points.

[SilverChariot]

They mentioned that the DSG in Sport mode is a bit too keen to drop a gear when you floor and too keen enough to change up when in comfort.

I know a solution to this...    but if you must have a slush 'box I guess the shift map can always be altered to give more desirable change points.

This behaviour doesn't bother me - it was same with Mk 5 R32. D mode changed up too early and S mode too late (embarrassingly noisy and revvy when going through town centres, unless your name is Kev). Manual override or push across to +/- for fully manual is the solution - so all is well.

[Tailpipe]

They mentioned that the DSG in Sport mode is a bit too keen to drop a gear when you floor and too keen enough to change up when in comfort.

I know a solution to this...    but if you must have a slush 'box I guess the shift map can always be altered to give more desirable change points.

This behaviour doesn't bother me - it was same with Mk 5 R32. D mode changed up too early and S mode too late (embarrassingly noisy and revvy when going through town centres, unless your name is Kev). Manual override or push across to +/- for fully manual is the solution - so all is well.

+10. Absolutely right. Anyone who drives a DSG without using the paddles is missing the point. 

[TeddyKGB]

The bolsters on the recaros are fine - they are meant for jumping in not sliding in

[SM82]

They mentioned that the DSG in Sport mode is a bit too keen to drop a gear when you floor and too keen enough to change up when in comfort.

I know a solution to this...    but if you must have a slush 'box I guess the shift map can always be altered to give more desirable change points.

This behaviour doesn't bother me - it was same with Mk 5 R32. D mode changed up too early and S mode too late (embarrassingly noisy and revvy when going through town centres, unless your name is Kev). Manual override or push across to +/- for fully manual is the solution - so all is well.

+10. Absolutely right. Anyone who drives a DSG without using the paddles is missing the point. 

They mentioned using the paddles in the evo review but also rightly pointed out that there are times, like when in heavy traffic, that you'd expect D mode to be smooth and hassle-free.