Golf R; Not perfect...but close video

[clubsport]

An impressive performance in this review of the new R.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpP0t7Zio9o

[hog_hedge]

That was a nice watch and I even like his Richard Hammond-esque delivery. I'm still happy I bought the GTI, it leaves me something to look forward to

[scanesare]

But definitely worse looking than the mk7 R. Can't stand the new almond-shaped LEDs on all 7.5 Golfs, they soften the car's looks way too much. Double U was one the few design features that made the R stand out, not any more. Oh and the shape of that new front end grille with plain horizontal and vertical lines keeps reminding me of my fridge, did it take them more than 10 minutes to come up with it? I've seen air circulation filter covers in houses with way more inspired looks. I think the GTI looks way better in 7.5 guise. Interesting to see how they go about the mk8.

[Daz Auto]

I take it you own an original Mk7?

But definitely worse looking than the mk7 R. Can't stand the new almond-shaped LEDs on all 7.5 Golfs, they soften the car's looks way too much. Double U was one the few design features that made the R stand out, not any more.

That is your opinion and you are entitled to it. I would have the opposite opinion. In my view the new lights sharpen the look of the Golf. The facelift car has a more sporty, more modern look. I have seen a few facelift cars. In my opinion the facelift lights look really good. The U shape lights are distinctive, but not that visible on the road. The new lights can been seen from further away and are visible from more angles. Making the facelift cars much easier to spot on the road.

Though you are right about the new R lights looking the same as the other cars.

[scanesare]

I take it you own an original Mk7?

But definitely worse looking than the mk7 R. Can't stand the new almond-shaped LEDs on all 7.5 Golfs, they soften the car's looks way too much. Double U was one the few design features that made the R stand out, not any more.

That is your opinion and you are entitled to it. I would have the opposite opinion. In my view the new lights sharpen the look of the Golf. The facelift car has a more sporty, more modern look. I have seen a few facelift cars. In my opinion the facelift lights look really good. The U shape lights are distinctive, but not that visible on the road. The new lights can been seen from further away and are visible from more angles. Making the facelift cars much easier to spot on the road.

Though you are right about the new R lights looking the same as the other cars.

What I meant was that the changes on the 7.5 GTI look more "integrated" and it looks better than the mk7 but that's not the case with the R. The GTI has an overall more aggressive look now (borrowing the Clubsport side fins to an extent) so the new lights, even if they remind of Mercedes to me, don't affect it so much and it's not the flagship model anyway (although it certainly looks so now). The R though has lost some of its edge and bespoke double U drop only adds to that, a hopeless looking grille and new generic mk7.5 leds just make it much less special looking. Of-course that's just my opinion, never said I express the views of a larger audience?

PS. I own a Clubsport which is still looking sharper than either 7.5 GTI or R and so not really worried about either, just speaking out of general "performance Golf interest" and which way does the GTI/R design seem to go.

[Daz Auto]

What I meant was that the changes on the 7.5 GTI look more "integrated" and it looks better than the mk7 but that's not the case with the R. The GTI has an overall more aggressive look now (borrowing the Clubsport side fins to an extent) so the new lights, even if they remind of Mercedes to me, don't affect it so much and it's not the flagship model anyway (although it certainly looks so now).

Which Mercedes? My parents have a new C220 AMG and those lights look a lot different.

I know some people don't like the Audi comparison. Though the TT is a fine looking car and it has the Golf lights 

[JoeGTI]

I have a mk7 R and overall I'm liking the facelift changes. Love the lights front and back and I think I prefer the glossy black side skirts. Also like that the radar sensor no longer sticks out like a sore thumb.

I do agree though it's a pity the R is no longer unique on the DRL's front.

[scanesare]

I think I have associated them with last gen E Class. It's not that they are copies of the Merc, but the lines and angles just make me think of that car.  There's quite a few E-Class around here so maybe it has to do with it also.

[scanesare]

I have a mk7 R and overall I'm liking the facelift changes. Love the lights front and back and I think I prefer the glossy black side skirts. Also like that the radar sensor no longer sticks out like a sore thumb.

I do agree though it's a pity the R is no longer unique on the DRL's front.

Back lights are also "softer" looking than the 7 imo, and the design of those ones makes me think Audi  Only thing which I find cool is the progressive indicators but overall, as a car, the R looks weaker and less interesting for the car that it actually is.

[matchboy]

I went to the Motor Show in London at the weekend, and all this talk of the R not looking aggressive enough is, well, just talk.  It looked great, really impressed with the facelift changes.  Looked bad a$$ to me!