2017 Volkswagen Golf R, GTI, 110TDI Highline wagon: Australian details
Australia details have been revealed for the newly updated 2017 Volkswagen Golf R and GTI sports models, along with the 110TDI wagon – although pricing will not be confirmed until next month.
Forming part of the wider Golf ‘7.5’ update due here in May, the updated models were revealed late last year: November for the GTI and core range, and December for the hero R.
Australian details for the wider Golf hatch range were handed down in March, although the 110TDI diesel wagon had not yet been confirmed for our market. Likewise, details for the R and GTI models had been withheld until now.
Starting from the top, the ‘new’ Golf R is already confirmed as the quickest Golf ever to be offered in Australia, just as the outgoing model was.
While the current 206kW/380Nm Golf R claims a 0-100km/h time of 5.0 seconds flat in DSG form (5.2 seconds for the manual), the upgraded model now offers 213kW, the same 380Nm, and a new sprint time of 4.8 seconds.
That’s compared to Europe, where the Golf R – not hobbled by our ‘hot destination’ status – offers a mightier 228kW and 400Nm, up from 221kW and 380Nm previously. There, the DSG model promises to hit 100km/h in a slightly sharper 4.6 seconds.
As a point of comparison, the 195kW front-wheel-drive GTI 40 Years Edition offers a brief boost to an identical 213kW and 380Nm, but promises to get to 100km/h no quicker than 6.3 seconds. Comparing again, the regular 162kW GTI of the outgoing Golf range lists a 6.5-second run.
Another card up the updated Golf R’s sleeve is, like the new Audi S3, a newly developed seven-speed DSG, capable of transferring more power than its predecessor.
As before, and in both markets, power in the Golf R is provided by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system features, matched to DSG dual-clutch automatic and six-speed manual transmissions.
“You need not look too far into the past to find the time when 4.8 seconds was the preserve of a Porsche 911,” boasts local Volkswagen group boss Michael Bartsch, himself a former Porsche executive.
Features for the Golf R will include:
- 2.0 TSI 4-cylinder turbo engine (213kW/380Nm)
- 4MOTION all-wheel drive
- six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG
- Discover Pro 9.2-inch navigation system with App-Connect
- Gesture control
- Voice control
- Active Info Display
- Vienna leather appointed upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory
- Driver’s electric lumbar adjustment
- Power folding door mirrors with memory function
- Dark tinted rear and rear side windows
- Metallic/Pearl Effect paint
- 19-inch ‘Spielberg’ alloy wheels
- Premium LED tail lights with dynamic indicators
- LED with dynamic cornering lights
- Air Care dual zone climate control air conditioning
- Keyless Access, keyless entry and starting system
- Leather multi-function steering wheel with cruise control
- Multi-Function Display (MFD Premium)
- LED interior ambient lighting
- Rear View Camera (RVC)
- Seven airbags and Driver Fatigue Detection system
- Multi-collision brake and XDL
- Adaptive chassis control with driving profile selection
- Front Assist with City Emergency Brake (City EB)
- Front fog lights
- Automatic headlights and rain sensing windscreen wipers
- Automatically dimming rear-view mirror
- Parking distance sensors, front and rear
Options for the R model are limited to the Driver’s Assistance pack (adaptive cruise control, Lane Assist and blind-spot detection) and a panoramic sunroof.
GTI
In the less powerful although more historically revered GTI, power again comes from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, with power upgraded from 162kW to 169kW – matching the output of the current GTI Performance model. Torque is unchanged at 350Nm, and shifter options are again of the six-speed manual and six-speed DSG variety.
Internationally, the updated GTI Performance model now offers 180kW, although timing for that model’s Australian debut is still to be confirmed.
Features in the updated GTI include:
- 2.0 TSI 4-cylinder turbo engine (169kW/350Nm)
- six-speed manual or six-speed DSG
- Air Care dual zone climate control air conditioning
- Keyless Access, keyless entry and starting system
- Leather multi-function steering wheel with cruise control
- Multi-Function Display (MFD Premium)
- Discover Media 8-inch navigation system with App-Connect
- LED interior ambient lighting
- Rear View Camera (RVC)
- 7 airbags and Driver Fatigue Detection system
- Multi-collision brake and XDL
- 18-inch ‘Milton Keynes’ alloy wheels
- Adaptive chassis control with driving profile selection
- Front Assist with City Emergency Brake (City EB)
- Front fog lights
- Automatic headlights and rain sensing windscreen wipers
- Automatically dimming rear-view mirror
- Parking distance sensors, front and rear
- LED headlights with dynamic cornering
The GTI’s infotainment can be updated to the larger 9.2-inch display, along with Driver Assistance and Luxury packs.
110TDI wagon
Lastly, the 110kW/340Nm 110TDI Highline wagon, whose features match those of the hatch version detailed last month – including the new seven-speed DSG auto.
Features include:
- Front fog lights
- Comfort sport front seats
- Vienna leather appointed upholstery with heated front seats
- Electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory function
- Electrically adjustable lumbar adjustment for driver’s seat
- Power folding door mirrors with memory function
- Keyless Access, keyless entry and starting system
- 17-inch (Karlskoga) alloy wheels
- Additional chrome interior and exterior highlights
- Interior ambient lighting strips
- LED reading lights and front foot well lighting
- Carpet floor mats
- LED headlights for low and high beam
- Colour Multi-function Display (MFD Premium)
- Panoramic electric glass sunroof
Driver Assistance and infotainment upgrades are offered.
Full Golf range pricing will be revealed in May, alongside the Australian launch of the core range.
The 110TDI wagon will be available from July, while the GTI and R models will touch down in August.
For more on the updated line-up, see our news and reviews links below.
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