03 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R
CARS ARRIVE STANDARD WITH THE PERFORMANCE PACK OTHER MARKETS CHARGE EXTRA FOR
Rating 4.0
ENGINE 1984cc inline-4, DOHC, 16v, turbo
POWER 235kW @5600-6500rpm
TORQUE 400Nm @2000-5600rpm
0-100KM/H 4.8sec (claimed)
WEIGHT 1501kg • PRICE $65,990
LIKE: Torque vectoring smarts; improved track talent; all-round appeal
DISLIKE: Price increase; user interface; could be even sharper
DRIFT MODE. IT’S a headline feature that, beyond any other, suggests that Volkswagen’s latest Mark 8 hatch is the Golf R icon so many Aussies love, if not as they know it. That and the fact that, roughly, the new hot hatch poster child is $10k pricier than the outgoing Mk7.5.
For what’s the thick end of a 20 per cent higher outlay, the clear expectation
