New Performance Pack option for VW’s hot hatch gets big brakes and more speed

For the sum of £2,300 (on top of the ‘base’ hatch’s £32,710), you can amp up your Volkswagen Golf R to 166mph.

Yes folks, it’s time for the Performance Pack option for Volkswagen’s venerable Golf R hot hatch. For that £2,300 outlay, not only does VW remove the 155mph top speed limiter to allow that 166mph top speed (168mph if you buy the more expensive estate), you also get better brakes and bigger wheels.

Those brakes are dubbed ‘R-Performance’, and shave 2kg from the braking system’s overall weight. We’re told these ‘built pin discs’ with their aluminium brake pots and cast steel friction ring means that under ‘stress’, the Golf R’s braking is more durable. Perfect, VW claims, for when you hit the track.

Elsewhere, the 18in standard-fit ‘Cadiz’ alloys are shelved in favour of 19in ‘Spielberg’ alloys. If you buy the hatch, you even get an extra rear spoiler that adds a not-insignificant 20kg of downforce.

So, harder, more durable brakes, new wheels, more speed. All nice and lovely.

If you want more schportiness, there is something else you can option on your hatch (not for the wagon, sadly) R: a titanium sports exhaust system. This is 7kg less than a regular R’s exhaust, arriving via the medium of exhaust specialist Akrapovic, and features round rear pipes and valve tech for “an incomparable exhaust sound”. Yours for £2,975.

You’ll note there is no power increase, but as standard the Golf R hatch (equipped with a DSG ‘box) produces 306bhp from a 2.0-litre turbo petrol, and will go from 0-62mph in 4.6s. Probably more, as VW can be quite conservative on those figures…

Why It Matters: The Golf 8 will need to continue generating the nameplate’s usual large profits, since VW is planning to spend them on the global rollout of electric and electrified vehicles. And the car will need to make gains in efficiency now that the company is slowly weaning itself away from diesel propulsion, a field in which it used to claim leadership. Further, it will need to cater to VW's traditional owners and aficionados who love their Golfs, SportWagens, GTIs, and Golf Rs just the way they are.

VW’s youngsters steal their employer’s thunder with wild Worthersee concepts

Volkswagen has something pretty special planned for the Worthersee show – a party for all things VW, modified, or both – which it plans to reveal tomorrow.

Beating their employer to it, though, are a bunch of Volkswagen’s apprentices. They’ve concocted the two cars you see here, and there’s every chance they’ll attract more attention than the Golf GTI TCRthat VW itself has made. Oops.

First up is the slightly outrageous-sounding 405bhp Golf GTI Next Level. That power comes from the company’s usual 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine – suggesting it’s very unstressed in the 306bhp Golf R – and given this car still has a GTI badge, it’s presumably all being put through the front wheels. Yikes. A seven-speed DSG paddle shifter is fitted.

Inside, the young tykes – all aged around 20 – have ripped out the back seats and fitted some massive subwoofers, loudspeakers and a monitor. They weren’t even born when the Max Powerscene was relevant, yet they appear to be channelling it beautifully.

Considerably more sensible is the Golf Estate TGI GMotion, a gas-powered estate car with a much less frantic 129bhp. Mind, it still has paint finishes nicked from Bentley and coilover suspension that drops 40mm. Yet with a newly fitted four-wheel-drive system, it apparently has some off-road ability, too. Maybe keep the suspension in its uppermost setting for that…

Lots of tech has been used in the creation of the cars, with CAD used for their design and 3D printing used for the production of the parts. Both will be on display among many hundreds of other wildly modified VWs, some with even more power and audio than the GTI Next Level, no doubt.

Which one do you prefer?

VW's Worthersee show car is a quicker, punchier Golf GTI. Watch out i30N?

This is the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR. It’s VW’s headline act for the Worthersee show, but rather than being an unrealistic, cartoonish concept, it’s a car we’ll actually be able to buy.

If you’re gutted you missed out on the wonderful old Golf GTI Clubsport S, though, this is something a bit different. It’s got a bit less power, for starters, while it only comes with a paddleshift gearbox.

That’s because it’s inspired by the Golf TCR touring car, so it’s all been prepped for being quick on track. It takes the regular Golf GTI’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, and adds about 45bhp, taking its output to 286bhp. No acceleration figures have been announced yet, but it should take a healthy chunk out of its base car’s 6.2sec 0-62mph time.

The top speed depends on you. As standard, the car has 18in forged wheels and a 155mph, electronically limited vmax. Spec an optional pack, though, and you’ll get 19in wheels, 20mm-lower adjustable sports suspension and a 164mph top speed. Not quite the 169mph of the Honda Civic Type R, but it gets closer than any other front-wheel-drive hot hatch.

All TCRs have a proper locking differential up front and bigger brakes than standard, while you can spec an optional Akrapovic titanium exhaust. Inside, there are cloth sports seats and nerdy touches like a steering wheel centre stripe.

Each time you suspect it’s a lightweight special, though – like that Clubsport S – there’s a feature that tips the balance the other way. Your only transmission option being a seven-speed DSG (no manual), there are still five seats, and the doors project TCR logos onto the ground when you open them. Bulbs don’t weigh much, of course, but it seems frivolous nonetheless.

Still, there’s no denying it’s a pretty desirable spec sheet, and it has the potential to be quicker and more exciting than a Golf R in the right hands. While it’s officially a concept for now, it’s described as ‘nearly production ready’.

Essentially, a car exactly like this will launch later this year in Europe. While no prices have been hinted at yet, the Clubsport S suggests you should save up at least £35,000. And even then, you might be fighting a lot of people for a place on the waiting list.

The hot hatch market has moved on a lot of late, with Hyundai and Renault among a number of carmakers producing something far punchier than a good old Golf GTI. Reckon the TCR will put VW back on the map?

THE GOOD: SUV capability in a much cooler package. This all-wheel-drive wagon is comfortable and spacious and gets a nice tech upgrade for 2018.

THE BAD: The 1.8T engine feels a little underpowered in this heaviest, all-wheel-drive Golf. Many active driving aids are only available on the loaded SEL model.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Volkswagen's Golf Alltrack is one of our favorite all-rounders; a car we’d be happy to live with on the daily.

It's hard to argue against a vehicle as well-rounded and useful as Volkswagen's Golf Alltrack. It might not take a traditional SUV shape, but it'll do everything your crossover will do -- and in some cases, it'll do it better.

The Alltrack joined Volkswagen's Golf range in late 2016 as a 2017 model, so it soldiers on into 2018 with no major mechanical enhancements. Instead, improved onboard tech and better equipment packaging across its various trim levels result in a Golf Alltrack that's somehow even more appealing than before.

You'll be able to spot a 2018 Alltrack thanks to its redesigned lighting elements. All models get LED taillights, and the top-level SEL gets LED running and headlights. Otherwise, the Alltrack's design is the same as it ever was. No complaints here.

The Alltrack brings a sort of faux-SUV appearance to the Golf Sportwagen, with gray cladding, stylized side sills and polished roof rails. You also get 6.9 inches of ground clearance here, an inch and a half more than a standard Golf Sportwagen. That's helpful should you actually find yourself in rutted trails out in the woods, or if you need to drive over packed snow on winter days. It makes the Alltrack that much easier to get in and out of, too.

Lift the hatch and you'll find 30.4 cubic feet of space, or 66.5 should you fold the rear seats flat. That's only a few cubic feet less than what's offered in compact crossovers like the Ford Escapeor Volkswagen's own Tiguan; unless you're filling your car to the brim each and every time, you likely won't notice the slightly smaller dimensions. Instead, you'll appreciate the Alltrack's low load-in height and wide hatch aperture. What you won't find, however, is a power liftgate.

Every Alltrack uses the same 1.8-liter turbocharged I4 engine as other Golf models, with 170 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. That's true for either transmission, too -- lesser, front-wheel-drive Golf models only make 184 pound-feet when paired with a five-speed manual transmission, but the all-wheel-drive Alltrack adds a sixth gear to the row-your-own party, allowing for the increased torque rating. You can get the stick on S and SE models, while the SEL is exclusively available with the six-speed dual-clutch automatic, a $1,100 option elsewhere.

Either transmission pairs nicely with the 1.8T. Quick, smooth shifts accompany DSG models, while the manual transmission, even with its long shift throws, is satisfying to use. The engine produces enough power to provide adequate acceleration around town and for merging onto freeways, but load the Alltrack up with four adults and some luggage and it'll require a deeper dig into the throttle to get it up to speed. No surprise, an engine that feels perfectly fine in a 2,945-pound base Golf exhibits signs of anemia in its 3,395-pound, all-wheel-drive Alltrack application.

Still, the Alltrack is enjoyable to drive, with a balanced, nicely controlled ride. It's comfortable at all times, and despite its raised ride height, body roll is largely kept in check for mostly flat cornering. The default steering tune is light yet accurate; Sport mode adds some welcome weight to the wheel's action, however small it may be.

The top-level Alltrack SEL pictured here rolls on stylish 18-inch wheels, though I don't think the downsized 17s of the S and SE models look too small by comparison. What you lose in alloy diameter you gain in tire sidewall -- 205/55R17 compared with 225/45R18 -- and the result is improved ride comfort without any noticeable loss in dynamic ability.

Fuel economy is on par with similarly sized compact crossovers. Manual Alltracks are EPA-rated at 21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined; automatic models do 1 mpg better in both the city and combined cycles. After a long weekend of driving in the mountains outside of Denver, I'm seeing closer to 23 mpg combined, but I've spent time with Alltracks in flatter locales and have had no trouble hitting EPA-spec numbers.

Volkswagen opted to leave most of the Alltrack's interior alone -- fine, since there wasn't really anything wrong with it in the first place. Sure, I can nitpick things like the annoyingly half-powered driver's seat on S and SE models (you can electronically alter fore/aft and height position, but moving the seat back requires manual adjustment) or the awkward placement of the main USB port deep inside the center console cubby, but on the whole, the Alltrack's cabin is handsome, comfortable and very nicely appointed.

Instead, a big upgrade comes in the form of improved infotainment tech. The base Alltrack S uses the same 6.5-inch touchscreen as before, with standard Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but SE and SEL models get a larger 8-inch touchscreen with flush-mounted hard buttons on either side. The display is quick to respond to inputs and uses a proximity function to hide many of the controls until it detects a hand approaching. In all, Volkswagen's infotainment system remains one of our favorites on the market today. Too bad you can't fit a Golf Alltrack with VW's nifty Digital Cockpit.

If you're looking for a full suite of safety tech, be prepared to spend. The base Alltrack only comes with a rearview camera and post-collision braking. Moving up to the SE gets you forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, but if you want things like adaptive cruise control, park distance control, lane-keeping assist and lane departure warning, you're locked into the top-level Alltrack SEL like the one you see in the photos accompanying this review, which starts at $36,760, including $850 for destination.

Seriously, my Alltrack SE test car is pretty much perfect, with its Great Falls Green exterior, Marrakesh Brown leatherette interior and six-speed manual transmission. I don't need a lot of active driving tech, and the midrange SE comes nicely equipped with things like a panoramic moonroof, pushbutton start and the aforementioned 8-inch infotainment screen, all for an easy-on-your-wallet $30,865, including destination.

Of course, you can go even cheaper and opt for the Alltrack S, starting at $26,805. It still comes with lots of great features, including the same 17-inch wheels as the SE, heated seats, automatic headlights and foglights. Even in base spec, the Alltrack does not feel like a "base" model.

I certainly understand the appeal of compact crossovers: great utility for carrying people and things, all for a price that won't break your bank account. But tall, all-wheel-drive wagons like the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack -- and Buick Regal TourX, Subaru Crosstrek, Outback, etc. -- offer nearly the same utility. You get bonus cool points for keeping the wagon segment alive, too.

In the case of the Alltrack, it's packed with the same core DNA that's made Volkswagen's Golf such a successful small car. Fun to drive, plenty economical and super functional, it's a great alternative to a slightly bigger VW Tiguan, not to mention myriad other small CUVs that now flood American roadways. It's a different approach to a familiar formula, and a more compelling one at that.

Were you looking to buy a new Volkswagen Golf GTI? If so, then you may want to add more cash to that purchase, as the base hot hatch is no more.

The car has been dropped from the lineup due to the WLTP modifications. However, a quick search on the brand’s German and British websites reveals that the more powerful Golf GTI Performance is still on sale.

The latter carries a €32,950 ($38,350) and £30,585 ($39,975) starting price respectively, and benefits from a bump in power over the defunct Golf GTI, offering 245PS (241hp / 180kW) from its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

Accelerating from rest to 100km/h (0-62mph) is done in as little as 6.2 seconds, with the GTI Performance also coming with features such as LED headlights, navigation system, 18-inch alloy wheels and other.

Given that Volkswagen is already working on the eighth generation Golf, which is due next summer, it’s very unlikely that they will detune the standard Golf GTI, in order to meet the stricter emissions rules.

Nevertheless, the rest of the high-performance versions of the German compact car are far from facing the axe. In fact, Volkswagen will launch the Golf GTI TCR later this year, with 290PS (286hp / 213kW) and 370Nm (272lb-ft) of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

The new hot hatch will also feature a standard locking differential and a dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox, and will remain front-wheel drive.

Besides pulling the plug on the standard Golf GTI, VW was also forced to shave 10PS (10hp / 7kW) from the Golf R a few weeks ago, by equipping it with a new exhaust system, thus making sure that it complies with the WLTP requirements.

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack is the latest in a long line of Golf variants (including the Golf Variant wagon in Europe). It's basically a Golf Sportwagen with the 4Motion all-wheel drive system with a slight suspension lift and some plastic cladding. Think Subaru Outbackor Audi Allroad. It's a handsome little hatch that, like the Outback or Allroad, meets the new crossover craze somewhere in the middle.

Our model is the top-grade SEL trim. It's powered by a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Power is sent to all four wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. A manual is available on the S and SE models. The SEL comes with features like LED lighting, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control and keyless entry. It also comes with Volkswagen's solid 6-year/72,000-mile warranty. All in, this VW Alltrack costs $36,510.

Editor-in-chief Greg Migliore: I could totally see a professor rolling around in this Golf Alltrack. The slightly lifted wagon seems like the perfect vibe for someone who ponders Keats then heads for the slopes. This one is pretty handsome, done up in forest green with 18-inch alloy wheels. The 1.8-liter four-cylinder is about right, and sport mode actually offers some jump. Steering is light, but I still felt reasonably connected in the way we've come to expect from Golfs. There's a decent amount of room in the cargo area, though I'd remove that cover for most hauling exercises. The 4Motion all-wheel drive as a standard feature makes this thing flirt with Audi territory. The silhouette is a little awkward — the design seems a touch hunched over — but otherwise I really like this thing.

Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder: I drove the Alltrack home in the rain, and found it to be perfectly comfortable and capable, never leaving me without grip or a sense of confidence. To me it almost felt like more like I was driving an Audi than a VW Golf. I like the clean, structured design and the thoughtful use of materials in the places that count. I also found the car to feel pretty well equipped with technology, but I also found that technology very easy to use, with clear displays and good response. Unlike some others, I didn't have any problem with the Bluetooth.

A common gripe I hear in the office is that the steering feel is a little vague. While I tend to agree that it feels very electronic, and doesn't offer much in the way of feedback, it didn't bother me one bit. I still had fun pointing this down curvy, wet country roads. I especially liked the feel of the actual steering wheel in my hands. It felt kind of thin, and reminded me of a lot of older cars that I've enjoyed tossing around on winding roads.

Associate Editor Joel Stocksdale: I was quite pleased when I saw that the Golf Alltrack that arrived at our office was in my favorite color scheme: Great Falls Green Metallic with a brown leatherette interior. Besides being a handsome combination on its own, it triggers a bit of nostalgia for me, a kid growing up in the late '90s and '00s and seeing green Explorers and Outbacks everywhere.

Nostalgia aside, I was also pleased at how the Alltrack, like every other Golf, does everything really darn well. The turbo 1.8-liter engine feels plenty peppy, a feeling emphasized by how the little turbo spools up nearly immediately. There's even a little bit of growl, and it feels like it pulls well throughout the rev range. In this version, it was coupled to VW's dual-clutch automatic. The transmission works quite well, delivering smooth, expedient shifts that make it fun even in manual mode. It does feel a little funny from a stop, though. As the computer works the clutches, it feels like it's slipping them longer than if I were driving a normal manual. Speaking of which, it makes me happy that VW still offers a manual on these less-powerful Golfs, even with all-wheel-drive in the Alltrack.

The ride and handling are very good, too, especially in the metro Detroit area. The car is soft and compliant over most bumps, but it still turns in smartly without too much body roll. The steering is a bit fuzzy, it's hard to tell precisely where the front wheels are pointing, but weight is good and resistance builds up naturally.

Honestly, there's not anything to truly complain about. The car is a little conservative-looking inside and out, but that's about all I can really think of. Golfs are just really good cars.

Associate Editor Reese Counts: My biggest issue with the Golf Alltrack is the Golf Sportwagen that sits right next to it in dealerlots. For a few grand less, you can still get all-wheel drive and ditch the plastic cladding (though I'm not totally against the latter). That said, the Alltrack is still a comfortable and handsome sedan that looks and feels far more premium than its price would suggest.

I'm a big fan of the Alltrack's powertrain. The 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-four feels punchy and smooth thanks its 199 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed dual-clutch transmission is equally smooth and quick, though I would personally opt for the six-speed manual that's available on the lower two trims. The all-wheel drive system is a fine feature for those who need the extra traction.

My complaints are minor. I like the interior design. I think the materials are as good or better than anything in the class. I just wish packaging was better. Compared to competitors like the Honda Civic or Hyundai Elantra, the Golf (from the base model up to the Golf R) is missing something when it comes to storage space. There are fewer cubbies than I would like, and the small pocket in front of the shifter isn't large enough to fit my phone and sunglasses.

When it comes to cool cars and cool options, we frequently find ourselves looking jealously across the ocean at special editions and models we can't get. In regards to the Volkswagen Golf R hot hatchback, it actually had an option we could envy from just across the northern border. It's called the Spektrum Program, and it was available in Canada and allowed customers to pay a little extra to custom-order their Golf Rs in one of 40 colors beyond the somewhat drab standard hues. Thankfully, for the 2019 VW Golf R, Volkswagen is bringing the program here.

And in case you were wondering, no, the 40 colors aren't just minutely differentiated grays and silvers. There are some seriously bold colors that would be more likely to come out of Fiat-Chrysler. Just check out some of the colors above, such as Viper Green and Traffic Purple. You'll soon be able to see all the different colors in the Golf R configuration tool on the VW website, and dealers will have sample books to check out. But for a hint of what's to come, the Canadian configurator offers a preview.

Picking one of these vibrant hues will cost extra, specifically $2,500. That will push the price of a new Golf R right over the $40,000 mark, making an already pricey car more so. But if you have the scratch for a Golf R, you might be able to stretch for that custom color, which will make your car more personal and stand out. It's certainly less of a hassle than taking your brand new car to be custom painted at a paint shop, too, and it comes with the reassurance that it's been done to Volkswagen's standards.

Volkswagen is digging back into its archives for a special-edition Golf GTI. The Rabbit Edition will join the GTI lineup for 2019.

The brand hasn't released pricing or fuel economy estimates for the Golf GTI Rabbit Edition and note the vehicle pictured above is the 2018 Golf GTI. However, we do have some basic information on what to expect.

Outside, VW will mark the Rabbit Edition with 18-inch gloss-black aluminum-alloy wheels, a black spoiler, and black mirror caps. Buyers will have the choice of four exterior colors, too: Cornflower Blue, Urano Grey, Pure White, or Deep Black.

For a few added features, the Golf GTI Rabbit Edition will bundle VW's keyless access system and LED headlights with adaptive headlights that point into the direction of turns. Unique floor mats and seat tags run the Rabbit theme into the cabin.

We can assume the special-edition Golf GTI will stick with the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine making 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque as VW didn't note any performance improvements over the standard GTI model. And, both the 6-speed manual and 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions should be available as well

VW and Golf fans will recall the Rabbit name dates back to the first-generation hatchback in the United States and Canada. The automaker also resurrected the name for the fifth-generation car before reverting back to "Golf" for the sixth- and (current) seventh-generation models.

Production will be mighty limited for the Rabbit Edition. VW plans to build 3,000 examples. After that, rabbit hunting season will be left to pre-owned inventories.