Latest news with #GolfR
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Future VW Golf R EV Could Use Radical In-Wheel Motors
Volkswagen is said to be working on a hot version of the ID 2 small hatchback, likely to be known as the ID 2 R. While VW doesn't sell a hatchback smaller than the Golf in the United States, the ID 2 R could pave the way for the future all-electric Golf R, and VW seems to have come up with a clever way of integrating electric motors. These plans were revealed by Autocar, with its sources suggesting the ID 2 R will use electric hub motors situated in the rear wheels. As we'll see, this layout has multiple benefits. VW is already expected to debut the electric in 2026, but the new ID 2 R will be a lot more advanced. In addition to the front-mounted electric motor in the GTI, the R model will get independently controlled motors within the rear wheels, dramatically increasing performance and enabling all-wheel drive, which has traditionally been associated with the Golf R. By not going the more conventional dual-motor route, VW will be able to save weight and reduce the impact on trunk space, both important considerations in a compact car. Whereas the ID 2 GTI will make around 286 horsepower, a more likely output in the three-motor ID 2 R will be about 400 hp. This, together with the torque vectoring made possible by the hub motors, should make for a shockingly quick and agile hot hatch. Even more performance could be extracted from the larger Golf R EV with the same setup. While hub motors have many advantages, they can also increase unsprung mass - the weight of the components not supported by the suspension - which can negatively impact handling and grip. On the upside, the ID 2 R's tech has the potential to filter through to other small VWs with all-wheel drive. It would also allow cars with FWD, RWD, and AWD to be more easily built on the same platform, reducing costs and complexity. For now, the Golf R will soldier on as a potent ICE hatchback with its 328-hp turbo engine, snappy dual-clutch transmission, and dependable AWD system. But the potential of an electric successor looks bright - don't expect it to arrive much earlier than 2029 or 2030, though, especially with multiple brands backtracking on their EV plans. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
VW's bestseller gets a premium makeover. What's new?
BOZEMAN, MONT.—Driving along a twisty, two-lane road in the back country, I press down on the accelerator and the turbo engine roars to life, pushing me into a sweeping right-hand turn. The car handles this with ease. I'm not driving a premium entry from Audi or BMW … or even a GTI or Golf R. Nope, on this cool and rainy spring day in central Montana, I'm behind the wheel of the all-new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. This compact SUV is the volume seller for the German carmaker, especially in North America. They sell loads of them here. In fact, according to Volkswagen, Canada is the number seven market for the Tiguan worldwide. Given its success, there's some pressure on Volkswagen to make sure they don't mess up a good thing. The 2025 Tiguan is the third-generation model for a nameplate that dates to 2009. Over time, the Tiguan has grown substantially, but the new car is just a little shorter than the car it replaces. It is slightly wider, however, and rides on the same wheelbase. The new Tiguan's blockier styling, which includes a taller front grille and higher hood line, is attractive. New LED lighting, at the front and rear, is connected by a light bar that includes the VW logo. I drove in the day, so it was hard to see the light signature, but I imagine it looks quite striking. Powering all 2025 Tiguans is an enhanced version of Volkswagen's venerable 2.0-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine, which produces 201 horsepower and 221 pounds-feet of torque, or motive force. While torque output remains unchanged, horsepower is up 17 over the previous Tiguan. Paired with the turbo four is an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, with the latter coming standard on all Canadian-market Tiguans. As much as the Tiguan looks better on the outside, it really shines on the inside. The interior has been given a complete makeover and the results are top level. I'm driving the U.S. equivalent of the top-level Highline R-Line 4MOTION sold in Canada. Translation: it's fully loaded. Among the most striking features are two big digital displays. Standard on this trim is a 15-inch infotainment touchscreen, which has faster processing power, a wider gamut of colours and pin-sharp HD resolution. The other screen, a configurable 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro, serves as the instrument cluster panel. While the 15-inch unit is only available on the Highline R-Line, the 10.25-inch cluster display is standard on all trims, and the bottom three grades also receive a standard 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. Other standard kit includes wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto and wireless charging. Oh, and there's a big volume knob on the centre console, but it does more than control the sound of the 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system; it's a multi-function, push-swipe thingy, which Volkswagen calls the Driving Experience Dial, and it controls drive modes and … Atmospheres. Say, what? 'Atmospheres' are aspects of cabin mood, and swiping the dial's mini touchscreen adjusts ambient lighting and music settings. There are five preprogrammed moods: Lounge, Joy, Nature, Energetic and Minimal. A custom feature enables users to create their own mood. The Driving Experience Dial is standard on all grades except for the base Trendline. As I wind along country roads, my mood is relaxed. The big sky and mist-covered mountains roll past, and my Monterey Blue Tiguan tester proves a comforting sanctuary. I turn on the massaging driver's seat (10-point massaging is exclusive to Highline R-Line) and relax as stress and soreness is kneaded out of my back. (This feature is also available for the front seat passenger.) This is upmarket for Volkswagen, I think to myself, as I get more comfortable in quilted leather seating. Real open-pore wood; 15-inch infotainment screen; 30-colour ambient lighting with backlighting in the dash and front doors. BMW and Mercedes, and corporate cousin Audi, ought to be concerned. It seems as though Volkswagen is primed to eat their lunch. And that's to say nothing of the 268-horsepower Tiguan Turbo arriving in 2026. Look out BMW! Are there any negatives? Not many, but a few are worth noting. First, there are no electrified options; the Tiguan is gas only. Hybrids are in the plans, however. Second, the Tiguan is now strictly five-passenger. The third row, which accounted for just 10 per cent of Tiguan sales in Canada, is gone. Finally, some premium content is locked to the Highline R-Line grade. Exclusive items include 15-inch infotainment touchscreen, 10-point massaging front seats, upscale wood dash decor, and 30-colour ambient lighting. It all helps justify the $47,495-price-tag. But I don't think these will be deal-breakers for most buyers. The 2025 Tiguan is a smooth, comfortable, and capable performer. The new premium touches will only broaden its appeal. Type: Mid-size SUV, front-engine, all-wheel drive Engine: 2.0-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine; 201 horsepower, 221 pounds-feet of torque (motive force) Transmission: Eight-speed automatic Fuel (Regular 87): 10.5 litres/100 km in the city; 7.8l/100km on the highway; 9.3l/100 km combined Cargo: 750 litres, or 26.5 cubic feet; 1,668l, or 59 cu. ft. in total Price: $36,495; $47,495 as tested, plus $2,200 freight
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Upcoming VW Golf GTI special is faster around 'Ring than Golf R
The upcoming Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 has become the quickest production-based VW model to lap the Nürburgring – surpassing even the more powerful and track-honed Golf R. The special iteration of the hot hatch – based on the current Golf GTI Mk8.5, which is widely expected to be the final pure-combustion GTI before the badge moves into the electric era – lapped the 12.94-mile Nordschleife circuit in 7min 46.13sec. The lap was set a little over a week before the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours, where the GTI Edition 50 is planned to be officially unveiled on 20 June. While the special Golf won't reach UK showrooms until 2026, it has already made headlines by eclipsing the time set by the Golf R 20 Years – and has edged the Golf closer than ever to the 7min 44.88sec front-wheel-drive Nürburgring lap benchmark set by the Honda Civic Type R in 2023 In beating the four-wheel-drive Golf R 20 Years – a 328bhp anniversary model that set a time of 7min 47.31secc in 2022 – the new front-drive GTI Edition 50 has now leapfrogged what was once considered Volkswagen's halo performance Golf model. The GTI Edition 50's lap time was achieved by Benny Leuchter, VW's long-standing development and race driver. Speaking to Autocar after the run, Leuchter revealed that conditions were far from ideal. 'We ran in a very small window of opportunity after hours of rain,' he said. 'It was partly wet. The Fuchsröhre was particularly treacherous, and there was standing water on many other parts of the circuit.' Full technical details of the Edition 50 remain under wraps but the Nürburgring car was fitted with a Performance Package, which included Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slicks on 19in forged Warmenau wheels and a revised suspension set-up. These components are expected to be optional extras when the car goes on sale in late 2025. Power output hasn't been confirmed, but it's understood the Edition 50 will produce close to 320bhp from its familiar turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder EA888 petrol engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a mechanical limited-slip differential. Leuchter emphasised that the car he drove wasn't a one-off. 'Technically, it was set up exactly as it will be sold to customers,' he said. ]]>
Toronto Star
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Toronto Star
VW's bestseller gets a premium makeover. What's new?
BOZEMAN, MONT.—Driving along a twisty, two-lane road in the back country, I press down on the accelerator and the turbo engine roars to life, pushing me into a sweeping right-hand turn. The car handles this with ease. I'm not driving a premium entry from Audi or BMW … or even a GTI or Golf R. Nope, on this cool and rainy spring day in central Montana, I'm behind the wheel of the all-new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan.
Miami Herald
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Golf GTI Edition 50 Becomes VW's Fastest Car At Nurburgring
Volkswagen has proved yet again that it's one of the hot hatch authorities, with its new Golf GTI Edition 50 setting a new record for production VWs around the Nurburgring. Referred to as a "near-production test vehicle" by VW, this special GTI set a time of seven minutes and 46.13 seconds. That surpasses the time of seven minutes and 47.31 seconds set by the Golf R 20th Anniversary edition, a time achieved in 2022. Unlike the all-wheel-drive Golf R, the GTI sends power to the front wheels only, yet it's always remained fun to drive despite its FWD setup. The record-breaking time was set across the 12.9-mile route of the course, and an even quicker time of seven minutes and 41.27 seconds was achieved over the slightly shorter 12.8-mile stretch. The GTI 50 was not quite able to dethrone the Honda Civic Type R, which remains the FWD hot hatch king. The hottest Civic completed the 12.9-mile lap in a time of seven minutes and 44.88 seconds. Although we don't know if this GTI improves upon the normal GTi's 241 horsepower, it's highly unlikely to match the Type R's 315 hp, which is more Golf R territory. Still, the GTI 50 gets close, thanks to an optional Performance package with lightweight 19-inch semi-slick Potenza Race tires from Bridgestone. These are wrapped around lightweight forged wheels, which lower unsprung and rotating masses. A performance-tuned chassis is also part of this package, which was equipped to the GTI that completed this latest effort at the Green Hell. Benny Leuchter was behind the wheel of the GTI Edition 50 for this run, and was left blown away by the car. He was a good choice for the job, having driven the Golf GTI Clubsport S for the brand's first lap record nearly a decade ago. He did the same in the Golf R 20 Years in 2022. "The entire setup of the Golf GTI Edition 50 means you can drive the ideal line of the Nordschleife with high precision," said Leuchter. "If you really want to be fast on the track known as the 'Green Hell', the car also has to compensate for the typical bumps in the ground and reach very high cornering speeds. This is exactly what the Golf GTI Edition 50 achieves in perfection. The aplomb with which it masters the peculiarities of the legendary Nordschleife is cool: the GTI is instantly stable over the entire 20.8 kilometers." Leuchter said he would never have believed he could beat the Golf R's lap time in a FWD GTI. A full reveal of the record-breaking GTI Edition 50 is set for June 20. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
