Volkswagen is looking at the growing demand for electrification—and the shrinking demand for small cars in the United States—and decided to pull the Golf from the US lineup. Still, the German automaker brings over the eighth-generation Golf GTI and Golf R. The latest Golf R is still a hot hatch with plenty of power on tap. Driving this 2022 VW Golf R is a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 that makes 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. That power travels through either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed automatic before hitting the all-wheel-drive system.
In this episode of Quick Spin, host Wesley Wren walks you around the VW Golf R to highlight its quirks and features and climbs into the interior to relay the design and ergonomics. Wren also takes you along for a live drive review and talks about the Golf R’s driving dynamics. Autoweek’s west coast editor Mark Vaughn joins the conversation, talking about all things Golf, including the R’s steep price. Closing the show, the two discuss what makes the Golf R special.
Tune in below, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are played.