Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo - [2017]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Golf Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2017. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2018 Bugatti Chiron Sport 8.0L W16 Quad Turbo and the 2018 Bugatti Divo 8.0L W16 64 Valve Turbo.This particular Volkswagen-VW Golf has a 1984cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Golf shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Golf's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1476 kgs (3254 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Golf shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 1984cc 16V St4 engine produces 292 bhp (217 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 280 lb-ft (379.6 Nm) @ 1800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volkswagen-VW Golf you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2019 Audi Q3 RS Sportback 2.5 Turbo (222.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volkswagen-VW Golf.

The Volkswagen-VW Golf has a Power to weight ratio of 197.8 bhp per ton and 189.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2017 Golf competing with the 2019 Audi Q3 RS Sportback 2.5 Turbo (222.5 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 272 (222.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volkswagen-VW Golf generating around 189.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (214.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet 991 (214.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.1 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the or the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the and the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Golf and the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Golf on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.76 secs @ 99.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8 (13.72 secs), the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (13.72 secs), and the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 Cup (13.73 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2017 version of the Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2017 Golf equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2017 Golf Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison