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

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Golf Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo DSG is the 7 speed / Auto 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 1499 kgs (3304 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo DSG 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 1993 Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo S (219.7 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 194.7 bhp per ton and 186.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2017 Golf competing with the 1993 Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo S (219.7 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Lotus Elise 111R (219.7 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 186.7 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 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (211.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1964 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 283 V8 Turbo Fire (211.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.9 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo DSG as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the or the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo DSG is also faster than the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the and the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (4.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Golf and the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Golf on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.98 secs @ 97.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260 (13.92 secs), the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (13.93 secs), and the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (13.93 secs).

Top Speed:

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