Article :: Mk8 Golf R's launch price is £10k more than the Mk7's

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When the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf R launched, it did so costing less than thirty grand. Like the Ford Focus RS and BMW M135i, it arrived with a tantalising price tag – just £29,900 – to pique everyone’s interest. And my, didn’t it work with spectacular effect: the attractive lease deals followed, and now you’d be forgiven for thinking half of all Golfs sold have circa-300bhp and an R badge.

 

 

 

Six years on, the Mk8 Golf R has launched. And it costs… £39,270. Which illustrates a) such a thing called ‘inflation’ exists and b) VW’s adjusted its halo Golf to reflect that everyone bought them as specced-up, DSG-shifted five-doors, not entry-level manual three-doors.

 

Indeed, it now only comes as a DSG-equipped five-door. And it’s a little more powerful than before – up 20bhp, at 316bhp – while still utilising a winter-friendly (or drag race-friendly) four-wheel-drive system, now hooked up to a clever new differential and torque vectoring system to make its performance even better pub fodder. Its 0-62mph time is 4.7secs, and its top speed as high as 168mph.

 

 

You only get the latter by spending an additional £2,000 on the R-Performance Package. Making it – yes – a £41k Golf. Albeit one with a ‘what could go wrong?’ Drift Mode, that higher top speed and a Special option added to the drive select. It unlocks the perfect settings for tackling the Nordschleife, should you want to replicate Volkwagen’s own sub-8 ‘Ring lap endeavours without immediate YouTube infamy. You also get inch-larger 19in alloys and a bigger spoiler.

 

 

Prefer your Golf with just front-wheel drive? Half the TG office does, and so several of us would be more tempted by the new Mk8 Golf GTI Clubsport, below. Cheaper than the R, at £37,215, it possesses barely less performance – a 296bhp peak yielding 0-62mph in 5.6secs – and it gets that ‘Ring-bashing Special mode as standard.

Which Golf takes your fancy, Internet? Or would you save another few grand and go for the Toyota GR Yaris?

 

Article courtesy of Top Gear

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[Deano 174]

Tbf my mk7.5 was £10k more than my mk7. VW had steadily been adding more standard kit and nudging up the RRP ever since the R was launched. The MK8 is not a lot more than the last of mk7.5’s.

 

It’s all nonsense anyway as you’ll get 10-12% discount without even trying.

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3 minutes ago, Deano said:

Tbf my mk7.5 was £10k more than my mk7. VW had steadily been adding more standard kit and nudging up the RRP ever since the R was launched. The MK8 is not a lot more than the last of mk7.5’s.

 

It’s all nonsense anyway as you’ll get 10-12% discount without even trying.

Drivethedeal discount has already jumped from the initial 11% to 14%. 

[DDave 51]

Mk8 probably about 5k more than the last 7.5s as DSG now standard and only five door available. This was the spec and cost on mine just over two years ago. Don,t forget the five years extra tax to pay for cars above £40,000 which will now apply on most Mk8s

[camelsac2002 2,247]

All the more reason why I won’t have another. I’d expect a greater power increase and better plastics for a £40k price tag. The GTi Clubsport doesn’t seem any better value either.


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