New User? Sign Up | Log In Home Service & Repair Car Prices Parts & Accessories Reviews & Advice My Garage Need Help? 2012 Volkswagen Golf R Base 2dr HB Trim Info: All Wheel Drive, Hatchback, Compact Cars 19 (Est) mpg city / 27 (Est) mpg hwy Other Trims Do you own this car? Estimated Mileage Miles Enter current mileage for most accurate info about this vehicle Recently Viewed Cars 2012 Volkswagen Golf R Base 2dr HB Track Your Service Records Get Recall Alerts Get Updated Value Estimates on Your Car. 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Endowed with all-wheel drive, a sharpened suspension, and a juiced-up engine that’s highly tunable, the Golf R brings aggressive updates to the GTI’s familiar formula. A six-speed manual is the only available transmission, a reminder that the R is aimed at a particularly discerning subset of VW’s fan base. If that sounds like you, better get in line, because VW only plans to sell 5,000 Golf Rs stateside. After a week in the Golf R’s saddle, we still aren’t convinced that it’s $10,000 better than the value-packed base GTI. But hey, we get it. The R is the ultimate German hot hatch. Those 5,000 enthusiastic owners will likely be too busy enjoying the drive to worry about what they paid. What's to Like The Golf R’s tight suspension, big brakes, and Haldex all-wheel-drive system make it much more of a driver’s car than the GTI on which it’s based. Interior materials are second-to-none in the hot-hatch segment. The standard touch-screen interface is both intuitive and responsive, and the backseat is exceptionally adult-friendly. What's Not to Like The ride is unpleasantly stiff on rough roads, an unusual flaw for a VW. Due to the AWD system’s extra weight, the R isn’t much quicker than the GTI despite its 56 extra horsepower. The cargo area isn’t wide enough for a golf bag. Standard features are sparse given the elevated price, and we have some build-quality concerns. Driving Impressions The Golf R’s Haldex all-wheel-drive system can send up to 100 percent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels, making this car far more precise and capable in real-world corners than the GTI. Thanks to always-on stability control (an odd feature in an all-wheel-drive car) and standard all-season tires, the R hasn’t really distinguished itself in third-party performance tests, but drive one on a winding road before you jump to conclusions. At anything less than the limit of adhesion, the R feels planted, balanced, and damn near invincible, not unlike its pricier Audi TT S platform-mate. Adding to the effect are superb R-specific brakes that showed no signs of fade as we zipped up and down California’s 9,624-foot Sonora Pass. Although the Golf R is heavier than a small hatch should be, and its electric power steering isn't razor-sharp, this is still a highly capable machine in spirited driving. The only real disappointment is the ride quality, which evinces little of the GTI’s suppleness. Engine and Drivetrain The 2012 Volkswagen Golf R is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four rated at 256 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. This is actually an evolution of the previous-generation GTI’s motor, which is known on the aftermarket for being easier to tune. The torque starts to come online around 2,000 rpm, and acceleration is swift from 2,500 rpm on up, continuing all the way to redline—a nice surprise, as turbocharged motors often lose steam with revs to spare. Also welcome is the unusually musical engine note. The mandatory six-speed manual transmission is rewarding to row and helps keep the turbo spinning with its closely spaced gear ratios. Green Evaluation/Gas Mileage The Golf R is EPA-rated at 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway. That’s not bad for this level of performance. The highway figure could be better, though, as sixth gear at 80 mph yields a busy 3,300 rpm—we’re surprised VW didn’t go with a taller ratio for sixth and let the engine’s ample low-end torque pick up the slack. Vehicle Details 1 2 Next Similar Articles 2012 Infiniti IPL G Coupe 6MT Read More 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Ce... Read More Crate Engines: When You Need t... Read More Your Local Mechanics New Search: © 2021 DriverSide Inc. 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