Golf R '20 Years' is fastest Volkswagen R ever on the Nürburgring

MANILA: All it takes is a stopwatch. On the German racetrack Nürburgring-Nordschleife, the new Volkswagen Golf R "20 Years" is the fastest R model ever.

The anniversary vehicle improved the previous lap record set by a Golf R on the 20,832 km-long racetrack by four seconds because to its greater power. The official lap time for the Golf R 20 Years was 7:47.31.

Golf R 20 Years delivers significantly better performance and ensures an exciting motorsport experience between the "Schwedenkreuz" and "Döttinger Höhe" track sections thanks to its special standard equipment, optimized driving characteristics, and a standard output of 333ps.

The 20th anniversary sporty edition offers 10ps more than the current Volkswagen Golf R production model. The Golf 20 Years accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 4.6 seconds when equipped with this engine power, and it has an electronically regulated top speed of 270 kph. The extra power is particularly discernible in routine circumstances like overtaking maneuvers because of the much better engine responsiveness.

The special edition vehicle is the most dynamic Volkswagen R ever on the Nordschleife, but it's not simply because of the power of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine.

R-Performance package, Driving Dynamics Manager, and R-Performance Torque Vectoring are just a few of the many standard features that contribute to the Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years' noticeable performance improvement.

At the Nürburgring- Nordschleife, it is impressive to see how the strong all-wheel-drive Golf R models have changed over the past 20 years.

Benjamin Leuchter, a touring car racer and a Volkswagen R development driver, took on this assignment and tested the limited-edition car on the storied track. The R-Performance package for the Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years was also actively developed by him.

The special-edition model has the additional "Special" and "Drift" driving profiles as standard equipment in addition to the basic "Comfort," "Sport," and "Race" driving profiles. The racer selected the "Special" driving profile, which was created for the driving on the Nordschleife.

The "Special" profile provides the vehicle with a configuration that satisfies the special needs of what is likely the most difficult race course in the whole world. Due to the heavy loads at full performance when driving on such tracks, this also entails modifying the shock absorbers to a softer and more pleasant setting.

As one of the 15 setting for the regulated shock absorbers, this ensures the best possible road contact on circuits with numerous bumps, such as the Nürburgring. This driving profile, along with the modified steering wheel and drive settings, enables the anniversary Golf R to perfectly handle the vast majority of fast and medium-speed turns on the Nordschleife.

All parameters, including R-Performance Torque Vectoring and engine sound, can be manually changed in "Individual" mode of the Driving Dynamics Manager to suit individual preferences.

In front of grandstand T13, the timed lap of the Nürburgring-Nordschleife got off to a fast start. The grandstand's beginning and ending points serve as the measurement's start and finish points; the 200 meters in between are unaccounted for.

Not only is confidence in the car essential for setting lap records, but also for enjoying safe driving. The Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years expertly handled the quick transitions between curbs and the ensuing curves, such "Hatzenbach," by staying on line at all times.

The seven-speed gearbox's improved shift characteristics enable gear changes with more intense feel and intensify the emotive driving experience of the Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years. The vehicle's improved dynamic performance is highlighted by the harsher engine sound inside the car and the optimized exhaust system sound in the low engine speed range.

The improved engine tuning of the Volkswagen R anniversary car further demonstrates the advancement in development over the prior model.

In overrun mode, the preloaded turbocharger is also maintained at a constant speed to help the engine build power more quickly during subsequent acceleration. The continuously open throttle valve aids in this procedure. When the driver depresses the accelerator and then presses it again, the engine responds substantially better and torque builds up more quickly.

With its performance-oriented drive system, the Golf R "20 Years" reached speeds of over 240 kph at the "Schwedenkreuz" crest and 265 kph at the "Döttinger Höhe" on the Nürburgring. The new record time of 7:47.31 minutes is a four-second gain over the previous model and a special present for Volkswagen R in honor of the 20th anniversary of the model.

“With this car, I can drive here on the Nürburgring and the next stop is then the baker’s or the DIY store. The vehicle is really an all-rounder that can do everything,” said a visibly impressed Benjamin Leuchter.

That is the exact philosophy behind Volkswagen R, the company's premium performance brand, which has been providing special vehicles since 2002. They excite the worldwide Volkswagen fan communities with their improved performance, expressive design, and their driving ability for both road and track.

The first Golf to wear an “R” badge from the Volkswagen Racing division was unveiled in Madrid in 2002, following a concept that was shown a year earlier. The Golf R32 was said to offer an advanced running gear: a high-output 3.2-liter VR6 with 240hp linked to the standard 4Motion AWD system that sent power to the rear axle as needed.

In Europe, the Golf R32 also debuted a DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is "a first for a production vehicle." In North America, the 5,000 examples of the R32 came only with a six-speed manual.

Photos from Volkswagen

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