The new VW Golf 8 R is going on sale at the end of April at a starting price of R912,800.
Not many hot hatches can compete with VW’s new beast, but there are a few that is up to the challenge.
From under the VW umbrella itself, there’s the Audi S3 Quattro, from BMW, there’s the M135i xDrive, and from Mercedes-AMG, there’s the A35 4Matic, all of which are four-wheel drive and boast comparable performance figures to the Golf.
Outside of the German brands, Honda’s Civic Type R, Hyundai’s i30 N, and Renault’s last-ever Megane RS300 are possible alternatives to the R, as well as the upcoming Toyota GR Corolla which arguably poses the biggest threat to the sporty VW’s market share.
Golf R specs
The new Golf R comes with a 2.0-litre, turbocharged motor pushing 235kW and 400Nm, in partnership with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system with an electronic differential lock and adaptive chassis control.
The hatchback is capable of toppling 250km/h and if it hooks up just right, it sprints to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds.
In the cabin, prospective buyers can look forward to a panoramic sunroof, automatic LED lights with high-beam assist, a wireless charger, keyless entry and start, electric tailgate operation, and R-specific Nappa leather seats.
Furthermore, the Discover Pro infotainment system is installed as standard, bringing a 10.25-inch instrument cluster flanked by a 10.25-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice control, and satellite navigation.
In the tables below, we detail where the new VW Golf R ranks against its biggest rivals in South Africa.
Power
| Model | Output | AWD/FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-AMG A35 | 235kW/400Nm | AWD |
| VW Golf 8 R | 235kW/400Nm | AWD |
| Honda Civic Type R | 228kW/400Nm | FWD |
| BMW M135i | 225kW/450Nm | AWD |
| Renault Megane RS300 Trophy | 221kW/420Nm | FWD (4-wheel steer) |
| Toyota GR Corolla | 221kW/370Nm | AWD |
| Audi S3 | 213kW/400Nm | AWD |
| Hyundai i30 N | 206kW/392Nm | AWD |
Performance
| Model | 0-100km/h | Top speed |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-AMG A35 | 4.7 seconds | 250km/h |
| BMW M135i | 4.8 seconds | 250km/h |
| VW Golf 8 R | 4.8 seconds | 250km/h |
| Audi S3 | 4.9 seconds | 250km/h |
| Toyota GR Corolla | 5.0 seconds (approx.) | 230km/h |
| Hyundai i30 N | 5.4 seconds | 250km/h |
| Renault Megane RS300 Trophy | 5.7 seconds | 255km/h |
| Honda Civic Type R | 5.8 seconds | 272km/h |
Price
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| Hyundai i30 N | R795,900 |
| Honda Civic Type R | R857,500 |
| Audi S3 | R906,100 |
| VW Golf 8 R | R912,800 |
| BMW M135i | R930,537 |
| Renault Megane RS300 Trophy | R949,999 |
| Mercedes-AMG A35 | R1,243,353 |
| Toyota GR Corolla | TBD |
Get South Africa’s latest entrepreneurial or business success stories delivered right to your inbox — Sign up to Entrepreneur Hub SA’s newsletter today
eBook: 50 South African Entrepreneurs Reveal HOW THEY MADE IT
