PETALING JAYA: The VW Golf R-Line and Golf GTI previewed to Malaysian media in Sekinchan last November are officially launched today.
In an apparent move to make it "three's company", Volkswagen pulled a surprise by unveiling the Golf R as well.
The launch ceremony, held at the Sepang International Circuit, also saw media members given an opportunity to drive the R-Line and GTI on the track.
The R-Line's pricing is still awaiting government approval, with indicative pricing of RM155,000 to RM165,000, while the GTI is priced from RM212,711 (OTR inclusive of SST exemption). Both models are assembled at the VW plant in Pekan, Pahang.
The GTI assembly in the Pekan plant marks a major milestone, as it is the first plant outside of Germany and China to do so.
The R is fully imported and priced from RM357,584. Limited units are available.
Contrast the prices with the previous Golf Mk7.5, which retailed for around RM167,000 and the GTI was priced at nearly RM240,000. On the other hand, the price of the latest R is a big jump compared to around RM296,000 before.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia managing director Erik Winter welcomed the media to the launch in an online call. He said he was unable to be present in person as he was under Covid-19 quarantine.
Since last November, Volkswagen had begun inviting prospective customers to register their interest for the R-Line and GTI.
For VW fans, it has been a long wait for the eighth-generation Golf, which made its world premiere in 2019. The GTI and R showed up in late 2020.
The R-Line and GTI are available in five colours, including two new ones – matte Moonstone Grey and metallic Kings Red.
Other colours are Atlantic Blue in metallic finishing, as well as Deep Black and Oryx White with pearl effect.
All models come with three years free maintenance, five years unlimited mileage warranty, and five years roadside assistance.
Let's dive in, starting with the most accessible model.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia is accepting pre-bookings for the Golf R-Line as it awaits government approval on pricing.
With more than 35 million units sold since 1974 debut, the Golf is an icon that has kept evolving to this day.
The all-new Golf offers improved performance, enhanced digitalisation, and more intuitive controls. The changes are most noticeable in its clean and contemporary look.
A leaner front grille, narrow LED headlights, and an imposing bumper lend an assured stance to the striking model. Inspired by the performance R range, the R-Line has a sporty styling package fitted to create an edgier look.
The interior has been shaped by the goal to ensure that this vehicle is more closely connected to the driver than ever. The all-new Golf offers an entirely digitalised interior landscape, known as the Driver’s Workspace, to provide seamless connectivity and convenience.
The dashboard welcomes a new-generation 10.25” Digital Cockpit; a multifunction steering wheel with haptic-touch control; as well as an advanced 10” Discover Media infotainment system with navigation. Another new feature is the compact and innovative new-generation gear selector – it is the first Volkswagen model in Malaysia to carry this.
To complement its sporty exterior, the R-Line comes with front sport seats fitted in Sardegna fabric and Art Velours side bolsters for deluxe comfort, complete with the R-line logo embossed on the headrest.
Under the hood is a 1.4TSI turbocharged engine that is paired with an 8-speed automatic shift by wire transmission, producing 150PS and 250Nm of torque.
The latest GTI is the everyday sports car from VW. It is powered by a 2.0 TSI turbocharged engine coupled with 7-speed wet clutch DSG to produce 245PS and 370Nm of torque.
What is unique to the GTI is the Vehicle Dynamics Manager system, which allows further driving personalisation including various pre-determined modes as well as individualised settings to choose from. Fuel consumption is rated at 7l/100km.
The GTI's front sport seats are decked out with red trims and an active climate feature to suit either hot or cold weather.
Seats are wrapped in Vienna leather. The driver seat comes with power-adjustable memory feature and lumbar support.
The GTI is immediately recognisable with its signature honeycomb front grille and red GTI trim. It sports 18” Richmond alloy wheels with red brake callipers, and full LED headlamps and taillights.
The GTI's Driver’s Workspace also uses a 10.25” Digital Cockpit with multiple colour themes and views, including a GTI-specific skin, as well as a multifunction steering wheel with haptic-touch control and heating.
An advanced 10” Discover Media infotainment system sits at the centre of the dashboard, offering 3D navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and seven speakers.
Intuitive operation of the vehicle is supported by an intelligent voice control system, activated by saying “Hello Volkswagen” or by pressing the voice button on the steering wheel.
Ambient lighting in the GTI can be linked to driving modes. There are up to 30 colours to choose from, in addition to five pre-set colour modes (Infinity, Eternity, Desire, Euphoria, Vitality), and individualised settings.
The GTI is equipped with 3-zone climate control that can be controlled via a touch slider or voice control. The air conditioner comes with Air Care to keep the cabin air clean by filtering out pollen, spores, and particulates.
Key safety features include six airbags, Electronic Stability Control; Post Collision Braking System (to prevent a second collision) and Electronic Differential Lock.
Unlike the other two Golf models, the Golf R is fully imported from Germany.
The all-wheel drive R is designed to be track-ready yet be comfortable and suitable for a daily drive.
It is traditionally the most powerful model in the Golf family. As the ultimate performance hatch from VW, the R has set and broken numerous records worldwide.
To date, over 250,000 units of the R have been produced and sold around the world.
Under the bonnet lies a 2.0 litre TSI engine making a whopping 320 PS (+20 PS) and 400Nm (+20Nm). The car is able to sprint from 0-100kph in 4.7s and onwards to a top speed of 250kph.
The 4MOTION system with R-Performance Torque Vectoring is the new control centre that distributes the engine’s output to the four driven wheels.
A new rear final drive distributes the drive power of the turbocharged petrol engine in the R not just between the front and rear axles, but also variably between the two rear wheels.
This makes it possible to significantly increase the agility particularly when cornering. As a world first, the all-wheel drive is also networked via a Vehicle Dynamics Manager (VDM) with other running gear systems such the electronic differential locks (XDS) and adaptive chassis control DCC.
Thanks to this close integration of the different systems, the new R is capable of offering optimum traction and neutral handling with high precision.
Note that the R for Malaysia is specced with only four instead of six drive modes namely Comfort, Sport, Race and Individual. Special and Drift modes are not on the menu.
Sporty yet subtle, the design of the all-new R belies its powerful performance.
Besides the R emblems, other R-specific characteristics adorn the model to make it distinctive – from signature bumpers and air intake to the newly-designed diffuser in high-gloss black that is flanked by a pair of tailpipes on both sides.
The 19” Adelaide alloy wheels complete the rugged profile of this hot hatch.
The signature blue of the R is reflected in the blue brake callipers and the eye-catching blue strip that runs across the front of the vehicle, whereas the illuminated light strip is trademark Volkswagen.
Another unique feature is the light projection of the R logo when the driver door is opened and closed.
The interior evokes sporty luxury with the R-specific decorative trim in Carbon Grey. Another standout feature is the premium front sport seats with integrated headrest and R logo in Nappa leather.
These are furnished with the active climate feature, while the driver seat can be electrically adjusted and provides lumbar support.
Other innovations come in the form of the multifunctional sports steering wheel, where it now has the blue backlit R button that instantly activates "Race" mode with one push.
What is special as well is the larger shift paddles for a better shifting experience.
The advanced 10” Digital Cockpit comes with various customisations, including an exclusively-designed R-View that is only available in this model.
Its auxiliary display would interest fans of motorsport as data such as output, power, torque distribution, charge pressure, lap timer and G-meter are available in live view.
A 10” Digital Infotainment System offers seamless connectivity with inbuilt navigation, and Wireless App-Connect for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There are 30-colour ambient lighting and 3-zone Climatronic air con for optimum comfort.
The R features a premium Harman Kardon 480-watt audio system with 10 speakers.
The model is available in three colours – its signature Lapiz Blue, Deep Black and Pure White.
The R is equipped with key safety features such as six airbags, side assist with rear cross traffic alert, rear view camera, automatic post-collision braking system, Driver alert system, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), Anti-theft alarm system, and proactive passenger protection system.
