Filed under: Sedan, China, Videos, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows

Volkswagen is not messing around when it characterizes its new MQB architecture as modular. It’s already underpinning the VW Golf, Audi A3, Seat Leon and Skoda Octavia, and will soon form…

Meet the ultimate Golf, the hottest hatch ever – the Volkswagen Golf R.

Occasionally a car feels right within a few minutes of making its acquaintance – the VW Golf R is one of those cars.

Flagship of the Golf range and priced from £29,000, the R is much more than simply the fastest accelerating production Golf ever.

At its heart is a more powerful version (just shy of 300bhp) of the already hot 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine used in the Golf GTi.

Visually stunning in Lapiz Blue (exclusive to the R and a handy way to spot one), it’s differentiated in other ways too.

There are discreet ‘R’ badges outside and in, a new front bumper design with large air intakes. body-coloured sills, matt chrome-capped door mirrors and four exhausts at the back.

The Golf R oozes quality as soon as you step in the comfy, yet supportive sports seats. It’s packed with goodies too, including a 5.8-inch touchscreen multimedia system, ABS and various safety systems.

I tried both versions of the R – the six-speed manual and the six-speed DSG auto. The DSG is slightly faster to 62mph (4.9 seconds), while the manual is no slouch either (5.1s). Both are limited to 155mph top speed and you can choose 3dr or 5dr layouts.

Fire up the R and it’s clear that this is going to be an experience. It sounds powerful with a seductive burble, providing a hint of what’s to come.

I tried the slick manual first and the acceleration, especially in second and third, was blistering. Almost shockingly so.

The DSG auto was even more of a revelation. It genuinely felt that little bit faster – we’re talking jet propulsion.

If anything, the exhaust note was even more sensational, popping and cracking not unlike the Jaguar V6 F-Type.

Raw power is one thing, but it’s how it is delivered that matters. Again, VW has got it right with the R.

There’s no sign of any turbo lag – just seemingly never-ending, silky smooth performance.

The car’s grip is astonishing, partly thanks to the intelligent 4MOTION four-wheel-drive system, while the ride is perfect too, just on the soft side of firm.

The result is that the Golf R is exhilarating to drive. If I owned one, my biggest fear would be for the longevity of my licence. This car is fun with a capital ‘F’.

The Golf R is a hot hatch with supercar performance, but with the practicality of a family car.

Add fuel consumption of around 30mpg to that and you’ve got a stunning package.

Yes it’s £30,000, but worth every penny and it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you leave other cars standing.

The post VW Golf R – first drive appeared first on Automotive Blog.

Filed under: Etc., Green Culture

It’s not hard to understand, when gas prices go up, Americans sometimes drive less on national holidays. This year, though gas prices are lower than they have been right before Labor Day since 2010, and that means the …

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Lincoln

Ford hybrid customers apparently have very short memories. With two EPA fuel economy reratings in the last year, sales of the C-Max, Fusion Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ haven’t been too terribly dented, Ward’s Auto reports…

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Chevrolet

Preservation or restoration. That’s the question that faces anyone dealing with classic cars, and it’s the issue with which the National Corvette Museum is grappling in the wake of the sinkhole that opened up in …

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Volvo

Volvo has made all manner of vehicles over the course of its long history, including coupes, convertibles, hatchbacks, sedans, wagons and SUVs. But the vehicle that started it all was the PV444.

Or rather, we shoul…

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Videos, Supercars, Ferrari

There’s a stable of about 40 beautiful prancing horses hiding in a Tennessee garage. These thoroughbreds aren’t out to win the next Triple Crown, though. Instead, this is one of the best c…

Filed under: Sedan, Russia, Tesla, Electric

Tesla Fever has extended far and wide, winning over critics and everyday enthusiasts alike. The company is rapidly expanding its efforts both in its home market and abroad, but for some of its wealthy fans, …

Hard to believe, but Citroen’s ground-breaking CX is 40 years old this year.

Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1974 and produced until 1991, the Citroën CX has reached a landmark birthday.

Bold and stylish, the CX was advanced for its time featuring a turbocharged diesel engine, a GTi version, updated hydropneumatic suspension for new standards of comfort and it was the first French car to be fitted with ABS brakes in 1985

It quickly established a reputation for exceptional comfort, advanced ergonomics and impeccable road holding, claiming the ‘Car of the Year’ award, ‘Safety Prize’ and ‘Award Auto Style’ in its first year on sale.

A rare sight on the roads of today, the CX was a huge success, selling more than 1.2 million globally up to 1991.

Designed by Robert Opron, the CX was a two-box saloon, measuring 4.63m in length. The aerodynamics of the CX played a key role in achieving its impressive levels of fuel efficiency and the acronym CX in itself illustrated the vehicle’s low drag coefficient – Cx being French for the aerodynamic coefficient Cd.

Over the next few years, Citroën continued to upgrade the CX with further technological improvements, including an estate version in 1975, a 2400 GTi electronic injection sports version in 1977 – considered as the fastest French tourer of its time – and a Prestige version in 1978, which was 28cm longer than the original car.

The CX was also very comfortable, inheriting the constant-height hydropneumatic suspension of the DS as well as the power-operated self-centring steering system seen on the SM in 1970.

The post Citroen CX celebrates 40th appeared first on Automotive Blog.

Filed under: Volkswagen, UAW/Unions

The struggle over unionization at the Volkswagen factory in Chattanooga, TN, continues to get more complicated. There’s now a second union fighting to organize at the plant; although this one is staunchly against th…