Skip advert
Advertisement

Volkswagen Golf R v Golf GTI Clubsport – car pictures of the week

In the latest issue of evo, we test the Mk8.5 Golf R against the GTI Clubsport – these are our favourite shots

The Mk8.5 Volkswagen Golf R and GTI models signal the final flicker of life for petrol-powered fast Golfs. In issue 328 of evo, we pit R against GTI Clubsport to find out which is the more rewarding everyday performance car. To read the full feature, pick up a copy of the magazine in-store or online via the evo shop

Advertisement - Article continues below

With the Mk8.5 Golf, Volkswagen made one or two missteps that made it a less desirable package than its predecessor overall. With the new Mk8.5, some of those wrongs have been righted, and the R and GTI Clubsport have gained minor mechanical updates to close the gap to the best current hot hatches

The changes are subtle, with both models receiving small styling updates and chassis calibration tweaks. The Clubsport generates the same 296bhp as before, but the R has been boosted to 328bhp to match the outgoing 20 Years model. Importantly for usability, the Mk8’s slow and fiddly infotainment system has been swapped out for Volkswagen’s latest MIB 4 setup, including – finally – illuminated temperature and volume controls.

As evo’s Sam Jenkins found out, the R remains a formidable point-to-point hatch, with the GTI Clubsport offering purer front-drive thrills. 

'The R’s all-wheel drive and torque-vectoring systems work well to provide more rotation and positivity mid-corner, but for me they will never be able to replicate the pure, satisfying feel of a lighter, front-drive model such as the GTI Clubsport. And while the R’s trick rear differential injects some energy into the car, it’s still difficult to fully take advantage of it on the road, with the rotation you’re looking for often turning to mild front-end push.’

To read the full test, pick up a copy of evo 328 in-store or online.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport v Cupra Leon 300 – what's the best mainstream hot hatch?
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport v Cupra Leon 300
Group tests

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport v Cupra Leon 300 – what's the best mainstream hot hatch?

As high-priced heroes steal the headlines, a real-world hot hatch battle rages between Volkswagen’s refined Golf GTI Clubsport and Cupra’s rebellious …
23 May 2025
Fiat Panda 100HP Fast Fleet test – living with a £2000 pocket rocket
evo Fast Fleet Fiat Panda 100HP
Long term tests

Fiat Panda 100HP Fast Fleet test – living with a £2000 pocket rocket

It ranked among evo’s favourite superminis of the noughties, but is a 15-year-old, £2000, 100,000-mile example worth a punt? We find out
22 May 2025
Best French cars – the greatest performance cars from France, past and present
Best French cars
Best cars

Best French cars – the greatest performance cars from France, past and present

From hot hatches to sports cars, none do light weight, delicate and danceable quite like the French
16 May 2025
Audi RS3 2025 review – can it topple AMG’s A45 S?
Audi RS3 – front
In-depth reviews

Audi RS3 2025 review – can it topple AMG’s A45 S?

The RS3 has one of the most spectacular engines you'll find in a hot hatch, and the rest is just as good. Is that enough to warrant a £60k+ asking pri…
12 May 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Mercedes-AMG discounting its F1-inspired super saloon by £9500
Mercedes-AMG C63
News

Mercedes-AMG discounting its F1-inspired super saloon by £9500

The Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance is, to the surprise of very few, not selling well. So now there are deals to be had…
19 May 2025
BMW might be about to revive the Z3 M Coupe ‘clownshoe’
BMW Z3 M Coupe teaser
News

BMW might be about to revive the Z3 M Coupe ‘clownshoe’

A new Z3 M-inspired shooting brake will be unveiled at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este later this month – here’s a sneak peek
20 May 2025
Porsche 911 Carrera GTS 2025 review – hybrid done the right way
Porsche 911 GTS – front
Reviews

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS 2025 review – hybrid done the right way

A new hybrid engine and chassis upgrades have injected personality and huge capability into the 992
20 May 2025