👉2023 VW Golf R -- Ultimate In-Depth Look -- Volkswagen

New for 2023
The Golf R is available in two trims for the 2023 model year-the fully-equipped Golf R from the prior model year, along with a limited-production Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition. After receiving a full redesign for MY22, the Mk8 Golf R adds minor cosmetic changes. More details on the 20th Anniversary Edition will come at a later date.
My Test Drive Experience: • 2023 VW Golf R -- Test...
Full details and specs: www.mikescarin...
MSRP for the 2023 Golf R starts at $44,740 for the six-speed manual transmission and $45,540 for the seven-speed DSG automatic. Destination is $1,095.
Powertrain
The Golf R is an altogether different breed of Golf. In addition to being the performance benchmark of the Volkswagen catalog, the Mk8 Golf R is the most powerful production Golf ever. The 2.0-liter TSI® turbocharged and direct-injection unit that powers the Mk8 Golf R is a member of the latest, fourth-generation EA888 engine family and is built in a state-of-the-art factory in Gyor, Hungary.
In Golf R specification, the EA888 evo4 engine displaces 1984cc, producing 315 horsepower (achieved using premium fuel) at 5,600 rpm, and 295 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm on DSG-equipped models (manual-equipped models produce 315 hp at 5,900 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque at 1,900 rpm). The evo4 engine can be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed DSG automatic transmission with Tiptronic. For the first time since the introduction of the DSG, the gearbox will stay in manual mode if the driver has selected it, when in “Special” or “Drift” driving mode. The DSG transmission incorporates a Start-Stop System designed to save fuel, as well as a launch control feature.
EPA-estimated fuel economy for Golf R models equipped with the six-speed manual is 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. When equipped with the optional seven-speed DSG transmission, Golf R delivers EPA-estimated fuel economy of 23 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined.
4Motion® all-wheel-drive system with rear-axle torque vectoring. The advanced torque vectoring system in the Mk8 Golf R serves as the foundation for its updated handling abilities, delivering a new level of performance for its category.
While the previous generation’s 4Motion system could send up to 50 percent of the engine’s total power to the rear axle via a multi-plate clutch, the new system distributes the drive power not just between the front and rear axles, but also between the two rear wheels. Using a rear differential with two multi-plate clutches, it can distribute up to 100 percent of the rear torque to an individual rear wheel. This makes it possible to significantly increase the agility of the Golf R, particularly when cornering. The system is designed to apportion power between the wheels based on speed, throttle application, yaw, and other factors. In a typical corner, more power can be directed to the wheel on the outside of the curve in a matter of milliseconds, reducing the cornering radius.
The benefits of the latest-generation 4Motion system are still retained, helping to eliminate traction losses. The system activates before wheelspin occurs by using an advanced control function based on specific driving conditions. When operating under a relatively low load or when coasting, the front wheels are driven and the rear wheels are decoupled, helping to save fuel. However, the rear wheels can be engaged in fractions of a second whenever necessary via the center differential, which is activated by an electro-hydraulic oil pump.
A control unit continually calculates the ideal drive torque for the rear wheels and controls how much the multi-plate clutch should be closed by activating the oil pump. The oil pressure increases the contact pressure at the clutch plates in proportion to the torque desired at the rear axle. So, the amount of pressure applied to the clutch plates can be used to continuously vary the amount of torque going between the front and rear wheels, up to a maximum of 50 percent at the rear axle.
In addition to the center differential that acts longitudinally and the torque vectoring function of the rear axle, electronic differential locks that are a function of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system act laterally. The system can briefly brake a wheel that is slipping, enabling uninterrupted and stable transfer of drive power to the wheel on the opposite side.
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Thoroughly Experience this Vehicle at Your Convenience.
Credits:
Music: Black Mirror by Soundridemusic
Link to Video: • Tense Electro Cinemati... Music by Karl Casey
Music by White Bat Audio
@whitebataudio Essential Emergency Roadside Kit with tools, pump, and first aid: amzn.to/4fxy8OV

[@MikesCarInfo]

Test drive: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZnKZXR5otCLkM0

[@Dagot1948]

The R is an awesome car. Very few are available in the Chicago area, and the few that are available are being sold at up to $10,000 over MSRP. I called one dealer and she said they were "accepting any bids that were at least $5,000 over MSRP." Count me out.

[@Iambetterthanyouanduknowit]

Lol same here in Canada. It was actually cheaper for me to get the S3 so I did lol

[@jeffreyklein8616]

I traded in my 2019 Golf R for this 20th-anniversary edition with this color. The 2019 had about 58,000 miles. The dealership gave me more than what I owed. This is a fantastic overview, thank you. I absolutely love mine!

[@markmartin5629]

I’ve just done exactly the same traded in my 2019 R for the 20th anniversary but in deep black, just hope the infotainment system and haptic buttons are better than most people say.

[@katiecannon8186]

I can imagine you finding that pointer at a toy store and going “That’s Perfect !!!!” I agree !!!!!

[@zoneapex]

i had the 08 R32, this is a great upgrade - no nitpicky complaints from me about this car .... ...

[@mannyalons8427]

Excellent reviews Mike, we love how you take your time to tell us EVERYTHING even little details about a car. Please include driving and hard driving portions or at least consider it during daytime videos too. Thanks!

[@MikesCarInfo]

Thank you. Here is the test drive: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZnKZXR5otCLkM0

[@user-rs3zz1og1d]

Damn. When you say In Depth Review, you really mean it.👍

[@katiecannon8186]

One more comment: I’m retired & decided I wanted a GTI or R as my last ICE vehicle just to have some fun. I decided I was going to either go with the S or SE trim GTI or go all out for the R, but mostly just because of the beautiful blue color - lol. I would have been an easy update to the GTI SE, but because the sales staff had no real idea about the difference between the two, I went with the S. You, on the other hand, would have sold me an SE by just explaining the difference in an honest, no pressure, way. You’re a great reviewer.

[@MikeyD64]

This was a great review. I wish more people saw this video vs other more known channels, as you seem to have gotten good seat time and taken care and time to go over things people complained about (e.g. R button as a shortcut to choose any drive mode).

[@TheLeverOne]

This is a really nice revieuw!! I have owned a golf 8R for 1/2 months now, and you showed me some new stuff, Thanks!!

[@ScottReynolds-xg1fm]

This is the first time I've ever thought about modifying one of my watches. Thanks for the info!

[@zippmth6786]

VW could do better by hiring you to test the info system. Have a GTI and agree w your points 100%!

[@jeffreyklein8616]

@Mark, what's your opinion of the new choice of sound system Harman Kardon 9-speaker vs. the past Fender system that existed in the 2019 model. I loved the Fender and didn't think it could be topped by a Volkswagen. But I have to say the Harman Kardon is quite impressive. The controls are much more fine-tuned.

[@katiecannon8186]

You’re the only reviewer who understands the capacitive buttons. Lol. I actually like them because of the multifunction aspect. I also love the tech interface stuff. Whatever it’s called - multimedia stuff. But I just have the base trim GTI, so it’s pretty simple.

[@joebruhin2098]

Thanks, I'm considering making the purchase, my concern is two things: 1. I live down a gravel road that is sometimes very bad 2. How is is it on a long road trip with the semis?

[@adrianapigo]

most detailed review ive seen. 👍👍

[@Corkfish1]

So glad they didn't go the boy racer route. Very nice looking but I wish you could get it without the sunroof.

[@rony24]

I lve the little yellow hand :)

[@gabea.458]

I've been looking at cars in this class. This car, the GR Corolla CE, and the Civic Type R. For a dad friendly do it all car, on paper, I would say the Golf R wins. Especially after the fixes coming on the 8.5 refresh. The rear HVAC vents, rear charging ports and option to have a DCT are good options to have if you have kids, that you don't get on the other 2 cars. Here are my problems though. We love these type of cars because they spark an emotion and the Golf R just doesn't look special. Look at the fender flares, vents, Brembos, etc on the Civic Type R and GR Corolla. They look awesome. The Golf R looks 90% like most other Golfs (Im sure some like the understated look). I also am not a fan of blue, so thats a shame its the R accent while the GTI gets red. Blue is a low volume color so I think I'm not alone on this one. I can't rule out a Golf R in the future but those are downers for me persoanlly.

[@wholemilk7952]

understandable in terms of no character for the car. I’ve ordered mine since its the only hatchback with room in the back and hatch. rode my friend’s type r on a road trip to California and while its nice to drive. passengers struggle with long journeys. can’t speak for gr corolla but I will love my golf r when it arrives for its best practicality.

[@kimboofdzners9574]

Civic Type R, look at the look at me I am going through a midlife puberty crisis!

[@hardykornfeld1733]

Not looking special is a positive for me. At least it has a tidy look with blessedly few fake elements. An R might well be my next car, but only if I can get one at MSRP with no dealer-installed crap.

[@lancairw867]

Great review. Love ❤️ the carbon stick pointer hand. I can’t stop 😂

[@hellowhat7803]

for a 45k car, it needs a better interior and its funny how electric seats for the driver not the passenger and the door interior are cheap. i like theirs a manual but a type r interior is way better. i'm going for a 2019 to 21 sti instead

[@tylerm1997]

Is the car in the thumbnail a concept? They look nothing alike

[@ivanlowjones]

Agreed.

[@MrTARIQSs]

AI generated

[@MikesCarInfo]

I wasn't trying to go for the exact car. It is kind of like the retro movie poster that were drawn before the movie was made. They were similar and cool looking but very different from the actual movie.

[@philliprollman7421]

Just ordered my 2024 GTI

[@joegillaspy]

What a great review.

[@johnryall815]

“Acrosst” is not a word.

[@Mirror1973]

Mike, I am loving your thumbnails, they look awesome, just so you know, not everyone “hates” them ❤

[@richardprokopczyk9255]

most reviewers are always complaining about gloss black vs matt or flat black for obvious reasons , and yet the car companies are still using it i just wanna are deaf ,don't you hear the people!

[@edgarhenrique4262]

Golf R um excelente carro,é um carro fantástico...eu Edgar tenho um sonho de eu ter um... Obrigado e Deus abençôe 🎁.

[@gemo9561]

14:00 real reason there isn't a spare is because there isn't any room!! because the differential for the AWD system is back there, the truck floorboard is rather shallow, as opposed to say a GTI where the trunk is deeper and can accommodate a spare...

[@MikesCarInfo]

The GTI can use a donut and this one can't. If it could use a donut then I'm sure the engineers could make room for it since they are rather thin.

[@ioloapgwynn]

A standard VW spacesaver wheel will fit in there. The reason one is not included is that it will not fit onto the front hubs (the diameter of disks and caliper is too large). It will fit the rear hub. I have managed to get hold of a spacesver (plus jack) and carry it around - if I do have a problem with one of the fron wheels, I can fit the spacesaver on a rear hub amd move that wheel to the front.

[@MikesCarInfo]

@@ioloapgwynn Good idea!

[@Mirror1973]

They STILL have not fixed the engine cover?! Comes without one!

[@niklag]

dream car

[@VW_Golf_R]

Einfach ein geiles Auto 😜

[@jeremypayton8315]

The 👉 is CREEPY. Good video but weird with that going on. Just saying.

[@edgarhenrique4262]

Golf R é um carro excelente,e super esportivo e confortável eu Edgar Henrique 🇧🇷 tenho 55 years. Tenho um sonho de eul ter um carro desse, Porque para Deus nada é impossível Lucas 1 37 Obrigado e Deus abençôe 🎁,

[@stephenr6194]

The look of the Golf R just look like a normal Golf.. and for that price point the quality of material for interior is very cheap!

[@muradomar5649]

MURAD form Toronto 🇨🇦👋👌

[@GuruSan88]

Thank you!...Fantastic review! I ReallY would buy the '23 Golf R -- if it weren't for the absolute brainless 'climate control' design. Just can't justify spending CAN$55k on that dumb 'climate control'. I'd spend my money on ANY car in this price range except this Golf R...Unless VW re-designed the 'climate control' with a little more intuitive.

[@MrTARIQSs]

Can you change the AI generated thumbnails please? They look off and I almost didn't click until I read the title

[@MikesCarInfo]

OK fine 😀

[@MrTARIQSs]

​@MikesCarInfo thanks! Just letting you know from a viewer perspective, it may lead some people to think it's a different car, just wanted to let you know to avoid potential loss of views 👍

[@MrTARIQSs]

The main issue with midjourney is that it's trained on old pictures (seems to be from 2019 and before) , so it may not fully understand what the mk8 golf r is and ends up giving a mix of mk7 and concept mk8 pics rather than giving an actual mk8

[@MikesCarInfo]

My channel is already crashing and burning. I thought I would change some things recently to see if it made a difference.

[@MikesCarInfo]

I wasn't trying to go for the exact car. It is kind of like the retro movie poster that were drawn before the movie was made. They were similar and cool looking but very different from the actual movie.

[@MT-kx2uc]

What was the leak? 😂

[@MikesCarInfo]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4jXaJmGbaena5Ysi=FInzFIC9DfPyZXYu

[@edgarhenrique4262]

Golf R 2023 eu Edgar Henrique 🇧🇷 tenho um sonho de eu ganhar um carro desse. Porque para Deus nada é impossível Lucas 1 37. Obrigado 🎁.

[@1hondatoy]

Way overpriced 6k over sticker & my local Stealer ( Pete Moore) in Pensacola wont let you test drive one !!!!!

[@cyrilmatthew2995]

No 2.5 inline 5 cylinder....this is an abomination....

[@zygmuntc]

Yuck! Automatic

[@jurzyjohner432]

Dude someone wake me up i keep falling asleep smh.