FULL SEND! NEW VW Golf 8.5 R! Autobahn, Drift & Track!

[@bagi914]

278 kmh in a Golf is pretty impressive, whats even more impressive in my opinion is the gearbox. New modes, the sport mode, manual mode and the "Fun mode", like Mr. Leuchter says it makes it easy peasy for beginner track drivers allowing the driver to literally just focus on the driving, nothing else. Everything in one, you can do everything with it just how the Golf was intended to be

[@hettmannsperger42]

more like 260kmh gps.

[@kevin-l7r7p]

@@hettmannsperger42 yer I ain't saying it's not true but a 173mph in a stock 330hp? Golf is questionable, could have had a major tailwind tbf.

[@DoiPunctZero]

Drove 275km/h (and was not top speed) in my former Golf 6R with 6 speed DSG but was stage 1 and unrestricted speed. Probably the 8.5R has 7 speed so unrestricted can go more.

[@basskicker333]

you're right, its like full time cheat mode on. the programming of engine and gearbox is amazing

[@MauriceNL1]

Last week i hit 282kmh in my stage 2 7R with 3 people inside. Really crazy how silent and stable it was!

[@andras.89]

We need a 8.5.2 with Physical knobs and buttons on steering wheel no capacitive BS also for climate/media operation. I loved the autobahn part though, nice concentration!

[@Picsou313]

It's not the same. They've been modified. Accidental touches are almost impossible now

[@tubejorrit]

@@Picsou313 they changed it just with software. I still prefer the clubsport tho

[@marcm7692]

You obviously do not own an mk8 …these are not real issues with daily use.

[@ThePandaBeat]

BASED The capacitive suefaces are rubbish, doesn't mattee if it's VW or Ferrari. Bring back physical buttons and knobs, not the cheap and distracting "surfaces".

[@b4lderm]

Dunno about the new R model, but the new 8.5 GTI has regular buttons on the steering wheel, the touch surfaces have been removed.

[@SimonLaudati]

2 years now in owning the Golf 8 R and I can confirm it's the perfect all rounder - everyday car, family car, travel car, track car - expensive but really great. I'm very intrigued now by the 8.5 😛

[@MrCthur]

Man, I love that Mk8~8.5 drivetrain. If I could get that with a Mk7.5 cockpit, I'd be writing the check right now.

[@Mk7.5Ronin]

Same here lol

[@yaoyangliu6369]

lmao😢

[@loganpadayachee6048]

The 8 interior is more premium I owned the 7.5 and 8 GTI dsg

[@epultimast]

@@loganpadayachee6048 now that’s a bunch o balloney. The 7.5 interior is way more premium. It still has the felt lining of the door compartments and better material all around - not just where you just touch the wheel or rest your arms like in the 8.

[@L4GGINGB4D]

with a handbrake, I just want a handbrake XD

[@VluggeJapie33]

That guy is absolutely great to listen to! So calm, so relax with great explains. I would like to see more of him🙌🏼

[@sauravchhabra840]

The drift part was really interesting

[@Instarentner]

Benny Leuchter is a really fabulous guy

[@izleyici95]

He was really clear with the explanation. It was fun to listen and watch him.

[@Zebedeez]

Super impressed with that gearbox, yet to drive or see a car that can be so quick to respond to brake and throttle inputs and adjust the nature of the gearbox and its shifting accordingly, very impressed

[@joarandrehansen]

I'm happy that VW still makes this kind of Golf (even though I've never owned one my self). "Everything" Is being electrified nowaday, so let's hope that VW keeps the Golf with an ICE in production for as long as possible.

[@AudreyH48]

Each year I'm more and more in love with the Golf R and it's so incredibly tempting to try getting one!

[@mangomann3158]

Getting my new Golf 8.5 R black edititon in a few weeks and im really excited but this video just grew that excitement even further :D

[@SamAustin]

173mph indicated is very impressive and it got there so quick. Seemed effortless to the car. Great to se you up close and personal Misha with the new MK8.5 Golf R 🎉

[@Scotty-vs4lf]

@@chickenmanmackenzie3525 mph

[@chickenmanmackenzie3525]

@@Scotty-vs4lf you right I read it as 270 ☠️

[@mauricetoussaint7283]

Not that quick. Current RS3 gets to 290km/h a lot faster.

[@16golfr56]

@@mauricetoussaint7283 The R has a limiter, also who is comparing a Golf R with an RS3? The more expensive sporty car should preform better.....

[@Olofsson_]

@@mauricetoussaint7283 no shit it has a 5 cylinder and more power😂

[@miksu54]

Love the autobahn run, eyes on the road!

[@FutureKLX300SMowner]

That gearbox is so much smarter than anything ive ever driven. Incredible.

[@BanjakJosip]

That cam position on windshield is perfect for speed feeling, love it!

[@stagger87]

Thats mental speeds in a Golf I'd be bricking myself 😅 but Kudos to VW they do know how to make a good car, Also! That Pale Yellow 3D Bilstein Logo hoodie Ive seen in some videos is that something only people who have some professional connection can get? Not seen it on their store and would absolutely love a black one 👀

[@mgcharoudin]

This? shop.mastersofmerch.at/collections/bilstein

[@stagger87]

@@mgcharoudin Nah not that one but I did find it! had to reverse image search an article in a language that definitely wasn't german. It's the Bilstein Urban Hoodie (Pastel Yellow) Don't think a black one is available. Just means I need to get a Vulcan Alpha one instead

[@Shaft0]

​@@mgcharoudinthe one you & Jimmy & Steve started wearing. Embossed BILSTEIN black on black.

[@RosskoPeeko]

Well I really liked this style of video. Good to see the behind the scenes of how the new cars are being developed

[@stoneeh]

Very nice in-depth presentation. Love the attention to detail.

[@jasoncook1276]

Yeah, the shifting explanation was very impressive dialogue,super enjoyed this!!

[@ChristofEder]

Am Lausitzring lernte ich fahren. Micha darauf zu sehen gibt mir hier in Namibia ein seltsam wohliges Gefühl. Eine tolle Strecke und tolle Zeit in den 90ern. Lass es qualmen…

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

The Sport Plus automatic shifting is very impressive.

[@urielcabrera3943]

It’s so cool how you can be relaxed in a car that’s going sideways when you know you’re in a good driver’s hands. If my homie did it I’d be scared for my life lol.

[@MrToonfish]

A thousand time thanks guys for both using the english language instead of German , this gave us more opportunities to fully understand you. I love German as my fav music band is coming from Berlin (not Rammstein !) but I didn't catch a word ! So thank you again for this, Benny is also an incredible performer.

[@shakeelali20]

Typical German shenanigans from the VW rep, but i absolutely loved it. Who else could pull off a drift at 100kph while explaining some technical details about the torque vectoring system with a smile. I wish they'd fix the interior of what is otherwise the best hot hatch available in my opinion. Loved seeing something different from you Misha, and would love to see more off track videos!

[@tigerhawk84]

Supposedly this is coming to Canada(probably US too) for the 2025 model year, early 2025 release. What is not shown in this video though is they redid the steering wheel buttons to not be annoying, and the INFOTAINMENT has been replaced wth one found in other VWs like the ID4 and such so you can actually see the buttons and use them at night. For more info just google for 2025 Golf R, there are a few articles already with photos.

[@colinpaton3770]

Also @Autotopnl has reviewed.

[@colinpaton3770]

That was great. A seriously impressive driver with a seriously impressive car!

[@rideepicdriveepic]

Top speed is incredible. Car looks like loads of fun and it's definitely more than anyone could want out of a "normal daily driver hatchback". The transmission "smart" shifting is also really impressive. That being said, I have to say....it does not behave like a real rwd car. Let's not muddy these waters unnecessarily. It's really a great car though.

[@ZenzDeluxe]

You're right in that it will always be a FWD platform first and foremost, but when you are torque-vectoring to one rear wheel, do not underestimate how this completely transforms the feeling and playfulness of the car. I own an 8 R, and it's a system capable of true rear-bias. It transforms a "boring" hot hatch that is typically FWD or 50/50 AWD at best (like 7R and earlier), into a car capable of true rotation on turn in, and yes, even "drifts". Barring the Focus RS (which i've also owned), there is really nothing out there that can match the same daily practicality of a hatch, with some true rear-bias fun like the Golf 8/8.5 can offer.

[@coreyw427]

@@ZenzDeluxeAgree with most of your points but at best the rear axle can only be locked to the front, which means max 50/50 split under normal conditions. Theoretically on both this and older models more than 50% torque can go to the rear if there is a loss of traction on the front axle, but physically if the front left is slipping there is a loss of torque to the other three wheels due to open diff and bevel box setup. But ABS will try to brake slipping wheels which creates a limited slip differential effect.

[@zounds13]

@@coreyw427 Yes, it seems to me that in order to have more than 50% of the torque go to the back, you'd need to put clutches on the front halfshafts.

[@coreyw427]

@@zounds13 That wouldn’t actually work due to the layout because the rear prop shaft is from a bevel gear on the right front axle (essentially). Because the front differential is open, when the clutch on the left axle opens, the torque on right axle (and bevel) would be equal to the left. However, the torque is this case is nothing. To make it work you would need a locking front differential. Another option is a real centre differential which is possible in this layout with concentric shafts, eg Celica GT4. You can also brake the slipping wheels, which is essentially what 4Motion setups have done since MK5, but it’s just using the actual brakes and ABS, and although it does work it’s not great. I think mostly because it’s difficult for the system to know how much to brake due to different brake pad material, different discs, changing temperatures etc. I think it’s also limited to 25 km/h.

[@mauricetoussaint7283]

Audi RS3 is faster and better. But the Golf R is getting closer.

[@rameshkatla24]

Wow, very good to see GOLF. One of the best and very good car to see the lap✨✨✨✨

[@huddi85]

Golf 7 > Golf 8

[@billymays7210]

@@huddi85 *Infotainment.

[@dennis.r1064]

That gearbox is advanced, way too clever 😮‍💨🙌🏽🔥

[@biggranny000]

Currently have a 22 WRX, thinking about upgrading to this next, it would be enough of a performance jump to justify, plus I miss having a hatch.

[@maxzoRHD]

10:10 man that was smooth af. 10:23 also haha

There is nothing smooth about it. That's really not what drifting looks and feels like.

[@ChuckyYeager]

Almost lost it lol

[@luke1693]

Doing this in a golf is pretty smooth!

[@cze33e]

I've seen better drifts in a stateside supercars video ...

[@matthewmuffo9931]

You have to remember it’s a 100km/h drift entry in an awd golf that does not have crazy power. In my opinion it was pretty great.

[@johnperez2598]

The guy is amazing I’ve had my mk8 R for two years I love it

[@grahmdoughty]

The MK8 already had the rear torque splitter - does this one feel more natural or better in some way?

[@jasoncook1276]

Okay, reality check!! I do not know of a busier guy uploading anything than Misha!! Everyday I see something new and sometimes it's 3 uploads. Does anyone think that this guy is afraid to not be busy? Yes, I liked the top speed and the owner driver!! And sick paint job on the golf 8R❤

[@dessah_sjt]

13:36 That smile haha, love this ! I really enjoyed the video, very interesting. Thank you very much for sharing Misha

[@stefansts2]

Als ford den driftmode 2016 gebracht hat habe es alle kritisiert und gelacht. Inzwischen machens alle die was auf ihren allrader halten 😂😂

[@sammyjjoo]

Out of the box it already smashes the Aston Martin Vantage! 👌👍

[@kokibr91]

This guy has some serious skills. Golf R is awesome, best hatch money can buy.

[@AndyVDP19]

Salut Misha , merci pour cette essaie au top comme toujours ! Elles m'impressionnent de plus en plus les nouvelles Golf et encore plus celle-ci ! Quel beauté cette voiture .

[@proventure307]

1:45min in Germany no problem, in Switzerland jail for sure hahahha. I love it.

[@honewaatamokepumipi8135]

anything you share is cool brother and if its there to watch and your showin, im watchin! way impressive transmission

[@radimfoucek8765]

Seems that VW started to pay attention to customers the right way. 👍 Well done!

[@gaycha6589]

Left foot braking that does not cut power. That's good

[@oldkid6]

I love the changes they've made, now...if they can just deliver it on time and not so limited production so the car can be had at MSRP.

[@tedsommer]

This car makes me wanna make sure manuals remain an option. Sure, the tech is cool, but I'd rather be in control of which gear I'm selecting. Even if that means, I'll be a few tenths slower than a DCT.

[@billymays7210]

Agreed. *DSG tho 😆

[@tedsommer]

@@billymays7210 you can't heel & toe a dsg

[@billymays7210]

@@tedsommer I 💯 agree, I was just making a nerdy correction to your “DCT” 😂

[@tedsommer]

@@billymays7210 all good. I don't know all the names they're throwing around for dual clutch transmissions. At least the vehicles are ICE.

[@billymays7210]

@@tedsommer Haha, 💯. Ya, PDK, DCT, TCT, DCA, it doesn’t really matter, only reason I said DSG, is because Piech was the pioneer of the transmission as we know it now and the first one was the DSG the R32. I have personally never owned an automatic of any type, but if I were to, this would be it.

[@nejcblazun5252]

I love that it doesent shift by itself

[@misinbakiu5030]

12:20 using the left leg to brake!!! OMG

[@MYMOUNTAIN_122]

Would now definitely consider a VW golf R , even considering moving on my M2 for one, and a towbar that's just a plus, perfect for my mtb's.. Would absolutely love if we in Australia get the all black edition, definitely ordering if we do.

[@pwollerman]

Can’t wait to see you drive this on the ‘Ring! It’s about time iRacing added a Golf to its car options, too.

[@J4NOObs]

nice to see a little autobahn run all in 1 video

[@thescavwithnothingtolose1224]

I'm very excited to see these in person. I've got an allocation locked in with my dealer.

[@goltrackday]

Fantástico. Espetacular! Torcemos que venha ao Brasil...

[@uplifs4879]

i really hope you would do some more of these autobahn clips in the videos i love them!

[@MKI4EVA]

Jesus the handling with st tyres on track is next level. wow.

[@izoyt]

nice, no bs driving. great car with smart race electronics, too-

[@egorlike1324]

Very interesting to hear from the guy who tuned the car, but really unfortunate they didnt fix the interior for 8.5. just give us manual climate controls and this will be the best hot hatch

[@DR......]

The Doug-link was funny. Especially because I watched him just before this vid

[@betterbeavailable]

8.5 seems to be a great improvement. Nice.

[@64BitGunslinger]

Im going to trade my 2021 GTI in for this when it hits the US. I cant wait.

[@yassineyangossa3148]

Beautiful car . Once I seen it for the first time in real life . I was like dude this car is the best from VW so far

[@thupemajoe2757]

Autobahn content is always appreciated 🔥🔥🔥

[@stevieh59]

That acceleration at 1:04 is INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@FURYzjEh]

15:00 Ioniq 5n does that job well too from what I could see

[@luke1693]

No Joke the ioniq 5n is such a good electric car, you can easily daily it and also have fun with it, I was impressed after seeing the first review of it.

[@mauricetoussaint7283]

@@luke1693 It's an EV and it's a Hyundai, two reasons not to buy one. Horrible car, the wife made me test drive one. Looks wise, made my skin crawl and for £65k or whatever it was, you can get an Audi RS3 for that. No brainer. We got an RS3 for the daily. Wife was OK with that BTW :-)

[@Quadruple-Vaxxed-Boomer]

I love this car, this brand and your driving Sir

[@monesamer2344]

that golf r is ment and that s24 ultra video recording is amazing !!!

[@8bvg300]

Getting excited about a gold ks like getting excited for cheddar cheese or the colour beige.

[@Average_Bruh]

The fastest I have been on the autobahn so far is 210km/h and I tought that was pretty quick. I can't imagine an extra 60-90km/h on top of that. Mainly because where I live, the autobahn is rarely free enough to go past 180km/h and people tend to camp on the left lane while attempting to overtake but only going 5km/h faster than the vehicles being overtaken.

[@MrKinezos01]

Love Doug Demuro reference,,, hope one day you take him a ride roung the Ring

[@brunostiglitz7535]

Love how the R’s keep getting a gearbox update every new model 💪🏼💪🏼

[@tontondaspoot]

Misha is THE GOAT!! Filming in horizontal mode!! ALLELUIA! the hope is here!!

[@jonathanlonsdale3404]

Its nice of misha to show us all what it looks like when you try to record on your phone,

[@ttgtomr]

Nice change of pace. Very cool intro into the new R. Thanks for the impromptu foot cam haha, was interesting to see he was trail braking

[@Simon__L]

What is mental, is that in 2024 these programmable shifting options are novelty... But it's a welcomed step forward 👍 (and no more soft limiter at 255kph)

[@SuperEpcot]

left foot for break, right foot for throttle, is a perfect skill

[@VK-sc6mf]

Are they going to reintroduce more colors to this version? I hate being limited to white, black and blue. I have 7.5 in grey with akrapovic, and I love how subtle it is, never attracts any law attention.

[@TheChazas]

12:45 anyone know the shoes? Thanks! That vectoring and drift mode seem very impressive. It truly makes a huge difference even in older car like Audi S4/S5, makes car so fun to drive and not as understeery being AWD.

[@0MacRise0]

when our war ends and the borders open. I’ll buy a Golf R 8.5 and come to you :D In the meantime, thank you for the videos you make, they help me.

[@accountretired9479]

How many years do you expect the war to last?

[@0MacRise0]

@@accountretired9479 i don't know.

[@paulmichaelfreedman8334]

Which war bro, there's several going on at the moment

[@0MacRise0]

@@paulmichaelfreedman8334 i from Ukraine. and here there is not just a conflict, as many are told in the Western media. a large-scale war is complete with tanks, missiles, and planes.

[@VluggeJapie33]

@@0MacRise0stay strong

[@charliefox7206]

The engineering advancements are incredible. Very impressive.🦊

[@stevensofroniou]

Excellent video Misha thank you and you’re friend 🙏🏻

[@DontForgetOldKolobok]

Nurburgring mode has more "gimmicks than soft suspension" Truth has been spoken

[@Itsallfun3000]

That smart gear selection is cool to see. The issue with the 8 is the looks for me, i couldnt own one. I have a 7.

[@davothegreat9990]

All golfs look the same. All dull

[@Itsallfun3000]

@@davothegreat9990 nah

[@davothegreat9990]

@@Itsallfun3000 yeah

[@Itsallfun3000]

@@davothegreat9990 you can't tell the difference between a mk1 and a mk8?

[@davothegreat9990]

@@Itsallfun3000 each generation look the same from basic model to the r

[@chloeleedow7250]

Am I the only one who would take it in the wrap lol think it's great

[@igor256]

just load a map of the track to the car so that drives in the circuit automatically so that you don't need to not only shift but also drive at all and you can focus on the race better :D

[@LexusLFA-ii1cu]

Wow,it's very nice the new Golf!😄 I appreciate your skills at nurburgring❤🎉

[@SkitPete]

In South Africa, they just launched the 8.0 R

[@LoveLikeaHurricane]

those transmission settings are amazing. Were they not in the Golf R R?

[@oszb]

Man I feel like the S+ mode would just give me anxiety waiting for it to shift, just imagining it sounds like a nightmare. But maybe that quickly alleviates when you're actually driving the car and it works a few times.

[@damart3d969]

Now 8.5R Clubsport is what we need.

[@RTR0TEK]

Would love more autobahn styled videos like this more often driving viewers cars

[@MrAdm]

Its really impressive what VW managed to do with this Golf 👌

[@bradley081]

As much as I respect the Golf , I never liked it personally but this is starting to garner my attention

[@quicktoreason2722]

i bought the mk8 R, loved it for the first 6 months, owned it for another 5 more months and then realized i was getting bored, especially on the track. Drove a FK8 type R and an M2C and realized there was no reason to hold on to the golf. sold my mk8r and went for a type R - never looked back. The sensation of having a real drivers car is simply not easy to explain. That being said, i took my golf R on a road trip to the USA (12 hour drive) and i was so comfortable the entire way - The golf was definitely a great street car but as a track car the Type R is just miles ahead - for reference - this was my mk8R- kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKe0fZWLq8qejrc&ab_channel=MK8R

[@MrCaterhamr500]

I found that with my R, the performance figures fought my eye, but honestly it’s just boring and dull. I never looked back at the car after walking away. I would have like them to not be so sensible and fit wider arches and track exclusive to the R, with proper Brembo brakes, some Recaro wingback seats, some proper work on reducing the weight and it would have been epic. Ultimately they are dull, I’m heading back to my love of the 90’s/00’s cars, it was a golden age.

[@Kuba-qu4tx]

@@MrCaterhamr500 it truly was

[@quicktoreason2722]

@@MrCaterhamr500 this is the thing - if i had a gti - i would be ok with the setup but in the R (while i do think the nardo leather seats are awesome) they couldve definitely gone for a more track style bucket seats and honestly shred some weight. One thing you notice right away in the TYPE R for example is the weight. it feels light and nimble. The systems in the golf can only do so much to keep weight feeling negligible but the moment you hit a sharper turn its obvious. They Type R on the other hand feels like its awd in most turns and you can actually let it slip very easily and oversteer into corners and not worry TOO much about understeer. i currently run 265/35 front and 255/35 rears on my type R so you can imagine. its on rails.

[@davothegreat9990]

Except the Elantra N beats it

[@quicktoreason2722]

@@davothegreat9990 nobody and i mean NOBODY really like hyundai - its a broke persons car - anyone who knows anything about theta engines know how unreliable it is. also where did the elantra N beat any of these cars? definitely not on the ring thats for a damn fact.

[@ImgoneButUrstillHere]

Seems like they need more sporty seats .. bit more side support

[@tubejorrit]

the supra version you can buy with Audi RS6 carbon bucket seats!

[@JohnDoe-ed1mb]

Took mine around the Nodrschleife a couple of times and believe me, these seats provide more than sufficient side support.

[@n7narcosis]

"It does everything by itself." At that moment, I was secure in my decision to keep my manual MK6 forever.

[@andygarcia6619]

Technology is unbelievable now days…. Great content 👏🏻

[@robertanderson8458]

I have one of these golf's. I so need to buy this soon as its on the market. Still have a mk5 golf in the garage I can't bring myself to part with.

[@Filagaming156]

Now Volkswagen should make Golf 8.5 WRC 1 and 2 car

[@ImMatM]

yes yes yes misha!! i love the golf and i love your content and i was hoping youd make a video on this car 😍 so so so looking forward to watching this!!

[@volkancal5381]

I made easily 282 kmh with my 8R. I saw some videos 289 kmh top speed. This means they have changed the limiter 10 kmh less

[@Zimsson100]

Why so unstable under braking, the car really moves. I've driven Golf GTI from mk2,6,7, 7.5 and now mk8 and earlier also Golf R mk7. They all moves (mk2 was funny to lift off oversteer).

[@aggiemd91]

💙 my VW Golf R!! So fun to drive!