Topic: 2012 Golf R - Confirmed for Canada

[PlanB]

I'm not quite sure where you are going with your comment.   
If you read my post I was saying that I thought the Golf R was reasonably priced for this segment. Sounds like you are insinuating that the Golf R is a significantly better value than the other cars I listed because of "interior fit/finish/ergonomics"?

You can 'calm' down, no 'insinuations' are being made.  Only pointing out that you made a lenghty post citing several data figures (prices/specs) and made no comment to interior fit/finish/quality.  Show me a person who buys a vehicle (any vehicle) without considering the interior, and I will show you the minute minority of the population.  Interiors need to be considered, and IMO (and many many others) VW ranks WAY ahead of it's immediate competition in this department; thereby changing the 'value' equation of a potential vehicle decision.

As is often the case, straight numbers do not always tell the complete story when it comes to vehicles.  That is my point. 

[Flinter]

I'm not quite sure where you are going with your comment.   
If you read my post I was saying that I thought the Golf R was reasonably priced for this segment. Sounds like you are insinuating that the Golf R is a significantly better value than the other cars I listed because of "interior fit/finish/ergonomics"?

You can 'calm' down, no 'insinuations' are being made.  Only pointing out that you made a lenghty post citing several data figures (prices/specs) and made no comment to interior fit/finish/quality.  Show me a person who buys a vehicle (any vehicle) without considering the interior, and I will show you the minute minority of the population.  Interiors need to be considered, and IMO (and many many others) VW ranks WAY ahead of it's immediate competition in this department; thereby changing the 'value' equation of a potential vehicle decision.

As is often the case, straight numbers do not always tell the complete story when it comes to vehicles.  That is my point. 

No need to calm down because I'm not really excited about anything.... just trying to understand where you were going  with your earlier comment. I was confused because earlier in this thread you were questioning the value of the Golf R compared to a cars like the A3 and WRX. If I'm understanding you correctly you are now saying that the VW deserves extra consideration in terms of value because of superior interior fit/finish/quality.

I am sure it will have to be at least 1$ cheaper than an A3 Quattro.   I managed to get an A3 Quattro with DSG up to nearly $44000Cdn so you are just about right.

As a former VW long-time owner, I am very familiar with the 'R' line-up of cars from VW.  But at the price-point of the Golf R I am hearing from other boards, I'd just as soon own the A3 Quattro if it is minimal difference in price - or even a WRX for at least $10,000.00 less than what the R will be priced at here in Canada.  Don't get me wrong, the Golf R will be a nice car from everything I hear/read about it, but for the price...I'd pass, limited numbers or not. 

I have zero interest in debating the value equation for a car that none of us have seen or driven yet. All I can say is that I'm happy VW is bringing a car like this to Canada and at $40K it seems to be reasonably priced compared to the AWD turbo alternatives. The End.

[PlanB]

No need to calm down because I'm really excited about anything.... just trying to understand where you were going  with your earlier comment. I was confused because earlier in this thread you were questioning the value of the Golf R compared to a cars like the A3 and WRX. If I'm understanding you correctly you are now saying that the VW deserves extra consideration in terms of value because of superior interior fit/finish/quality.

That's why I suggested you calm down.  The End.   

[JSCC]

So when's the S3 coming? 

[Zombie]

So when's the S3 coming? 

Well isn't this thing pretty much the S3 disguised as sheep.

[JSCC]

http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/article_2983.shtml

Volkswagen of America has released official specs and pricing for the U.S. 2012 Golf R. The full press release follows below, but here are the main points:

- 256hp and AWD
- There are two trim levels. A well equipped base model and a Sunroof/Navigation model.
- MSRP of the base two-door is $33,990 and base four-door is $35,590
- MSRP of the Sunroof/Navigation is $35,490 for the two-door and $36,090 for the four-door
- Six-speed manual transmission is the only transmission offering
- Colors include: Rising Blue, Candy White, Carbon Steel Gray, Deep Black Metallic, and Tornado Red
- Cars start arriving in dealers around January 2012

There will only be 5,000 units available and our understanding is that the base four-door models may be somewhat rare. Regardless of which model you want, contact your local dealer to get an order in and money down to secure one.

http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/article_2983.shtml

[JSCC]

I heard Canada is only getting 300 vehicles.

[aquadorhj]

I heard Canada is only getting 300 vehicles.

at 45k a copy?    just going by VW traditional pricing scheme vs US pricing.  what with "canadian special" bigger windshield washer reservoir, you know.

[micha]

I heard Canada is only getting 300 vehicles.

at 45k a copy?    just going by VW traditional pricing scheme vs US pricing.  what with "canadian special" bigger windshield washer reservoir, you know.

$39,675 and it's only available as the fully loaded four door in Canada

[dougjp]

I see they used the same 'focus group' for picking colours as with the GTi. Only 4 colours, Black, Black, White and Red. And the MS3 used pretty much the same focus group too, Black, White, Red and bizarro blue. Which was one big reason those two cars, that were high on my shopping list, were discarded (no muted colours, like silver, grey etc.).

Now all it will take is for Ford to do the same thing with the Focus ST. Wait! At least in Europe, they are!

" The new signature production colour, Tangerine Scream, reflects the exciting and energetic character of the Focus ST, but even in the other available colours – Performance Blue, Race Red and White – the car will shout performance. " PEOPLE AT THESE MANUFACTURERS, there's a whole market segment out here, with cash, that DON'T want the colours to shout at the cops or anyone else, and WON'T buy them because of it!

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/12/2012-ford-focus-st-frankfurt-motor-show-2011/

[tpl]

I'll take mine in either Candy white or Tornado red please. I wouldn't want a "muted" colour anyway.  So Dougjp that is one of us on each side.

[dougjp]

I'll take mine in either Candy white or Tornado red please. I wouldn't want a "muted" colour anyway.  So Dougjp that is one of us on each side.

No doubt the appeal is there for most of the actual buyers with the choices they offer, I just think they are missing a part of the available market. Silver after all, is often the most purchased colour based on what I've read.

[tpl]

I quite understand why Silver ( and the various light greys) and Gold( and the various beigey colours ) are popular.   They don't show the dirt in winter.  Against that they tend, to my eyes anyway, to fade into the scenery at dusk unless the drivers remember to put their main lights on.... which is why Transport Canada should have insisted on the tail lights being on all the time as part of the DRL system.

[Spheric]

Am I the only one who is totally underwhelmed by the looks of the Golf R ? Apart from the rear LED tail lights, it could almost pass for a base Golf. It lacks both the aesthetics and aggressive stance of a car positioned to be one the of the flagship performance models of the VW range. By comparison, the GTI appears to be a better looker.

Still, no doubt all 500 allocations will be over-subscribed, if not for the looks, but for the AWD. Then again, I'm thinking the heavier weight of the AWD equipped car negates any advantage in horsepower. For 99% of winter driving conditions, I think a GTI with decent snow tires would be sufficient as well as 5k cheaper.   

[aquadorhj]

Spheric,

i have no doubt your points are valid, but Golf R isn't supposed to be outlandish rocketship.  it's supposed to be the grownup, refined wrx(STi, EVO) alternative....as well as more practical Audi TTS.  .. by all accounts, the engine in this thing is a gem.  i'm sure those 500 who end up with it would be happy. 

[rrocket]

  .. by all accounts, the engine in this thing is a gem.  i'm sure those 500 who end up with it would be happy. 

And by all accounts it's not terribly quick.

[vdk]

  .. by all accounts, the engine in this thing is a gem.  i'm sure those 500 who end up with it would be happy. 

And by all accounts it's not terribly quick.

But it's refined. This and the N54(?) in the 335i are so smooth..

[rrocket]

  .. by all accounts, the engine in this thing is a gem.  i'm sure those 500 who end up with it would be happy. 

And by all accounts it's not terribly quick.

But it's refined. This and the N54(?) in the 335i are so smooth..

Meh.  Smoothness is overrated.  It's not like your GTI (or my TT) are buzz bombs, are they?

[tpl]

Surely the Golf R engine is just the latest version of the 2.0 Turbo?  With a few stronger internal parts and a different turbo and engine map to get it up to 260 bhp or so.    You can get any  VW 2.0T up to 250 bhp for under $1000

[rrocket]

Surely the Golf R engine is just the latest version of the 2.0 Turbo?  With a few stronger internal parts and a different turbo and engine map to get it up to 260 bhp or so.    You can get any  VW 2.0T up to 250 bhp for under $1000

My 1.8T is at 265......