Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
What a state of bliss the 2025 Golf GTI and Golf R create when cruising town or playing on racetracks over the weekend. The performance hatchbacks are compact for city maneuvering and parking, versatile to load up your mountain bike for trail rides, practical for each day chores, and sporty enough to supply endorphins in heavy doses.
Backed by an extended history of success and a cult-like following to hold on its legendary moniker, the Golf GTI (Grand Touring Injection) and Golf R are as necessary to VW as protein is to bodybuilders. The momentum continues with an upward trajectory. For instance, between 2023 and 2024, Golf GTI sales impressively rose 48.6% while the Golf R increased 29.6%. This can be a testament to the technology and engineering, forward-thinking, and design elevation VW has instilled into the Golf formula for nearly 50 years.
To hitch the fandom, Volkswagen invited me to Summit Point Motorsports Park, tucked throughout the rolling hills and rural lands of West Virginia. Since 1969 the road course and its fascinating jumps, bumps, and turns have turn out to be a haven and proving ground for aspiring racers and enthusiasts. But before we got into the business, VW showcased a Dark Teal 1992 Golf GTI 16V for media to check drive. The Mk2 generation became a hot commodity during its 1984 to 1992 run and featured BBS mesh rims, bolstered Recaro seats, and a rear window spoiler. The fanfare began in 1976 with the Mk 1 GTI, which featured round headlights, a red-bordered grille, a skinny bumper, sport springs, and wide tires.
VW believes that performance hatchbacks bring people together since they’re stewards of the brands they represent. I wholeheartedly agree as witnessed at automobile meets and owner rallies across the country. Prior to running the Golf R on Summit Point, we drove from Volkswagen’s latest headquarters in a Kings Red Metallic 2025 Golf GTI. Representing the eighth generation because the Mk 8 GTI (2020 to present), the refresh is leaner and meaner. A 2.0-liter TSI evo4 engine distributing 241-horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque energizes the daring hatchback. It unites with an amazingly quick-shifting 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, incorporating launch control. Fuel economy is 27 mpg combined.
The bevy of updates for the brand new GTI are extensive. You’ll be able to select the GTI in three renditions: S at $32,445, SE for $37,420, or Autobahn at $40,880. The vehicle received the next enhancements for the 2025 model 12 months:
- Refined front fascia design with latest front bumper, grille, and headlights, including the red character line.
- Illuminated front logo and lightweight line.
- Sinister 19” wheel design for the Autobahn model. Inspired by the Mk 5 classic horseshoe wheel, they’re paired with Bridgestone Potenza or Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 summer tires for precision grip and handling.
- Recent colours in Alpine Silver Metallic or State Blue Metallic, my favorite.
- The 12.9” MIB3 infotainment system with the sliding volume bar present in VW’s latest EVs.
- Updated Carbon Gray décor and “Clubsport” ArtVelours seats with red accents.
The Golf GTI is a special vehicle for special individuals. At times, I desired to drive the Rabbit slowly through West Virginia to admire the great thing about the land, but my alter ego said no and jogged my memory that I used to be behind the wheel of the newest GTI. So I pushed it, taking hold of the thick, flat-bottom, red-stitched steering wheel, interacting with the 4 drive modes, and meshing the wide metal pedals because the red 2-piston calipers clamped down on the 14.1” front discs once I needed to deaccelerate aggressively. Wow, the GTI drives like a dream. Nevertheless, the multimedia system remains to be not as smooth or intuitive accurately at this cut-off date.
Now we’re rolling with the “letter R” as in Raw performance. With similar styling updates to the GTI, the $47,100 Golf R is especially recognized by its blue brake calipers, unless you go together with the $48,415 Golf R Black Edition that turns them black along with the grille, logo, wheels, headlights, window trim, and quad circular Satin Black exhaust finishers. The cabin receives real carbon fiber trim with the Black Edition upgrade. Moreover, the $3,795 Euro Style Package will be combined with the Black Edition. It mainly adds a sunroof delete, ArtVelours seats, 19” forged alloy rims, and an Akrapovič titanium exhaust with richer notes. This package reduces weight by 80 kilos. The R also integrates a big bi-level tailgate spoiler that generates downforce and enhances aggression. The inside is analogous to GTI apart from just a few callouts, corresponding to 7 Drive Modes (Eco, Sport, Comfort, Race, Drift, Special, and Custom).
After the warmup up from the GTI touring drive, it was time for the track where the motion is at. High performance is gained through the 328-horsepower (13-hp increase) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque 2-liter TSI evo4 engine. It’s joined by the 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters and launch control for thrilling runs. The recent hatch was sticky on Summit Point and handled switchbacks like Brazilian futbol footwork. 4Motion AWD with R Performance Torque Vectoring, direct steering response, and bolstered seats definitely bring out the Tanner Foust in all of us. In reality, the professional driver was on deck to offer guidance and expertise. He advised setting the vehicle in Race mode, which keeps the R from upshifting or intervening an excessive amount of. Accordingly, I did just that and let her rip!
Once more VW has scored greater than just a few goals with the 2025 Golf R and Golf GTI to advance to the knockout stage. For the reason that German automaker sponsors U.S. Soccer, expect to see the versatile hatchback profiling at tournaments and games with the largest names in the game because the fans scream Gooooolllffff!!!
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