Volkswagen Golf R to be detuned in Australia

By Karl Peskett | February 03rd, 2010

It’s Volkswagen’s performance hero – the Golf R – and it has just been launched in Europe with a piping hot 2.0-litre turbocharged engine under the bonnet. Making 199kW and 350Nm with all wheel drive, it’s said to be a cracking drive. But Australia’s heat issues have reared their ugly head once more.

As in its application in Audi’s S3, the 2.0-litre has been detuned for Australian conditions. The Audi’s mill was putting out 195kW and 350Nm overseas but was launched here in 188kW and 330Nm guise. The Golf R is said to share the same power, being released here with 188kW but as yet a torque figure hasn’t been announced.

Our extreme conditions mean reliability is the concern, but you’d have to guess that poor quality fuel might also have something to do with it. Fuel consumption may also be affected, but reports are that it won’t be a great jump in fuel use. With a 0-100km/h time of 5.5 seconds when mated to the DSG for the 199kW version, we might see a few tenths added with the power loss.

CarAdvice will keep you updated on the torque figure as soon as it’s announced.

ChineseDriver

Does this means a golf R32 will hold its resale value better?

I always felt that 2.0 turbo does not feel that special as a 3.2 VR6.

golfer

all cars depreciate regardless. no golf will ever sound as good as the R32s, and the mk5 is the last of its breed. if i had an R32, i would keep it for life.

Jester

If OEM cut the price for our models then they may cut the price for our models aswell – otherwise its just a ripoff.
Gasman

The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 determines the level of sulphur in Australian fuel. Regular unleaded (91 RON) is still allowed an incredible 150 ppm of sulphur. Premium unleaded (95 RON) & Super unleaded (98 RON) can have up to 50 ppm. Diesel is the cleanest of them all, with sulphur capped at 10 ppm.

In Europe, sulphur is capped at 10 ppm for all grades of petrol and diesel.

Callous Aussie

This is the reason they detuned it. Not as reported, due to our harsh conditions.

The Oracle

How do you know that? You seem to state that with a great of certainty. What’s your source and why do you think VW are lying?

The Real Car Fanatic

Callous is correct and up until January 2002 Australian Unleaded could have as much as 5000ppm. The reduction came to bring us closer in line with the rest of the world, sadly we are still lagging far behind.

The Oracle

I can’t see the relevance of a fuel standard from 8 years ago to a car that may go on sale later this year. As stated above by Gasman, it is currently 150ppm, so the 5000ppm is irrelevant.

Callous stated as a fact that the VW decision is due to fuel issues only, in contradiction to their statement about climactic conditions. I asked what his source was for the statement. I still haven’t had an answer, just opinions from others, which is great, that’s what the blogs for and we all do that. I note that Callous hasn’t replied, but give him more time, though he has made later posts. If he can’t offer anything, then I can only assume that he has nothing to support his statement.

I really am interested in this and I would also appreciate it if someone could tell me what difference 50ppm vs 10ppm (for 95-98RON) of sulphur makes to the performace of the engine and why.

Shak

Because majority of Australian cities enjoy relatively good weather. How come ohter car makers can offer us the same car same power, but VW cant. Its not the weather. They just dont want to sound criticising by saying we have low quality fuel, so this is the most politically correct method

Baddass

It seems like a pretty poor excuse, and I’m sure they could have worked around the problem. Still, 188kw is still good.
Valet Dabess

detuned… i thought car makers were suppose to put their cars through the roughest conditions to make it reliable as possible, are VW just lazy or something…

Callous Aussie

Subaru did it with certain WRX models that were knocking due to our crap fuel.

http://caradvice.com.au V DUBBED

That’s the same power as my mark 6 GTI 188kw and 403nm after i chipped it and air filter . Lucky i did not wait for the Golf R lol

No time for retards

What brand chip? How much?
Philthy

Lucky the R is AWD and will leave your chipped GTI sitting in a cloud of front wheel tyre smoke.
riceboy

theres no point arguing ECU tuning or 2nd hand cars… people can do whatever they like after market… and Golf R with be AWD… I too have APR tuned Golf V GTI, supposedly 188kw and 410Nm… but when I plant the right foot in the dry in 1st or 2nd gear, ESP/Traction control goes nuts trying to stop wheelspin! In the wet, forget about it!!! AWD would be much appreciated…

http://caradvice.com.au V DUBBED

APR $1900 for ecu with 2 different settings with a flick of a switch , but do the air filter your self as they charge $699 for it and i did mine by my self for $185
http://www.ausmotive.com Liam

I’d expect torque for the Golf R to be 350Nm. And I suspect Audi might already be offering the same spec engine in the S3 now (ie. with 188kW/350Nm).

Still, for the same money that V DUBBED has spent you could take a Golf R to around 240kW and 430Nm+. Mind, if you take the GIAC option you could save yourself $700 as well.

The point is, the ECU tune argument is generally moot as it works both ways.

Philthy

Or you could really get carried away saving money and install Unitronic for $660.

Paul

So all your gaining over a Golf GTI:

AWD
LED Daytime Running Lights
33KW increase
70nm Toque increase

And also dont forget, you can get a Golf GTI with basically every option avaliable for 55K.

The Golf R is going to start, with no options, no DSG at the same price.

It seems hardly worth it?

Or have I missed the point?

No time for retards

Where did you get that Golf-R price from?

Nightshifter

The price in UK converted to AUD with current exchange rate is about that much

Paul

If you read the reports on Carsales or Drive. When they have spoken to the people running VW Australia. they have confirmed it will be coming in UNDER the R32 but obviously more then the GTI.

Drive and Carsales are all saying it will be ROUGHLY Mid 50′s.

Denzo

Good luck getting one for mid 50′s. With a couple of options on road, Easily 60′s. A guy on my forum got one drive away, $73,300.

Philthy

Yes, you have missed the point. Its a performance car. Go buy a lexus.

Devil666

oh, snap!

Denzo

And I think you ma have missed the point.

For only $9500AUD more, you get a car that’s different to the GTI.

You get the aesthetic stuff, which is great, but you also get the AWD with new Haldex system (can transfer up to 100% torque to the rear!!), Stronger internals, Bigger turbo, ability to option 19×8 rims, Xenons and Parking Sensors standard, and that beautiful sound.

Apparently the new R also has the exhaust pipes running closer to the under cockpit of the car to give it a great sound inside as well as the already great sound you get from the bigger turbo/exhaust.

John

I find it hard to believe that a small external temperature increase (when comparing Australia to NZ/Europe) could be such a significant issue to a modern engine.

It is also interesting to note that the Scirocco R and Golf R specs are on the New Zealand volkswagen website and are quoting 199kW of power.

Does NZ have better Fuel Quality Standards commpared to Australia?

It seems to me that once again Volkwagen Australia disappoints. They don’t release the Scirocco, they detune the R cars and they are always months late with any information regarding products (NZ website has had info on the Golf R for months as well as the new polo, yet nothing on the Aus website).

I like the GTI and the Scirocco R, but after continual dissapointment with VW Aus I think I might as well just get a 370z or 135.

No time for retards

VW Australia are a disappointment. They don’t seem to understand customer service. My experience is they are complacent because they have a good product. They assume it will sell itself. Will I buy a VW? For sure. Will I spend a cent getting service there? Not on your life!
I’ve had far better service from Ford, Holden and Toyota dealerships.

Golfschwein

I’m prepared to take the word of the manufacturer. Aren’t they best placed to know?
Nankano

I dont get it?

Our conditions? In Italy its as hot as here.

Fuel?VW state to use 98 octane.

In Europe they will drive it at higher speeds [DOUBLE here!] for long period of times, just does not make sense?

*PERHAPS* its not engineered enough??

Buy a Lancer or WRX AWD, proven superior in near very single way…

Nightshifter

Exactly. There are plenty of hot places in Europe.
golfer

two different market segments. someone buying a evo or rex is buying it for speed. a golf is bought for practicality, build quality with speed. i wouldn’t say a rex is superiour in every single way. i drove a mates one the other day (09 model), felt like i was driving some chick with $50k worth of plastic surgery. it was plastic fantastic. as the brand suggests, volkswagen means the “peoples car” in german. i.e. the everyday person.
noj

Except the Rex and Lancer are so budget inside and considering that is where you spend all your time driving I would rather be in the Golf.Not to mention the WRX is hideous to look at and sounds like crap.

QwkEddie

Here we go again with the interior argument.Why don’t you VW fanboys become fixated with another aspect,e.g those gay daytime driving lights.
The WRX may not have the same interior as the Golf but it’s certainly is faster and unless you’re partially deaf,sounds better than ANY turbo Golf.
The current MKVI Golf is really a step back in time with a resembleness to the the old MKIV.An asthmatic engine,and NO “personality”.Jeremy Clarkson said of Porsche that it was the laziest car company in the world because of the minimalist approach to any styling changes.Well,I sure VW has just taken the “crown” away from Porsche.
Anyway,the power out put of the R is I’m sure,more than enough for the majority of potential nancy boy Golf R drivers.

Simon

Pleased to hear you won’t be driving one. I’m sure you couldn’t afford one anyway.
GTI asthmatic? Its obvious you haven’t driven one, irrespective of the fact the GTI is in another category to the R.
As for sound from the engine, there was a time the WRX engine sounded sweet. Then it became ubiquitous, the sign of boyracer in the neighbourhood. The GTI gurgle and pop as it runs though the cogs sounded great to me. I have no reason to expect the R would be any worse.
IMO the Golf looks far better than the WRX. This sentiment is even shared amongst many WRX fans. The original WRX looked far better than what they have ever since the bugeye model came out.
I agree the WRX is a great performance car. It’s just a shame you cannot see it for what it is.

Nightshifter

The golf R’s appeal has instantly dropped with this news……
golfer

yes a mk6 GTI chipped will get you the same power, but think you’re forgetting that the Golf R can be chipped as well, and will get you approx 239kw/435nm in AWD versus a GTI which is FWD.

yes the mk6 GTI puts the power down much better (thanks to XDS) than the mk5 GTI, but it’s like you’re comparing it to a chipped FWD A4 2.0T versus an AWD S4. even if you could get a mk6 GTI to match the Golf R, there is no way you could get all that power down efficiently.

as it stands the Golf R is pretty much the S3. a chipped GTI would get trashed by an S3…and therefore the Golf R.

keep in mind the Golf R will also have toughened engine block, bolts and conrods to cope with any reflash…the GTI doesn’t.

wait and see once the car comes out…188kw will be disappointing to see, but regardless, it will be a weapon in my opinion regardless.

http://caradvice.com.au V DUBBED

Yes everyone knows the Golf R can be chipped and can easy pump out 240kw and 500nm and with some mods costing $6000 you could be driving a car with 350kw and over 600nm and its more of the perfect car to have.

Nankano

Yeah, till you have a warranty issue with [VERY common on VW products] and the warranty will be null and void due to tampering with it….

Buy Japanese, proven and “no issues”

Philthy

no issues? What about all the WRX’s that needed a new engine after suffering a spun rod bearing? Also, I dare you to google “unintended acceleration”.
http://caradvice.com.au V DUBBED

Nankano issues your talking about on Volkswagen car’s are between 1981 and 1992 only, its just people like hanging on to the thought that they still brake down after 1993 to 2010 like come on , About 7 month’s ago i was in my golf TDI this guy about 48 years old said to me very nice car mate it looks nice is that vw? i said yes , he asked are they still air cooled ! lol i had a laugh but said yes they still are air cooled. some people go with change others hang on to the past what do you do.

scatman

Say the words “Electronic Gremlin” to a VW owner and watch them squirm, they still have problems, that and twin clutch.

Hung Low

A STi or EVO will blow this thing into the weeds!

Simon

And?
If That’s all someone wanted – they would buy a STi or EVO. Great cars for a rally driver. I see a lot of urban terrorists driving rally cars that never see a dirt track. As for those that want a very quick and stylish small car, they will choose the Golf R or S3.

Mr T

Why not keep the power but add a bonnet scoop… damn you VWA! Can anyone import the Golf-R from NZ?
Robin Graves

The heat is a farce. What about the middle east? Spain? Sounds like the thing is a bit too highly strung and will explode if the wind changes. There is a certain thing called a temp sensor? surely the engine can adjust timing and mixtures to handle some hot weather. Hand grenade.
Hung Low

I wonder if considering that Premium fuel is still not readily available in rural/outback areas, the de-tune was an added precaution for all Australian conditions? These modern turbo engines run high Compression ratios for drive-ability along with pretty high factory boost pressures, deeming 98 octane as a minumum. Knock sensors can only help to a limit!

Robin Graves

They already stipulate 98RON only. Any less and you risk engine damage, i agree knock sensor can only allow the computer to retard the timing and richen the mixture so much until it falls outside of emmissions envelope. If they mandate 98RON fuel only, why the detune? Its not because of the heat thats for sure – more likely a combination of the heat, poor fuel and razor-thin longevity margins compared with the warranty.
Nightshifter

Thought any factory cars these days all run pretty low pressure on their turbos to keep their life/reliability up. How else are ppl going to chip their cars easily without major mods if they were near their limit already.

danno

My bet is it is actually Audi stepping in and tell VW Aus they can’t have a more powerful car competing with them in a similar segment (let’s face it if you’re looking at an S3, you’re also looking at a R-20, they are essentially the same car anyway).
They did the same thing with the Tiguan and the Q5 (again same car) as a couple of guys in a VW dealership told me, Audi didn’t allow VW to import Tiguans with certain options (i.e memory seats) and I bet it is them stepping in again!

To blame the weather conditions is farce!
Simon

The performance figures were likely to canabalise sales from the S3. No doubt a marketing decision in OZ.
Will

Some of the bloggers here remind me of characters from the movie ‘Deliverance’.

How many here can even afford one, let alone the annual insurance.

In real world driving you would not register the slight power drop, and the more important figure of torque remains the same. Even at this power rating there is no where in Australia where this machine can be extended legally on public roads.

Given my preface seriously doubting that any blogger here is able to afford the purchase let alone insure this machine, certainly none can afford to race/rally one in club events. Club events are the only environment where the machine can be extended legally and the slight power drop registered.

This machine is a fine high performance derivative from VAG.

The average twelve year old could make better contributions than some of the above.

Good grief.
Ken

It makes me wonder what all the fuss is over, we’ll be keeping the R32 we’ve got.
Can’t beat the sound and easy way it makes the road move under it, classic to be kept for sure.
Steelo

I think Danno and Simon are right. It looks like Audi stepping in and keeping the power down so sales of S3 are not threatened. VW a segment to go after, and given the R and S3 are basically the same car nobody is going to pay the Audi premium if there is no differentiation.
Stu

It looks a bit meaner than the GTI… but I will be keeping my R32 as well. It sounds fantastic, is a dream to drive in traffic, on the highway, in the hills, on the way to the snow or in the wet… it’s the best gripping car I have ever driven and the power is always there. Not one single issue in 3 years! As Will says, you can’t really push these cars anyway without losing your licence!!
Stu

Oh, BTW… as for fuel issues in OZ and Sulfur:
1-Jan-05 – 150 ppm (max) – All grades
1-Jan-08 – 50 ppm (max) – PULP

http://www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/fuelquality/standards/petrol/index.html
http://www.hitittuning.org hitittuning

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