Updated Mark 8.5 Golf R Review: Power, Design, and Driving Experience

Today on TheStraightPipes, Yuri and Jacob take on the updated Mark 8.5 Golf R, complete with launch control. They dive into the power figures, lamenting the absence of a manual transmission and discussing the limited availability of the Acropovich exhaust, a missed opportunity in their eyes. The review covers details like the recommended Continental tire and the Total Energies Quartz Ino Long Life 0W30 oil, emphasizing the importance of these choices in enhancing the Golf R's performance.

Moving on to the exterior, the team critiques the front-end updates, the light-up badge, and the curious absence of a dipstick in the engine compartment. They touch on the side profile, expressing disdain for the placement of the R badge and highlighting the convenience of the automatic unlocking feature. The review also delves into the design elements at the back, including the Acropovich exhaust, taillights, and black badges, all while bemoaning the limited color options available for the Golf R.

Transitioning to the interior, the focus shifts to the large screen, the Harman Carden sound system, and the unconventional absence of volume and tuning knobs. The team praises the illuminated controls, discusses the steering wheel buttons, and shares insights into the infotainment system's quirks. They highlight the separate exterior and interior engine sounds, customizable driving modes, and the driving experience, including the understeer, drift mode, and suspension settings. The review concludes with a mention of the reverse camera and an overall assessment of the Golf R's driving dynamics.