2015 Volkswagen Golf R
The MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award for best small car for 2015 was awarded to the new Volkswagen Golf family. Primarily because with the TSI, TDI, GTI, SportWagen, and even an e-Golf, they cover all of the bases like no other small car series. Well, it turns out they’re not done yet, as they’ve now unleashed Wolfsburg’s latest pocket rocket on the US, the Golf R.
Regular viewers of MotorWeek are no doubt a little weary of our incessant praise of the new Volkswagen Golf and GTI. If that’s the case, you might want to change the channel for about the next 5-minutes, as we’re about to go all “fan-boy” once again about this 2015 Volkswagen Golf R.
All-wheel-drive is part of the Golf R’s platform of course, a Haldex system that stays front-biased, but can send up to 50% of corner carving grip to the back tires. But, that extra hardware does push weight to a hefty 3,340-lbs.
Under hood, is a familiar VW and Audi mechanical; a 2.0-liter I4 turbo. And while that’s not a lot of motor in size, it cranks out a sizable 292-horsepower. Plus, a seemingly continuous delivery of 280 lb-ft. of torque throughout the rev band, makes it feel like even more.
This time around, just the DSG automatic transmission is available at launch, and a 6-speed manual won’t arrive until next year. But as you may already know, we’re very fond of the DSG. Driving Mode Selection gets a new Race mode, and you can further upgrade to optional Dynamic Chassis Control that lets you dial in an ultra-stiff ride, should you so choose.
Regardless, the Golf R is an absolute blast to drive. And really, it doesn’t feel much different than the GTI that we love so much until you go heavy on the throttle and let it spin up to glory.
The interior finish is great! This car looks and feel like it’s worth every penny you spend on it; think more Audi than base VW.
There’s plenty of room, a simple and effective layout, with logically placed controls. The upgraded sport seats are awesome at holding you tight, but comfortably so; in a Teutonic snuggle sort of way.
The GTI is certainly no slouch when it comes to the handling department, but here on the Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point Motorsports Park near Charlestown, West Virginia, the Golf R hunkers down and scoots through corners even better than your wildest expectations.
Despite a soft overall feel, there’s plenty of grip to be had; as no matter how much throttle you’re carrying, this chassis, can put power in its place, and of course that’s on the pavement.
ESC can now be fully turned off, but Sport Mode is absolutely great, letting you have quite a bit of fun, before the electronics step in to keep you pointed where you should be.
As for complaints, this course’s tighter turns and many shifting opportunities had us wishing for bigger shift paddles, as with all of the constant shuffling they were sometimes hard to find.
But of course in a straight line, leaving the DSG in full auto is really where it’s at. Mash the gas, hold on, and 4.9-seconds later, we’re at 60 miles-per-hour.
The Golf R launches off the line smartly with its all-wheel-drive grip, with a snappy and raspy exhaust note all the way down the track for a quick quarter at 13.7–seconds at 103 miles-per-hour. While a short 115-feet is all it took to stop from 60 miles-per-hour.
On the street, the Golf R is even more impressive. It feels very substantial for its size, with a dialed-in solidity like no other small car. It’s agile and wanting to be thrown around, and is the very definition of confidence inspiring.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 23-City, 30-Highway, and 26–Combined; we averaged a very good 28.3 miles-per-gallon of Premium. The Energy Impact Score is 12.7-barrels of oil used and 5.7 tons of CO2 emitted yearly.
Alas, perfection never comes cheap. In this case it starts at $37,415, and is available in 4-door only. Those numbers may scare away a few, but in this world, it’s the unafraid that are truly rewarded.
So, don’t think of the 2015 Volkswagen Golf R as just a sportier GTI, think of it as everything you’d ever want a Golf to be and a bit more. And really everything you’d want in a sensible sport-hatch as well. If you’re perfectly happy with your GTI, do yourself a favor and don’t test drive the “R”, so you don’t know what you’re missing.
Specifications
- Engine: 2.0 liter
- Horsepower: 292
- Torque: 280 lb-ft.
- 0-60 mph: 4.9 seconds
- 1/4 mile: 13.7 seconds @ 103 mph
- EPA: 23 mpg city/ 30 mpg highway
- Energy Impact: 12.7 barrels of oil/yr
- CO2 Emissions: 5.7 tons/yr
2025 Audi Q6 e-tron
New Platform, New Level Of Tech…Still Feels Like An Audi
The Q6 e-tron is not Audi’s first EV; they’ve been in the game since the original e-tron arrived for 2019. But it is the first one to arrive on an all-new premium platform electric architecture. So, time for us to get to work and find out if it’s a foundation that Audi can truly build on.
It’s an interesting time in the auto biz, that’s for sure, as no one is really certain what the future holds for internal combustion engines or even EVs at this point. Audi is of course part of the Volkswagen Group who made a massive investment in BEVs as they emerged from Dieselgate. We continue to enjoy driving the results, the latest of which is this 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron.
Even though it shares Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Electric basics with the Porsche Macan EV, the overall driving experience is similar to the rest of the Audi utility lineup, more so than any previous e-tron EV. Next-gen electric motor design means the standard rear-drive setup gets 302 horsepower from a permanently excited synchronous AC motor. All-wheel drive add an asynchronous AC motor up front for a total 422-horsepower output. Both motors are about 30% smaller and weigh around 20% less than previous e-tron motors.
Range estimates are as high as 321 miles. Our dual-motor setup with 20-inch wheels and 100-kWh battery is rated for 295 miles. A test loop found 260 miles to be more realistic. 800-volt architecture and 270-kW fast charging can fill the battery to 80% in just over 20 minutes. And using 35-kWh of electricity per 100 miles earns a good efficiency rating.
While 422 horsepower is the official rating, there’s a peak of 456 horsepower on hand when using Audi’s launch control. And launch is the appropriate term, as we blasted to 60 in just 4.6 seconds at our Mason Dixon test track. After a big jolt off the line, power continued to build going down the track, with no signs of it tapering off before we finished the quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds at 108 mph.
We also got a chance to hit the track with the Q6’s swole sibling, the SQ6. It cranks out 509 horsepower with launch control, and ripped to 60 in just 3.9 seconds and through the quarter in 12.4 at 112 mph.
Bargain hunters have long known that many Audis unlock Porsche-style high performance for less, and that surely feels like it here. Both the Q6 quattro and the SQ6 felt incredibly nimble in our handling course, with minimal understeer and tremendous grip. Steering was quick and responsive. The SQ6 comes with an adaptive air suspension that can also be added to the Q6 quattro. The biggest benefit seemed to be more away from the track, feeling smoother over irregular pavement. During panic braking runs in the Q6 quattro, there was a nice firm pedal, and quick stops in just 100 feet from 60. There was a good bit of nosedive and be prepared for the seat belt to squeeze you like an anaconda.
As more and more EVs arrive, we also see lots of new active and ambient lighting setups, something that Audi was pioneering before the EV revolution. And if nothing else, the Q6’s can keep you and others entertained while you’re sitting at the charging station. And of course, you can monitor charging status and everything else through Audi’s latest virtual cockpit.
Interior dimensions have the Q6 falling firmly in the midsize luxury segment, though it doesn’t feel that much smaller than the Q8. Audi owners will definitely notice the all-new Digital Stage infotainment setup. This Android-based system is part of a new E3 1.2 electronic architecture that will be used in all future Audis. It’s fully integrated with all vehicle functions, boasting more computer power than ever, along with the ability to seamlessly update just about every electronic function of the vehicle over the air. Here in the Q6, there’s a central 14.5-inch touchscreen for driver interaction, along with an available 10.9-inch display for the front passenger.
Pricing starts with the rear-drive Q6 at $65,095, quattros just two-grand more at $67,095; with the SQ6 quattro starting at $74,195.
The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron is more than just another great EV from Audi. It’s truly a next level BEV that not only sets a new benchmark for the Audi brand, but sets them up nicely going forward, as this new platform provides a highly flexible high-tech launching pad for more great Audis to come.
Specifications
Q6 e-tron
- Motor Setup: Dual Motor
- Battery Size: 100-kWh
- Horsepower: 422
- EPA: up to 295 miles
- Peak Charging: 270-kW
- 0-60 mph: 4.6 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 13.2 seconds at 108 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg.): 100 feet
- EV Test Loop: ~ 260 miles
SQ6 e-tron
- Horsepower: 509
- EPA: 273 miles
- 0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 12.4 seconds at 112 mph