Golf R offers fun for everyone
Volkswagen may be the most beleaguered carmaker in the world this year, but they’ve also managed to turn out a superb little pocket rocket that claims my vote as the best new sports car under $50k. Volkswagen Golf R —$42,010 as tested Don’t be fooled. The VW Golf R looks like any other Golf.
But the bland looks are forgotten once you’re belted into the comfortable driver’s seat and fire up the 2.0litre turbo engine. Its 292 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque propels the hatch from zero to 100 km/h in a class-leading 5.8 seconds. Its fourwheel disc brakes haul it back down to zero again in only 37.6 metres. It blows the doors off all the competitors in the class with both these stats.
With all-wheel drive, sport suspension and dynamic chassis control, the Golf R also out-handles the rest. On the track and on rough, gravel roads the car feels glued down.
The six-speed manual is slick and the clutch is quick and smooth, making shifts ultra fast.
As if all this wasn’t enough to cement the Golf R’s superiority this year, it’s also a reasonably roomy five-door hatch, making it one of those special vehicles that an enthu- siast driver can justify to the rest of the family.
The Golf R is a nimble little number. It’s planted, zippy and practical enough to be more than a weekend toy. Chevrolet Camaro LT V6 —$47,365 as tested The Camaro is the most expensive in the category this year, and it delivers good value for the price.
You’re paying for a big 3.6-litre V6 with 335 horsepower and 284 lb.-ft. of torque. Acceleration is impressive; it actually hunkers down over the rear wheels when you mash the go pedal. It powers through quick corners very well for a big, heavy car. The Camaro we tested was all dressed, with an eight-speed automatic, heavy-duty brakes and a driver aid package. Hyundai Veloster Turbo Rally —$27,199 as tested With on-trend matte blue paint and an aggressively stanced body, the Veloster Turbo Rally looks the part of a hot hatch.
It’s got a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo engine that produces 201 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque, which is enough to take the front-wheel drive car to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds.
The six-speed manual is precise and the Veloster handles decently, with only a little understeer. The interior is very attractive, although the rear seats are tiny. Cargo space in the hatch is a surprising bonus. Mazda MX-5 — $35,300 as tested Along-anticipated update to the previous generation, the 2016 MX-5 is an entertaining enough car, but doesn’t quite live up to the hype.
It’s absolutely gorgeous, and if this contest were based on looks, it would win outright. It’s also got a sweet six-speed manual transmission and great handling, but these don’t add up with the rest of the package.
The car is uncomfortable, overly noisy and the 2.0-litre, 155-horsepower, 148 lb.-ft. four-cylinder engine doesn’t deliver the power for a truly exciting ride. It’s also a singlepurpose, three-season vehicle that you’ll have to store in the winter. Mini John Cooper Works (3 door) —$38,740 as tested Sitting in the driver’s seat of the JCW is like being inside a pinball machine. There is so much going on you don’t know where to look.
If you could only close your eyes and just drive that way, you’d find superb acceleration, precise handling and extremely good build quality.
The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine is mated with a beautifully smooth six-speed manual and delivers 228 hp. and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. It even has automatic throttle blip on downshifts for perfect rev matching.