Growing up in the ’80s (there’s a giveaway), Bobby Nitro spent more than a decent amount of time fantasising about zipping about the mean streets in a Golf GTi.
It was the cabbie to be in at those infamous robot challenges, especially if the opponent was a SuperBoss.
Nowadays, VW fans get it a whole lot better with the Golf R hot hatch, a performance vehicle that at R676 000, still remains a relative bargain for entry into the bigger leagues.
It gets an update every so often, and the latest of these sees the 228kW four-cylinder go from zero to 100km/* hero in a body slamming 4.6 seconds. Hells bells, that makes it a serious contender to the top road bosses. Those R8s and M3s out there can no longer rest on their robot laurels.
Golf is an undoubtedly popular cabbie. In four decades since first launching in South Africa, over 350 000 Golfs have been sold. And, since the launch of the seventh generation Golf model range in 2013, the Golf GTI, Golf GTD and Golf R models have made up more than 45% of all unit sales in SA.
RELATIVE BARGAIN: This blue beauty will cost you R676 000
To freshen this line-up, and to provide an object of our lust for speed, the performance derivative has gotten this 15kw boost to make it the most powerful Golf ever sold in the country, which by the way, was the case with the last boost.
Driver assistance systems include blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, cruise control, and braking system assists that all employ technology to make this a safer car to drive. The optional performance brakes are a lekker one, especially since they come with that kwaai ‘R’ logo.
CHANGES: New driver assistance systems have been added
That super swift 4.6 second dash comes not only from the increased power output, but also from an extremely fast-shifting 7-speed DSG and standard Launch Control feature.
The Golf R comes standard with a five-year/ 90 000km Service Plan, three-year/120 000km warranty and a lengthy 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. Rs are already at dealers, so go drive one this weekend.