VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R NAMED HOT HATCH HERO AT SCOTTISH CAR OF THE YEAR

The most powerful production Volkswagen Golf, the Golf R, has been named Hot Hatch of the Year in the 2014 Scottish Car of the Year awards. The award was presented at a ceremony held at St. Andrews on Friday 28 November.

The awards are judged by all 15 members of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, who represent publications and websites from across the country.

Commenting on the win, President of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, Alisdair Suttie, said: ‘Quick off the mark and with the grip and finesse to handle its power, the Volkswagen Golf R sets a new benchmark in affordable, practical performance motoring. Perfect poise from its standard four-wheel drive allied to precise steering and a hefty punch from its 2.0-litre turbo engine means it is the hot hatch for all seasons and all reasons.’

The Golf R, which went on sale in the UK in March uses a version of Volkswagen’s four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged EA888 TSI petrol engine from the Golf GTI, but developed to produce maximum power of 300 PS and 380 Nm (280 lbs ft) of torque. Zero to 62 mph takes 5.1 seconds or 4.9 seconds with optional DSG gearbox. The top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. Despite this performance, the Golf R has a combined fuel consumption of 39.8 mpg (40.9 mpg DSG), and CO₂ emissions of 165 g/km (159 g/km DSG).

Director of Volkswagen, Alex Smith, said: ‘The Golf was crowned overall Scottish Car of the Year in 2013, so I’m delighted that the R is continuing the success of the range and has been awarded the Hot Hatch accolade. This car competes in a hotly contested class, but it’s the blend of performance and practicality allied with comfort and value for money which gives it a unique edge over its competitors. Thanks go to the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers for recognising these qualities.

Volkswagen has 19 franchised sales outlets in Scotland, including flagship 17 car showrooms in Glasgow and Edinburgh which were opened in 2013 and 2014 respectively

Prices for the range-topping Golf R start at £29,345 for the three-door model with six-speed manual gearbox. For more details on the car or to find your nearest Volkswagen Retailer, visit www.volkswagen.co.uk.