Tag Archives: VW news

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Volkswagen is making some big news at a generally sleepy Chicago Auto Show this week with the debut of its next-generation hot hatch models, the Golf R and GTI.

2022 VW Golf R rear driving
The 2022 Golf R proves the thrill ain’t gone, putting out 315 horsepower.

With millions of Americans shifting from passenger cars to light trucks, the German automaker has decided not to bring over the mainstream Golf. But it is launching two performance versions of the eighth-generation hatchback.

While prices will take a jump, company officials noted that both the Golf R and GTI also get big boosts in power, along with a number of new standard features.

“The previous Golf GTI and Golf R models were widely regarded as the best hot hatches you could buy, but the Mark 8 versions up the ante,” said Hein Schafer, senior vice president, Product Marketing and Strategy, Volkswagen of America. “The cars,” he added, “have more performance, better handling, more standard equipment and improved tech features, yet minimal price increases.”

Pumping iron

VW first introduced the GTI to American buyers in 1983, the hatchback then making just 90 horsepower out of its 1.8-liter inline-4. The new GTI takes that to 241 hp and 273 pound-feet of torque. And though it shares the same EA888 2.0-liter engine, the I-4 punches up to 315 hp and 290 lb-ft with the Golf R — making it the most powerful version of the Golf ever, said Schafer.

2022 VW Golf R cockpit
The Golf R interior features plenty of technology, leather and space.

Buyers can choose from either a 7-speed double-clutch gearbox or a 6-speed manual.

The Golf R has some other tricks in store for buyers seeking serious track and street thrills. For starters, it directs power to all four wheels through VW’s 4Motion system — normally balancing power 50:50, front and rear. But it will shift up to 100% of engine torque to one of the rear wheels, as needed, to sweep through a tight corner.

The Golf R also adds features like an adaptive suspension to smooth out rough roads while cruising, or tighten up when driving hard. And drivers can select from several different mode settings, including the new Drift Mode.

Not straying very far

From a design perspective, the new, Mark 8 Golf models don’t stray far from their predecessors, despite all the significant mechanical changes under the skin. They’re slightly longer and sportier, with more sharply raked hoods and new LED head, fog and taillights.

The GTI adopts X-shaped foglights, a honeycomb lower grille and distinctive red accents, inside and out. That includes a red grille line and red brake calipers. Some classic GTI cues carry over, including the golf ball-style shift knob that first appeared on the original 1983 model.

2022 VW Golf GTI driving
The eighth-generation GTI offers plenty of power and handling.

The Golf R, meanwhile, goes for distinctive blue accents, including the grille line and brake calipers. It adds a large two-piece rear spoiler, as well as more aggressive front and rear bumpers and diffusers than the GTI. Side still extensions and a quad-tipped exhaust system round out the design.

Digital cockpits

Inside, the two hot hatches share the same, basic layout. Both get the new, 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro display which can be reconfigured by drivers. They also feature a 10-inch Discover Pro infotainment system. A head-up display is one of the options.

The more exclusive Golf R adds features like a leather steering wheel — heated is an option — a standard sunroof, 19-inch wheels and more.

The two models also include VW’s IQ.Drive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking, blint spot monitor and more.

The 2022 Volkswagen GTI will start at $29,545 with a manual transmission. The Golf R starts at $43,645, a $3,200 bump up from the outgoing hatchback. Both models land in U.S. showrooms during the fourth quarter of 2021.

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Volkswagen of America revealed 3.3 million buyers and prospective buyers in North America were the subject of a data breach after one of its vendors left some files unprotected. 

VW said only a small number of people had sensitive information, like social security numbers and dates of birth, exposed.

The automaker is offering some assistance and says the info was mostly phone numbers and email addresses. The majority of those involved were interested in Audi, a VW subsidiary. The information obtained is typically used by Audi and some of its U.S. and Canadian dealers for digital sales and marketing efforts.

According to Reuters, most of the information exposed was collected between 2014 and 2019, and largely consisted of phone numbers and email addresses; however, within the 3.3 million, about 90,000 Audi customers and potential buyers had sensitive information put at risk.

Bigger potential problems for some

VW is offering credit production to those affected by the data breach.

For the 90,000, in addition to things like the type of vehicle purchased or lease or, in the case of prospective buyers and lessees, what they were interested in, the hackers accessed data relating to purchase and lease eligibility. 

Even worse, for 95% of those driver’s license numbers were collected. In a small number of cases, it included information like dates of birth, social security numbers and other account numbers. VW said none of that information was gotten from Canadian accounts.

The automaker thinks the data was secured between August 2019 and last month. VW found the problem. The company said it will offer free credit protection services to those impacted by the event.

“We recently discovered that an unauthorized third party obtained limited personal information received from or about customers and interested buyers from a vendor that Audi, Volkswagen and some authorized dealers in the United States and Canada use for digital sales and marketing activities,” the company said in a statement. 

“We regret any inconvenience this may cause our current or potential customers. As always, we recommend that individuals remain alert for suspicious emails or other communications that might ask them to provide information about themselves or their vehicle.”