Latest news with #BlackEdition
Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Range Rover Sport SV Black Edition unveiled with all-black theme and 626 bhp V8
Underneath its bonnet, the Range Rover Sport SV Black Edition carries over the identical 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 mild-hybrid petrol powerplant Check Offers Land Rover has revealed a stealthier version of its high-performance SUV, the Range Rover Sport SV Black Edition. Unveiled ahead of its global public preview at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the newest version takes the all black approach to the next level with monochrome finishes inside and out. While it continues to be based on the standard SV model, the Black Edition introduces design and trim updates that give it an even more assertive character. Range Rover Sport SV Black Edition: Design The most striking aspect of the new Black Edition is, unsurprisingly, its uniform black finish. Painted in Narvik Black, the SUV is fitted with a full Gloss Black Exterior Pack, extending to everything from the grille and badges to the alloy wheels and exhausts. Land Rover designers have gone beyond typical blackout treatments, applying a deep gloss finish to nearly every exterior element — including a carbon fibre bonnet, 23-inch gloss black forged alloy wheels, and quad black tailpipes. Also Read : More Range Rover limited edition trims to debut in Indian market, says MD Martin Limpert The rear tailgate introduces a black ceramic SV roundel for the first time for the brand. Overall, the visual styling reinforces the muscular lines of the Sport SV, presenting a more assertive presence without changing the fundamental silhouette. Range Rover Sport SV Black Edition: Features Inside, the black theme carries on with Ebony Windsor leather interior trim, Gloss Grand Black interior trim, and illuminated SV Black treadplates. The cabin aims to blend performance cues with luxury, housing sculpted sport seats, premium materials, and the brand's signature minimalistic dashboard design. Technology remains a core part of the package, with the SUV retaining features like 'Body and Soul' front seats — which integrate wellness-focused audio systems — and the brand's latest 6D Dynamics suspension system. The latter plays a key role in improving both ride comfort and handling, especially at high speeds or under heavy cornering. Also watch: Range Rover Autobiography LWB | What makes it special? Price, features, engine, performance, specs Range Rover Sport SV Black Edition: Specs Underneath its bonnet, the SV Black Edition carries over the identical 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 mild-hybrid petrol powerplant that puts out 626 bhp and 750Nm of torque. Performance data is identical to the regular SV variant — 0-100 kmph in 3.6 seconds, top speed of 290 kmph. The mild-hybrid arrangement of the powertrain provides instant acceleration without sacrificing refinement, while the sophisticated suspension keeps the heftier SUV buttoned up at high speeds. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 02 Jul 2025, 15:17 PM IST
Auto Express
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: VW Taigo Black Edition at £222 per month is an attractive path to the dark side
Stylish yet frugal coupé-SUV Generously equipped Black Edition Three-year lease and £222 per month Not everyone loves a coupé-SUV, but if you want a new car that offers plenty of space inside and some sleek, sporty styling, you can now get the Volkswagen Taigo Black Edition through Auto Express for as little as £222 per month. That price is being offered by Carwow Leasey, through the Auto Express Find A Car service. It's for a three-year lease with an initial outlay of £2,963, followed by monthly payments of £222. Included in the offer is the standard annual allowance of 5,000 miles per year. Advertisement - Article continues below If that initial payment is too high for you, it can be reduced to £1,824 – the equivalent of six months of payments, rather than 12 – and you'll still only have to pay £254 per month. You can also increase the mileage limit to 8,000 a year for less than £20 extra per month. As the name suggests, the roof, roof rails, 18-inch alloy wheels, side mirrors and various other elements of the exterior trim are all black, plus it's fitted with tinted rear windows. Being the range-topping model, it's also equipped with a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro driver's display, 10.25-inch central touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats and wireless smartphone charging. The Taigo is based on the more conventional, boxy Volkswagen T-Cross, and you might assume the coupé's roofline eats up lots of cabin space. But the interior is actually rather spacious, and you get a sizable 440 litres of boot capacity to play with. Under the bonnet of the Taigo Black Edition is a 148bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Volkswagen says this combo can return up to 48.1mpg and is good for 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds. The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Find A Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car retailers and leasing companies around the UK. Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top Volkswagen Taigo leasing offers from leading providers on our Volkswagen Taigo deals hub page… Check out the Volkswagen Taigo Deal of the Day or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here… Find a car with the experts New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date The upcoming, all-electric Volvo XC60 alternative is designed to 'keep learning and evolve with time' Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid gets more efficient, powerful and eco-friendly for 2025 Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid gets more efficient, powerful and eco-friendly for 2025 The mid-size family SUV segment has just got a whole load tougher thanks to Nissan New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand's hot-SUV onslaught New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand's hot-SUV onslaught Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
Auto Blog
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Honda Drops Enticing Pilot Lease Offer for June
Honda Pilot lease offer, June 2025 Honda's Pilot, one of the market's most popular mid-size SUVs, starts at $40,200 for its base version, with the peak Black Edition trim selling from $54,580. From least to most expensive, this Honda's trims include the Sport, EX-L, EX-L with HPD (Honda Performance Development) wheels, TrailSport, Touring, Touring with HPD wheels, Elite, and Black Edition. Front-wheel drive (FWD) versions get 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, while non-TrailSport AWD trims provide 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The TrailSport AWD delivers 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. While lagging slightly in fuel economy, the 2025 Pilot compensates with 111.8 cu ft of cargo capacity when the second and third rows are folded, 59.5 cu ft with the third row down, and 21.8 cu ft behind the third row. Passengers also receive plenty of space with a total volume of 158.4 cu ft for the Sport and EX-L trims and 154.9 cu ft for TrailSport, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition variants across seven or eight seats. 2025 Honda Pilot Black Edition — Source: Honda The 2025 Pilot's powertrain is more robust than you may imagine, with 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. AWD versions provide higher towing capability with a maximum capacity of 5,000 lbs, while FWD trims can tow up to 3,500 lbs. Honda offers up to seven available drive modes within the 2025 Pilot, including Normal, ECON, Sport, Snow, Trail, Sand, and Tow. The base Sport has a 7-inch infotainment display, but most trims get a 9-inch touchscreen. Honda's TrailSport Pilot distinguishes itself with steel skid plates, a trailer hitch, all-season floor mats, and easy-to-clean upholstery. Those who aren't fully committed to purchasing a 2025 Honda Pilot may be more inclined to lease. If you're interested in leasing a 2025 Pilot but aren't sure what trim to select, you'll benefit from knowing that all of Honda's current lease offers for this model center around one variant, and there's an enticing catch. The Honda Pilot lease deal for June 2025 From now until July 7, all of Honda's lease offers for the 2025 Pilot are for the model's EX-L variant. If you want AWD without paying additional monthly cash, you're in luck, as Honda is leasing the 2025 FWD EX-L and AWD EX-L for the same monthly price of $479 for 36 months. However, you'll have to put $5,899 down on an AWD Pilot EX-L instead of the FWD version's $4,999 due at signing. While many major markets, such as New York City, Los Angeles, California, and Miami, Florida, are consistent in this offer—some areas, such as Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon, and Madison, Wisconsin, offer the lease at $489 per month for 36 months, with $5,899 due at signing for AWD and $4,799 due for FWD. Consider the monthly payment cost, taxes, and fees before signing a lease. Lease offers vary by metro market. Check your local pricing here. 2025 Honda Pilot Elite — Source: Honda Prefer $0 down? Some lessees prefer to put $0 down to reduce upfront costs. In this case, drivers leasing a FWD 2025 Pilot would pay about $605 per month instead of $479 or $630 monthly for an AWD version. Lessees putting $0 down in markets leasing the 2025 Pilot at $489 per month for 36 months, with $5,899 due at signing for AWD and $4,799 due for FWD, would pay around $609 per month for the FWD variant and $639 per month for AWD. Final thoughts Honda's current 2025 Pilot lease offer is advantageous for those looking to mitigate costs when upgrading from FWD to AWD and drivers unsure which trim to select. Still, before deciding, be sure to take the 2025 Pilot on a test drive and compare it against rivals such as Kia's Telluride, Hyundai's Palisade, and Toyota's Highlander. 2025 Honda Pilot Black Edition — Source: Honda *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. About the Author Cody Carlson View Profile
Miami Herald
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Honda Drops Enticing Pilot Lease Offer for June
Honda's Pilot, one of the market's most popular mid-size SUVs, starts at $40,200 for its base version, with the peak Black Edition trim selling from $54,580. From least to most expensive, this Honda's trims include the Sport, EX-L, EX-L with HPD (Honda Performance Development) wheels, TrailSport, Touring, Touring with HPD wheels, Elite, and Black Edition. Front-wheel drive (FWD) versions get 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, while non-TrailSport AWD trims provide 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The TrailSport AWD delivers 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. While lagging slightly in fuel economy, the 2025 Pilot compensates with 111.8 cu ft of cargo capacity when the second and third rows are folded, 59.5 cu ft with the third row down, and 21.8 cu ft behind the third row. Passengers also receive plenty of space with a total volume of 158.4 cu ft for the Sport and EX-L trims and 154.9 cu ft for TrailSport, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition variants across seven or eight seats. The 2025 Pilot's powertrain is more robust than you may imagine, with 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. AWD versions provide higher towing capability with a maximum capacity of 5,000 lbs, while FWD trims can tow up to 3,500 lbs. Honda offers up to seven available drive modes within the 2025 Pilot, including Normal, ECON, Sport, Snow, Trail, Sand, and Tow. The base Sport has a 7-inch infotainment display, but most trims get a 9-inch touchscreen. Honda's TrailSport Pilot distinguishes itself with steel skid plates, a trailer hitch, all-season floor mats, and easy-to-clean upholstery. Those who aren't fully committed to purchasing a 2025 Honda Pilot may be more inclined to lease. If you're interested in leasing a 2025 Pilot but aren't sure what trim to select, you'll benefit from knowing that all of Honda's current lease offers for this model center around one variant, and there's an enticing catch. From now until July 7, all of Honda's lease offers for the 2025 Pilot are for the model's EX-L variant. If you want AWD without paying additional monthly cash, you're in luck, as Honda is leasing the 2025 FWD EX-L and AWD EX-L for the same monthly price of $479 for 36 months. However, you'll have to put $5,899 down on an AWD Pilot EX-L instead of the FWD version's $4,999 due at signing. While many major markets, such as New York City, Los Angeles, California, and Miami, Florida, are consistent in this offer-some areas, such as Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon, and Madison, Wisconsin, offer the lease at $489 per month for 36 months, with $5,899 due at signing for AWD and $4,799 due for FWD. Consider the monthly payment cost, taxes, and fees before signing a lease. Lease offers vary by metro market. Check your local pricing here. Some lessees prefer to put $0 down to reduce upfront costs. In this case, drivers leasing a FWD 2025 Pilot would pay about $605 per month instead of $479 or $630 monthly for an AWD version. Lessees putting $0 down in markets leasing the 2025 Pilot at $489 per month for 36 months, with $5,899 due at signing for AWD and $4,799 due for FWD, would pay around $609 per month for the FWD variant and $639 per month for AWD. Honda's current 2025 Pilot lease offer is advantageous for those looking to mitigate costs when upgrading from FWD to AWD and drivers unsure which trim to select. Still, before deciding, be sure to take the 2025 Pilot on a test drive and compare it against rivals such as Kia's Telluride, Hyundai's Palisade, and Toyota's Highlander. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Perth Now
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
2025 Volkswagen Golf R review
The Volkswagen Golf R is more than just a fast hatchback; it's a trailblazing legacy that goes back decades. Black Edition Credit: CarExpert Since the first-generation Golf R32 debuted back in 2002, the R-badged Golf popularised a new class of compact performance car above that of its GTI hot hatch stablemate, challenging properly fast nameplates for straight-line pace. From the singing six-cylinder originals to the thumping turbocharged fours of more recent iterations, the flagship badge in the Golf lineup has become synonymous with being the consummate high-performance hatch, transcending traditional mainstream and premium segments in terms of both performance and all-round useability. The Golf R embodies this as much as ever in its latest Mk8.5 generation, with performance and technology that rivals vehicles from the Audi S, BMW M Performance and Mercedes-AMG stables at a much more attainable price point. It's hardly cheap at $70,000 before on-road costs, and it's now much closer in price to said premium performance alternatives these days, but it's decked out with all of the latest and greatest creature comforts the German auto giant has to offer, too. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert From later this year you'll also be able to deck out the Golf R with lightweight factory performance options for the first time on the regular variant – including an Akrapovic titanium exhaust, lightweight forged alloy wheels, and genuine carbon-fibre inlays. So is this still the benchmark hardcore hot hatch for performance enthusiasts? We joined the recent Australian media launch in New South Wales to find out… Base pricing for the updated Golf R has only risen by $400 compared to the last of the Mk8 generation, starting from $70,990 before on-road costs. The Black Edition adds another $1500. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert That's not all that far off the related Audi S3 (from $78,000) these days, and the latest BMW M135 xDrive (from $83,600) is also within reach. Less so is the Mercedes-AMG A35 (from $89,700), but you get the picture. From the mainstream brands, a Toyota GR Corolla (from $67,990) offers similar turbocharged all-wheel drive performance in an arguably less liveable rally-bred package, while the Honda Civic Type R ($74,100 D/A) is currently out of stock and channels similar grunt to only its front wheels – and is noticeably more track-focused. To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool We've covered the recent launches of the Mk8.5 Golf and Golf GTI, so there's not much new to report here. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert Perhaps the biggest difference between them and the R is the fact it doesn't revert to physical multifunction switchgear on the steering wheel – the pesky haptic touch-sensitive buttons remain. They can still be a little fiddly at times, and during more spirited driving stints including on track, I managed to mis-press the heated steering wheel button, as well as the skip track button when cornering. Beyond that it's much the same as the rest of the upgraded Golf range; there are different trims and colours, with distinctive blue highlights scattered throughout the cabin, including on the fine Nappa leather seat upholstery, steering wheel accents or the flutters of blue throughout the in-car displays. The seats themselves are similar to those in the GTI and R-Line, save for the Nappa hide, and the steering wheel is the perforated leather-trimmed sports unit from the GTI with said blue accents and touch controls. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert Metal mesh-effect trim accents line the dashboard and doors, and you can customise the 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster with some unique R customisation like a racy line-bar tacho with shift lights. Later this year you'll be able to opt for genuine carbon-fibre trim accents as part of the Warmenau package. Centre stage is the new 12.9-inch 'Discover' touchscreen multimedia system, which is larger than the old display while also bringing the latest software interface already seen in the German brand's ID-branded electric models. You score the new IDA voice assistant in addition to the usual navigation, DAB+ digital radio and wireless smartphone mirroring, but the lack of factory connectivity means it isn't quite as intelligent as the internet- and AI-enabled version offered overseas. The wireless Apple CarPlay generally worked without fault when paired with my iPhone 16 Pro Max, though I have experienced the odd dropout when passing under one of Victoria's toll booths in other models with this system. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert While some of the subbed-in trimmings go a good way to making it feel more upmarket, there haven't been any wholesale changes like in the related Cupra Leon, for example, which will be applying new padded and leather-lined surfaces along the centre console for a more premium ambience. Previous gripes around the touch sliders for temperature and volume have been somewhat addressed with illumination, which helps with useability in low-light situations while also looking more sophisticated, while the hard toolbar at the base of the screen makes it easier to toggle HVAC functions as well as operate the heated front seats. The second row remains one of the most generous in the class, with more than enough room for two adults to sit behind two adults. Head, knee and leg room are all good for the segment, even behind a taller driver like 6'1″ me, though forward visibility past the chunky sports bucket seats might be a challenge for nausea-prone passengers. Niceties include a third zone of climate control with directional vents at the rear of the centre console. Further, the flock-lined door bins continue in the rear to stop bottles rattling around, and there's a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert You also get the requisite ISOFIX child seat anchor points on the outboard seats, and top-tethers across all three. Additionally, there's a handy ski port – quite European – in case you're needing to stow longer items through from the boot. Speaking of, there's a decent 341 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats in play, expanding to 1197 litres with them folded. There's an adjustable boot floor to make a load area flat if needed, and the space-saver spare of other Golf variants has been swapped out for a tyre mobility kit. To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new Golf R gets the same 'EA888' 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, but compared to the old Australian-spec model it now makes 245kW of power (+10kW) and 420Nm of torque (+20Nm). 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert This aligns our latest Golf R with European specifications, after the previous model was down 20Nm on the global version due to a lack of a petrol particulate filter (PPF). The new model picks up the exhaust filtration system like the European model and therefore gets the full-fat tune. It's also worth noting the new R is now compatible with 95 RON premium unleaded, rather than being restricted to 98-octane fuel like the old car. Further, Volkswagen's 0-100km/h acceleration claim of 4.6 seconds is down 0.2 seconds on the previous model, while the standard R Performance Package fitted to the Australian specification means the Golf R is capable of hitting a top speed of 270km/h. Our observed indicated fuel economy of 10.4-10.7L/100km was achieved on day one of the launch with a mix of B-roads and country highways, including spirited stints. On the following day after a 71km transit leg from the Blue Mountains to Sydney Motorsport Park on mostly highway and freeway, we saw a far more impressive 5.8L/100km. To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Let's get to the fun part, shall we? Black Edition Credit: CarExpert Our drive of the new Golf R and Golf R Black Edition started in Orange, NSW, taking us through the high country to the Blue Mountains for an overnight stay, then to SMP in western Sydney the following morning. Day one was very wet and gloomy, which made for a good test of the Golf R's 4Motion AWD traction on the high-speed roads on our lengthy drive route. As you'd expect, the fast little Volksie was nothing short of excellent. Driving through what can only be described as a torrential downpour for much of the day, the Golf R was unflappable in the wet, even on winding country B-roads with mixed road surface quality accompanied by signed speed limits generally in the realm of 80-100km/h. Even in tighter bends there was little to no understeer or scrabbling for traction when pushed – within reasonable limits given the conditions, of course – giving you the confidence to still drive with intent without feeling like you were anywhere near the limit. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert We had a few hours behind the wheel of the Golf R Black Edition on day one, providing plenty of time to test out the different modes. Personally, I chose to cycle between Special (Nurburgring) and Comfort during the extended route. Special is basically Race with the chassis softened off a touch to suit the lumpy-bumpy Nordschleife, and in reality a lot of Australia's spaghetti-like regional roads suit this exact mode given there's a layer of added compliance needed to iron out some sharper hits and high-frequency imperfections to avoid upsetting the balance of the vehicle. In this mode the drivetrain is also put into S+, which basically dials up everything to 11. It revs right out to the redline in each gear and downshifts early with plenty of aural theatre – helped by the augmented engine sound via the speakers – and if you flick it into the manual M+ mode the Golf R will refuse to shift even if you hit the limiter. The new turbocharger preload system works its magic in this mode, maintaining boost for better response. You basically get no turbo lag, and it almost feels naturally aspirated in the way it responds so quickly and revs out so linearly. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert Adaptive chassis tech and variable-ratio steering mean you can dial up the feel and firmness when you want it for spirited stints, and then dial it back when you're tootling around the 'burbs or cruising on the highway. As its predecessors have done for generations, the Golf R remains a superb all-rounder. As with the GTI, I found that the steering weight felt a tad artificial and not as communicative as something like a Civic Type R, but it has a nicely fluid and accurate rack that suits the Jekyll and Hyde personalities of the Golf R quite well. I'd just like a bit more of a natural and weighted feel. I didn't find the engine's soundtrack to be overly contrived or artificial like the old Mk7's, and in its most aggressive mode the Golf R has an aggressive, high-pitched and raspy tone that sounds a little like the free-revving Mercedes-AMG 2.0-litre turbo four. You get subtle cracks or 'farts' on upshifts, a nice burbly idle, and a bit of overrun when you lift off the throttle between 3000 and 5000rpm. It certainly sounds purposeful, and is a little more raucous than the Audi S3 which shares the same drivetrain and much of the running gear underneath. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert At SMP we got to trial Drift mode on the skid pan before taking both the R and Black Edition out for some instructed laps on the long circuit. It's fascinating how much the different modes change the car's vibe. You can genuinely hold slides quite easily with the throttle (in a controlled environment when conditions permit), yet the Golf R also remains a sharp corner-carver on the racetrack. We started in Comfort mode and gradually worked or way up to Race and Special, really getting a good feel for the Golf R's circuit capabilities. The mix of sweeping bends and hairpins was a good test for the 4Motion AWD system as well as the brakes, and there was minimal fade from the latter after successive laps. There's good response from all driver controls at the limit, and it took a lot to induce any understeer – if anything ,the rear differential does a great job of sending torque to the outside rear wheel the bring the bum around. Volkswagen R's development driver, Benjamin 'Benny' Leuchter, even took us for a couple of hot laps at what felt like 10/10ths, included a lap in both the Special and Drift modes. As you can imagine, it was the latter that really generated the widest eyes and loudest gasps from all three journalists onboard… Mr Leuchter confirmed the Golf R Black Edition lapped the famed Nurburgring Nordschleife in seven minutes and 47 seconds, which is around three seconds off the Civic Type R's pace but quicker than the Mercedes-AMG A45 S. Not bad. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert Rounding out the on-road assessment, we did find there was a bit of tyre roar finding its way into the cabin from the 235/35 Bridgestone Potenza tyres, but that's not unusual for this type of car. The R's driver assistance suite is also excellent, as you'd expect. Travel Assist remains one of the benchmark semi-autonomous functions, and the standard Area View surround camera means you shouldn't have an excuse for gutter-rashed rims – though the quality of the camera feed could be better. Also standard are helpful features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic assist, which supplement the Golf's already very good outward visibility. The former also brakes to avoid collisions in reverse. Speaking of parking, the R features Park Assist Plus, which adds automated assistance for the accelerator, brake and gear selection over the standard Park Assist in lower Golfs, which only controls steering to help guide you into both parallel and perpendicular parking bays. To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The standard R is bolstered by the Black Edition, which is limited to 300 units in Australia. Volkswagen's local arm says around half of our market's Black Edition allocation is already spoken for. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert 2025 Volkswagen Golf R equipment highlights: Digital Cockpit Pro – 10.25-inch instrument cluster 12.9-inch Discover touchscreen navigation system IDA voice assistance DAB+ radio Wireless App-Connect Keyless access Alarm system Premium metallic paint 19-inch Estoril alloy wheels Adaptive Chassis Control – DCC Nappa leather-appointed upholstery Electric driver seat incl. memory function Heated, ventilated front seat Harman Kardon 480W premium audio 3-zone climate control Head-up display Rear privacy glass Matrix LED headlights Dynamic Light Assist – adaptive high beam Premium LED tail lights – 3D effect 30-colour ambient interior lighting R exterior, interior design package Area View – surround cameras Park Assist Plus Golf R Black Edition adds: Darkened VW logos – front, rear Darkened R logos – front, rear 19-inch Warmenau forged alloy wheels – Black Darkened R logos – wheel centre caps Radiator grille with black strip Exterior mirrors in black Black brake calipers Black exhaust tail pipes To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Golf R will be available with an optional Warmenau Package for model year 2026 and it's available to order now, while both the MY25 Golf R and Black Edition are both available with a panoramic sunroof. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert Warmenau Package: $6500 (MY26 R only) Akrapovic titanium exhaust system 19-inch Warmenau alloy wheels Genuine carbon interior decor Single-item options: To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Volkswagen Golf has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2019 Euro NCAP testing. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert Standard safety equipment includes: 9 airbags incl. front-centre airbag Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) Adaptive cruise control with stop/go Blind-spot monitoring Cross-traffic alert – front, rear Driver fatigue monitoring Emergency Assist Multi-collision brake Lane Assist Park Assist Parking sensors – front, rear Reversing camera Safe exit warning Travel Assist Golf GTI adds: Golf R adds: Area View – surround cameras Dynamic Light Assist To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Golf R, like the wider Golf range, is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Put simply, this is an R-mazing little car. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert Volkswagen has been polishing away at the Golf R formula for over two decades and it shows. Perhaps other than the related Audi S3, no other vehicle at this size or price point offers the same kind of all-round capability and useability. It's feels at home both in the city and on the racetrack, and while it's not necessarily the quickest or fastest hot hatch on sale, it arguably strikes the best balance. The level of adjustability in the chassis and drivetrain allows you to finetune it to just about any driving situation, and of course it's a Golf so the fundamentals are generally excellent anyway. It also is packed with just about everything the latest Golf portfolio has to offer, much of which isn't available in lower grades in Australia. Gripes? The fiddly steering wheel controls can get annoying when driving hard, and $70,000 is a lot of money for a Golf, even one as fast and as capable as this. Indeed it's not all that much cheaper than an Audi S3 with the same running gear. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert It's also a shame the Golf R Wagon remains off the menu for Australians. The more practical body had a cult, if niche, following Down Under, and offered a point of difference alongside all of its peers at this end of the market. Volkswagen Group subsidiary Cupra will fill the gap somewhat later this year with the Leon Sportstourer, though I imagine many would still prefer a Golf. All told though, the updated Mk8.5 Golf R is a fine compact performance car. It's the Swiss army knife of hot hatches, perhaps even more so these days than the also excellent new Golf GTI. It's as hardcore and racy as ever, without skimping on the creature comforts and daily driveability the nameplate is lauded for. The Black Edition in Grenadilla Black looks pretty mean, though I'd personally be holding out for an MY26 Lapiz Blue example with the optional Warmenau package. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Credit: CarExpert Interested in buying a Volkswagen Golf? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Volkswagen Golf Still the jack of all trades Meaningful tech updates Black Edition looks menacing in... Black Like tradesmen, it ain't cheap anymore No wagon for Australia... welp Capacitive steering wheel buttons
