Ride & Drive: 2015 VW Golf R - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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2015-02-24

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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Man critically burned in trailer fire Asante's physician groups not charities, judge rules Morning freezes could spell disaster for early blooms 10 things to know for Monday Lost Creek Lake logjam could become hazard for boaters Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Man critically burned in trailer fire Medford neighbors take up arms against a sea of graffiti Emergency Services, Feb. 23 Car crashes into new south Medford home Missing teen possibly seen in Florida Politics and Elections Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Education Grace to assume school governance AHS principal up for national award Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines A question of punishment Logos to receive a slice of Wes Howard Memorial Sports Park Environment Lost Creek Lake logjam could become hazard for boaters Made in the Shade Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Coho salmon road trip Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow State News Brown says she'll preserve Oregon death penalty moratorium Tentative deal reached in West Coast port labor dispute State Senate votes to dissolve Cover Oregon Psychic gets 8 years for con of timber heir Economists project 'kicker' rebates Nation - World Obituaries Harvey Franklin Bauers Lois Gunsolus Wilson Donald Max Long Betty E. Schmidt Anne Brown Stewart Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Grizzlies overcome deficit to beat Blazers Challengers, Crusaders rake in SCL awards Hahn wins Riviera after playoff Bubble Breaker? Wood sets franchise points record in win Varsity 541 College Sports Bubble Breaker? Beavers Pac-12 champs with win LOCAL REPORT Beavers wrap up road trip with win SOU lays claim to another regional title Pro Sports Grizzlies overcome deficit to beat Blazers Hahn wins Riviera after playoff Wood sets franchise points record in win Gordon, Pelicans down Heat Singler starts in debut with Thunder Community Sports Business Latest Stories Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action People in Business Ride & Drive: 2015 VW Golf R Silvio Calabi: Kia Soul mixes practicality with personality Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul People In Business People in Business People in Business Transportation Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Mark L. Hopkins: History speaks to us on our present economic situation Feb. 23: Letters to the editor Parker: Cable news twists the 'war on Islam' Our View: Smell of trouble may spark marijuana limits Feb. 22: Letters to the editor Editorials Our View: Smell of trouble may spark marijuana limits Voter bill secures a fundamental right Our view: Will Brown reach out to rural Oregon? Our view: Expulsions hurt students, district, community Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles Letters to the Editor Feb. 23: Letters to the editor Feb. 22: Letters to the editor Feb. 20: Letters to the editor Feb. 19: Letters to the editor Letters to the editor, Feb. 18 Columns Parker: Cable news twists the 'war on Islam' Independent Party focuses on the public interest Milbank: Walker's cowardice on view in NY Will: Tweet this: Digital dialogue won't work 'Big' government is not so big after all Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Lifestyle Latest stories Blog: HAIKU MONDAY: On Sunscreen Steelhead and Flat Earthers Ride & Drive: 2015 VW Golf R Kitchen Call: Baseball, beans and Bob Motley Gail Ciampa: Scrod Francaise fits the bill for Lenten dining It Is What It Is: Girls just wanna have fu-un Food Kitchen Call: Baseball, beans and Bob Motley Gail Ciampa: Scrod Francaise fits the bill for Lenten dining Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Fire and Smoke Tammy Kelly: Comfort food makes cold weather better Home and Garden Home Help: Low-maintenance landscaping ideas Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune How to install energy-efficient windows the right way Dear Monty: Nine downsizing tips for seniors Carol Link: Prime time for pruning blueberries approaches Health Community blog: And if I Die Before I Wake Dr. Murray Feingold: Does a sedentary lifestyle make you prone to disease? Dr. Jeff Hersh: Breathe easy - all about lung function Health Watch: Health improvements you can make today that will pay off for a lifetime Runners’ Corner: Helpful winter running hints Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Milestones and Achievements Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' Live Music in Local Clubs OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Third Fridays showcases local artists Theater SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' Music Professor Gall plays Oberon's Tavern Live Music in Local Clubs The music that made Paris famous Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra Community Events Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Dining Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine The zwickels shall flow Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED   » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW   Man critically burned in trailer fire       ...       Gold Hill police levy discussions criticized       ...       Get Up & Go: Monday, Feb. 23       ...       Man critically burned in trailer fire       ...       Gold Hill police levy discussions criticized       ...       Get Up & Go: Monday, Feb. 23       ...           Ride & Drive: 2015 VW Golf R Comment By Neal White More Content Now MailTribune.com By Neal White More Content Now Posted Feb. 23, 2015 at 8:55 AM By Neal White More Content Now Posted Feb. 23, 2015 at 8:55 AM »  Social News The new Golf R performance compact has arrived. Larger, lighter, more spacious and equipped with the most powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine ever sold in North America, the 2015 Volkswagen Golf R is engineered to go head-to-head with the BMW M235i, Mercedes CLA45 AMG and the Subaru WRX STi. Based on the seventh-generation Golf, VW fans have been waiting two years for the return of the popular compact performance R version. After spending a week behind the wheel, it was worth the wait. Equipped with Volkswagen’s 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive system, a new sport suspension, a variable-ratio steering system and an ESC sport stability control system, the new Golf R delivers exceptional handling. Under the hood, the new 2.0-liter turbo I-4 delivers 292 horsepower and 280 lbs.-ft. torque — 36 more horsepower and 37 lbs.-ft. torque more than the previous generation — capable of producing a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds. It’s also more fuel efficient, delivering an EPA fuel economy rating of 23 mpg city, 30 mpg highway. The DCC adaptive damping system has three programs — Normal, Individual and Race mode for track use that has been specially designed for the Golf R. With a base price starting at $35,595, the new Golf R is available in two packages. The base Golf R package includes six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, sport suspension, hill hold assist, rear window wiper, gloss black-painted brake calipers, rear roof spoiler, sport front/rear and side valences, heated washer nozzles, power-adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, Bi-Xenon headlights with adaptive front lighting system and LED turn signals, LED daytime running lights, leather-wrapped shift knob, tilt and telescope steering column, split-fold rear seat, alloy pedals, leather-wrapped multifunction sport steering wheel, power windows, cruise control, automatic rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, keyless access with push-button start, power outlets, power locks, driving mode selection, ESC Sport Mode, rear view camera, compass, color trip computer, automatic dual-zone A/C, 12-way power driver’s seat, heatable sport front seats, ambient lighting, leather seats, touchscreen radio with CD changer and SD card slot, iPod interface, Sirius/XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth connectivity and automatic post-collision braking system. The Golf R with DCC & Navigation package ($39,090) adds 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, DCC adaptive damping system, touchscreen navigation system, front and rear park distance control and a Fender premium audio system. The Golf R interior is very well designed. The controls are intuitive, and within easy sight of the driver making it easy to keep your eyes focused on the road. The 2015 Volkswagen Golf R is an absolute blast to drive and I highly recommend a test drive — especially for compact performance enthusiasts. Although initially introduced with the six-speed dual-clutch automatic, a manual transmission will be available later in the model year. Neal White has been covering the automotive industry for more than 20 years and is affiliated with the Texas Auto Writers Association. THE NUTS AND BOLTS MODEL: 2015 VW Golf R 5- seat compact performance 4-door hatch (Specifications for Golf R model only) All-wheel drive Trim packages: Golf R, Golf R w/DCC & Navigation PRICE RANGE: $37,000-$41,000 ENGINE: 2.0L turbo I4 (292 hp/289 torque) TRANSMISSION: 6-speed dual-clutch automatic MT late model year introduction EPA: 23 mpg city, 30 mpg highway FUEL: Premium unleaded STABILITY CONTROL: Electronic Stability Control BRAKES: ABS LENGTH: 168.4 inches WHEELBASE: 103.5 inches WIDTH: 70.8 inches HEIGHT: 56.5 inches WEIGHT: 3,340 pounds TRACK: 60.7/59.7 (front/rear) FUEL TANK: 14.5 gallons TIRES: 18-, or 19-inch CARGO: 22.8/52.7 cubic feet (behind first/second row) By Neal White More Content Now MailTribune.com By Neal White More Content Now Posted Feb. 23, 2015 at 8:55 AM » Comment or view comments   Reader Reaction »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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