2024 Volkswagen Golf R Night Drive - MK8 6-Speed Manual Sights & Sounds

Come along on a late night drive to the city in this 2024 VW Golf R. Tonight we aim to talk less (& somewhat succeed) but mainly want to wrap up thoughts on the final manual Golf R.

Apologies for the bit of shakiness in the intro. I'm playing with my night drive settings, and shot this in 30FPS. I need to calm the head & hand movements at night! haha.

I also collaborate and produce content for TheTopher & Daily Motor!

#vw #golfr #pov

[TheUnreadableUser]

9:07 "Only mildly blinded that person but they blinded me too, so it's okay"
-TopherDrives, 2024

[maks_bond]

I drove regular Golf from rental company. It’s so cool car. It’s so light and solid. It feels so refreshing after regular sedan or SUV

[FallenArtemie]

Please buy the manual Golf R so I can buy it on the used market in a couple years. Thanks (lol)

[hungo]

This is an awesome compact vehicle for city driving.

[tedjones]

Interesting - however, once again the tester (Not uncommon for all testers of this car) does not select Nurburgring mode... I usually drive my 22 Manual R using my my own settings, BUT to really unleash its full potential and animal nature you have to select Nurgburgring - Yes, it really makes that much difference. Sport is the start up mode and to be completely honest I never use it - often, testers tend to just select that and fail to see the car in all its true glory. If you ever consider buying a Golf R absolutely make sure you select Nurgburgring! The tester says he didn't really bond with the car - driving in Sport he only got about 80% of its potential; so, as an owner I'm totally unsurprised. I did want to add that in an earlier video the driver did use Nurgburgring, but not clear if it was used in that mode for the entire test.

[dulcitizn]

I'm so glad I bought mine, and modded it. This car gets so much attention... over my MK7 GTI. I had a MK4 R32 it DBP. So this car was a throwback for me. Loving it. Can't wait to go Stage 3 in her. Currently running the APR High Toque 93 octane tune on the stock clutch, no issues.

[uscscjohnson]

Fun video. I am 63 and have enjoyed "hot hatches" since the 1970s. The "stick" has always been part of the fun. I get around on motorcycles and a truck but still need a car every so often. But during "so oftens, " clients see me. (I don't want to look the fool in some beater; I refuse to pay for a "luxury" model.) Grabbed a 2024 R in Blue.Changed the wheels and mirror cover to black. Wrapped the top back (behind the sunroof) in black. Got a tune. The car has GREAT visibility. The seats are supportive yet accessible. The Civic is NOT easy to get in or out of. The seats may have some advantage on a racetrack but are awful otherwise. Visibility is awful. But here is the thing: I valet the car on rodeo drive. Stupid Kids is Civics; rich geizers in Porshe, Ferrari etc. Valets say nothing. They see this car, they go ape shit.

[davidjames]

I just got my 2024 GTI and you're right it does feel just to "refine". I'm thinking when I drive it that it just feels to Audi. Which as far as I'm concerned is never a bad thing. Awesome ride and Vid as usual. 👍 !!

[dulcitizn]

I did the APR Short Shifter with a BFI golf ball shift knob, made a huge difference.

[jaqf]

To make it pop and burble, you'll have to reset the mode back to sport every time you turn on the car (even if you left it in sport mode). For some reason the car will not pop/burble even though its in sport mode, probably a software interaction but yeah, changing the mode to something else and back to sport does the trick.

[drustill]

Never thought I'd have an interior upgrade/change on my wishlist for a car like the R (former MK7 R owner and dreaming of another one daily), but as beautiful as the MK8.5 does look, especially with the updated infotainment and the addition of things you would never think you would be ecstatic for in 2024/5 such as physically buttons, the lack of a manual is such a let down...the DSG is great...my R was a DSG, as well as the MK GTI it replaced...but being back in the market for this car is so much dependent on me rowing my own cars--I drive a soccer mom SUV now--so, my options are this...a used R in that 16/17 timeframe with a manual (I am looking for what selling my Rav would get me and leave me with to purchase some new/used), or if I'm OK sticking with DSG (which is still fun, and always the better choice for daily commutes--especially in Toronto traffic--it's still not a manual), I will be looking at a used S3, as surprisingly, they are VERY cheap used in those model years....almost too cheap...like red flag cheap and I don't know why...and it's not a one-off I have found about half a dozen one-owner 2016/17 S3s in great shape, KM under 150K, and list price in and around the 20K CAD range...less than an R in most cases....decisions decisions...especially as you hit 40 and still want to have fun, but feel some unwanted societal pressure to drive something "mature"...hence why I'm not even going to consider a Corolla RS (I have a Toyota OK, I figured it would be a fun dealership test drive, although, good luck finding one to rip), or potentially an Integra Type S (family member going on their third RDX, so have some ties there as well...but going new with that type of MSRP almost makes me feel like I need to go electric, which I will hold off until abolsultely necessary....range anxiety and silence are not my friend...especially when you suffer from regular anxiety...)...decisions, decisions...

[zomiaen]

Wild, you would've practically been in my neighborhood if you kept going down Textile. If you ever spot the white R in the area, it's probably me.

[dulcitizn]

I slapped an AWE Track Exhaust on mine, it is so rowdy now.

[campbellgray]

Agree that the transmission should’ve been better from factory. Put a DAP shift kit and weighted knob on it and it’a perfect now

[charlesanthony]

Love the R but I still prefer the GTI.

[vctormoreno]

What audio setup are you using now? I recall seeing a video explaining the setup but can’t find it :( maybe it was from TheTopher or Tedward

[greggraziani]

WoW definatly need one with a big shift massive Knob

[ajderene]

when’s the next LC500 drive coming? i’m craving that V8 instrument

[Orangematz]

Crazy that there are no physical buttons. Not even the volume or temp sliders are backlit at night.

[pjhill]

My issue with the Golf R when I was shopping this car is that it feels to sedate to drive. Although being a hot hatch, it felt sterile in comparison to its competition. Ended up with the integra type s.