Further proof that Europe exists in an entirely different automotive dimension than America: You can get a 316-horsepower all-wheel-drive station wagon that can tow nearly 4,200 pounds and it has a drift mode. This is the VW Golf R Estate and I’m obsessed.
The alternate reality, rather is that Volkswagen is the dominant automaker. It’s like the Enterprise visiting a planet where there are non-carbon-based life forms, or people with copper instead of iron in their blood. It’s a subtle distinction in comparison to the U.S. where pickup trucks from Ford and GM reign supreme and crossovers from Toyota hound in against them.
In America, we do have a 300-odd HP almost-wagon, but it’s the Honda Civic Type R. If you want that much performance in something relatively normal-shaped, you’re either getting it with wings and spoilers or you’re paying a premium for a luxury brand. We can get a 45-level AMG here, too, but it’s the GLA mini-SUV and it starts at $54,500.
VW hasn’t announced pricing for this Estate version of the Golf R, but Autocar expects it only to be a few grand over the hatchback’s MSRP. That would be in the low- to mid-40s over here, though that’s rather academic. VW hasn’t said anything about bringing this Golf R Estate Stateside. Please enjoy these stats, then, from Autocar, as an exercise in jealousy:
Customers can also opt for the R performance package, which ups the top speed to 167mph, and adds 19in wheels and two additional driving modes: Special (which is tuned specifically for quick laps of the Nürburgring) and self-explanatory Drift.
Boot space matches the standard Golf Estate at 611 litres, or 1642 litres with the rear seats folded, just edging the new, rakish-roofed Arteon R Shooting Brake for carrying capacity. New for the second-generation car is an optional tow bar which can be used to pull a maximum braked trailer load of 1900kg.
I do not by any means think that this is the car America necessarily wants to buy, but I think there is a perverse side of our market that wants something not unlike a Subaru Outback (we bought 150,000 of them in 2020), only with more power than ever possibly needed.
DISCUSSION
Nissan Stagea, Skyline Wagon WC34 whatever it is
much better looking, much more reliable, and will not depreciate like a rock