The Category A COE Golf R-Line comes to Singapore, priced at $188,900, and completes the 130hp Golf line-up

SINGAPORE

Volkswagen Singapore has announced the arrival of the 130hp version of the Golf R-Line. Priced at $188,900, the R Line-badged hatchback caps the “bread-and-butter” Volkswagen Golf range. 

When Volkswagen originally launched the Golf 8 back in May 2021, powertrains for the regular car were rated at 150hp. This meant that for the first time, every car which bore the ‘Golf’ badge was a Category B COE car. When the Golf was new, Category B COEs hovered at around the $50,000 mark. At present the same COE costs easily more than twice that premium. 

So, here is the bad news… this is a less powerful car. But good news for those who truly love the Golf hatchback, we can tell you that the Cat A car is still pretty impressive. The R-Line car takes most of what the entry Life variant has, and amps things up quite a bit.

Over here, the Golf R-Line is equipped with sportier kitting, for added visual appeal. It also includes larger 18-inch ‘Bergamo’ wheels, an LED strip across the grille, and rear lamps with dynamic indicators. The hatchback also sits lower, thanks to a sports suspension. While it does not receive that massively impressive fifteen-stage adjustable DCC suspension system, found in the GTI and Skoda Octavia RS, it does benefit from a two-stage set-up, like in the 150hp variant.

The sporty theme continues on the inside, where the darkened cabin is decked out in ‘Carbon Grey’ inserts on the dash and front door panels. Sports seats with integrated head restraints, wrapped in a mix of  ‘Sardegna’ fabric and Art Velour microfleece upholstery, are standard for front occupants. The R-Line car also receives the same uprated 10-inch ‘Discover Pro’ infotainment system, found in the GTI; which provides improved audio quality, and also wireless connectivity for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

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As a treat for the driver, an ergonomic R-Line leather-wrapped multi-function sports steering wheel comes as standard equipped. It features capacitive touch-sensitive controls, like in the GTI and Golf R, and pedal shifters. Adding to improved driver engagement, the R-Line hatchback also incorporates progressive steering, for improved manoeuvrability and quicker turn-in response.

The Golf R-Line completes the 130hp line-up, and is available now at Volkswagen Singapore.

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