(Article updated 4 November 2023)

The Volkswagen Golf is like that dependable friend you’ve known forever – always there when you need it, and a true crowd-pleaser where it counts. It has the perfect blend of sugar, spice, and everything nice, making it still one of the most desirable hatchbacks on the market today.

Now in its eighth incarnation, it’s no surprise that this hatchback has a dedicated global fan base. But, due to the ever-fluctuating COE (Certificate of Entitlement), local Golf prices have been thrown a curveball, making it a bit of a tougher sell.

The good folks at Volkswagen saw this, and decided to roll out variants that could slide under the more affordable Cat A COE category. We were first introduced to the Golf Life and Life Plus, and now their more attractive sibling has made their way onto the stage. Cue the R-Line.

Sneaky Power Play

Now, if you’ve never experienced the charm of a Volkswagen Golf, you might be wondering what all the hype is about. It’s the quintessential German hatchback for the everyday driver, and with a treasure trove of advanced safety features and a tech-packed cabin, it’s evolved into something that feels premium.

The Cat B Volkswagen Golf we’ve seen before boasted a zippy 150bhp from its feisty 1.5-litre turbo engine, complete with a 48-volt mild-hybrid boost. It was the ideal urban runabout, but the mercilessly pricey Category B COE segment didn’t do it any favours.

So, what’s the solution? Volkswagen decided to give that engine a little makeover, now christened the 1.5-litre eTSI. Same car, same engine, but with a slight detune to 129bhp. Why, you ask? Well, Cat A cars can’t have more than 130bhp. Crafty, right?

Peak torque sits at 200Nm, which is 50Nm less than its Cat B sibling. This power reduction does mean it takes a smidge longer to hit the century mark – 9.4 seconds to be precise.

Does the power deficit make it worse? Absolutely not. You just need to tweak your driving style a little. No more flooring it; it’s all about mastering the art of momentum-based driving.

Time your overtakes, keep your speed in check through corners whenever possible, and you’ll find that the Golf still handles like a champ.

This new engine is a gem, with its mild hybrid assistance allowing the car to glide along with the engine taking a little nap when it’s got enough juice. It’s a fuel-saving wizard. I’ve easily managed 16-19km/litre on highway stints, and even stop-and-go traffic situations garnered an average of 13.7km/litre. 

(update: 4 November 2023)

After hearing about how frugal the Golf R-Line is, our resident fuel economy-minded friend was keen to have a go. The Golf R-Line didn’t disappoint, for Vivek managed an average of 23.5km/litre or 4.25litres/100km over a test-driven 629km, and bettered Volkswagen’s claimed 20.8 km/litre or 4.8-litres/100km.

As usual, your mileage may vary depending on use case and driving style. However, drive smoothly (not slowly) and work with the eTSi engine’s “2-cylinder” and ‘coasting’ modes, and great fuel economy is there for the taking.

After his mostly highway drive, Vivek was interested to see what the EA211-based eTSi engine in the Golf R-Line could do during an “eco-challenge drive” in the same vein as that of the Volkswagen Caddy 5 Cargo.

35km/litre is just 0.7 shy of what the turbodiesel Caddy did!

Once again, it bears repeating that no one is going to drive like this daily in real life. This was done purely as an academic exercise.

(/update)

With soaring petrol prices constantly on our minds, the Golf’s fuel efficiency is a definite plus. If you play it frugal, you can easily conquer 800km on a single tank. That’s Genting Highlands and back on a single tank, and then some.

And if you’re itching for a thrilling drive through winding roads, the Golf’s got your back. The key difference between the Cat A variant lies in its torsion beam trailing arm rear suspension setup.

On paper, it might seem like a downgrade from the fully independent rear suspension of the Cat B Golf R-Line. But that’s not a bad thing; it actually makes the car more predictable when tackling corners. The Golf feels poised even at higher speeds, and if you encounter any understeer, just ease off the throttle and the car behaves itself.

The Volkswagen engineers know what they’re doing, and they’ve made a masterpiece that drives beautifully without needing excess grunt, keeping your wallet happy. As the saying goes: It’s more fun driving a slow car fast than a fast car slow, right?

All Dressed Up

One thing’s for sure, the Volkswagen Golf R-Line knows how to stand out in a crowd of hatchbacks. It flaunts an illuminated LED strip above the grille and boasts a lower ride height, thanks to the sports suspension. Plus, the Lapiz Blue Metallic you see here is a shade exclusive to the R-Line.

Visual appeal is also enhanced thanks to larger 18-inch ‘Bergamo’ wheels and rear lamps with dynamic indicators. I can bet you with almost certainty that most folks on the roads won’t realise this is a Cat A car. That is why the R-Line is well worth the extra dough. 

Sporty tech

So where does your dough translate to the most? The cabin, of course. It is swathed in ‘Carbon Grey’ inserts on the dash and front door panels. The sports seats, with integrated head restraints, are wrapped in a blend of ‘Sardegna’ fabric and Art Velour microfleece upholstery – perfect for keeping you snug while you zip through turns.

Even in this ‘base’ Cat A Golf, you’re treated to a fully loaded digital cockpit experience. The R-Line features the Discover Pro infotainment system with a generous 10-inch display and seven speakers. That’s a big upgrade from the Life Plus, which receives the Composition system with an 8.25-inch screen and six speakers.

Ambient light customisation is also available to jazz up your cabin space.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are seamless and wire-free, and there’s even a wireless charging pad to keep your gadgets juiced up. The only gripe I have with the interior are the haptic controls on both the centre console and steering wheel; the previous generation buttons and rotary dials worked an absolute treat. 

For those who revel in manual gear-shifting, paddle shifters on the steering wheel are your trusty companions.

It even has ample space to boot. The hatchback-esque proportions give way to ample headroom for rear occupants, and 3 adults can get cosy in the back without much debate.

Cargo space is decent for a hatchback as well, spanning 380 litres. Drop the rear seats, and this figure swells to a capacious 1237 litres. Who says a hatchback can’t be practical?

In essence, it’s tried and tested, and it’s a darn good interior. What more could you ask for?

A Bit Of Style Does Wonders

It’s no secret that looks are one of the defining features that sell a car. You could have a car that works terribly under the surface, but as long as it has gorgeous visual appeal, there are folks who would still fork out top dollar for it. Alfa Romeo is a great example.

But, who’s to say you cannot deliver both stylish looks and practical performance? And that’s exactly what the Golf R-Line delivers. It takes all of the brilliant points of the Life Plus and wraps it up with better handling and a more eye-catching design. Perfect for everyday drivers who crave a sportier hatchback without sacrificing everyday runabout comfort and functionality.

This is one of the most affordable Golfs you can get in Singapore today, and it hasn’t lost an ounce of its renowned fun factor. There’s a unique magic to the Golf, urging you to hit the road again as soon as you park it.

If driving pleasure is a top criterion for your car choice and you want something that brings a smile to your face every time you get behind the wheel, the Volkswagen Golf R-Line should be high up on your shopping list.

Technical Specifications

2023 Volkswagen Golf R-Line

Engine: 1,498cc in-line 4 turbocharged, mild hybrid
Power: 129bhp
Torque: 200Nm
Gearbox: 7-speed DSG
0-100km/h: 9.4 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 213km/h
Fuel Economy: 20.8km/L (claimed)
Price: S$195,900 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Volkswagen Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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If I listed down everything about the Mercedes-Benz EQS450+ having never seen, driven in, or ridden in the car, you would be very enthusiastic about it.

Indeed, it’s a car that promises a wealth of luxury alongside a ton of great features, and it is Mercedes’ answer to the luxury EV market. Unlike other manufacturers, the EQS was built from the ground up on a unique platform. Simply converting their S-class wasn’t good enough, right?

But, how does it stack up against the ever-competitive luxury EV market?

Symphonic design

Our journey commences with the visual overture of the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+, a design language that defies convention while embracing the symphony of aerodynamic efficiency. This flagship Mercedes EV embraces a sleek elegance, reminiscent of a wireless mouse poised for action. Its form is a celebration of scientific precision, sculpted to slice through the wind with a finesse that’s visually arresting.

Yet, amidst this celebration of efficiency, a note of curiosity surfaces. While the EQS 450+ stands as a paragon of aerodynamic prowess, one might ponder if a touch more flair could have elevated its visual cadence.

After all, in a world where aesthetics often waltz hand in hand with performance, could a bolder design narrative have been composed without sacrificing its aerodynamic grace?

Whichever side of the fence you’re on, you can’t deny that the design is extremely futuristic, garnering the curious stares of other motorists as you sail on by in utter silence. A spaceship on wheels, this is.

Technology troves abound

Of course, as this is the top dog of the EQ food chain, the interior opulence of the Mercedes-Benz EQS has to be surpassing expectations. But, while it exists in the higher EQS53 variant, the Hyperscreen’s expansive 56-inch display is noticeably absent in the 450’s interior.

You still get a large 12.8-inch OLED Media Display that handles all of your major cabin settings. Climate control, navigation, and media; all are at your fingertips, or rather, your touch-sensitive swipes. There are almost no hard buttons, not even on the steering wheel.

Yet, within this symphony of innovation, a question arises – does the absence of tactile buttons elevate the driving experience or dance on the precipice of inconvenience?

Not to be outdone though, the EQS provides occupants with a modern and classy cabin lined with rose gold accents, turbine-styled aircon vents, and a whole suite of ambient lighting options.

LED strips are found not just below the dashboard, but within the door panels and even under the seats. At night, the EQS really comes alive with visual flavour.

The EQS 450+ plunges into an embrace of futuristic control, captivating passengers with leather-clad elegance and plush seating that offers respite for the discerning traveller. The seats, adorned with suede pillows on the headrests, are nothing short of fantastic.

Seat heating and cooling can also be turned on at the same time… for whatever reason. Thank you, Mercedes, for offering me that discretion. 

With a length of over 5.2 metres, interior headroom and legroom are provided in copious amounts. The EQS is also a great choice for those who frequent golfing establishments. Its fastback-esque roofline opens up along with the boot, giving you a cavernous boot capacity of 580 litres. Plus, the wide and tall rear aperture makes loading golf bags a breeze.

Just, try not to stain the all-white boot lining, would ya?

Dynamics in motion

Transitioning to the kinetic realm of the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+, the first thing that surprises you is just how quick this thing is off the line. Its weighty presence, approximating 2,480kg, belies the grace with which this Mercedes navigates the roads.

A single electric motor channels 329hp and 565Nm of torque to the rear wheels. This instant acceleration propels the EQS 450+ to the century mark in just over 6 seconds. Remember, this thing weighs almost 2.5 tonnes.

Rear-wheel steering also allows the EQS to glide through tight corners and makes it so much easier to manoeuvre it into parking spaces. A myriad of sensors and cameras are on hand too, so you know exactly what’s around you in high definition.

Of course, ultimately being a luxury saloon, you cannot (and shouldn’t in the first place) wring the EQS round corners enthusiastically. While the car does have a low centre of gravity and assertive tyres bolted on, the steering can feel vague at times. This handling ballet, while engaging, necessitates a certain caution, a gentle balance between enthusiasm and prudence.

But, what the EQS does especially well is offer you a symphony of comfort. Especially if you’re being driven around and are lounging in the back.

Another aspect in which the EQS shines is its gargantuan battery and range. The EQS 450+ has a remarkable claimed 762km of travel per charge, or in layman’s terms, a trip to Kuala Lumpur and back without having to visit a single charger.

The impressive range pretty much eliminated any anxiety I had about charging, which itself was also an easy affair. Even a 50kW DC charger managed to provide 20% charge in about half an hour. This might not sound a lot, but that 20% does equate to at least another 180km of range.

There were also many ways to try and improve efficiency. The car has a whole efficiency menu which displayed all the things that were using extra power, told me how much more range I would get by turning them off, and even allowed me to do so with one touch on the screen. Smart.

Likewise, the paddle shifters are there to adjust the strength of regenerative braking. But, strangely there was no one-pedal driving option. 

In terms of efficiency in the real world, I managed to achieve a nice round 19kWh/100km, and that was with some enthusiastic acceleration and heavy air-conditioning use thrown into the mix. Since the car has a 107.8-kWh battery, that would equate to around 567km. Not quite up to scratch with what Mercedes-Benz claims, but still pretty impressive nonetheless.

Futuristic luxo-barge

It’s all there. All of the good stuff is right in front of you. But, in some cases, they’re just not easy enough to use. Should you buy this car if you’re in the market for a luxury EV? Despite its flaws, it’s still a well-rounded package.

These small issues are not enough to detract from the fact that this car, overall, is competent, efficient, and very plush inside.

Granted, many of the foibles I have with the EQS are what you might consider first-world problems. It’s not perfect, but even as it sits, it’s absolutely worthy of being called a Mercedes-Benz.

Technical Specifications

Mercedes-Benz EQS450+ AMG Line

Engine: Single Permanently Excited Synchronous Motor, Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
Power: 245kw (329bhp)
Torque: 565Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 6.2 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 210km/h
Battery Capacity: 107.8 kWh
Drive Range: 762 km
Energy Consumption: 5.5 km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$617,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Mercedes-Benz Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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