The new 2022 VW Golf R, however, will happily do power-on tank slappers, drift in a circle, and sashay through a slalom. And it’s still a front-driver at its core. Huh?
Credit the new AWD setup, which cans its predecessor’s Haldex center differential for an electromechanical rear axle with clutch packs on the shafts to send up to 100 percent of rear-axle torque to the outside rear wheel. Also key is software activated by a fun button marked “Drift,” which commands the ESC and rear diff to allow lurid sideways action.
The trick differential also mitigates understeer and helps hold your intended line in corners. Hammering the R on a skidpad confirmed its mash-it-and-forget-it abilities, and you can apply huge gobs of power early when exiting corners with no ill effects.
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
2022 Pininfarina Battista
It's quicker than whatever supercar you drive.
2022 Subaru WRX
Big shoes to fill.
Tip of the Spear
Our inaugural pvoty evaluation ran the market's sharpest cars through the gauntlet in search of the best of the best
Superformance MKIII-E Electric Cobra Prototype
The future of hot rodding is here, and it's still gnarly.
2004 Porsche 911 GT2
It sure seemed crazier back in its day.
Day in the Life 2037
We asked scientists, auto executives, and forecasters what they thought a typical day in the life of a middleclass American would look like 15 years from now. How will they get around and go about their day? How much of what we read about today could soon be reality? Created out of those discussions, this essay explores what the not so distant future—automotive and otherwise—could be ...
The Big Picture
Has the ultimate driving machine run out of road?
Technologue
The inevitable future, as foretold by Nostratechnologūs.
The Holy Driver - When Virtual Meets Reality
A talented young gamer eventually learns that the driving simulation he’s playing has become all too real, with life-and-death consequences
Finalists
MOTORTREND PERFORMANCE VEHICLE OF THE YEAR 2022
The Young Gentleman of Golf
Justin Thomas, no longer a kid, has emerged as one of the PGA Tour's proven winners
CATCH THE BUZZ
THE 2024 ID. BUZZ IS VW'S EV REINTERPRETATION OF THE '60S MICROBUS.
Peugeot Landtrek 1, 9D 4Action 4x4
The Landtrek is loosening up nicely while it waits for a some substantial cargo to be added to the loadbay
4K All the Way
Sony's Projector
Golf, Reborn
Take everything you know about golf, tee it up, then drive it 400 yards into a hazard. Today's sport has evolved in several directions at once (fore!), becoming more accessible and fun. Here are the reasons why.
A Feast From the East
Haval’s Jolion is making waves across the Indian and Atlantic
DRIVE FOR SHOW
The driver is a golfer’s most exciting club, and one that has changed dramatically over the past several decades
Inspiring Stories
There’s a fine line between Tadding enough concealer to your face to cover what you want hidden and adding too much and getting Creasey. To fix this under your eyes, use a fluffy eyeshadow brush or your finger to softly smooth out the creases.
Shop-Made Outdoor Yard Games
Need a new yard game or two for your next get-together? Here’s three: Kubb, Ladder Golf, and Lawn Darts.
TIGER READY TO TAKE A SWING AT MARRIAGE
Reformed horndog has 2nd shot at nuptial bliss