Golf R Estate - still no towbar option on latest model?

MatteH Oxford

MatteH Oxford

MatteH Oxford

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I've been looking at leases, the golf R Estate would tick a lot of boxes. However, the current car appears as if it still suffers either a lack of homologation or the practical ability to fit a a tow bar - much like the previous model I believe?

VW sales must suffer as a result, as this is quite an oversight if the reason is trivial.
 
The exhaust backbox runs across the back of the car for most of the fast MQB platform cars (Leon Cupra 280/290/300 variants, Golf 7 GTI and R, and Audi S3), right where the tow bar would normally mount, so there's no easy mounting solution. Apart from which, I imagine relatively few hot hatch buyers are interested in towing capability, hence lack of manufacturer support.

The Octavia VRS is about the only fast (ish) car on that VAG platform that can have a towbar fitted, as it has a different exhaust configuration. Appreciate its no Golf R mind!
 
I can understand it on the hatch version(s), but I'm specifically interested in the estate body. You'd have thought there would be a different setup for that particular body shell?
 
I've seen that youtube video, sure, it is possible but I doubt it's legal here in the UK? (It's an American Golf afaics). Insurance would be an issue I imagine too.
 
I know it's a different beast but the Ateca Cupra has tow bar options. Don't see it as an option for the Leon unfortunately either
 
Iirc are they not only legal as a bike carrier or similar

wonder if there is a sva option for towbars
 
If your car isn't homologated for a towbar, you can't legally fit one even if you never use it to tow - so not for bike racks either.

The same is true of my C63 and my wife's 2003 Audi S4. My cynical suspicion is that they deliberately don't get towbar approval for these cars because they don't want someone ruining the image of their sporty car by towing a caravan around with it. Probably it's just down to low volumes not being worth the expense though.

The S4 is particularly silly. The back-end is identical to a 1.8 version of the same car (the fitting instructions for a towbar on the A4 would work perfectly on this car too), and the V8 would make it excellent at towing - but no can do.
 
bazzabear said:
If your car isn't homologated for a towbar, you can't legally fit one even if you never use it to tow - so not for bike racks either.

The same is true of my C63 and my wife's 2003 Audi S4. My cynical suspicion is that they deliberately don't get towbar approval for these cars because they don't want someone ruining the image of their sporty car by towing a caravan around with it. Probably it's just down to low volumes not being worth the expense though.

The S4 is particularly silly. The back-end is identical to a 1.8 version of the same car (the fitting instructions for a towbar on the A4 would work perfectly on this car too), and the V8 would make it excellent at towing - but no can do.
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My B5 RS4 is the same, never approved for a towbar. That being said, I wouldn't use a car like that to tow anyway. And I'm not sure the purpose of a Golf R is to tow a crappy caravan around either!

Buy something else? Hire a van?
 
My Skoda Fabia VRS was the same, 15+ years ago. Rest of the range - type approved. VRS - Nope. When someone on the internet forum tried it the standard towbar wouldn't clear the WRC spec rear bumper without chopping it for clearance.
 
SeatIbiza said:
I wouldn't use a car like that to tow anyway. And I'm not sure the purpose of a Golf R is to tow a crappy caravan around either!

Buy something else? Hire a van?
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Why not if the option is available? 4x4 and a powerful engine, it would (in theory) be an excellent tow car. Plus quite fun and sporty when not towing, of which a van would not be particularity exciting.

jpaul said:
how about a mercedes cla shooting break - the critique of the R's suspension on long drives is somewhat off putting

eg https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/new/201908301672558
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The R has the option of adaptive shocks, I doubt the CLA has much towing capacity? A Golf R Estate should in theory be capable of at least 1800 -2000kg on the back looking at the Octavia etc.
 
MatteH Oxford said:
The R has the option of adaptive shocks, I doubt the CLA has much towing capacity? A Golf R Estate should in theory be capable of at least 1800 -2000kg on the back looking at the Octavia etc.
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Why would the Golf have so much more than the CLA?
 
Dis86 said:
Why would the Golf have so much more than the CLA?
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The Golf Alltrack has a limit of 2000kg with a lesser engine than the Golf R, the highest capacity that I can see listed for the CLA is 1800kg and I expect that would be the (very expensive to lease) AMG model? Most CLAs are 1600kg afaics.
 
MatteH Oxford said:
The Golf Alltrack has a limit of 2000kg with a lesser engine than the Golf R, the highest capacity that I can see listed for the CLA is 1800kg and I expect that would be the (very expensive to lease) AMG model? Most CLAs are 1600kg afaics.
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Why would the AMG have a much higher price than the R? Buy a used one. Also the Merc is more powerful from memory so if towing capacity was only related to engine capacity so it would have more. As it is they seem to be within 10% which unless you're pushing the limit isn't really a huge amount. And if you're pushing the limit a different car might be a better choice.
 
so 9+36 10k : R estate £400p/m, cla 4matic break 300bhp £470
I hadn't realised the cla didn't have a more noble 6 .. so no nice, genuine, soundtrack to justify the +£20p/w , but handling and comfort may compensate
 
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