Well this is awkward. We’re usually used to seeing supercars go at each other, not diesel SUVs and hatchbacks. Still, none of these two cars could be called “slow” in any way.
As you know, the Golf R isn’t just a family hatchback. Well, it is, but it’s no entry-level petrol-burner. It’s got a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine, sending 300 HP to all four of its wheels, which is a recipe of fun regardless of where you live.
The Golf R can reach 62 mph (100km/h) in 4.9 seconds, which no too long ago was supercar territory. The first gen 4.2 FSI Audi R8 hit 62 mph in 4.8 seconds if you remember. So we have ourselves quite a capable hot hatch over here.
In the other “corner” we’ve got size and we’ve got torque. Precisely 340 HP and no fewer than 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque. There is of course a massive weight disadvantage but also a disparity in mid-range pulling power.
If the two cars met from a rolling start, we’d actually expect the heavier yet torque-happy Touareg to jump out in front, at least for a bit. But seen as though this was a standing start, it just couldn’t get off the line as quick as the much lighter Golf R.
Even so, it was an interesting match-up, and they measured the time/speed all the way up to 160km/h (99 mph). So in the end, we have a pretty clear picture of what the difference is between these two cars.