In Review; VW Golf R 4Motion Estate

Thank you to our personal contract hire and leasing customer for sending pictures of their new sporty estate – the Volkswagen GOLF ESTATE 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG.

The customer, a member of our armed forces, was driving a Range Rover Sport and while they enjoyed the comfort and driving position which a bigger SUV offers, they needed a car which was practical, stylish yet had a good level of performance (and was fun to drive).

Quite interestingly, one of the questions we do get asked is whether or not is possible for someone in the armed forces (army, navy or air force) to lease a vehicle? As leasing is a credit based product, first and foremost an individual’s ability to lease a vehicle will depend very much on their credit status i.e. electoral register, credit/payment history, income/expenditure. Before going online to search for a vehicle, you do need to spend time researching your credit position so that you can make an informed decision. In addition, some finance companies cannot offer leasing products to those members of the armed forces who may work outside the UK.

This situation does present a risk of being able to locate the customer for payment, should that situation arise.

In the scenario here, the customer was relocating to the UK and, as they had made considerable effort to maintain their credit history and records, it was very easy to establish credit. To assist in the application process the customer provided us with the following documents to ensure the process was carried out effectively:

· Driving licence;
· Utility bill; and
· 3 months’ bank statements

All of the above are great forms of evidence which an underwriter can review as part of the leasing application.

In terms of the car shown here, the VW Golf Estate R DSG, the customer elected for the following configuration:

· Pure White – Special Solid Paint
· Race cloth – Titan black
· 18″ Cadiz alloy wheels

As standard you do get a generous of basic specification including sports seats, 18” alloys, LED headlights/dynamic cornering lights, driver and passenger lumbar support, discover navigation, winter pack, twin exhaust pipes, rain sensing wipers, black brake callipers, post-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, front/rear parking sensors, 8” touch screen, electrically adjustable door mirrors, air condition, ambient light pack, mirror pack, alarm with engine protection and remote central locking with 2 sets of keys. In terms of additional extras, you can add the following factory fitted options for the complete car – Vienna leather seats, 19” alloys and rear view camera.

On the technical-side, company-car drivers can note the P11d of £35,715.00 and CO2 at 164g/km on a standard car. Obviously this is not going to be BiK friendly! The 1984CC 7 speed auto engine delivers 310ps which gets you to 62mph in just under 5 seconds while offering combined MPG of 39.2. Service intervals on the Golf R are every 10,000 miles or 24 months, whichever lands sooner.

If you are covering 10,000 miles per annum, consider a funder-maintained package to include the cost of all servicing, tyres and maintenance.

So would the Golf R estate be you choice of fast but practical car? Or would you consider the BMW 335d xDrive Tourer, the Skoda Octavia VRS estate or a Seat Leon Cupra Tourer?

Let us know you thoughts!!