Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer challenges Volkswagen R Lead Engineer Jonas Thielebein to three epic battles: Quarter Mile Sprint, Fastest Lap and Drift Battle. Here’s how it went down.
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Volkswagen recently released a YouTube video showcasing a showdown between VW Brand CEO Thomas Schäfer and Volkswagen R Lead Engineer Jonas Thielebein. Titled “CEO vs. Lead Engineer: The Ultimate Golf R Showdown!”, the video features three challenges to push the Golf R to its limits: a quarter-mile sprint, a fastest lap battle and a drift challenge.
Schäfer was behind the wheel of the Golf R Black Edition, powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 245 kW and 420 N.m. Paired with a seven-speed DSG transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive, the standard Golf R is limited to 250 km/h, but with the optional R-Performance package, the top speed climbs to 270 km/h.
Related: Volkswagen Golf 8.5 – Pricing and Spec
Thielebein, meanwhile, drove the Golf R Estate, featuring the same 2.0-litre TSI engine, DSG gearbox, and all-wheel-drive setup. Like the hatchback, it also benefits from the Performance package, unlocking a higher top speed of 270 km/h.
The first challenge, a quarter-mile sprint, saw Schäfer taking the win. However, Thielebein responded in the lap time battle, setting a quicker time and bringing the competition to a tie. The final test was a drift contest, where the lead engineer’s experience and car control proved decisive, securing him the overall victory.
The lighthearted rivalry between the CEO and lead engineer underscores their shared commitment to performance and innovation. While the competition was staged for entertainment, it also served as a demonstration of the Golf R’s capabilities in different driving scenarios.
Watch here:
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