At a time when Volkswagen is doubling down on a fuller rangeof SUVs and making major investments into electric cars, it’s heartening to see that the automaker isn’t leaving its core audience of driving enthusiasts out in the cold. The latest evidence? This 2022 Volkswagen Golf R. Set to return to showrooms late next year after going on hiatus, this blue bolide (no, not that one) will bring 315 horsepower to the all-wheel-drive hot-hatch party. What’s more, VW is bucking industry trends by committing to the availability of a manual transmission in the US and Canada (a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox will be optional).
Volkswagen says that the new hatchback will not only accelerate to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds en route to a top speed of 155 mph, it’ll be capable of lapping Germany’s legendary Nurburgring racetrack a whopping 17 seconds quicker than its predecessor. (In racing, a couple of seconds is a substantial gap.) And while we firmly believe ‘Ring lap records have become unnecessarily glorified in car culture, the yawning chasm between the times of this new Mk8 Golf R and its immediate predecessor sounds telling. That Golf gulf points to a substantial improvement not just in power, but in handling agility, as well. In fact, as Karsten Schebsdat, Golf R’s head of driving dynamics, said in a teleconference earlier this week, “We can definitely say it’s [the Golf R’s] biggest step forward with respect to performance that we have ever made from one generation to the other.” That’s good news.
2022 Golf R performance specs and mechanical changes
Equally good news is VW’s apparent focus on making the 2022 Golf R more fun to drive. Historically, while the Golf R has enjoyed a reputation for being more powerful and polished than its less-costly GTI sibling, it’s also generally been viewed as less frisky and ultimately, less fun as a driver’s car. Thanks to a new, electronically locking, torque-vectoring rear differential, updated adaptive dampers and a new Vehicle Dynamics Manager (VDM) control unit to tie it all together, the German automaker says it has tuned this new Golf R to be both sharper and more alive. With a quicker variable-ratio power steering setup and a rear diff that can route up to 100% of the available torque to either axle as standard equipment, the Golf R’s handling is claimed to be both more neutral and responsive, but the proof will be in the driving.
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The heart of this high-performance matter is a retuned version of VW’s evergreen EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. In addition to those 315 horses, this engine delivers 310 pound-feet of torque (increases of 27 and 30, respectively). For comparison’s sake, those output figures best the 306 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of the 2021 Honda Civic Type R as well as the 310 hp and 290 lb.-ft. of the 2020 Subaru WRX STI. That said, while a Nordschleife time of 7:51 riding on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires is very impressive for this new VW, it must be also be noted that this time is still well shy of the front-wheel-drive Honda Civic Type R, which did the deed in 7:43:08. Furthermore, North American models won’t even be offered with Bibendum’s super-sticky rubber. Instead, US and Canadian models will be fitted with one of the following tires: Bridgestone Potenza S005, Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Sport or Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3.
The interior boasts a huge infotainment upgrade.
Volkswagen
The Golf R comes with various drive mode settings, including Sport, Comfort and Race (the car always defaults to Sport mode upon startup). These options cover everything from throttle mapping and shift schedules to steering weight and immediacy, as well as damper tuning, differential locking behavior, gauge cluster layout and even interior and exterior vehicle sound. New for this generation are a pair of unusual sub modes, Special and Drift. The former replicates the ideal tuning chosen for the Nurburgring, and selecting this option displays an outline of the Nordschleife while softening up the dampers and reprogramming the VDM for increased lateral leeway. The latter mode is a dedicated setting designed for maximum sideways action. VW officials say this function is not for use on public roads, and in fact, the infotainment system will show a confirmation prompt before activating this smoke-happy setting.
With the extra power, VW saw the need for additional braking, so the front rotors are 14.1 by 1.3 inches (the Mk7 Golf R’s were 13.4 by 1.2 inches) clamped down on by two-piston aluminum calipers. An R-specific master cylinder helps deliver proper braking response and feel. The suspension has been tweaked, as well, with the front McPherson struts getting a stiffer and lighter aluminum subframe, firmer stabilizer and spring rates (up 10%) and a lot more camber baked in. Out back, the multilink setup has repositioned control arms and revised wheel mounts, as well as 10% firmer springs and stabilizers, among other alterations.
Supportive leather seats have blue logos.
Volkswagen
2022 Golf R appearance
Visually, the 2022 Golf R continues VW’s tradition of making this model a paradigm of understated performance. You won’t find any towering wings or showy ground-effects kit — VW is quite happy to leave such things to the Type Rs and the WRX STIs of the world. In fact, the Golf R looks a lot like the new GTI (which, in turn, looks a lot like the GTI before it). You can spot this model on the street by its subtle blue crossbar grille, which sits above an R-specific front bumper with integrated splitter and larger air intakes. A glance at the R’s profile will note satin-silver mirror caps, model-specific 19-inch wheels and blue-painted brake calipers. Out back, there’s a fresh rear spoiler and a unique rear bumper fascia with twin exhaust outlets bookending a gloss-black diffuser. VW says that the new look reduces lift on both ends for better responsiveness and stability while adding a skosh more drag.
The Golf R’s inside once again sides with evolution over revolution, but there are meaningful changes, including a reconfigurable digital gauge cluster and a 10-inch Discover Pro touchscreen infotainment system. Sports seats done up in nappa leather with matching blue stitching come standard, as does a sport wheel which maintains the new haptic-feedback touch controls common to other Mk8 Golf models. Faux-carbon trim as well as brushed-finish stainless-steel pedals are also standard. It’s all quite handsome and quite subtle stuff.
Coming late 2021.
Volkswagen
2022 Golf R pricing, availability and fuel economy
It’s too early to know about pricing or fuel efficiency, although VW is telegraphing that the new Golf R’s substantially increased performance and content will nudge pricing upward. (For its most recent model year in the US, the 2019 Golf R started at just over $40,000.)
The most frustrating part in all of this? Availability. That 2022 model-year designation probably tipped you off: It’s going to be a long time before you’ll see one of these new Golf Rs on the street in North America — a full year from now, more or less. On the plus side, VW officials tell Roadshow that the new Mk8 Golf R and GTI models will come to market more or less simultaneously. Typically, US and Canadian buyers have had to wait a long time between these two models. On the negative side, the US has historically been the GTI and the Golf R’s single largest sales market, so this wait is a particularly bitter pill to swallow when Europeans will be able to get their mitts on both models very soon.
Additionally, this protracted run-up also muddies the waters a bit on where the Golf R may stack up against rivals when it finally arrives in 2021. We’re expecting to see a new WRX and its higher-performance STI derivative sometime next year, and the latter is rumored to receive in excess of 400 hp. It’s possible that this high-wattage Subaru could hit the market at the same time as VW’s new Golf R. The arrival of an even higher-performance Subaru WRX STI may rain on the Volkswagen Golf R’s parade a bit, but if anything, with two new high-performance sport compacts hitting the market, driving enthusiasts will come out the winners.
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.
The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.
However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”
Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.
A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.
“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.
“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”
The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.
At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.
A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”
Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.
Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.
Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.
Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.
While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.
Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.
The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.
— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?
It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.
Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:
Apple
The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.
For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.
You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.
Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.
Google
Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.
When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.
You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.
There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.
Facebook and Instagram
Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.
When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.
The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.
You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.
TikTok
The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.
Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.
X
It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.
Passwords
Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?
Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.
But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.
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Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.
The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.
“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”
San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.
Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”
“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.
The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.
