VW CEO Races Against Golf R Lead Engineer

The track battle resolves a friendly rivalry between colleagues driving similar cars

Even corporate executives need a break from strategy meetings and PowerPoint marathons. Volkswagen decided to spice things up for its CEO, Thomas Schafer, by throwing him into a friendly competition against Jonas Thielebein, the lead engineer of the VW R division.

Captured in a YouTube video, the challenge put both drivers through a quarter-mile drag race, a hot lap on a test track, and a drift contest, all designed to showcase the performance of VW’s R models. Naturally, Schafer wasn’t about to go easy. He chose the VW Golf R Black Edition, while Thielebein climbed into the Golf R Wagon, which, if nothing else, could at least boast about its superior cargo capacity.

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Both cars pack the same turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI four-cylinder engine, producing 328 hp (245 kW / 333 PS). Power is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed DSG automatic and VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

The difference is that the Black Edition comes standard with the Performance Package, unlocking a higher top speed of 270 km/h (167 mph). It’s also lighter and shorter than the wagon, giving it an edge in both straight-line sprints and corners.

Screenshots: Volkswagen News / YouTube

Armed with the slightly faster car, the CEO completed the quarter mile in 13.72″, compared to 14.32″ for the lead engineer. Still, the latter proved to be significantly faster around the track, despite not having access to the dedicated Nürburgring drive mode selected by the CEO. With a lap time of 1:07.50, the engineer comfortably beat his boss with a difference of 4.8 seconds.

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The final winner was decided on a wet patch of tarmac, where the contestants had to complete as many drifts as possible within a set time. With the Golf R’s dedicated Drift mode engaged, the CEO managed five successful drifts, well behind the lead engineer, who pulled off 14, earning him the unofficial title of Germany’s Drift King.

To be fair, the longer Golf R Wagon (4,633 mm / 182.4 inches) likely had an advantage in drifting, as its extended rear overhang shifts more weight toward the back, making it easier to initiate and sustain slides compared to the shorter 4,284 mm (168.7 inches) hatchback. Below is a breakdown of the results, along with the full video of the challenge.