Volkswagen Unwraps The Most Powerful Golf Ever

Heads-up, hot-hatch fans. Another shoutout to those who like a fast but practical estate. Volkswagen has unveiled the new Golf R and its estate version – the Golf R Variant. Both are based on the eighth-generation Golf, which got a thorough update earlier this year.

The new Golf R and the Golf R Variant feature a refreshed front end with LED Plus headlights, a backlit VW badge, air curtains in the bumper and restyled LED taillamps. One could team those with the optional 19-inch “Warmenau” forged wheels. Each rim weighs just eight kilograms and offers optimised brake cooling. 

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Indoors, the 12.9-inch infotainment system with better responsiveness and built-in AI accompanies the Digital Cockpit Pro (a 10.23-inch display for the instrument cluster) in the Golf R models. Sports seats for the front occupants are also part of the package. One could garnish the cabin with the optional Nappa leather upholstery with carbon-look elements, blue accents and an “R” logo on the backrest. Volkswagen also offers elements finished in real carbon fibre inside the cabin for an additional fee.

The re-tuned 2.0-litre TSI motor makes the new Volkswagen Golf R the most powerful ever. The engine churns out 333hp/420Nm, routed to all four wheels via a 7-speed DSG, 4Motion all-wheel-drive system and R-Performance Torque Vectoring system. The top speed is limited to 250kmph but can be bumped to 270kmph with the optional R-Performance Package. Besides upping the top speed, the package ropes in two additional drive modes – Drift and Special. The latter has been developed explicitly for the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The new Golf R models in Germany will come with Adaptive Chassis Control as standard. As the name suggests, this feature reacts and adjusts the ride and handling depending on the road surface and driving situation while checking on steering, braking and throttle inputs.

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Those wanting an even sportier kit can opt for the Golf R Black Edition, available at the market launch. The highlights include darker VW badges and R logos, black R brake callipers, black 19-inch Estoril wheels and black tailpipes. The R-Performance package is also a standard fit, as are the darkened IQ.Light LED matrix headlights.

Pre-sales in Germany for the new Golf R models start on July 3, 2024. The Golf R starts at EUR 53,795, while the Golf R Variant is available from EUR 55,065. The Golf R Black Edition starts at EUR 58,440.

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