GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: 2021 Volkswagen Golf R caught in the wild

The first picture of the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf R has surfaced online after Instagram user Cochepsias posted a rear shot of the fast hot hatch.

Said to have been caught testing near the Applus IDIADA proving ground on the outskirts of Barcelona, the white 2021 Volkswagen Golf R snapped here is believed to be a late-stage pre-production mule undergoing on-road evaluation.

Featuring typically understated looks and no 'Golf R' badging, the powerful new hatch sports a subtle boot lid spoiler and a black diffuser.

We already know from a leaked internal document that, at least in Europe, the all-wheel drive Golf R will come with a development of the current car's EA888 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that will produce around 245kW.

Like before, the fastest Golf will come with a development of the current car's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and the option of trick adaptive dampers.

With a slight reduction in weight, a more advanced launch control system and AWD traction, the new Golf R should hit 100km/h in around four seconds and top 260km/h.

If that's not fast enough, for the first time an even faster 300kW Golf R Plus will also join the line-up, offering more impressive performance and a 0-100km/h time that could dip below four seconds and top speed of up to 280km/h, making it a strong rival for the new Mercedes-AMG A 45.

It's not yet been confirmed when the Golf R will arrive in Australia but it is expected to star at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, suggesting it will be on sale here in early 2021.