New Volkswagen Golf R revealed

The wraps have finally come off the highly-anticipated next-generation flagship Volkswagen Golf R hot hatch, which gets more power, advanced tech, new chassis features and a sportier look inside and out.

Coming to Australia later than expected, from around early 2022, the new five-door VW Golf R was unveiled in the US today, boasting improved acceleration, better braking performance and a clever new 4MOTION all-wheel drive system complete with drift mode.

Powered by the latest development of the German car-maker’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (EA888), the new 2021 Volkswagen Golf R will pump out 235kW of power and 420Nm of torque, a significant increase over the current model, which in Australia generates 213kW and 380Nm.

The engine drives all four wheels via a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, although it’s not clear if the manual gearbox will be offered in Australia.

The new R-rated model accelerates from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds, which in the hot hatch arena is seriously rapid, but despite the impressive hike in power it’s only one tenth of a second quicker than the current model’s 4.8sec sprint.

There’s also a chance Aussie models could be nobbled by virtue of the low quality (high sulphur) fuel sold here.

Volkswagen Group Australia spokesman Paul Pottinger told carsales the new-generation 250km/h Golf R is “not anticipated” to get a power cut but that the company “can’t absolutely rule it out”.

However, he concluded that the new Volkswagen Golf R will have a “notable [power] increase over the current model”.

Volkswagen Australia is also keen to get its hands on the new-generation Golf R wagon.

Although conceding that the wagon was still a long way off, Pottinger added: “The wagon still represents a reasonable proportion of the Golf R range, and it outsells GTI now. Will the R wagon be a full-time member of the range? It’s not confirmed yet, but is possible.”

The Golf R hatch and Golf R wagon are currently priced at $55,990 and $57,990 plus on-road costs respectively, but the new model is almost certain to see a modest price rise.

One of the headline features of the new Volkswagen Golf R is its new 4MOTION all-wheel drive system that can not only split power between the front and rear axles as before, but can now split torque between the rear left and right wheels, akin to the highly-regarded Ford Focus RS.

VW says the new rear differential can shunt “the torque variably between both rear wheels, with up to 100 per cent able to be directed to the wheel on the outside of the bend”.

Together with lighter, stiffer and lower suspension that features new control arms and wheel mounts, revised anti-roll bars, increased negative front camber and adaptive dampers, the Golf R has more drive modes when the ‘R Performance’ pack is optioned.

In addition to the usual suspects (comfort, sport, race, individual) you get two new modes – drift and special – along with a bigger rear spoiler and a 270km/h top speed.

VW says that in drift mode the stability control and rear diff settings “enable the Golf R to drift” – but that it’s been designed only for race track use, requiring a confirmation prompt before being activated.

As well as dialling out understeer and improving cornering dynamics, the new AWD system can also be set to enhance oversteer.

The other new drive mode, special, was designed specifically around the Nurburgring road course in Germany, which is notoriously bumpy in parts. Compared to race mode, the adaptive dampers are dialled back to be more absorbent and the AWD system is “optimised to handle the corners of the Nurburgring”.

The new Mk8 Golf R should also decelerate with more vigour than before, given the front brake discs now measure 358mm in diameter, up from 340mm, and are gripped by two-piston aluminium callipers painted blue.

Riding 20mm lower than regular Volkswagen Golf models, the Golf R gets an all-new look that evolves the hot hatch’s visuals and treads a fine line between boy-racer and everyday luxury hatchback.

The new-look headlights mimic those seen on the new Mk8 Volkswagen Golf (which has also been delayed until early 2021 in Australia) and also feature an ultra-wide LED strip above the grille that blends into the daytime running lights.

These are underpinned by a more aggressively designed front bumper with a low lip spoiler and large “R-specific” lateral air intakes.

There’s plenty of gloss black accents at the front, side skirts run along the flanks and a large rear roof spoiler also gets the black treatment.

The rear-end also features a new bumper design with a gloss black diffuser, with larger chrome-plated dual exhaust tips at each side.

There’s also an optional Akrapovic exhaust system that shaves 7kg from the car’s mass.

Matte chrome side mirror caps are fitted, which project the R logo onto the road when the doors open, and the R rides on 19-inch alloy wheels shod with high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.

In the US market three colours are offered: Lapiz Blue Metallic, Pure White and Deep Black Pearl Effect.

The interior also gets all the goodies expected of a Golf R – Nappa leather sports seats, flat-bottom steering wheel, stainless-steel pedal covers – but also gets the latest infotainment and connectivity systems from the regular Golf.

That means a 10-inch touch-screen, digital cockpit instrument panel and a condensed controls including a stubby gear shifter.

Faux carbon highlights on the dashboard and 30 colours for the ambient interior lighting are also part of the package.

The new Volkswagen Golf R will launch in early 2022 alongside two other VW ‘R’ models: the T-Roc R and Tiguan R.