New Volkswagen Golf R to kick off R-car onslaught

On the eve of the local launch of the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf, which arrives in showrooms this month, the German car-maker has reaffirmed the new high-performance Golf R hatch could lob as early as quarter four this year, followed by a slew of other R-badged models including SUVs such as the Tiguan and T-Roc.

“We might get a look at Golf R by the end of this year but quarter one next year will be big regardless – 2022 is the Year of the R,” said Volkswagen Australia corporate communications general manager Paul Pottinger.

“There will be Golf R hatch and wagon at some point, then Tiguan R and T-Roc R."

“We’re looking to boost the R portfolio everywhere there is an R available.”

Volkswagen Australia was the second-largest R market in the world last year, even though the portfolio was limited to the solitary Golf R which was also in run-out with limited supply.

As such, there is plenty of enthusiasm from Australia and Hannover headquarters to appease our performance tastes.

The R onslaught will commence with the five-door Volkswagen Golf R hatch, complete with drift mode, while the hot R-rated wagon will follow a few months’ later.

Powered by the latest development of the German car-maker’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (EA888), the new 2022 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.

One vehicle not on the R sub-brand’s agenda is the incoming new-generation 2022 Volkswagen Amarok, which will be based on the Australian-developed Ford Ranger and is nonetheless certain to provide scope for performance enhancements – just not with an R badge.

“While that might seem more logical to us in Australia, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is as separate to Volkswagen as is Audi, Skoda and Cupra. They would see R as a passenger vehicle brand,” said Pottinger.

“From our perspective of course it makes sense but it’s not logical. It’s a completely different perspective here.”

Volkswagen Australia public relations manager Kurt McGuiness added that there was potential to continue addressing a performance utility with the new local Walkinshaw Automotive Group tie-up that has this week seen the launch of the Volkswagen Amarok W580.

Both parties have expressed interest to continue that relationship into the second-generation Amarok ute.

“If you look at what we have parked outside (W580S), it follows that ethos in terms of refining performance aspects of a vehicle to its full degree,” he said.

“We’ve said Australia is a priority for second-generation Amarok. The Australian flavour is really injected into the project simply by virtue of the design team living here and understanding more about how people use the car and what their lifestyle aspirations are.”