New Volkswagen Golf R wagon breaks cover

The new Volkswagen Golf R Variant – also known as the Estate, Combi and Wagon, as it will be called in Australia – has been revealed in Germany ahead of its local arrival in February 2022.

Bringing the same high-performance credentials as Volkswagen’s fifth-generation Golf R hatch, which arrives here at the same time, the rapid new load-lugger emerges with the same EA888 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, generating 235kW of power and 420Nm of torque.

Like the previous VW Golf R wagon, power continues to be sent to all four corners, but the MY22 model will come with a more advanced, torque vectoring version of Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system that can now split torque between the rear wheels and comes complete with a drift mode.

And while the new Volkswagen Golf R wagon will be available with six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmissions overseas, it’s likely Australia will only be offered auto versions of the go-fast wagon, as is the case with the newly launched Mk8 VW Golf GTI hot hatch.

Once again the Golf R wagon will be slightly slower off the line than the slightly lighter hatch on which it’s based, with 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.9 seconds.

But it will offer the same electronically-limited 250km/h top speed, and a new ‘R Performance Package’ will raise that 270km/h and also add special Drift driving profiles, plus 19-inch alloy wheels.

Standard features are set to include R sports seats and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster within the new interior layout debuted by the latest Mk8 Golf hatch range, including a new miniature gear lever.

Like the standard Golf wagon, cargo space has had an incremental increase to 611 litres (previously 605L) with all five seats in place, or up to 1642 litres (+22L) with the rear seat folded flat.

A 12-volt outlet, electric tailgate, luggage net and shopping bag hooks also come standard, as does a household power outlet.

On the outside, 18-inch alloy wheels, quad exhaust outlets and a sportier body kit comprising reshaped front/rear bumpers and side skirts all come standard.

The new Mk8 VW Golf range has already begun arriving Down Under, first in garden-variety 110TSI form in May, followed by GTI hot hatch variants last month.

The new Volkswagen Golf R hatch and wagon will be just the start of a fresh R-car onslaught from Volkswagen Group Australia, which will also introduce its first Tiguan R in the first quarter of 2022, followed in the third quarter of next year by facelifted and R versions of the T-Roc small SUV.

The first Touareg R and a more powerful 245kW Golf R Plus could also grace local Volkswagen showrooms at some point.