SPY PICS: New Volkswagen Golf R coming soon

The new-generation Volkswagen Golf R is shaping up to fine-tune its successful formula of blending high levels of luxury and performance in a small package.

New images of the interior and chunky rump of the eagerly-anticipated hot hatch have been published by Spanish site CocheSpias via Instagram, revealing a few more visual and tech features.

Showing off a quartet of jumbo-sized exhaust outlets, along with a classy centrally-mounted ‘R’ logo and large roof spoiler, the rear-end of the new model communicates the new Golf R’s performance intentions loud and clear.

In the last batch of spy shots, the 2021 Golf R’s exhaust system appeared smaller and oval-shaped, although the alloy wheel design appears locked in.

A new photo of the cabin reveals the digital instrument cluster in sports mode, with a horizontal tacho along the top of the screen.

Power for the new Volkswagen Golf R will be supplied by a high-output version of the brand’s tried-and-tested 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, outputting up to 245kW.

The current Golf R bangs out 221kW in Europe and 213kW in Australia due to our ‘hot market’ status. Whether that or our high-sulfur petrol limits power in Australia’s next Golf R remains to be seen.

There was talk that Volkswagen’s hero hatchback would get the 2.5-litre inline five-cylinder turbo-petrol engine from the Audi RS 3, but word is that Audi kyboshed those plans.

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Volkswagen also started developing a Mercedes-AMG A45 S-killing 300kW beast in the form of the Golf R400 (as in 400hp, or 300kW), but that model has been sidelined due to high costs.

The new Volkswagen Golf R will retain its all-wheel drive, dual-clutch automatic driveline and launch control systems to ensure rapid acceleration, while delivering high levels of luxury thanks to a leather-bound cabin.

Previous spy photos reveal sports seats will be available along with all the tech trimmings, including a large high-def colour touch-screen infotainment system, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, auto parking features and the list goes on.

The German hot hatch was originally supposed to be unveiled at the 2020 Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, but COVID-19 scotched those plans.

Volkswagen hasn’t talked about when the official Golf R reveal will happen, beyond confirming it’ll break cover later in the year.

The new-generation Mk8 Golf range – including the new GTI – was originally supposed to launch in Australia late this year, but its launch has been beset with delays and will now take place early next year.

Volkswagen Australia’s PR and brand experience manager, Kurt McGuiness, told carsales the Golf R is a key model for the product range, not just because it’s the hero model, and should arrive here later in 2021.

“Golf R consistently outsells GTI, and has definitely become our signature hot hatch. Australia is one of the top three markets worldwide for R cars – our customers can’t get enough of them, and neither can we.”

“We’re pushing hard to expand the R performance range in other model lines,” added McGuiness, referring to the Volkswagen Tiguan R and T-Roc R go-fast SUVs.