SPY PICS: New Volkswagen Golf R wagon laid bare

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R wagon has again been caught testing by our spy photographers in northern Europe, but this time the fast five-door hauler is shown in all its glory as it draws closer to production and an Australian launch.

Early development mules disguised with Mk7.5 Golf Alltrack parts were first spied in August 2020, but these latest shots take us to a secret location in the Arctic Circle, where the R wagon based on the new-generation Mk8 Volkswagen Golf is undergoing winter testing.

A spokesperson for Volkswagen Australia said the company doesn’t yet have a precise arrival date for the new R-rated wagon, but added that “it’ll likely be subsequent to the hatch, which set for early Q1 22”.

The regular Mk8 Volkswagen Golf hatch range arrives in May 2021, including GTI, while the mainstream wagon variants will follow in the third quarter of this year.

The 2022 Golf R wagon will get the same running gear as the R hatch, which was unveiled in the US last November with the latest development of the German car-maker’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (EA888).

The new one smashes out 235kW of power and 420Nm of torque, a significant increase over the current model, which in Australia generates 213kW/380Nm.

There is no indication at this stage that local-spec versions of the new Golf R will carry a reduced output due to Australia’s ‘hot climate’ designation (as with the outgoing generation), but in any case they’ll be more powerful than before.

Improved acceleration will be one thing, but the new Volkswagen Golf R, which drives all four wheels via a six-speed manual (TBC for Australia) or seven-speed DSG dual-clutch auto transmission, will also feature a more advanced 4MOTION all-wheel drive system that can split torque between the left and right rear wheels.

Among a host of other headline features, VW’s new Golf R will also be available with drift mode when the R Performance pack is optioned. 

On the practicality front, the incoming Volkswagen Golf wagon is considerably bigger than the current model which improves occupant space and cargo volume, the latter increasing to 611 litres with the rear seats up and 1642L with them folded flat.

As reported, an even hotter Volkswagen Golf R Plus version with 245kW is also believed to be in the works.