New Volkswagen Golf R: More Power and Upgraded Digital Interfaces
Introduction
The order books for the facelifted Volkswagen Golf R are now open, with the hot hatch starting at £43,320. Despite the price reduction of £990, the Golf R has gained extra power and a significant upgrade to its digital interfaces.
Increased Power and Performance
The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine of the Golf R has been uprated from 316bhp to 329bhp, resulting in a 0-62mph time of 4.6 seconds. The Golf R Estate, although heavier, completes the sprint in 4.8 seconds. The reworked EA888 petrol engine provides sharper responses, and the software has been tweaked to deliver gearshifts 100rpm later. Additionally, the engine produces exhaust pops and crackles from around 2500rpm.
Enhanced Digital Interfaces
The interior of the Golf R has received a near-total digital overhaul. It now features a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen with top and bottom shortcut bars. The touch-sensitive temperature slider is now backlit, addressing customer criticism of the previous model. The 10.2-inch digital instrument screen displays a motorsport-inspired horizontal rev counter. Cars equipped with the Performance package also receive a GPS-based lap timer, a g-force meter, and a torque split visualizer.
New Black Edition Trim
A limited Black Edition trim has been introduced to the Golf R range. This trim offers a blacked-out look, 19-inch alloy wheels, a larger roof-mounted spoiler, and the Performance package. The Black Edition starts at £44,570.
Price and Availability
The Golf R is priced at £43,320, making it £990 cheaper than the previous model. The Golf R Estate starts at £44,685, which is £1,870 less than its previous price. Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in October.
The Future of the Golf R
The Mk8.5 Golf R could potentially be the last R-badged car with a combustion engine. The ninth-generation Golf, set to arrive in four years, will only feature electric powertrains. The R division has committed to going all-electric by 2030, aligning with the wider Volkswagen brand’s goal of becoming all-electric by 2035.
