The Volkswagen Golf R is the fastest and most powerful version of the German hatchback, and the current model is coming in for a mid-cycle update ahead of 2025 sales. The finished product isn’t going to be fully revealed until the end of June, but ahead of that, we’ve had a chance to get behind the wheel of a pre-production prototype to see how it drives. A dazzling camouflage wrap disguises the visual changes.
Nonetheless, the basic formula remains unchanged, pairing a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox and all-wheel-drive transmission. The latter separates the Golf R the Golf GTI and Golf GTI Clubsport below it, both of which stick with front-wheel drive. In some European markets, the Golf R will be sold as both a five-door hatchback and an estate, though the latter is not expected to come to Ireland.
How much is the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R?
Irish pricing for the updated Volkswagen Golf R is still in the final stages of being worked out ahead of the car’s reveal. When the Golf R was last on sale it had a starting price of €74,705, though most buyers added options. Volkswagen told us that pricing for this new Golf R should be close to the outgoing price.
We expect Volkswagen to offer numerous upgrades for the Golf R, from lightweight alloy wheels to interior enhancements. Other performance-enhancing accessories, such as an Akrapovič sports exhaust, will return to the options list, too.
A look inside the Volkswagen Golf R
For us to get a drive in this disguised Golf R we had to sign a lot of serious-sounding legal forms precluding us talking about the new interior in any detail. Volkswagen didn’t want us to let the cat out of the bag ahead of the car’s official debut, so forgive us if we’re light on detail here. That being said, if you look at some of the enhancements that have already been revealed in the Golf GTI Clubsport, it might help steer you in the direction of what to expect from the Golf R.
As with all the Golf ‘8.5’ models, there is a snazzy new touchscreen that is a substantial improvement over the previous item. The base of the display now features illuminated sections for volume and temperature adjustment, while software updates make the whole infotainment system operate faster.
One of the appealing aspects of the Golf R since the model’s inception is that the regular Golf’s practicality isn’t compromised by the additional performance and ability. The rear passenger space is decent, though fitting three adults across the rear makes things cosy, and the middle pew isn’t as comfortable as the outer rear seats.
As it happens, the particular vehicle we drove is the car that Volkswagen will attempt to beat its best lap time at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit. For that, the rear seats have been removed, and there’s a substantial roll cage fitted inside for added protection - something that won’t be offered on the road car.
The Volkswagen Golf R’s on-board technology
Volkswagen has begun rolling out ChatGPT functionality in its recent model updates, so it’s likely that the artificial intelligence software will also come baked into the Golf R. This tech could move the game on for in-car voice assistants by offering a more conversational style of interaction and access to a far greater catalogue of general knowledge.
Other expected features include a 10.2-inch instrument display that Volkswagen calls the Digital Cockpit Pro. As with most screens such as this, drivers can choose from a range of different options for what information is relayed to them, and its look also changes with the driving mode. With performance in mind, the display has some track-focused functions, including a lap timer.
How many child seats can I fit in the Volkswagen Golf R?
The Golf R remains every bit as functional and practical as the mainstream Golf models. That means both rear outer seats feature ISOFIX anchor points, as does the front passenger seat. The latter includes an airbag deactivation function for installing a child seat, too. The Golf R has the same amount of boot space as other less powerful versions, too. That’s enough to swallow up most average-sized buggies, and you can fold down the rear seats if you need more space.
How safe is the Volkswagen Golf R?
The Volkswagen Golf R is a safe car, achieving the full five-star rating in the Euro NCAP tests. It performed well across all areas, including a 74 per cent score for vulnerable road users and 87 per cent for child occupants.
There are numerous built-in safety systems as standard, including Comfort drive ‘Travel Assist’ with a lane keeping system to help prevent the car from drifting out of its lane. Automatic emergency braking can mitigate against low-speed impacts and there is an advanced pedestrian detection system to protect vulnerable road users.
All the expected and typical driver assistance features will be available in the Golf R, with most coming as standard. Adaptive cruise control and a dynamic road sign display feature that detects the current speed limit are both particularly useful on longer journeys.
Driving the Volkswagen Golf R
A big part of the Golf R’s appeal is its ability to effortlessly switch from a car capable of the everyday run-of-the-mill driving into a rapid hot hatch that can cover ground at an impressive rate of speed. Previously the Golf R had a 320hp peak power output, but the wick on the ‘EA888 LK3 evo4’ engine has been turned up to produce 333hp as standard. The top speed remains at 250km/h by default, but buyers can choose a Performance Pack that lifts that figure to 270km/h. In Ireland and most of Europe that option may be irrelevant given the national speed limits, but if you’re keen on track days and want to have the Golf R’s maximum potential at your disposal, it’s a box that you may want to tick.
On the 19-inch wheels the Golf R feels very well sorted, with the suspension just erring on the positive side of firm while damping is just right. Our test car was equipped with the optional DCC adaptive chassis control system which is a very worthwhile addition to the car. Drivers can delve into a broad range of adjustment for the damping or can choose from the numerous drive modes which come with their own particular presets. As well as raising the top speed, the Performance Pack expands the amount of drive modes to include Special and Drift. The latter is self-explanatory, but it’s the former that is the more interesting. Using data models from extensive testing at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, the Special mode optimises the Golf’s setup for attacking the storied German track. For example, the damping is softened slightly to increase tyre contact and improve compliance over the kerbs.
That damping is part of what makes the Golf R feel so settled in a variety of situations, and even unwelcome bumps do little to upset how it sits on the road. During turns, you can sense the suspension quickly build up load, exhibiting only minor amounts of body lean. In conjunction with the all-wheel-drive transmission, this sensation makes the Volkswagen feel glued to the road, giving you the confidence to push on that bit more when you can.
Even in the Comfort setting, the upshift point for the seven-speed DSG now takes place approximately 100rpm later. It remains an excellent gearbox, delivering gear changes extremely quickly and smoothly, even under load. In the Sport setting, the engine start-stop system and coasting function are disengaged completely.
Switching to the R or Race mode is necessary to fully untap the Volkswagen’s potential. Clever turbocharger management in this setting keeps the turbine at a higher speed, even during partial throttle load, so the engine always feels ready to go, with no notable feeling of lag. This feature is part of what makes the Golf R feel as urgent as it does. In this mode, the throttle valve is also opened in the overrun phase, so as you lift off for a bend and then get back on the power, there is a faster build-up of torque.
During braking for a corner, the amount of pressure being applied is relayed to the car’s brain, which communicates with the DSG transmission and better matches the downshifts to the situation or retains the current gear according to speed and lateral acceleration. This time around, manual mode means manual: automatic upshifts and kickdown are disengaged when the driver wants to do the shifting for themselves. The optional Akrapovič exhaust has also been tweaked to produce a bit more theatre on the overrun, with more pops and crackles than before.
While we only had the briefest of drives in this pre-production prototype, it’s clear that Volkswagen has been able to give the Golf R a slightly harder edge than its predecessor. In particular, when you move up into the Race mode, the car’s character changes and adopts a more serious, more focused feel.
How economical is the Volkswagen Golf R?
The complete set of technical data has not yet been released for this iteration of the Volkswagen Golf R, though efficiency isn’t expected to change a great deal from the outgoing Mk8 Golf R. For reference, that had a combined WLTP consumption figure of 7.7-8.1 litres/100km with CO2 emissions of 176-182g/km. Obviously, if you plan on wringing all the performance from the four-cylinder engine, expect that fuel consumption figure to increase quite a bit.
The reasons you’d buy a Volkswagen Golf R
It’s the halo model in the Volkswagen Golf range, offering the highest performance output and best equipment. Part of its appeal is that it remains a practical five-door hatchback for the day-to-day stuff but can still deliver real driving fun when required. The all-wheel-drive transmission also makes it a great all-rounder, especially when driving conditions deteriorate.
Ask us anything about the Volkswagen Golf R
If there’s anything about the Golf R we haven’t covered, or you’d like advice on choosing between it and other cars, you can access our (completely free) expert advice service via the Ask Us Anything page.
