VW Golf R (2020): pictures, data, market launch, price

in the VW divides the big sport into tradition and traction. The classic speedster is called the Golf GTI. Everyone knows it: check pattern on sports seats, golf ball gear knob and front-wheel drive at the limit of liability, unchanged since 1976. That sounds like great, but another one has more power, more sound and four driven wheels: the Golf R (previously: R32).

In the Golf 8, the R variant will be stronger and faster than ever before. Your key data: 320 PS, 420 Newton meters of torque, up to 270 km / h top speed and a brand new all-wheel drive system including drift mode. All digital gadgets from normal golf arrive in the top model, as well as some fresh details.

VW Golf 8 R (2020) in brief

• VW Golf R with 2.0 liter turbo gasoline engine and 320 hp
• New four-wheel drive with two clutches
• Golf R Performance with driving modes for Nordschleife and drift
• 250 or 270 km / h top speed
• The chassis, all-wheel drive and differential locks are networked
• Market launch of the VW Golf 8 R: November 2020

320 PS in the VW Golf R (2020)

VW has long preferred to build small, efficient engines in the Golf than large ones. The last VR6 cylinder ran out in 2008 and since then a maximum of four pistons have been pumping in the engine compartment. It remains in the new generation: The Golf 8 R gets a four-cylinder turbo gasoline engine again. Its expansion stage, the “EA888 Evo4”, the internal name of the engine, has an output of 320 hp – 75 hp more than the drive in the current GTI.

VW is actually planning with more power: In February 2020, a leaked document reveals that the Golf R should get 333 hp. Between the involuntary announcement and the premiere, the engine performance of the top model drops. VW does not give reasons. Nevertheless, the new R will be the most powerful Golf ever built. The previous best value was 310 hp.

Such a powerful engine ensures smooth driving values: the new Golf R sprints to 100 km / h in 4.7 seconds and runs (governed) 250 km / h top. As an option, VW offers a performance package that shifts the speed throttle to 270 km / h. Also a new top speed for the compact.

VW Golf 8 R (2020): all-wheel drive, driving dynamics, drift mode

All-wheel drive is an integral part of the most powerful Golf. In the new model, VW changed the principle for the first time. “4Motion with R-Performance Torque Vectoring” is the name of the new system. With it, two clutches distribute the drive power individually to the rear wheels. You determine how much torque arrives at the second axis and whether one side is preferred. The Haldex systems of the predecessors did not offer that much variability.

The new all-wheel drive improves the driving dynamics in the Golf R. In order to support the car when cornering, it can direct power to the outer rear wheel. If the driver releases the accelerator, the drag torque of the engine can decelerate the inner rear wheel for a similar effect. The construction also enables a drift mode. VW only offers it in the performance version.

Technically, the all-wheel drive is similar to that of the now discontinued Ford Focus RS. This is no coincidence: Jost Capito, head of Volkswagen R GmbH and responsible for the Golf R, played a key role in the development of this Focus. At VW, all R models now have this all-wheel drive. A drift program is only available in the Golf R.

VW Golf 8 R (2020): chassis

Little changes on the platform of the Golf after the model change. The new Golf R is therefore similar to the old one in many ways. Nevertheless, it should drive noticeably better. For this, VW modified the chassis in detail. At the rear, the Golf R gets new wishbone bearings and other wheel carriers. At the front, the engineers set a more camber (-1 ° 20 ‘) and installed an aluminum subframe.

Compared to the normal Golf, the body of the Golf R is two centimeters lower. Adjustable shock absorbers (“DCC”) spread between gentle and staccato. All-wheel drive, chassis and differential locks (by means of brake intervention) are controlled by a common control unit. VW promises that the components will therefore work better together.

A new brake system with larger composite brake discs at the front (357 x 34 millimeters) is supposed to quickly stop the fast Golf. Its structure with an aluminum pot and cast iron friction rings reduces the weight of the brake discs by a total of 600 grams. VW promises a good pedal feel and a speed-dependent response of the brakes.

VW Golf 8 R (2020): price, interior

A strong Golf has to look strong. For the Golf R that means: wide aprons, a small rear wing and an exhaust system with four tailpipes. Optionally, the rear silencer comes from Akrapovic. The extra saves seven kilograms in weight and is louder than the standard system.

VW installed special graphics and additional functions on the speedometer and infotainment display of the Golf R. They show boost pressure, transmission temperature, torque, power, G-forces and lap times. In the manual mode of the dual clutch transmission without an alternative, the system gives recommendations for switching points.

The Wolfsburg engineers equip the Golf R with LED lamps, 18-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, sports seats and navigation systems as standard. VW will not announce prices until the start of orders on November 5, 2020. We assume that the Golf 8 R will be a bit more expensive than its predecessor (most recently: 45,745 euros) and will start at around 48,000 euros. We expect a Golf R Variant in the coming year.