Billed as the ultimate hatch in some circles, Volkswagen has finally unveiled its potent Golf 8 R that packs more power and improved performance.
Slated to arrive in Mzansi in the last quarter of 2021 or early 2022, the new Golf 8 R uses an uprated EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that has been massaged to deliver 234 kW – a marginal jump from the outgoing model’s 228 kW output – of power and 420 Nm of torque at 2 100 r/min, all the way through to 5 350 r/min, making for a fairly widespread torque band.
The newly-revealed Golf 8 R darts from a standstill to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds while its top speed is capped at 250 km/h. However, the Golf R can also be ordered with an optional R-Performance package, which enables the top speed to be increased to 270 km/h.
Volkswagen will offer a six-speed manual transmission as standard and a 7-speed auto box as an option for some overseas markets. As expected, the Golf 8 R will only be available in Mzansi with the 7-speed DSG transmission.
An improved 4Motion system will send power to all four wheels, and with the new Drift Mode, all the power can be sent to the rear axle to allow the vehicle to wag its tail like a happy puppy. Doughnuts, anyone?
Other driving modes include Race, Sport, Comfort and Individual.
In terms of cosmetics, the new Volkswagen Golf R gets a new aggressive bumper, motorsport-inspired splitter, R-specific air intake grille and gloss black treatment.
It rides on 19-inch alloy wheels as standard and sits 20 mm lower while also 10% stiffer than the predecessor.
The interior comes bolstered with sports seats that feature blue inserts, a sports steering wheel, stainless-steel pedals and a selection of R-specific displays for the touchscreen infotainment system.
It also features a 10-inch touchscreen, Digital Cockpit with a virtual instrument cluster as well as R logos sprinkled throughout the interior.
The Golf 8 R will sit at the top of the Golf food chain, while its deputy, the less powerful GTI, will hit our shores likely in the first quarter of 2021.
