New range-topping Golf R 20 has key improvements from the chassis and powertrain
Volkswagen is putting the finishing touches on its new range-topping Golf R 20 Years, a special edition built to celebrate, you guessed it, 20 years of the R badge appearing on a Golf. It has already set a lap time around the fearsome Nürburgring Nordschleife, setting the fastest time yet in a Golf R, but lap times aren’t the element we’re curious about in this new special. That’s because evo’s had a somewhat complex relationship with the eighth generation VW Golf, and in particular the Golf R. We’ve felt it has fallen some way short, not just of being a competent top-of-the-line hot hatchback, but also of being a worthy replacement for its excellent predecessor.
So it came as very good news back in May that Volkswagen had something up its sleeve, resulting in this Golf R 20 Years, which features a range of subtle updates that we’re hoping will make the Mk8 Golf realise its full potential. These start under the bonnet, where the same turbocharged 2-litre four-cylinder engine has been given an extra boost with a higher peak power figure of 328bhp – a 12bhp increase over the current model. Torque figures have yet to be confirmed and it’s the same story with official performance figures, but we expect the 20 Years special to improve on the standard Golf R’s 4.7sec 0-62mph time.
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Alongside the extra power, VW has also been working on improving the engine’s character, giving it an aggressive edge that’s been missing in the current generation. One method employed is a new mode for the turbo, which keeps the throttle valve open under part throttle, holding higher boost pressures for longer and improving the engine’s responsiveness. Think of it as an electronically controlled anti-lag system. There’s also a new ‘Emotional Start’ function that flares the revs to 2500rpm on cold start, projecting the sound with the help of an optional Akrapovic exhaust system.
The seven-speed DSG has also gained some new software that should deliver faster and crisper shifts, but any changes to the 4Motion all-wheel drive system or the torque-vectoring differential situated on the rear axle have yet to be confirmed. We do know that the standard fit 19-inch wheels (which are optionally available in a fetching shade of Lapiz Blue) can also be optioned with 235/35 R19 91Y Michelin Cup 2 rubber – although VW UK’s hesitancy to fit this sort of aggressive tyre choice straight from the factory makes it unclear if we’ll see them on UK cars.
On said rubber, Volkswagen has lapped its new Golf R 20 Years around the Nürburgring Nordschleife setting a 7:47.31 time that makes it quicker than any previous Golf R, and only a whisker behind the previous front-wheel drive lap record-breaking GTI Clubsport S, which did the loop in 7:47.19 back in December 2016.
Visually, the Golf R Performance Pack’s taller rear wing is the only physical change aside from those fetching blue wheels, although there is some bespoke R 20 badging on the rear bumper and door pillar garnish. Inside VW has fitted real carbonfibre trim elements, but don’t get your hopes up if you’re wanting to see the Golf GTI Clubsport S’s brilliant Recaro buckets.
Prices and final UK specifications are still to be confirmed, but the German market has priced the model at €59,995 (£51k at current exchange rates). While final specifications will vary, German models are still lacking some key hardware including the DCC adaptive dampers, while Cup 2s are on the official options list as well as the titanium Akrapovic exhaust. Production numbers are not expected to be limited, but the production timescale will be, with confirmation that the car will only be built until the middle of 2023.
Keyword: Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years – the fastest Golf R around the Nürburgring