The 2023 Golf R

Exterior – Front

A strong impression

The Golf R sports an aggressive front end featuring large air intakes and a newly designed radiator grille with signature blue R accents connecting updated LED headlights. Matte chrome mirror caps, a signature R design element, also make their return.

Exterior – Back

Form and function

The rocker panel extensions complement the bespoke R rear bumper with quad exhaust outlets, topped off with a two-piece rear spoiler for greater downforce. Those in the know, will know.

Wheels

How we roll

Named after one of the world’s great racing circuits in Portugal, the “Estoril” 19” wheels on the new Golf R come wrapped in high-performance summer tires.

Brakes

Stopping Power

The new braking system in the Golf R stands out with blue calipers clamping down on 357 mm front rotors, 27 mm larger than before and now cross-drilled for better fade resistance. A new lightweight aluminum hub reduces unsprung mass by 600g per front corner of the vehicle to help ensure driver confidence under braking, Golf R features a larger brake master cylinder for crisp and linear response to even small pedal inputs.

Exterior Ambient Lighting

Light the way

When you approach your Golf R with your key fob, you’ll be guided to the driver’s seat with light projections from the headlights, taillights, door handles, and side mirrors.

Sport Exhaust

Fearsome foursome

The rear bumper in the Golf R incorporates a striking gloss black diffuser. It’s framed at the sides by a chrome-plated quad exhaust system for maximum airflow.

Aerodynamics

Lower, longer, sportier

This fifth generation Golf R is more aerodynamic than its predecessors. The two-piece rear spoiler doesn’t just look sporty, it also creates downforce over the rear axle for improved road-holding.

Engine

More horsepower and torque

The new Golf R is propelled by the latest 'evo4' generation of Volkswagen’s proven EA888 2.0L turbocharged 'TSI' 4-cylinder engine producing 315 horsepower and up to 295 lb-ft of torque in models equipped with the 7-speed DSG^® gearbox (280 lb-ft in manual models).Sending power to all four wheels through the 4MOTION^® All-Wheel Drive system, Golf R sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds (DSG^® models).*

*Please drive safely and obey all local traffic laws, including speed limits.

Transmission

Two or three pedals

Whether you prefer to row your own gears or enjoy lightning-quick automatic shifts, the Golf R is here to excite you. If you prefer the fine control and fun of a manual transmission, a slick 6-speed is standard equipment. For those who demand the fastest shifts possible, the 7-speed DSG^® dual-clutch transmission can deliver seamless automatic gear changes or be controlled manually via large, Golf R-specific steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.

4MOTION® All-Wheel Drive with R-Performance Torque Vectoring

Conquer any corner

The Golf R comes equipped with 4MOTION^® All-Wheel Drive for sure-footed traction even in challenging conditions. Now featuring a new torque vectoring rear differential, Golf R can distribute the torque variably between the rear wheels, even sending up to 100% of available power to the wheel on the outside of the bend. This in turn helps pivot the car toward the corner apex, reducing understeer and giving Golf R noticeably more agile handling response.

R-Performance Package

Unleash the beast

The standard R-Performance package includes the two-piece spoiler and 19” Estoril alloy wheels, plus two additional driving profiles: “Drift” and “Special (Nürburgring)” mode, for goosebump-inducing performance at the touch of a button.

Drift Mode

Catch our drift

The new R torque vectoring rear differential is the key enabler of the new, track-only “Drift” mode. In Drift mode, the Golf R changes its stability control parameters to ESC Sport, and the torque vectoring system kicks off the drift by sending all available rear torque to the outside wheel.

Special Mode

Attack any track

A key part of the Golf R’s development included testing on Germany’s legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife racing circuit, sometimes referred to as 'The Green Hell.' Twisting through the Eifel mountains, this punishing circuit pushes cars to their limits. It’s this circuit that inspired Golf R’s new “Special” driving profile. Once engaged, all aspects of Golf R’s performance envelope is optimized for the unique rigors of the Nordschleife. While the powertrain and other elements are put in their most aggressive settings, the Dynamic Chassis Control dampers adopt a soft response, ideal for a bumpy racing circuit or your favourite Canadian back road.*

*Please drive safely and obey all local traffic laws, including speed limits.

Interior

Sporty on the inside

The interior of the new Golf R welcomes you with a level of sporty comfort that you can both see and feel. The driver and front passenger sit in premium sport seats with built-in head restraints and R-style design. For the first time, the configurable Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster brings together all sporty displays and controls into one special R-view tailored specifically to the Golf R. The ergonomically-contoured, multi-function steering wheel features perforated inserts, a flat bottom, larger shift paddles, and R button that puts the Race profile a touch of a button away.*

*Please drive safely and obey all local traffic laws, including speed limits.

Digital Cockpit Pro

Innovation at your fingertips

The Digital Cockpit Pro allows you to customize the look and feel of your Golf R more intuitively and in greater detail. Not only do you get the benefits of the traditional Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, but you can display a full-screen map in the digital cluster and simultaneously on the 10” centre display. The unique R display mode changes the layout of the instruments and puts a horizontal rev counter at the top of the cluster where it’s always easy to see

Sport Steering Wheel

Take the wheel

Choose your path with R’s classic sport steering wheel, now heated as standard. A novel new touch control interface incorporates haptic feedback, allowing the driver to easily access various navigation, audio, and driver assistance features. Ergonomically-contoured, the wheel features perforated inserts, a flat bottom, an R blue clasp at the 6 o’clock position, and larger shift paddles for DSG®-equipped models.

Integrated Headrests

R-sport seats

Discover a world of power and comfort in the Golf R. Both driver and front passenger ride in style, thanks to premium sport seats with integrated headrests. The Nappa leather seating surfaces feature carbon-look elements with blue accents on the side sections, as well as a blue R logo in the backrest.

Head-Up Display (HUD)

Tech at a glance

The standard Head-Up Display (HUD) in the R puts all the most important information right in front of you to help keep your eyes fixed on the road ahead. When enabled, part of the windshield becomes a projection surface to display speed, navigation instructions, and information from various driver assistance systems.

harman / kardon®

Premium audio

The harman / kardon^® audio system available in the Golf R provides the perfect musical backdrop to any journey. Get the right balance with 8 speakers, a subwoofer, a centre speaker, and a 12-channel amplifier.

20 Years of R

For R fans only

This is a limited edition Golf R two decades in the making, featuring exclusive “20 Years” badging on the mirrors and at the base of the doors. Only true Golf R fans need apply.

Blue R Logos

Unmistakably R

Blue R logos adorn this 20th Anniversary Special Edition Golf R from tip to tail. From the front grille, to the rear hatch, to the key fobs and steering wheel clips, this Golf R drips with limited edition style.

19 Estoril Wheels

Above the rim

This 20th Anniversary Special Edition Golf R features a set of equally exclusive rims to boot. These showstopping 19-inch “Estoril” Wheels come in a fierce black gloss finish.

Side Mirror Housings

Side Mirror Housings

Even our signature matte chrome mirror caps get a 20th anniversary makeover, with black mirror caps for the Lapiz Blue exterior, or blue mirror caps for the Deep Black and Pure White versions.

Sunroof

Great views are mandatory in the 20thAnniversary Special Edition Golf R, thanks to a standard panoramic sunroof.

Carbon Fibre Décor

Fibre Optics

With genuine carbon fibre details throughout, we’re bringing a taste of the racetrack to the interior of the 20th Anniversary Special Edition Golf R. Somehow our hottest hatchback ever just got even hotter.