Say hello to the most practical performance Golf.
The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R has been revealed, and it’ll be in Australia in the first quarter of 2022 alongside the Tiguan R SUV and Golf R hatchback.
Given Australia’s penchant for highly-specced, high-performance models, expect the full range of racy options to be offered in Australia.
Like the hatchback, the Golf R Wagon is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 235kW and 420Nm, hooked up to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive.
The 100km/h sprint takes 4.9 seconds, 0.2 slower than the hatch, and flat out you’ll be doing 267km/h with the optional Performance Package – without it, you’re limited to a paltry 250km/h.
Also nicked from the hatchback is the R-Performance Torque Vectoring system which can shuffle torque between the left and right wheels (not just between the front and rear axle as was previously the case).
Of the 50 per cent of the engine’s torque that can be sent to a particular axle, 100 per cent can be sent to an individual wheel at any particular moment. The car can also brake the inside front wheel to help it turn into a corner more sharply.
Volkswagen says the Vehicle Dynamics Manager monitors the all-wheel drive system, torque distribution, front differential lock, and adaptive damping 200 times per second.
More exciting, though, is that opting for the Performance Package also gets you Drift Mode. Buckle up, kids.
Up front, the wagon shares its aluminium subframe with the hatchback, and it rides 20mm lower than the standard car.
A choice of 18- or 19-inch wheels will be offered, behind which hide 358mm front brakes.
Inside, the Golf R picks up the Mk8 Golf’s digital-heavy cockpit as expected.
A 10.0-inch Discover Pro central touchscreen controls infotainment, while a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit configurable instrument cluster sits ahead of the driver. Both displays come with tailored graphics and menus specific to the R.
Expect to see the fabric-trimmed seats pictured here offered alongside leather units with carbon-look detailing and blue accents in the sides, as well as a blue R logo embroidered on the backrest.
Of course, there’s acres of boot space. Seats in place it’ll swallow 611L, fold them flat and there’s 1642L.
