Volkswagen has launched the Golf R 20 Years, featuring subtle exterior design, engine, gearbox and chassis tweaks -
20 Years, a special edition of its flagship hot hatchback that celebrates 20 years since the arrival of the Golf R32 that features a selection of subtle tweaks over the standard hatchback., and in particular the Golf R. We felt it fell 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.
VW first signalled that it had something in the works a few months back with a cryptic teaser image, but has now laid all its cards on the table, revealing that engineers have, in fact, been hard at work returning the Golf R to its former glory. The changes 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.
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 can also be optioned with 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.