Here’s our first look at the updated Volkswagen Golf R hot hatch

Following the reveal of the 2025 Volkswagen Golf and sporty Golf GTI facelift last week, the German carmaker has now teased its even more zesty R variant at the Ice Race in Zell am See in Austria.

While the car may be wrapped up in camouflage, we can still make out a few of its new styling features, including a more aggressive front bumper, new wheels, and a larger wing atop the rear hatch.

Nothing has been shown as far as the interior goes, but we already know a few key changes have been made to the control surfaces like the touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel being swapped out for physical alternatives. In addition, the air temperature sliders are now illuminated while VW’s IDA voice assistant feature is now backed by ChatGPT artificial intelligence.

As for the powertrain, we can expect a bump in power from its 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder which currently makes 235kW and 400Nm of torque.

With Volkswagen having announced it will no longer offer the Golf GTI and R with a six-speed manual, the updated R will only be available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic mated to an all-wheel drive system.

“Volkswagen R is Volkswagen’s premium performance brand and has stood for sportiness and dynamic performance for more than 20 years,” says Reinhold Ivenz, Head of Volkswagen R.

“We can hardly wait for the Golf R, still disguised here, to celebrate its premiere this summer.”

As Ivenz said, the flagship Volkswagen Golf R will be revealed in mid-2024 ahead of its expected arrival in New Zealand later this year.