New VW Golf GTI and Golf R on the Horizon

Following on from a June preview, VW is launching Golf GTI and Golf R in Europe and the UK, both in Gen 8.5 guise. These gain extra power and a digital interface upgrade, and at no extra price. They’re expected to be the last ICE-powered hot Golfs. Gen IX, an EVm, arrives in four years’ time, with the R variant going electric prior to 2030. Here in New Zealand, the new Golf GTI dots down in September, while the Golf R is expected early in 2025.

The R’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four gains a few extra kW, now out to 245kW (with 420Nm) lowering the hatch’s sprint time by 0.1sec to 4.6sec. Standard items, aside from 4Motion AWD, include adaptive damping and torque vectoring at the rear. The latter can send up to 100 per cent of torque to a single rear wheel, helping to neutralise understeer and improve cornering agility.

The reworked EA888 petrol engine is said to have sharper responses too. Comfort drive mode now delivers gearshifts 100rpm later and the engine pops and crackles slightly earlier, from around 2500rpm.

Of arguably greater significance is the almost complete digital overhaul for the interior. It comes with a slicker 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, with top and bottom shortcut bars.

Beneath this, the touch-sensitive temperature slider is now backlit, evidently a bugbear for the previous model. The Golf R also comes with a unique 10.2in digital instrument screen, featuring a motorsport-inspired horizontal rev counter.

With the R-Performance package there’s a GPS-based lap timer, a g-force meter and gauge showing the torque split to each wheel. Top speed rises from 248 to 267km/h. There’s also a drift mode for the track. 

An optional Black Edition trim offers, as suggested, that blacked-out look, along with the R-Performance package. There are also 19-inch ‘Estoril’ alloys and a larger roof-mounted spoiler. Deliveries in the UK start in Q3.

The new Golf GTI is also going on sale in the UK soon, with a more expensive Clubsport variant available. It adds a little more power (221kW/400Nm), reaching the front wheels through a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox. The sprint to 100 takes a claimed 5.6sec. 

The Clubsport also gets bigger brakes, and a different front bumper and honeycomb grille. It comes standard with IQ.LIGHT matrix LED headlights, 18-inch ‘Richmond’ alloys, a 12.9-inch central touchscreen, heated front seats, three-zone AC, keyless entry and start, and ACC.