2021 Golf R – Most Powerful Golf ever!

The revisions to the Golf 7.5 in 2018 created a bit of a riot from what the Golf R originally was. In reality, the 206kw Golf R was a bit of a softy in the world of A45s and M140i’s. Things have moved forward a bit Golfs now have 226kWs, Akrapovic exhausts from the factory, now we have millions of options of rapid AWD hatches with even the likes of BMW’s M135i XDrive having joined the four-wheel-drive races. How will the 2021 Golf R fair? Will, the Mk8 platform-based version of the hot Golf its serve as the humble people’s car?

2021 Volkswagen Golf R: Exterior Styling

Being the ‘Grand Papi” Golf the R gets some notable injections of even more sportiness. The Front Bumper gets a Front Splitter with some obvious Motorsport origins, larger R-Proprietory air intakes, and the signature Gloss Black accents throughout the vehicle. As standard during its first edition launch, the R will get standard 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225/35 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres with the later 2022 model gaining optional 20-inch wheels. Ride Height is lowered 20Mm as compared to standard Mk8 Golfs. Matrix LED lights are retained from the standard model, and the R keeps the Halo Lightbar above the grill, much like the rest of the range.

2021 Volkswagen Golf R: Interior

Internally the cabin carries through a very Tech-focused design language, with many physical buttons being replaced with touchpads – like for the 10-inch touchscreen infotainment and climate control system. VW’s Digital Cockpit and virtual instrument cluster is adopted and focused on new, technologically integrated driving experiences.

2021 Volkswagen Golf R: Engine and performance

ENOUGH waffling on about seats and R logos, most of your perusing this are mainly reading this for this bit here, and I’ll gladly report the Golf doesn’t disappoint. Powered by the latest version of the EA888 Engine, in its EVO 4 Form, the Golf R produces an impressive 235kWs and 420Nm from a low 2,100 rpm to 5,350 creating a rather significate Torque plateau and not so much a curve but should prove to be interesting on the fly. Drive is to All-Fours through the now instead established Haldex based 4-Motion AWD System with a new rear differential. Extensive revisions mean the System can now move power up to a 100% Split, even on the rear axle dependant on grip levels. The option of either a Six-Speed Manual and 7-Speed DSG is available, but the likely South African Spec will result in DSG preference for us given our desire for the signature VRRRPA effects DSG creates. A dedicated “Drift” mode is now available and means the Golf can make some skids, in theory, but like most of these System is better sampled in the world. The standard VW drive modes, Comfort, Sport and Individual make up the rest of the traditional driver modes.  

The Brakes and stoppage are handled by a set 358mm brakes, with a dual-piston aluminium calliper set that is 600grams lighter and dissipates heat 60percent better than on the previous model.

2021 Volkswagen Golf R: Price in South Africa 

The Covid-19 Pandemic and the production of vehicles by VW have been adversely affected, the launch of the Golf 8 and Golf 8 Gti has been delayed. The typical, one year term around for the R would mean the Golf 8 R would reach South Africa in Early 2022, given the very imminent launch of the Mk8 coming at the brink of 2021. Pricing is still unknown, and with such a shacky Rand Exchange rate, one can only speculate but expect a Sub 800k Pricetag- a lot of money given the other Germans’ rapidness.