news

2022 Volkswagen Golf R could get 245kW ‘Plus’ flagship

The new-generation 2022 Volkswagen Golf R could soon be in line for an additional 10kW power boost.


A section in the new Volkswagen Golf's British owners' manual – shared across the entire range, from base to performance R models – lists 'technical data' for all engines offered with the small car, from the entry-level 66kW 1.0-litre three-cylinder sold in Europe, to the 235kW 2.0-litre turbo-four used by the new Golf R hot hatch revealed in November 2020.

Listed alongside the 235kW 2.0-litre is a 245kW version of the same engine, producing an identical 420Nm of torque – a tune never seen before within the Volkswagen line-up, leading to speculation an even higher-performance R 'Plus' hot hatch halo could be in the works.

Previous rumours have indicated a potential Golf R Plus could either feature sister brand Audi's 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder, or a hybridised version of the standard R's 2.0-litre four-cylinder developing up to 300kW.

However, both powertrains would likely cannibalise sales of Audi's 294kW five-cylinder RS3 Sportback hot hatch, given the Volkswagen's inevitable lower starting price.

The same can't be said of a 245kW tune of the existing 2.0-litre mill, which would still fall around 50kW of short of the Golf R's Audi sibling, making it unlikely to steal sales – assuming the new-generation RS3, due to be unveiled by the end of 2021, doesn't receive a power bump.

Supporting the 245kW Plus rumour is a leaked slideshow published online in January 2020 – nine months prior to the 'standard' R's debut – indicated the Mk8 Golf R would produce 245kW. While the production car was officially revealed with 235kW, the slide's existence strongly suggests a punchier model is in development.

An alternate theory suggests the more powerful tune could be offered in non-European markets with less restrictive emissions regulations – however, the 245kW engine's inclusion in the British and German owners' manuals confirms the hi-po tune will be offered on the continent, quashing such rumours.

It's unclear whether a high-performance Golf R Plus flagship would make its way to Australia, with a Volkswagen Australia spokesperson confirming to Drive following the standard Golf R's unveiling in November 2020 it was "too soon" to discuss which engine tune(s) would come to Australia.

However, the spokesperson added the brand's local arm's intention remains to "offer the most powerful Golf R available." We'd wager both models would be offered in time, given Australia's thirst for performance cars and status as one of Volkswagen R's biggest markets, despite our small overall size.

The 'regular' 2022 Volkswagen Golf R will go on sale in Australia in 2022, alongside an expanded range including the Tiguan R and T-Roc R turbocharged performance SUVs.

Hat tip to YouTube user Volkswizard for first discovering the 245kW listing.

MORE:Volkswagen Showroom
MORE:Volkswagen News
MORE:Volkswagen Reviews
MORE:Volkswagen Golf Showroom
MORE:Volkswagen Golf News
MORE:Volkswagen Golf Reviews
MORE:Search Used Volkswagen Golf Cars for Sale
MORE:Search Used Volkswagen Cars for Sale
MORE:Volkswagen Showroom
MORE:Volkswagen News
MORE:Volkswagen Reviews
MORE:Volkswagen Golf Showroom
MORE:Volkswagen Golf News
MORE:Volkswagen Golf Reviews
MORE:Search Used Volkswagen Golf Cars for Sale
MORE:Search Used Volkswagen Cars for Sale
Alex Misoyannis

Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.

Read more about Alex MisoyannisLinkIcon
Chat with us!







Chat with Agent