2022 Volkswagen Golf R price cut by $1000, as premium audio deleted

The starting prices of the upcoming 2022 Volkswagen Golf R hatch and wagon have decreased by $1000, as semiconductor shortage pressures see the German car maker revert a previously-standard feature to the options list – for now.

Due in Volkswagen showrooms from April onwards, the new 'Mk8' Golf R hatch will now be priced from $65,990 before on-road costs, and the wagon at $68,990 before on-road costs – $1000 less than the prices announced last month, though still $10,000 and $11,000 more respectively than the cars they replace.

To account for the price reduction, Volkswagen Australia has removed the standard-fit nine-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system – replacing it with an unbranded seven-speaker unit – and reverted it to the options list, where it's available for an extra $1000 (opting for which would return the car to its original price).

Volkswagen Australia says the move has been made to ensure cars arrive in showrooms on schedule – as semiconductor shortage pressures will see the Harman Kardon sound system "[temporarily] unavailable" for "several months", which would otherwise delay customer deliveries.

It's worth noting a number of Australian Golf Rs have already been produced with the Harman Kardon system, at the full $66,990/$69,990 prices announced in December.

Cars built in the future – until the Harman Kardon system becomes available again – will be sold as standard without the premium sound system, at the lower $65,990 and $68,990 before on-road costs prices for hatch and wagon body styles.

Buyers that tick the option box for the Harman Kardon premium sound system – during the period that it's not standard – are likely to face a longer wait time for their car, until the audio system becomes available for production again.

"[Volkswagen Group Australia] last week learned that the temporary unavailability of the standard Harman Kardon sound systems due to the global semi-conductor shortage could effectively freeze production by several months," the company said in a statement.

"While a number of Australia allocated Golf Rs have already been produced with Harman Kardon, and will be again after the present hiatus, VGA has reduced the recommended retail price of the Golf R hatchback and Wagon by $1000 by making this sound system one of only two Golf R options," Volkswagen continued.

Brand Director of Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles, Michal Szaniecki, added: "Initially both versions of the Golf R will be offered at the revised RRP without Harmon Kardon, and with this sound system at $66,990 for the hatchback and $69,990 for the Wagon. This and the choice of a sunroof are the only two options on the Mark 8 Golf R."

The Harman Kardon sound system's switch from standard to optional in the Golf R follows the engine detune announced for the Golf R hatch and Tiguan R SUV last month, which will receive lesser 235kW/400Nm versions of their 2.0-litre turbo engines, in order to prevent possible delays of nearly a year. Click here to read the full story.

The nine-speaker Harman Kardon set-up in the new-generation Golf has been no stranger to production constraints, as a lack of semiconductors for the system was the cause of a "slow-down in production of right-hand-drive Golfs" mid-way through 2021.

Volkswagen fans will also note this isn't the first time an upgraded sound system has been offered as an optional extra on a Golf R; the outgoing Mk7.5 model could be optioned with a 400-watt Dynaudio audio system for an extra $1000 across the entirety of its run (2017-2020).

To read Drive's full story on 2022 Volkswagen Golf R price and feature details published in mid-December, click here.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R hatch will arrive in Australian showrooms this April, with steady supply of the wagon slated to arrive by mid-year.