The New 2022 Volkswagen Golf R: What You Need to Know

Volkswagen unveiled the new 2022 Golf R, a more powerful version of its halo sports car. Here’s everything you need to know.

By Tyler Duffy

Published November 3, 2020

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Updated October 19, 2022

Volkswagen just unveiled the new Golf R, which will arrive in the second half of 2021 for the 2022 model year. It’s the more powerful of the two Mk8 Golf versions coming to the American market (the base model won’t make it over due to poor sales). The other is the new Golf GTI.

The Golf R is not the quickest or most powerful sports car on the road. But it has been a perennial drivers’ favorite. Here’s what you need to know about the new one.

The new Golf R is more powerful

Volkswagen gave the new Golf R a significant power boost over its predecessor. The latest version puts out 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque from the EA888 turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. Those are bumps of +27 hp and +30 lb-ft over the 2019 version. The Golf R will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds and reach 155 mph.

The new Golf R will have a manual transmission

A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the new Golf R. VW’s seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission is an option and will deliver you a faster time around the Nürburgring if you bring it there.

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The new Golf R should handle better

VW included a North American-exclusive performance 4Motion all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring for the Golf R. The rear differential can send up to 100 percent of torque to the outside wheel, making the Golf R more agile in corners. It also has an intelligent Vehicle Dynamics Manager that integrates multiple systems for optimal traction and performance and can adapt the individual wheel damping up to 200 times per second.

It will have “Special” and “Drift” driving modes

VW gave the Golf R two fancy drive modes in addition to the standard Comfort, Sport, Race, Individual allotment. Like the GTI Clubsport, the Golf R has a “Special” mode that tailors the driving setup specifically for the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring, including unique tuning and downshifting for corners and softer dampers to account for the undulations. The Golf R also has a drift mode, which is supposed to be for track use only.

The new Golf R will come in three colors

VW will offer the Golf R in three colors: Lapiz Blue Metallic, Pure White, or Deep Black Pearl Effect. Other distinctive visual features include a blue LED crossbar, a new front bumper with a motorsport-style splitter, a new rear bumper with a diffuser, unique side skirts, blue brake calipers and matte chrome mirror caps.