IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE, but the pulse-quickening Volkswagen Golf R32, the quickest VW produced until then, was launched 20 years ago.
To mark the anniversary, Volkswagen’s special edition Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years arrives to again reset the benchmark as the most powerful, fastest Golf ever.
The Golf R 20 Years will be on-sale on July 13, with 50 units coming to Australia at $77,490 (plus on road costs), offering significant design and engineering enhancements over the series production Golf R. (For the record, the R32 was $63,000 in 2003, and the first press car in which I was pinged for speeding. Ed.)
The hottest and fastest Golf ever includes an Akrapovic titanium exhaust, power and torque upgrades with more aggressive sound and enhanced turbocharger performance, a sharper-shifting transmission, real carbon décor inserts, exclusive exterior styling – plus all Golf R options ‘ticked’ including premium paint, panoramic sunroof and Harman/Kardon premium audio.
Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles director Michal Szaniecki said the Golf R 20 Years is a fitting tribute to two decades and five generations of ultimate Golfs.
“The original Mark 4 and Mark 5 Volkswagen Golf R32 introduced the pioneering DSG and were renowned for their sonorous acoustics and compact agility,” Mr Szaniecki said.
“As our flagship hot hatchback evolved to become the Mark 6 and Mark 7 Golf R they led the segment for all-wheel drive traction and performance at a time when rally-bred sedan rivals departed the segment or simply didn’t evolve.
“Now, the Mark 8 Golf R moves onto another level with its torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system fused with incredible technology. It is fitting that this 20 Years special edition is about both enhanced styling, more power and torque, sharper responses from the transmission and an even more expressive sound.”
Every Golf R 20 Years for Australia includes a panoramic sunroof (valued at $1900) and Harman/Kardon premium audio system ($1000), which adds to a special exhaust system valued at $6000 – totalling $8900 in value (all figures are Volkswagen’s).
The Akrapovic titanium exhaust is offered for the first time on Mk8 R locally. The exhaust enhances the motorsport feeling of this flagship Volkswagen hot hatchback by raising acoustic feedback with additional ‘pops’ and ‘bangs’ even low in the rev range.
The remaining $1600 in extra value (over the $8900 above) represents significant engine and transmission performance upgrades, and exclusive exterior and interior design details – including real carbon décor inlays.
The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with petrol particulate filter (PPF) now produces 245kW (up 10kW) and 420Nm (up 20Nm) for zero to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds, the fastest time of any Golf ever sold in Australia.
Following a longer 1.5-second press of the starter button, engine idle speed is raised to 2500rpm. The engine also now delivers a more aggressive sound overall, particularly from 4000rpm.
Turbocharger ‘pre-loading’ is a new feature where turbo speed is maintained while driving in the part-load range (for example, country driving at constant speed). This delivers faster power development for subsequent acceleration, faster build-up of engine torque after releasing the accelerator and then accelerating again, and in the Race profile an open throttle valve in overrun phases.
Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) optimisation now includes a noticeable shifting jolt between first and seventh gears when shifting up by pressing the right-hand paddle. This is active in manual mode of gear selector positions S and S+.
Exclusive styling elements include 19-inch Estoril alloy wheels painted in black with Lapiz Blue exterior paint, or black and blue with the single other exterior colour alternative – Pure White.
Likewise, the door mirrors are painted in deep black (with Lapiz Blue) or Lapiz Blue (with Pure White). A ’20 Years’ badge adorns each B-pillar, and forms a projection light from mirrors.
Inside the Golf R 20 Years exclusively features real carbon décor inserts across the dashboard and doors.
The Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years – now sold out globally – will be available to order exclusively online at volkswagen.com.au from July 13 and then delivered through Volkswagen dealerships.
A total of 32 Lapiz Blue Premium Metallic and 18 Pure White examples will be offered.
Additional Value in Golf R 20 Years vs Golf R:
Akrapovic exhaust – $6000
Panoramic sunroof – $1900
Engine and transmission upgrades, and exclusive design – $1600
Harman/Kardon premium audio system – $1000
RRP difference:
Golf R hatchback – $66,990 (until June 30)/$68,990 (from July 1)
Golf R 20 Years hatchback – $77,490
20 years of Volkswagen R in Australia
2002 saw the global introduction of the Mk4 Golf R32 – the “R” in Golf R standing for the German word “rennen”, or “racing”.
With its 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine generating 177kW, it was the most powerful Golf to that point. Equipped with all-wheel drive it raced to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds. From mid-2003, it was the first Volkswagen available with a DSG. A limited 200 vehicle release of the 3-door R32 was made for Australia.
The 2006 Mk5 Golf R32 raised the game with a 184kW 3.2-litre V6 as a completely new design and engineering development replacing the Mk4. Retaining trademark all-wheel drive, it pioneered high-drama centrally located exhaust pipes and introduced three- or five-door hatchback availability.
The 2010 Mk6 Golf R dropped the ’32’ and gained a 188kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine as the new breed of potent and efficient ‘TSI’ engines. It quickly added 50 percent to the sales totals of the preceding generation – locally, Volkswagen sold 195 Mk4 R32s, 2,041 Mk5 R32s and 3276 Mk6 Rs.
The best for the Golf R was yet to come.
From 2014 the totally new, MQB-platform Mk7 and Mk7.5 Golf R surged to a high of 213kW from its 2.0L TSI, joining a quicker-acting 4MOTION system to deliver a new dynamic standard in the face of waning Japanese all-wheel drive competition. It struck a chord with Australian customers – selling 13,864 examples within eight years.
The Mark 8 Golf R would again, in 2022, be hailed as a radical redevelopment of the all-wheel drive class leader. Now with a 235kW 2.0L TSI and a totally new torque vectoring 4MOTION that can send 100 percent of rear-wheel torque to either the left or right side, it was joined by a new Drift Mode.
To the first quarter of 2023, a total 19,833 Golf R32 and R hatchbacks and wagons (Mk7/7.5/8 only) have been sold in Australia across 20 years, meaning this year the flagship Golf success story will move beyond 20,000 in Australia.