Volkswagen unveils 315-horsepower 2022 Golf R

6-speed manual is standard equipment on hot hatch available in later part of 2021

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2022 VW Golf R
2022 Volkswagen Golf R will have dynamic settings including 'Drift' and 'Special,' which was used during testing at the Nurburgring | Volkswagen photos

Volkswagen has unveiled the 2022 Golf R, which not only comes with 315-horsepower and all-wheel drive, but with a 6-speed manual transmission as part of its standard equipment.

With 4Motion all-wheel drive now incorporating torque vectoring and with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, VW says the new Golf R can accelerate to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds. The car goes on sale in the US market in the later part of 2021.

VW said the new Golf R features a world first: “The all-wheel drive is … networked via a Vehicle Dynamics Manager with other running gear systems such the electronic differential locks and the DCC adaptive damping system. Thanks to this close integration of the different systems, the new Golf R offers optimal traction, neutral handling with the utmost level of precision, and maximum agility and driving pleasure.”

The car’s exterior features a front bumper with a motorsports-style splitter and R-specific air intakes. There also is a blue crossbar that lights up when the engine starts and serves as the daytime running light system.

At the rear, a roof spoiler caps the car while the bumper incorporates a diffuser and frames twin sets of tailpipes. 

A sunroof is standard equipment on the new Golf R, which rides on 19-inch summer tires. The car’s stance is nearly an inch lower than other Golfs, and the car has 14.1-inch front brake discs and blue brake calipers peeking through all four wheels.

Buyers will have a paint choice of Lapiz Blue Metallic, Pure White or Deep Black Pearl Effect. The interior has selectable 30-color ambient lighting.

The Golf R features front sport seats covered in Nappa leather and with carbon-look trim and blue accents. The steering wheel is heated and features an “R” button for selecting driving modes, including a “Race” setup and a “Drift” mode. There also is a “Special” mode that sets the car in the configuration used during development testing at the Nurburgring’s Nordschleife.

In addition to the standard 6-speed manual, a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is available.

The 2022 Golf R figures to be a very different creature from the 2020 Golf TSI we drove earlier this year.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Oh, I want this. Give up the summer tires for real winter tires, and bring the snow, boys.
    Since we can’t get a Mitsubishi EVO to smoke those Subies, let’s have this.
    And Harjit, if you can’t tell the difference between a FWD GTi and an AWD Golf R, don’t drive. Go home, put an ice pack on your head, and breathe deep.
    Two entirely different cars, two entirely different markets.
    Oh- I drive an aftermarket built 7.0L LS1 based Holden made ’04 GTO with the Tremec 6spd crunch box all year ’round. Know a little ’bout performance automobiles.
    Whatcha wheelin’, Harjit? Got litres?
    That means- What do you drive? And is it more than 7.0L?
    I think not.
    Ice pack. Deep breathing. You’ll be fine.
    Slow, but fine.
    Deep breaths, that’s the ticket.

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