New VW Golf R 20 Years special edition 23 | 08 | 2022
VOLKSWAGEN HAS RELEASED its fastest R model yet to mark the 20th anniversary of the its first VR6-engined Mk4 Golf R32. The special edition Golf R 20 Years — yup, an ‘inspired’ name — gets more power and a sportier drivetrain calibration than standard. (Related: VW Golf GTI Clubsport 45)
Delivering 328bhp, power comes from a unit which is fundamentally the same as the R-Performance pack-equipped Golf R. That means a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering power to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox. Thankfully VW engineers have squeezed an extra 13bhp out of the unit, which now features a new Emotion Start system that flares the revs to 2,500rpm on startup. (Related: VW Polo GTI on-sale from £26,430)
VW has also recalibrate the engine and gearbox, with the latter delivering more aggressive manual shifts in the sportier driving modes. VW, as yet, hasn’t released any performance figures for the new model, but its fair to expect a marginal improvement over the standard car’s 4.7sec 0-62mph time. (Related: VW ID.5 arrives with 323-mile range)
VW has also fitted the Golf R 20 Years with the R-Performance pack — which includes a torque vectoring rear differential and additional ‘Special’ and ‘Drift’ driving modes — as standard. The new model also gets a set of 19-inch alloys, a ‘20 R’ puddle light when unlocking the car, a unique ‘20’ badge on the B-pillar and a roof spoiler.
As for prices, well I’m afraid we’ll have to wait. But we do now the special edition will be available until the middle of 2023, after it goes on sale this year.
Oh! And just to prove how potent the Golf R 20 Years actually is: in the hands of touring car driver Benjamin Leuchter, it lapped the Nurburgring in 7:47.31 — faster than any other R-badged model. The special edition was in its “Special” driving mode, which optimises the adaptive dampers specifically for the Nurburgring.
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Jim McGill