2022 VW Golf R

‘R’ you ready??

Get set for the most powerful Golf there is! With the choice of manual or a dual-clutch gearbox — and even a drift mode — this hot new hatchback has it all, with the brand giving its core audience of driving enthusiasts what they have come to love and rely on. Not only is the 2022 VW Golf R a speed demon, but it boasts improved handling, more technology and an appearance that is fresh, meaningful and a head turner all in one. R U Ready for this new arrival!? 

Here’s more….

Power packed/performance ready

Not only will this all-new hatchback accelerate to 62 mph in just 4.7 seconds, it will reach a top speed of 155 mph. To put that speed into perspective, the all new Golf R will have the capability to lap German’s legendary Nurburgring racetrack an impressive 17 seconds quicker than its predecessor! This vehicle is not only power packed, it boasts a handling that is agile and quick.

A completely fun driving experience, sharper and more alive than ever before, the all-new Golf R features an electronically locking, torque-vectoring rear differential, updated adaptive dampers and a new Vehicle Dynamics Manager.

Its power is brought forth in a retuned version of VW’s evergreen EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. In addition to 315 horses, this engine expertly delivers 310 pound-feet of torque. Also, thanks to a fully-electronic coolant regulator unit, the engine also features extremely efficient thermal management with a short warm-up phase. The reduction in friction losses helps to reduce fuel consumption!

Overall, this is all out impressive, and the proof of this power and agility is in the driving!

Driving choices

The 2022 VW Golf R is presented with various drive mode settings including Sport, Comfort and Race. Everything is covered with these options, from throttle mapping and shift schedules to steering weight and immediacy, as well as damper tuning, differential locking behavior, gauge cluster layout and even interior and exterior vehicle sound. Two new modes are featured with this generation, and those include Special and Drift. Special replicates the ideal tuning chosen for the Nurburgring. This option displays an outline of the Nordschleife while softening up the dampers and reprogramming the VDM for increased lateral leeway. The Drift mode is a dedicated setting designed for maximum sideways action. This function is not for use on public roads.

With these driving choices and extra power comes additional braking. Thanks to an R-specific master cylinder, proper braking response and feel is delivered. The all-new vehicle also has a tweaked suspension, with other alterations including a multilink setup at back, with repositioned control arms and revised wheel mounts. It also boasts 10 percent firmer springs and stabilizers.

It’s got the look 

When it comes to appearance, the new Golf R looks much like the new GTI. A subtle blue crossbar grille that lights up as an LED strip as soon as the engine starts sits above an R-specific front bumper with integrated splitter and larger air intakes. The vehicle’s profile brings forth satin-silver mirror caps, model-specific 19-inch wheels and blue-painted brake calipers. Behind, a fresh rear spoiler is found as well as a unique rear bumper fascia with twin exhaust outlets bookending a gloss-black diffuser. Because of the new look, lift on both ends is reduced, resulting in better responsiveness and stability, as well as a bit more drag.

The Golf R’s interior boasts a reconfigurable digital gauge cluster and a 10-inch Discover Pro touchscreen infotainment system. Sports seats, which come as standard, are featured in Nappa leather with matching blue stitching. Also standard is a sport wheel which keeps the new haptic-feedback touch controls common to other Mk8 Golf models. The steering wheel is heated and multi-functioning and has been given a specific design, with ergonomically shaped DSG paddles, blue contrast stitching and an R button for direct selection of the various driving modes. Interior equipment is both customized and enhanced in this 2022 model year.

Rounding out the look is faux-carbon trim as well as brushed-finish stainless-steel pedals, both of which come standard. The new Golf R can be configured in three different colors — Lapis Blue Metallic, which is the signature color of the R, Pure White or Deep Pearl Effect.

This car will definitely NOT fly under the radar!

Vehicle Dynamics Manager

With the 2022 model, Volkswagen has introduced a new driving dynamics control system, the Vehicle Dynamics Manager. This intelligent system not only closely integrates the electronic differential locks and cornering performance of the DCC system, but for the first time, the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system during every driving maneuver. This process improves handling by adapting the individuals wheel damping (200 times per second).

This system also enables exact calculation of optimal clutch control for the selective wheel torque control function to further optimize the agility and stability of the Golf R. The Vehicle Dynamics Manager program can also help optimize yaw and load change damping at high speed.

With an improved braking system resulting in precise response, various driving modes and completion of its final tuning at the Nurburgring Nordschleife race track, the new Golf R is pure value at about $42,495 and the most powerful production Golf of all time. See what this latest generation of the brand’s performance halo has to offer. R you Ready?