Following up on the GTI’s debut, we have the updated 2025 Volkswagen Golf R.
While we unfortunately don’t get the standard Golf in North America anymore, we are still at least getting its two hottest versions. After VW premiered the Mk8.5 GTI last week, we’re getting an early look at the similarly styled Golf R hitting the alpine ice in Zell am See, Austria. So, what’s on the menu for the automaker’s flagship hot hatch?
This year is a special occasion for all the Golf fans of the world, as the model is celebrating its 50th anniversary. To that end, we do know that Volkswagen will launch the updated lineup (including the R) by mid-2024, at least in Europe. With the GTI and Golf R specifically, we’ll eventually see a U.S.-market launch, though it’s not entirely clear when that will happen just yet. To generate some more buzz around the blue camo-clad R, Volkswagen also brought a host of new Golfs to the Ice Race and Zell am See, which racing drivers such as six-time World Rallycross Champion John Kristofferson and Hans-Joachim Stuck, former F1 legend, touring car champion and 24 Hours of Le Mans racing driver.
“The Ice Race is a real spectacle,” said Stuck, adding some excitement to the event. “Other driers would be putting on snow chains in these conditions, but for us racing drivers, this is when the fun really starts…you meet true motorsport fans and also many people who otherwise have little contact with motorsport – but go home with a lot of enthusiasm for it.” Kristofferson said there is a “true sports car” under the camouflage, though neither he nor Volkswagen shared any technical details about the new Golf R just yet.
If we extrapolate a bit from the GTI, then the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R may crank out more than its current 315 horsepower from the latest-generation EA888 2.0-liter engine. Mercedes-Benz manages a staggering 416 horsepower from its M139 turbo-four, so perhaps there’s a fair bit of room for VW to push in the new Golf R. Like the GTI, we will sadly have to wave goodbye to the manual transmission. However, the DSG will almost certainly see more comprehensive tweaks, making it even snappier and engaging to the point where perhaps three-pedal faithful won’t miss the third pedal as much.
Since we are losing the manual gearbox, the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R will undoubtedly be more expensive than its forebear. That…kind of sucks, actually, since the Golf R is already an expensive hot hatch: current models MSRP for at least $47,690. Add in the same sort of tweaks as the GTI in terms of performance and technology, like the bigger 12.9-inch infotainment screen, and you may be staring down a $50,000 hole in your budget…for a Golf, remember.
Admittedly, I am a big fan of the Golf R — it’s still the daddy, in my book (not to mention it’s arguably the most grown-up hot hatch). We’ll get some clarity on what’s specifically headed our way later this year, and we’ll see how this next Golf R shakes out as a potential performance buy.
