Volkswagen’s hot hatch benchmark gets even faster

A special version of this turbocharged favourite promises to be the quickest car ever offered by its brand – and it’s coming to Australia.

Volkswagen’s latest Golf R is an impressive machine, loaded with a turbo engine, all-wheel-drive and clever technology to make it an affordable performance car favourite.

It just got even better.

A special anniversary edition of the Golf R is on the way to Australia with a handful of tasty upgrades.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years set a record for VW Golf models on the ‘ring.

Powered by an upgraded version of VW’s 2.0-litre turbo engine with 245kW and 420Nm – 10kW more than the standard car – the 20th Anniversary edition benefits from a reprogrammed engine management computer that delivers sharper acceleration and more immediate throttle response. A reprogrammed DSG automatic transmission is said to offer more satisfying shifts.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years celebrates two decades since the release of the original Volkswagen Golf R32.

Other upgrades include special alloy wheels and an Akrapovic sports exhaust that should deliver a throatier bark.

VW says the special Golf R laps Germany’s Nurburgring circuit four seconds faster than the standard car, recording an impressive 7m47s lap of the imposing circuit.

The Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years is capable of reaching a 270km/h top speed.

That’s two seconds quicker than a stripped-out, two-seat special edition version of the previous-generation Golf GTI, and about 15 seconds quicker than the latest Golf GTI clubsport that is not sold in Australia.

Back in the real world, you can expect the Golf R 20th Anniversary to reach 100km/h in 4.6 seconds.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years is capable of impressive performance.

Volkswagen Australia has not released local prices or an exact arrival date for the machine. But you can expect it to reach showrooms in late 2022, priced upstream of the standard Golf R’s asking price of $65,990 plus on-road costs.