New Volkswagen Golf R ’20 Years’ is the most powerful Golf to date



Can you believe it’s been two decades? In celebrating 20 years of the Golf R, Volkswagen has launched the special edition Golf R ’20 Years’. It won’t be limited by numbers but instead, Volkswagen will limit the production run to approximately one year. Prices start from 59,995 euros.

To begin with, there’s more power. Where the standard Golf R makes 320 hp, the ’20 Years’ edition offers 13 more horsepower at 333 hp. 0 to 100 km/h is done in 4.6 seconds, a whisker quicker than the standard Golf R at 4.8 seconds. This effectively makes the Golf R ’20 Years’, not only the most powerful Golf R to date but also the most powerful Golf to date.

That’s not all; this is where it gets quite serious. Its 7-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox has been tuned to shift quicker in S and S+ modes. Its turbocharger is preloaded to keep it spinning at a constant speed for even quicker throttle response.

Also new is the open throttle valve during overruns, which Volkswagen says results in more immediate acceleration with quicker build-up of engine torque when the driver takes their foot off the accelerator and then accelerates again.

“This is accompanied by an especially distinctive drive sound. It heightens the anticipation of a typical R driving experience,” the company said.

Aside from the serious performance upgrades, there are some gimmicks too like the Emotion Start feature. Volkswagen says it will activate an “initial engine speed overshoot up to 2,500 rpm” which basically makes the car rev louder upon start-up – something owners of such a car would expect (and appreciate).

The Golf R ’20 Years’ is also dressed differently as you can tell. The black radiator grille prominently features the blue R-logo, similarly on the fenders, at the rear and inside the car. For even more ‘wow factor’, the “20 R” logo projects onto the ground from the side mirrors in the dark.

Inside, one would be immediately drawn to the carbon fibre trims used on the dashboard and door panels – the first time ever in a Golf.

The new special-edition model Golf R ’20 Years’ with its oldest predecessor, the 2002 Golf IV R32.

Like all Golf models, the Golf R “20 Years” will be produced in the Wolfsburg factory – the home of the Golf – and will hit European and other markets by mid-2022.