Volkswagen has just unveiled the latest version of its famous hatchback, the Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5, and the company is now teasing the Volkswagen Golf R – the hottest version of the hatch. Shown in camouflage for now, the Golf R is seen participating in an ice race in Zell am See.
Upon its unveiling last week, the Golf was already shown in its eHybrid, GTE, and GTI iterations. The Golf R will continue to be an all-wheel drive performance offering (thus the participation in the ice race) and will be making its world premiere in the middle of 2024.
Though camouflaged, we do get to see the exclusive bumper design of the upcoming Volkswagen Golf R. The new R’s front bumper appears to have a more aggressive air intake with a sharper overall design. The headlights also appear to have a little bit of camouflage that is perhaps hiding some R-exclusive details for this variant.
The wheels on the camouflaged Golf R appear to be the same one found on the Mk8 Golf R, although we may see a new design upon its full unveil in the middle of the year. No images of the rear end of the upcoming Golf R were shared in the latest release. Changes to the Golf, in general, can also be expected on the upcoming Volkswagen Golf R.
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The traditional ice race that the camouflaged Golf R participated in, was, according to Volkswagen, “the ideal place to celebrate the past, present and future of the sporty Golf variants”. Racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck and six-time World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson showcased various Volkswagen vehicles in true style by driving at the limits.
The cars included the Golf I GTI, which celebrated its premiere in 1975, and the Golf IV R32 from 2002, the forerunner of all performance variants bearing the R brand logo. Volkswagen also presented other historic exhibition vehicles: a rally version of the Golf I GTI and two rally versions of the Golf II.
Volkswagen R head, Reinhold Ivenz said, “Volkswagen R is Volkswagen’s premium performance brand and has stood for sportiness and dynamic performance for more than 20 years. Here at the Ice Race, the past meets the future. We can hardly wait for the Golf R, still disguised here, to celebrate its premiere this summer.”
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