Having premiered the facelifted Golf lineup last week, including the GTI front-wheel drive hot hatch, Volkswagen has now turned its attention to the upcoming Golf R. The range-topping member of the family is due later this year, and in the meantime, it proved its mettle during an official event.
Surrounded by a sea of Golfs from the brand's past, including the 2002 R32, the original GTI, and a few Golf-based rally cars, the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R was put to the test at the Ice Race in Zell am See, Austria, and pushing them were pro racer Hans-Joachim Stuck and Johan Kristoffersson who is a six-time WRC champ.
"I love driving a powerful all-wheel drive on ice and snow – especially if it's an R model," said Kristoffersson. "It was great fun to sit in the brand-new (facelifted) Golf for the first time. I can only say that even though the Golf R has not yet been revealed, there is a true sports car under the camouflage that fans of the R brand can already look forward to."
Speaking of the camouflage, the 2025 Golf R prototypes put to the test recently featured a unique pattern mixing multiple shades of blue and decorated with the R letter here and there. Once the fake skin comes off, it will reveal changes similar to the lesser models. This means new headlights and taillights, different bumpers at both ends and a few other bits and bobs that will separate it from the outgoing model. Moreover, Volkswagen might also update the color palette and wheels, though this hasn't been confirmed yet.
It will also feature a few novelties on the inside, where the standard VW Golf Mk 8.5 comes with a new infotainment system that has a 10.4-inch display, upgradable to a 12.9-inch unit on the upper specs. The infotainment is said to bring fresh menus, better graphics, and a ChatGPT voice assistant on the versions sold on the right side of the pond. You can also look for a new steering wheel and an updated center console, with the German company perhaps wrapping it up with new upholstery and trim.
Volkswagen hasn't mentioned the engine at all, but it will be the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit from the current car. It is unknown yet whether it has been updated in any form, yet it could bring a bit more power to the table. After all, the 2025 Golf GTI has 20 hp (20 ps/15 kW) more than before, with the output standing at 261 hp (265 ps/195 kW). The current Golf R enjoys 315 hp (320 ps/235 kW) and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque, delivered to the front-biased all-wheel drive system via a 7sp DSG.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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