That’s it.
Volkswagen has not stopped expanding the Golf Mk8 range. This is arguably the best version yet. The long-roof golf R combines the performance of the R model with the practicality and utility of the Estate/Wagon/Variant, or whatever VW calls them depending on where they are located. Surprisingly, Wolfsburg’s peeps didn’t bother to cover the prototype, except for the R badge that was mounted under the VW logo at the tailgate.
The vehicle tested was equipped with an optional Akrapovic For an additional EUR3,800 (or $4,600), you can get an exhaust system with quad titanium tips in Germany. The configurator won’t include roof-mounted auxiliary lighting as these are only used in testing during the dark winters of northern Europe.
Technical specifications for the wagon are already known, as it will feature the same 2.0-TSI engine as the Golf R hatchback. The turbocharged four cylinder produces 315 horsepower (235kilowatts) as well as 420 Newton-meters (312 pound-feet), allowing the most powerful Golf to reach 62 mph (100 km/h). This can be achieved from a standstill in just 4.7 seconds. The maximum speed electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h) but if you opt for the R-Performance package (EUR2,265/$2,700), VW will lower the limiter and allow the Golf R reach 168 mph (297 km/h).
The AWD-only wagon will maintain these performance numbers. However, it will run a little slower because it has to carry a bit more weight. A Variant wagon will offer more cargo space than the standard hatchback, which will offset the slight drop in performance.
The Golf R Variant could be revealed in the next few weeks, with VW having taken off almost all the camouflage. The hatchback starts at EUR49,260 in Germany, but the Golf R Variant will command a higher price. We don’t know if another faster Golf wagon is on the horizon, considering that the previous-generation Golf GTD had a long roof with a powerful diesel engine.