It is said to be significantly different from the regular Golf R.
Volkswagen has been playing with the idea for a spicy golf R for many years. It introduced the R400 concept in 2015. Although rumors suggest that a high-performance model is still in the works, a report by Australian magazine states it won’t happen until at most 2023. Although the model has not been approved, the company has shown a sketch of the design, which allegedly proposes significant styling changes to the regular Golf R.
The engine is what many outlets suggest will be called the Golf R Plus, or simply R+. This is the biggest mystery. VW apparently refused to share its inline-five engine, so may have to boost its four-pot to produce as much as 402 horsepower (390 kilowatts), as the report suggests. This output would be a significant increase over the standard Golf R which will have almost 330 horsepower (245 kW), according to a internal video.
does not rule out the possibility of a hybrid Golf R+. The combustion engine sends its power to the front wheels while the electric motor pushes the rear axle. This may sound crazy, but VW actually used this recipe to create the GTI First Decade concept in 2017. It produced nearly 410 horsepower (305 kW). This one-off produced a remarkable output. However, it was also interesting because it allowed the hot-hat to be driven in either front- or back-wheel drive depending on whether or not the ICE was active. You could also use the combined power of both to drive it in AWD.
Although it sounds intriguing, adding an electric motor to a Golf R hybrid would increase weight and make it difficult to handle. The 2017 concept’s configuration would eliminate the need to have a differential or driveshaft. The electric motor’s instant torque would be a significant benefit. This would make electrification a viable option.
To make sense, a Plus version would have to be priced below the Audi RS3 Sportback in order to avoid cannibalization. According to the rumored best case scenario, the 2023 launch of the car might not be possible. This would mean that it would be based upon Wolfsburg’s compact hatchback.
This wouldn’t be VW’s first hybrid R model, as the Touareg R boasts 456 horsepower from a 3.0-liter V6 gasoline motor that works in conjunction with an electric motor.