Volkswagen fans who thought that the Golf R just didn’t have enough grunt can rest easy, as the Wolfsburg-based automaker has answered your calls with the new Golf 8.5 R – the most powerful version of the performance car to date.
As its designation suggests, the 8.5 is a mid-life update to the eighth-generation hot hatch that pushes its limits even further as a halo product.
Pushing it to the limit
As a reminder, the current R models are equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which produces an already substantial 235kW and 400Nm.
The update has added a small but appreciable 10kW and 20Nm to the package, giving it a total of 245kW and 420Nm.
That’s enough to shave 0.2 seconds off its 0-100km/h time, as the hot hatch now makes the sprint in 4.6 seconds when using launch control for the best possible start.
All of this thrust is transmitted to the tarmac via a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox and the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.
The top speed is capped at 250km/h, though customers can raise the limit to 270km/h with the optional R-Performance package.
VW Golf R 8 (left) vs VW Golf 8.5 R (right).
The upgrade isn’t just limited to the powertrain either, as the facelift has given the Golf a handful of cosmetic changes that supply a more aggressive persona.
At the front, the LED headlights are slimmer, the VW badge is now illuminated, and the front bumper is bigger with more prominent air intakes.
The side mirrors have chrome caps, and the new 19-inch “Warmenau” forged alloy rims are 8kg lighter and provide better brake cooling.
The changes at the back are more subtle, as it retains the same taillight shape, but the smaller LED clusters appear to have been replaced with larger three-dot strips.
The rear diffuser has been reworked, and the four-pipe exhaust system has been further developed for even better acoustic feedback.
Customers can also install IQ. Light Matrix LED headlights, 3D taillights, and an Akrapovič titanium exhaust at an additional cost.
The interior received attention, too, as the dashboard now features a 12.9-inch infotainment screen – the largest display VW offers.
The system provides an improved user interface with illuminated touch sliders for the climate control, and there is a ChatGPT-based AI voice assistant.
For the driver’s display, the Digital Cockpit Pro clocks in at 10 inches and can be customized with a new Sport appearance with a central rev counter.
Once again, the standard Sports seats can be optionally wrapped in Nappa leather with R logos instead of Alcantara, and the cabin features carbon-look elements with blue accents.
Anyone who grabs the R-Performance package will have two additional driving modes – Drift and Special – the latter of which is adapted to the conditions of the Nürburgring.
The package also adds a GPS lap timer and a G-force meter to the digital cockpit.
Finally, there is an exclusive new Black Edition model, which adds darker badges and logos, black brake calipers, black 19-inch “Estoril” alloys, darkened Matrix headlights, and the R-Performance package as standard.
Pre-sales for the new VW Golf 8.5 R open in Germany on 3 July, but the carmaker has yet to announce when it will go on sale in other countries.
As a point of reference, the current Golf R retails for R957,800 in South Africa, so expect a window sticker of around R1 million when the 8.5 makes its way here.
VW Golf 8.5 R
VW Golf R 8.5 Black Edition
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