By Amanda Mfuphi

Volkswagen has revealed the 2022 Golf R and Golf fanatics will be happy to know that this will be the most powerful Golf ever built by Volkswagen to grace the streets. The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 235kW of power (compared to the Golf 7 R’s 228kW) and 420Nm of torque. The 2022 Golf R moves from 0 to 100km/h sprint in just 4.7 seconds and has a top track speed of 250 km/h. Buyers of the 2022 Golf R can choose from either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed DSG transmission.

Exterior

The latest Golf R gets upgraded looks to match its performance. Upfront, the hot hatch gets a new front bumper with a motorsport-inspired splitter, R-specific air intake grilles, and gloss black elements throughout. The 2022 Golf R will come standard with a set of 19-inch alloy wheels and wrapped in summer performance tires. The 2022 Golf R will also ride 20-millimeter lower than the previous model.

Interior

Inside, the cabin gets a tech-forward design which is centered by a 10.0-inch touchscreen and VW’s Digital Cockpit with a virtual instrument cluster. Keeping with the tech-forward design, traditional analog buttons have been replaced by even touchpad controllers on the steering wheel. There is even a special “R” button on the steering wheel for easy access to the Race drive mode. The seats, dash and the steering wheel are adorned by the blue trim pieces and “R” logos, while the Golf R gets optional Nappa leather seating surfaces for the first time.

Engine and performance

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine which produces 235kW of power and 420Nm of torque which is paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed DSG transmission. The 2022 Golf R comes standard with 4Motion all-wheel drive – but this setup is a bit different than in previous generations. Volkswagen touts a new rear differential that distributes power variably between the axles, with the ability to send up to 100 percent of torque to the outside wheel using a dedicated “Drift Mode” feature. The new Drift Mode is one of two special drive modes configurable within Race mode and joins standard drive options like Sport, Comfort, and Individual.

Volkswagen retuned the Golf R’s strut-type front and multi-link rear suspension and gave it a 20-millimeter lower ride height than the previous version. The stiffer springs and new geometry makes the new performance Golf 10 percent stiffer than its predecessor both front and rear, with a one-percent decrease in negative camber and a weight loss of 6.6 pounds thanks to the lightweight aluminum subframe.

Availability and price

The 2022 VW Golf R will go on sale in the US market late next year and is estimated to reach Mzansi in 2021 or early 2022.