This Is Why The New 2021 VW Golf R Won’t Feature A Five-Cylinder Turbo Engine

Volkswagen has yet to uncover the new generation Golf R, but as it is understood, the brand’s hottest hatchback will pack the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

The initial plan however was to adopt the 400 PS (394 HP / 294 kW) 2.5-liter five-banger used in Audi Sport’s RS3, RS Q3 and TT RS, and they even tested it out in a few mules that were spied at the Nurburgring almost two years ago. So, why didn’t they move on with it? According to a report from AutoVisie, it was actually Audi who said ‘no’.

Watch Also: Does This VW Golf R Sound Like It Has The Audi RS3’s Five Pot?

The publication revealed that Volkswagen reached out to Audi Sport to use the 2.5L mill, and failed to get their blessing. The Ingolstadt car maker was apparently afraid that the Golf R would cannibalize the RS3 Sportback. On top of that, they do not have the production capacity required for ramping up the assembly of more 2.5-liter engines.

“The Golf R is simply a direct competitor to Audi Sport. We will not let that happen, with the same power source”, an alleged internal told the website a few weeks back. “Manufacturing the five-cylinder engine is very laborious. It is not just manual work. This makes it very hard to increase the volumes”, they added.

As it’s been reported, the 2021 Volkswagen Golf R will use the 2.0-liter four-pot, with 333 PS (328 HP / 245 kW), a DSG automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. The R division’s chief, Jost Capito, said that it will be “a real driving machine” when it breaks cover, probably in a few months.