Volkswagen Golf R+ Rumored With Hybrid Power And Over 400 Horses

The new-gen Golf R might be electrified after all, but it’s for the best, as VW seems to be interested in launching an even more potent version of the all-wheel drive hot hatch.

Possibly dubbed the Golf R+, the car is reportedly 3 to 4 years away, according to WhichCar, if it gets green light for production that is, as a decision is still pending.

If it gets approved, then it might target the fastest hatchbacks in the compact segment, such as the 415 HP Mercedes-AMG A45 S and its rival from Audi, the new RS3 Sportback. The rumored targeted output is in excess of 400 horsepower, but it’s unknown how they are planning to achieve that number.

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One possibility is a heavily tuned version of the 2.0-liter four-pot, although with the stricter emissions regulations, that might not be the best solution. So, electrification might be possible, with an electric motor assisting the turbocharged four pot and taking the juice from a battery pack.

This is a delicate matter, as hybridizing the hot hatch could ruin the driving dynamics, so Volkswagen needs to pay extra attention to the placement of the battery and take the extra weight into account. It’s possible that the electric motor might power the rear axle, while the ICE could run the front wheels.

2021 VW Golf R prototype

The publication reached out to VW’s local arm, which said that they are unaware of such a version of the car, and even if it is in the pipeline, chances are that it would be years away.

Volkswagen has been flirting with the idea of launching an upper spec variant of the Golf R for a few years now, and they even turned to Audi to implement the 2.5-liter five-banger into the car, although that project was reportedly shelved as they didn’t get the four-ring brand’s blessing, apparently.

In the meantime, development of the ‘regular’ Golf R continues, and should end in a few months, as the unveiling date has been reportedly scheduled for this summer. The model will feature the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with around 330 HP being directed to the all-wheel drive system through a dual-clutch automatic transmission.