- VW published a new video teaser showing the facelifted Golf R flagship in hatchback and wagon bodystyles.
- The mid-lifecycle update brings sharper styling, new technology inside, and possibly improved performance.
- The VW Golf R Variant will most likely be exclusively available in Europe and the UK.
Volkswagen is ready to unveil the facelifted Golf GTI Clubsport, but there’s another hot hatch member of the lineup coming soon, with even more power and greater capabilities. The Golf R appeared in another official teaser, proving that both the hatchback and the wagon (Variant) bodystyles will benefit from the MK8.5 mid-lifecycle update.
The “near-production” prototypes of the Golf R and Golf R Variant are dressed in a blue-themed camouflage wrap, similar to the one in the previous teaser from a few months ago. However, this time VW peeled off a few bits of the camo, revealing more of the updated design.
More: VW To Drop GTX Badge, Make GTI And R EVs Instead
Changes include the revised LED headlights and taillights and the tweaked bumpers, making the hot hatch look sharper than before. The interior will also be upgraded with a new 12.9-inch infotainment, illuminated sliders, and physical buttons on the steering wheel just like in the other facelifted Golfs.
The same treatment will be applied to the Golf R Variant which is expected to be exclusively available in Europe and the UK. The fast wagon was never offered in North America, while the Australian arm of Volkswagen has confirmed its discontinuation from the market.
The video was shared by Volkswagen R, which has become a sub-brand of its own for flagship performance models. Unlike the front-wheel-drive-only GTI, R versions boast enhanced power and all-wheel-drive capability, allowing the Golf to unleash its full potential.
The outgoing Golf R was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI four-cylinder powertrain, producing 316 hp (235 kW / 320 PS) in standard form, or up to 329 hp (245 kW / 333 PS) in the “20 Years” and “333” special editions. It remains to be seen if the facelifted version will bring any performance gains, getting closer to hyper hatches like the Audi RS3 Sportback and the Mercedes-AMG A45.
The powertrain will most likely be exclusively mated to the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, without the six-speed manual option that was previously reserved for North America. After all, the same happened to the facelifted Golf GTI that debuted a few months ago. Besides the extra grunt, the Golf R gets a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, resulting in greater performance.
VW hasn’t specified a date for the debut of the updated Golf R, but judging from the new teaser, it should be just around the corner. Worth noting is that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Golf, adding significance to the model’s latest iteration.
The 2025 VW Golf R Variant in an AI-enhanced screenshot from the video.
