How Does 444 HP Sound For Your VW Golf R Mk7?

The Mercedes-AMG A45 S hunting season has officially opened, and cleaning its rifle is Manhart’s tuned Volkswagen Golf R.

Dubbed the RS 450, it retains the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, albeit with several upgrades that have made it way more powerful than the standard offering.

In the pre-WLTP era of the Golf R Mk7, the four-pot used to kick out 310 PS (306 HP / 228 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. Now, with Manhart’s kit, the numbers have been pumped to 450 PS (444 HP / 391 kW) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft). That’s the result of the new larger turbocharger, carbon intake and ECU remap.

The A45 S, which is the official compact hot hatch king, has 421 PS (415 HP / 310 kW) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) produced by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo, for a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) of 3.9 seconds and a 270 km/h (168 mph) top speed.

The German tuner did not publish any performance numbers for the Golf RS 450, but the car does feature a slew of other upgrades. These include a new exhaust system that’s only available for markets outside Germany, as it lacks the TUV approval, H&R lowering springs with custom setup, Rieger front spoiler, decal set and in-house Concave One 19-inch wheels, with a diamond polished look, wrapped in 235/35 tires, are all included.

Upon request, Manhart can further tune your Golf R by adding beefier brakes and interior updates. As for how much it costs, you will have to reach out to the tuner directly. Otherwise, if you’re into the new-gen Golf, you may want to wait a few more months for the latest R to break cover, although it will be less powerful than this tuned example, with the 2.0L TFSI expected to produce 333 PS (328 HP / 245 kW).