2021 VW Golf R Could Get A Hotter 328 HP Version, Owner’s Manual Reveals

There have been rumors about Volkswagen prepping a hotter variant of the all-new Golf R, and it seems that the confirmation might have been right in front of us the whole time.

Where was it hidden? Why, in the new Golf Mk8’s British owner’s manual, and VolksWizard shared the engine information on YouTube a couple of days before the 2021 Golf R premiered last November.

Page 347 of the book reveals a more powerful version of the hot hatch, which is listed as having 245 kW (333 PS / 328 HP) and 420 Nm (310 lb-ft). That is 10 kW (14 PS / 13 HP) more than the ‘regular’ Golf R, which has an identical torque, produced by a modified version of the 2.0-liter turbo-four (codenamed DNFF).

Also Check Out: Reviewers Get Their Hands On The All-New Mk8 VW Golf R – What’s Their Verdict?

In all likelihood, the car will be offered with two transmission options in North America, if it launches here, a six-speed manual and a seven-speed DSG. On the other side of the Atlantic, however, if the current Golf R is any indication, it will probably get the dual-clutch ‘box only.

In terms of performance, the extra oomph should help beat the current Golf R’s 4.7-second 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration time, while top speed might be slightly increased over the 155 mph (250 km/h) limit.

The Golf R “Plus” (name unconfirmed) might be due towards the end of the year or in the first half of 2022, and it won’t step on the toes of the upcoming Audi RS3 Sportback, which is expected with 414 HP (420 PS / 309 kW) and up to 444 HP (450 PS / 331 kW) in the rumored ‘Performance Edition’.