Mysterious VW Golf R Spotted With Canards, Is A High-Performance Variant In The Works?

The Volkswagen Golf R is the definitive hot hatch, but it appears the company could be working on an even more extreme variant.

Little is known about the model, but spy photographers recently snapped a mysterious prototype apparently based on the Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition.

While there isn’t much to see, the prototype is notable for featuring canards. This suggests the company is testing a new track pack or high-performance variant, but the jury’s still out at this point.

Also Watch: 2023 Golf R 20 Years Edition Becomes Fastest R-Branded Volkswagen To Lap The Nurburgring

Spy photographers reached out to their sources and they would only confirm the automaker was testing a “special” car. However, since Volkswagen was testing a handful of other R models – including an Arteon R and another Golf R – there’s no guarantee this is the special model, although it seems likely.

That isn’t much to go on, but the 2023 Golf R starts at $44,290 and features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 315 hp (235 kW / 319 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. It can be paired to either a six-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG transmission, which send power to an all-wheel drive system.

While the prototype’s purpose remains a mystery, Volkswagen recently started testing a facelifted Golf. Early prototypes haven’t shown many changes, but the model is slated to adopt a freestanding infotainment system that echoes the one found on the ID.4, ID.5, and ID.Buzz.