The Volkswagen Golf Mk8 R is a high-performance variant of the eighth-generation Golf hatchback. It was unveiled in June 2019 and went on sale in various markets, including Europe and North America, starting from late 2020.
Engine and Performance:
- The Golf Mk8 R is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine (EA888) producing 315 horsepower (233 kW) at 5,200 rpm and 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) of torque between 2,000 and 6,000 rpm.
- The engine is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG), with Volkswagen's "R" mode that adjusts the gearbox mapping for more aggressive shifting.
- The car features an electronic limited-slip differential (e-diff) as standard, providing improved traction and stability under hard acceleration.
Chassis and Suspension:
- The Golf Mk8 R rides on a lowered suspension setup by 11mm at the front and 9mm at the rear compared to the regular Golf GTI.
- It features larger brakes with ventilated front discs (340mm) and single-piston calipers, along with firmer stabilizer bars for improved handling.
Design and Features:
- The exterior design includes a distinctive honeycomb grille, side skirts, and a rear diffuser that integrates into the rear bumper.
- Interior changes include a unique dashboard trim, sports seats with red stitching, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and carbon fiber accents on certain trim levels (e.g., GT).
- Standard features across various trims may include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, an 8.25-inch digital cockpit display, and an infotainment system that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Dimensions and Capacity:
- The Golf Mk8 R is slightly shorter (4,254mm) than its predecessor but wider (1,799mm) and has a lower roofline (1,521mm).
- It offers a moderate boot capacity of 341 liters behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,294 liters with the rear bench folded.
Drive Modes:
- Three drive modes are available:
- Normal mode for everyday driving
- Sport mode that sharpens throttle response and adjusts steering effort
- "R" mode which, aside from tweaking engine behavior, also adjusts gear shifts to be quicker and more aggressive
Trim Levels:
The Golf Mk8 R was offered in several trim levels across different markets. These often included a base model with fewer features, higher-spec trims like the GT (which included upgrades like 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a panoramic sunroof), and an even higher specification for countries or regions where such a variant was deemed necessary.
Safety Features:
- The Golf Mk8 R comes equipped with various advanced safety features, including:
- Front, side, curtain airbags
- Electronic stability control (ESC)
- Hill Start Assistant
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane departure warning and assistance systems
- Automatic emergency braking
Fuel Efficiency:
- The Golf Mk8 R's fuel efficiency varies by market but generally falls within the range of:
- 6.5 to 7.3 liters per 100km (35-31 mpg) in urban driving conditions
- 4.9 to 5.5 liters per 100km (47-43 mpg) on extra-urban roads
Price and Availability:
The Golf Mk8 R was initially launched with a starting price close to €41,000 in some European markets, though prices varied depending on the trim level, additional features, and local taxes.
It's worth noting that specific details about availability, pricing, and standard equipment might have differed across various regions or countries.
