VW Golf R (2024): Facelift debut in the snow

VW Golf R (2024): Facelift debut in the snow

(Motorsport-Total.com/Motor1) – Volkswagen made a sporty and spectacular start to the Golf’s anniversary year at the Ice Race in Zell am See (Austria). The new Golf, which is being launched this year just in time for its 50th birthday, celebrated its public premiere at the traditional motorsport event on ice and snow.

Volkswagen also gave a first look at its sportiest model: the Golf R – camouflaged, with all-wheel drive and unmistakably R. The upcoming top Golf model will celebrate its world premiere in mid-2024.

The traditional Ice Race was the ideal place to celebrate the history, present and future of the sporty Golf variants. Spectacular, a little wild, but absolutely down-to-earth, the course on ice and snow became a big stage. Racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck and six-time rallycross world champion Johan Kristoffersson put various Volkswagen vehicles in the spotlight in show drives at the limit – including the Golf I GTIwhich premiered in 1975, and the Golf IV R32 from 2002 – forefather of all performance variants with the trademark R.

In addition, Volkswagen presented other historic show vehicles: a rally version of the Golf I GTI and two Rally variants of the Golf II.

Reinhold Ivenz, Head of Volkswagen R: “Volkswagen R is Volkswagen’s premium performance brand and has stood for sportiness and dynamism for more than 20 years. Here at the Ice Race, the past meets the future. We can hardly wait for the Golf R, still camouflaged here, to celebrate its premiere this summer.”

The revised Golf 8 was on display in Zell am See in four variants – and not just as an exhibit, but also in full action: In addition to the Golf R, the Golf GTI, the Golf eHybrid and a Golf GTE are also part of the line-up.

Hans-Joachim Stuck: “The Ice Race is a real spectacle. Where others put on snow chains, the real fun begins for us racing drivers.” Stuck is a two-time Le Mans winner, former Formula 1 and sports car driver, and German touring car champion.


Photo gallery: VW Golf R (2024): Facelift debut in the snow

Johan Kristoffersson: “I love driving a powerful all-wheel drive vehicle on ice and snow – especially when it’s an R model.” The Swede celebrated five of his six Rallycross World Championship titles with Volkswagen. He reveals: “It was great fun to sit in the brand new Golf for the first time. All I can say is: Even if the Golf R hasn’t shown itself yet, there’s a real sports car under the camouflage that fans of the R brand can look forward to.”

Speaking of Golf and R: Not much is known about the top Golf yet. The standard version currently produces 320 hp from a 2.0 liter displacement. In summer 2022, the R Performance with 333 hp appeared, and the sold-out in just eight minutes caused a stir. Golf R333 Limited Edition for a whopping 76,410 euros. It’s quite possible that the regular Golf R will get the special horsepower in the future.

With more than 35,000 vehicles produced, 2023 was a record year for Volkswagen R. In total, more than 300,000 R models have been delivered since 2002. Volkswagen R is reorienting itself for the future. “Based on the four pillars of performance, design, innovation and value, the portfolio is to be redesigned step by step with fully electric R models by 2030,” says Wolfsburg.

More R:

VW Arteon R and Arteon Shooting Brake R: The prices

VW Golf R “20 Years” in short test: Royal Blue

Source: German