(Motorsport-Total.com/Motor1) – More power and a lot of work on the details: Volkswagen is presenting the facelift of the top sports car Golf R, which will also be available as a Variant and as an exclusive special model “Black Line”. We were able to take a look at all the models in advance and even take a seat.

As usual, Volkswagen left it at subtle retouching on the outside so as not to make the predecessor look unnecessarily old. The 2024 models can be recognized above all by the redesigned front with the striking side air curtains and the new headlights already known from the facelift of the normal Golf, which are connected to each other by an illuminated bar.

All Golf R models are now equipped with the so-called LED Plus headlights as standard. For the first time, the R also gets an illuminated VW logo on the front.

The changes at the rear are limited to a new design of the lights, which are now available for the first time with customizable welcome lights. The models with the “Performance Package” can also be recognized at the rear by a particularly large, air-flow roof edge spoiler that optimizes downforce.

The exhaust system remains the familiar four-pipe series version as well as the optional Akrapovic system, which now sounds a little more powerful. The look of the striking diffuser could be somewhat spoiled by a hook, because the Golf R is available for the first time with a trailer hitch that can pull up to 1,900 kg.

engine

There has also been a change in engine performance. Compared to the previous model, the power has increased by 10 kW (13 hp) and is now at 333 hp. This means that the special model is now “20 years R” and the Golf R333 to the standard performance across all models. The maximum torque of 420 Nm remains unchanged. For the first time, this performance is also available in the Golf R Variant.

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Photo gallery: VW Golf R (2024)

The values ​​from 0 to 100 km/h are reduced to 4.6 and 4.8 seconds respectively for the Variant. The top speed can also be increased in the latest generation by 20 km/h to 270 km/h with a “performance package”. That is 1.7 km/h more than before.

Wheels

In addition to the familiar wheels in the Golf R portfolio, Volkswagen has given the facelift a new, really beautiful rim design. The 19-inch forged wheels are named “Warmenau”, a district of Wolfsburg. The wheels weigh just eight kilograms per rim, making them around 20 percent lighter than comparable alloy wheels.

This reduces the unsprung masses, which should improve handling. In addition, the very large opening of the rims (71 percent) improves the stability and wear resistance of the brakes. This reduces thermal load on the brakes, especially on the race track.

landing gear

On the chassis side, the driving dynamics manager, which networks all relevant systems with one another, has been re-tuned. The driving dynamics manager coordinates the electromechanical functions of the all-wheel drive, the electronic differential lock and the lateral dynamics components of the DCC dampers during every driving maneuver.

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It also incorporates the 4MOTION all-wheel drive with R-Performance Torque Vectoring. For the first time, the previously optional adaptive chassis control DCC is now standard in Germany. How well the whole thing works, we were already able to test.

The Golf R offers the “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Race” and “Individual” driving profiles, as well as – in conjunction with the Performance Package – “Special” and “Drift”. This range is now expanded by the “Eco” driving profile, which makes leisurely journeys even more sustainable. All profiles have been re-tuned and the “R” profile has been significantly sharpened.

interior

The greatest progress was made in the interior and in the infotainment, which was urgently needed given the problems with the early Golf 8. Here, the Golf R now also relies on the latest generation infotainment system with the free-standing, large display and a comprehensively revised menu navigation.

As we were able to see for ourselves, the new system not only works smoothly, but is also much more clearly structured and offers the option of saving many functions as favorites.

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The “Digital Cockpit Pro” of the versions with the performance package has been expanded to include a new acceleration sensor and a GPS lap timer. When it comes to the steering wheel, however, VW has taken a step backwards and has not installed the old product with the physical buttons that customers loved and demanded, as in the other versions, but has retained the touch control buttons.

The reason: There simply never was a mechanical multifunction steering wheel with an “R button”. And a completely new development was probably cut. So now you continue to touch instead of press.

Exact prices have not yet been communicated. However, we have learned that the new Golf R will be offered at a lower price than before (previously around 55,000 euros) despite the increased power, standard DCC and the improvements. If that isn’t good news!