Discover the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R: Performance and Style Redefined

The 2025 Volkswagen Golf R boasts a refreshed look, improved technology, and a more powerful engine. With a new 12.9-inch infotainment system, 328 hp, and enhanced driving features, it sets new standards for performance and style.

Volkswagen has officially revealed the facelifted Golf R and Golf R Variant, featuring enhanced performance, updated styling, and new technology.

The new Golf R models boast a refreshed front end with streamlined headlights and an illuminated Volkswagen logo, accompanied by a more aggressive-looking bumper. Matte chrome mirrors, sporty side skirts, and 18- or 19-inch wheels highlight the car’s side profile, while the rear features new taillights, a gloss black diffuser, and a quad-exhaust system designed to enhance the car’s acoustic feedback and motorsport feel. 

For a sportier look, customers can opt for new 19-inch Warmenau forged alloy wheels, which are approximately 20% lighter than traditional wheels, reducing unsprung mass and improving brake cooling. Additional options include an Akrapovič titanium exhaust, improved IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, and new 3D LED taillights with a dynamic flashing function. The Golf R Black Edition adds tinted headlights, dark logos, black wheels, brake calipers, exhaust tips, and comes standard with the Performance package.

Inside, the Golf R features a new 12.9-inch infotainment system with a larger display, new menu structure, and improved graphics. The driver benefits from an enhanced 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster featuring G-meter and GPS lap timer displays for models with the Performance package. Other interior updates include improved climate controls, a sport steering wheel with optimized buttons, a new IDA voice assistant, and access to ChatGPT. Standard features include sport seats, faux carbon fiber trim, blue accents, stainless steel pedals, and a 30-color ambient lighting system. 

Under the hood, the Golf R is powered by an upgraded turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 328 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 13 hp from the previous model. This engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring technology. The car can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds and reach a top speed of up to 167 mph with the Performance package.

European sales will commence in June, with the US-spec Golf R set to be introduced early next year. The US market will receive the Black Edition and a standard Performance package, though without the 12 mph increase in top speed.