2022 Volkswagen Golf R

It has been just under two decades since Volkswagen revealed the first Golf R32, a then-unexpected combination of the classic Golf hatchback platform with the go-fast parts of a performance car—namely the 3.2-liter narrow-angle VR-6 engine and an advanced all-wheel-drive system. From its cornering prowess to its exhaust note, the R32 quickly built a following.

The fourth-generation Golf R holds true to the legendary formula while increasing the performance to a new level. Arriving in the United States this year as a 2022 model, the Golf R will offer 315 hp, the most sophisticated 4Motion® all-wheel-drive system ever offered in the United States and technology that ties the ingredients together like never before.

And there’s even a Drift mode.

First, the key stats: The 2.0-liter EA888 turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the Golf R makes it the most powerful hot hatch Volkswagen has ever sold, with 315 hp, 27 more than the prior Golf R, and 310 pound-feet of torque, up from 280 pound-feet previously, with the max torque available from 2,100 rpm through 5,350 rpm. That power can be routed through either a North American-specified six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic. In a straight line, the 2022 Golf R can now hit 62 mph in 4.7 seconds, with an on-track top speed of 155 mph

The Driving Mode Selector now features five built-in settings; “Comfort,” for daily cruising, “Sport” for standard performance, “Race” for a more taut and louder setup, and two new modes, “Special” and “Drift.” “Special” mode was developed at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with softer damping, coordinated DSG downshifts for cornering and other settings for that famed track; compared to the prior model, the new Golf R is up to 17 seconds quicker per lap in internal testing. “Drift” mode, intended only for the track, changes the stability control and all-wheel-drive power delivery modes to allow tire-smoking, sideways action.

Drivers can also customize an “Individual” drive mode setting to generate their exact preferences. For those taking the Golf R on track, the electronic stability control can be set to an “ESC Sport” mode that increases the thresholds for the system to intervene in traction moments, although Front Assist reactivates the ESC in emergencies.

The 2022 Golf R will feature more visual distinction from the Golf GTI than before, with unique front and rear bumpers derived and a two-part rear roof spoiler optimized for aerodynamic performance. The new Golf R adds a distinctive light signature for the first time, with a blue crossbar in the grille integrated with an LED strip that serves as part of the car’s daytime running lights.