Volkswagen may finally give enthusiasts the Golf R they’ve been asking for. According to a new report from Autocar, the brand is preparing a hardcore version of its hot hatch fitted with Audi’s legendary 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine.
The move would coincide with the 25th anniversary of the R sub-brand in 2027, making the model a potential farewell to combustion-powered performance Golfs before the Mk9 generation goes fully electric.
The engine, currently used in the Audi RS3 and Cupra Formentor VZ5, produces nearly 400 horsepower. While VW isn’t expected to match the Donkervoort F22’s extreme 500 hp tune, engineers are reportedly exploring ways to boost output without hybrid assistance. Spy shots have already captured prototypes lapping the Nürburgring, fueling speculation that testing is underway.
Despite the bigger engine, weight gain would be modest — around 55 pounds (25 kilograms) — though upgrades to brakes and chassis are expected. The five-cylinder Golf R is also tipped to feature the torque-vectoring rear differential from the RS3, which could make it Volkswagen’s fastest car at the Nürburgring, where the Golf GTI Edition 50 currently holds the brand record with a 7:46.13 lap.
Buyers can expect the car to come exclusively with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission, as the manual option was discontinued after last year’s facelift. Pricing will likely exceed the €76,410 Golf R333, which was powered by the 2.0-liter EA888 engine.
While some may argue that the Audi RS3 already fills this niche, the body style difference gives the Golf R unique appeal, especially in markets like the U.S. where the RS3 is sedan-only. Globally, the model could become a collector’s item — a swan song for VW’s combustion hot hatch legacy before European emissions regulations force the lineup into electrification.
If confirmed, the five-cylinder Golf R would not only be the most powerful Golf in history but also a fitting sendoff for an engine architecture the VW Group has used since the late 1970s.
