The 2023 Golf R
An unmatched hatch
2023 Golf R
Acceleration: 100km/h in 4.7 seconds*
*Please drive safely and obey all local traffic laws, including speed limits.
Horsepower & Torque: 315HP & 295 lb-ft
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual or 7-Speed DSG®
Limited Edition: 20th Anniversary Special Edition
Don’t be fooled by its refined exterior. Golf R is the purest expression of what a German engineered hot hatch should be: precision and performance, all in perfect balance.
Head-Up Display (HUD) helps keep your eyes focused on the road, and 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive with Torque Vectoring helps keep your tires glued to the track.
From premium front sport seats with built-in head restraints, to a standard heated sport steering wheel, Golf R is designed to perform inside and out.
Aggressively refined
Exterior – Front
A strong impression
The Golf R sports an aggressive front end featuring large air intakes and a newly designed radiator grille with signature blue R accents connecting updated LED headlights. Matte chrome mirror caps, a signature R design element, also make their return.
Exterior – Rear
Form and function
The rocker panel extensions complement the bespoke R rear bumper with quad exhaust outlets, topped off with a two-piece rear spoiler for greater downforce. Those in the know, will know.
Wheels
How we roll
Named after one of the world’s great racing circuits in Portugal, the “Estoril” 19” wheels on the new Golf R come wrapped in high-performance summer tires.
Brakes
Stopping Power
The new braking system in the Golf R stands out with blue calipers clamping down on 357 mm front rotors, 27 mm larger than before and now cross-drilled for better fade resistance. A new lightweight aluminum hub reduces unsprung mass by 600g per front corner of the vehicle.
To help ensure driver confidence under braking, Golf R features a larger brake master cylinder for crisp and linear response to even small pedal inputs.
Exterior Ambient Lighting
Light the way
When you approach your Golf R with your key fob, you’ll be guided to the driver’s seat with light projections from the headlights, taillights, door handles, and side mirrors.
Sport Exhaust
Fearsome foursome
The rear bumper in the Golf R incorporates a striking gloss black diffuser. It’s framed at the sides by a chrome-plated quad exhaust system for maximum airflow.
Aerodynamics
Lower, longer, sportier
This fifth generation Golf R is more aerodynamic than its predecessors. The two-piece rear spoiler doesn’t just look sporty, it also creates downforce over the rear axle for improved road-holding.
Performance
Ready, Set, Golf R
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Engine
More horsepower and torque
The new Golf R is propelled by the latest “evo4” generation of Volkswagen’s proven EA888 2.0L turbocharged “TSI” 4-cylinder engine producing 315 horsepower and up to 295 lb-ft of torque in models equipped with the 7-speed DSG® gearbox (280 lb-ft in manual models).
Sending power to all four wheels through the 4MOTION® All-Wheel Drive system, Golf R sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds (DSG® models).*
*Please drive safely and obey all local traffic laws, including speed limits.
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Transmission
Two or three pedals
Whether you prefer to row your own gears or enjoy lightning-quick automatic shifts, the Golf R is here to excite you. If you prefer the fine control and fun of a manual transmission, a slick 6-speed is standard equipment. For those who demand the fastest shifts possible, the 7-speed DSG® dual-clutch transmission can deliver seamless automatic gear changes or be controlled manually via large, Golf R-specific steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.
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All-Wheel Drive with R-Performance Torque Vectoring
Conquer any corner
The Golf R comes equipped with 4MOTION® All-Wheel Drive for sure-footed traction even in challenging conditions. Now featuring a new torque vectoring rear differential, Golf R can distribute the torque variably between the rear wheels, even sending up to 100% of available power to the wheel on the outside of the bend. This in turn helps pivot the car toward the corner apex, reducing understeer and giving Golf R noticeably more agile handling response.
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R-Performance Package
Unleash the beast
The standard R-Performance package includes the two-piece spoiler and 19” Estoril alloy wheels, plus two additional driving profiles: “Drift” and “Special (Nürburgring)” mode, for goosebump-inducing performance at the touch of a button.
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Drift Mode
Catch our drift
The new R torque vectoring rear differential is the key enabler of the new, track-only “Drift” mode. In Drift mode, the Golf R changes its stability control parameters to ESC Sport, and the torque vectoring system kicks off the drift by sending all available rear torque to the outside wheel.
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Special Mode
Attack any track
Discover a world of power and comfort in the Golf R. Both driver and front passenger ride in style, thanks to premium sport seats with integrated headrests. The Nappa leather seating surfaces feature carbon-look elements with blue accents on the side sections, as well as a blue R logo in the backrest.
Advanced and enhanced
Sporty on the inside
The interior of the new Golf R welcomes you with a level of sporty comfort that you can both see and feel. The driver and front passenger sit in premium sport seats with built-in head restraints and R-style design. For the first time, the configurable Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster brings together all sporty displays and controls into one special R-view tailored specifically to the Golf R. The ergonomically-contoured, multi-function steering wheel features perforated inserts, a flat bottom, larger shift paddles, and R button that puts the Race profile a touch of a button away.*
*Please drive safely and obey all local traffic laws, including speed limits.
Innovation at your fingertips
The Digital Cockpit Pro allows you to customize the look and feel of your Golf R more intuitively and in greater detail. Not only do you get the benefits of the traditional Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, but you can display a full-screen map in the digital cluster and simultaneously on the 10” centre display. The unique R display mode changes the layout of the instruments and puts a horizontal rev counter at the top of the cluster where it’s always easy to see.
Take the wheel
Choose your path with R’s classic sport steering wheel, now heated as standard. A novel new touch control interface incorporates haptic feedback, allowing the driver to easily access various navigation, audio, and driver assistance features. Ergonomically-contoured, the wheel features perforated inserts, a flat bottom, an R blue clasp at the 6 o’clock position, and larger shift paddles for DSG®-equipped models.
R-sport seats
Discover a world of power and comfort in the Golf R. Both driver and front passenger ride in style, thanks to premium sport seats with integrated headrests. The Nappa leather seating surfaces feature carbon-look elements with blue accents on the side sections, as well as a blue R logo in the backrest.
Tech at a glance
The standard Head-Up Display (HUD) in the R puts all the most important information right in front of you to help keep your eyes fixed on the road ahead. When enabled, part of the windshield becomes a projection surface to display speed, navigation instructions, and information from various driver assistance systems.
Premium audio
The harman / kardon® audio system available in the Golf R provides the perfect musical backdrop to any journey. Get the right balance with 8 speakers, a subwoofer, a centre speaker, and a 12-channel amplifier.
Connected convenience
Enjoy the peace of mind and convenience that comes with the Car-Net® app, and it’s suite of over 20 connected features.
You can even set boundary and speed alerts to let you know what’s happening when you’re not the one behind the wheel.
Legal: Requires compatible mobile device running iOS 12, Android 8, or higher, with cellular service. Access to the desktop web portal requires a compatible internet browser. Microsoft Internet Explorer is not supported.
IQ DRIVE and Driver Assistance
IQ.DRIVE
An intelligent suite of active safety and driver assistance features* designed to keep you and everyone around you, protected. Features include:
- Travel Assist (Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist and Emergency Assist)
- Side Assist (Blind spot monitor with Rear Traffic Alert)
- Front Assist with Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring
Driver Assistance
Convenient, cutting-edge tech designed to enhance your driving experience. Featured include:
- Park Distance Control (front and rear)
- Park Assist
- Light Assist
- Dynamic Road Sign Display
Legal: *Fuel consumption figures are estimates based on Natural Resources Canada’s approved criteria and testing methods. Refer to the EnerGuide 2023 for Natural Resources Canada’s estimated fuel consumption figures. Actual fuel consumption will vary based on driving conditions, driver habits and the vehicle’s condition, weight carried and additional equipment.
The Golf R comes available with a North American-exclusive 6-speed manual gearbox for drivers who want that classic feeling.
Even connectivity is fast in the 2023 Golf R, with Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™.*
*Please do not drive distracted
Share the warmth with heated rear seats and a third Climatronic zone for rear passengers.
20 Years of R
For R fans only
This is a limited edition Golf R two decades in the making, featuring exclusive “20 Years” badging on the mirrors and at the base of the doors. Only true Golf R fans need apply.
Blue R Logos
Unmistakably R
Blue R logos adorn this 20th Anniversary Special Edition Golf R from tip to tail. From the front grille, to the rear hatch, to the key fobs and steering wheel clips, this Golf R drips with limited edition style.
19” Estoril Wheels
Above the rim
This 20th Anniversary Special Edition Golf R features a set of equally exclusive rims to boot. These showstopping 19-inch “Estoril” Wheels come in a fierce black gloss finish.
Side Mirror Housings
Even our signature matte chrome mirror caps get a 20th anniversary makeover, with black mirror caps for the Lapiz Blue exterior, or blue mirror caps for the Deep Black and Pure White versions.
Sunroof
Great views are mandatory in the 20thAnniversary Special Edition Golf R, thanks to a standard panoramic sunroof.
Carbon Fibre Décor
Fibre Optics
With genuine carbon fibre details throughout, we’re bringing a taste of the racetrack to the interior of the 20th Anniversary Special Edition Golf R. Somehow our hottest hatchback ever just got even hotter.
What are the performance specs for Golf R?
The MY23 Golf R boasts 315 hp and an impressive 280lb-ft of torque with the 6-speed manual transmission, or 295lb-ft with the available 7-speed DSG®transmission.
How much cargo space does Golf R have?
Don’t let Golf's small size fool you: It has 564 litres of cargo space, which increases to 977 with the rear seats folded. That’s easily enough space for your gear, groceries, suitcases and whatever else you might need.
Does Golf R have enough room for a family?
The VW Golf has been in production for over 45 years and has been the ideal family car for those in a variety of different life stages. Should your needs ever change, an SUV like a Tiguan or an Atlas is a great alternative.
What’s the standard wheel size for Golf R?
The 2023 Golf R comes standard with a 19" Estoril wheel and 235/35 R19, 91Y summer tires.*
*The use of winter tires is mandatory in some provinces. Proper winter or all season tires is recommended for wet, snowy or icy conditions.
Do all Golf R trims have a sunroof?
We understand that not everyone wants a sunroof on their Golf R, but it’s now available with a panoramic power sunroof. This is an option, so you can have your Golf R with or without. The choice is entirely yours.