Volkswagen has just launched its new, eighth-generation Golf R that is the fastest and most powerful series-production version of the famous German hatchback.

The performance Golf generates 235 kW of power and accelerates to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. However, the Golf R can also be ordered with an optional R-Performance package, which enables the top speed to be increased to 270 km/h. 

The Golf R will be the first Volkswagen to launch with a new all-wheel drive system before the end of this year: 4Motion with R-Performance Torque Vectoring. This intelligently networked system enables a new dimension of driving dynamics.

The new all-wheel drive system and high-tech running gear merge to create a host of innovations, offering maximum agility and driving pleasure. The 4Motion system with R-Performance Torque Vectoring is the new control centre that distributes the engine’s output to the four driven wheels.

A new rear final drive distributes the drive power of the turbocharged petrol engine in the Golf R not just between the front and rear axles, but also variably between the two rear wheels. This makes it possible to significantly increase agility, particularly when cornering. 

As a world first, the all-wheel drive is also networked via a Vehicle Dynamics Manager (VDM) with other running gear systems such the electronic differential locks (XDS) and adaptive chassis control DCC. Thanks to this close integration of the different systems, the new Golf R offers optimum traction characteristics and neutral handling with the utmost level of precision.

Orders of the Golf R have just started in Europe, so we could expect to see it in New Zealand early next year.