To me, the Volkswagen Golf R has always been a hopped-up GTI that could never really justify its exuberant price tag. With similar looks and a slightly elevated version of the same engine, it simply isn’t different enough to recommend. Sure, it has all-wheel drive and more power, but after driving the two cars back to back, I always found the lesser, front-drive GTI to be the purer, more exciting of the duo, at least on a set of twisty roads.
Volkswagen seems to have come to a similar realization, at least if this latest Autocar report is to be believed. The UK publication, citing unnamed sources, claims the next Golf R will be powered by an updated version of the turbocharged inline-five from the current RS3. VW declined to comment on the story when reached by The Autopian, but if this is true, that would make it the most powerful production Golf by a wide margin. It would also make the Golf R far more interesting than the GTI. Finally.
The most powerful Golf R is the R 333, a limited-production model sold in Europe and rated at 329 hp—14 horses more than what we get in the United States. The 2.5-liter inline-five in the RS3, meanwhile, makes 401 hp. So this would be a significant step up. But it’s not like VW can just take the engine, slap it into a Golf, and call it a day. Extra power requires more equipment to keep the twist in line. From Autocar:
To keep the engine alive beyond the Euro 7 November 2026 deadline, Audi will update the unit’s hardware. Likely changes include a new particulate filter, more sensitive NOx sensors, recalibrated injection mapping and higher cell-density catalysts.
To accommodate the new engine, suspension tweaks will be needed to support the added mass.
The four-cylinder Golf R 333 already benefits from 1.5 degrees of negative front camber, stiffer rear subframe mounts, bespoke software calibration for the adaptive dampers, and reprofiled bushings. However, the required changes may include a move to 2.0 degrees of negative front camber, upgraded top mounts, reinforced knuckles, and additional chassis bracing to increase torsional rigidity.
Other changes are coming too, according to the report. Bigger brakes to handle the extra speed, and a revised seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with new ratios and standard launch control are on the table. Most importantly, Autocar claims the five-cylinder Golf R will also get the RS3’s “Torque Splitter” rear differential, which receives up to 50 percent of the engine’s torque, and can distribute up to 100 percent of that torque to a single wheel on the rear axle when needed. It’s the main reason the RS3 drives so well, and how that car was able to secure a 7-minute, 40-second Nürburging lap time (if that’s the type of thing you care about).
Source: Audi
What about looks? Having a five-cylinder is cool and all, but unless the new Golf R has a unique design to match its unorthodox powertrain, fewer people will get on board. Autocar obtained spy photos of what it believes is the new R, complete with hood cutouts, a bigger spoiler, and a diffuser—but it still looks very much like a Golf. Take that as you will.
The five-cylinder Golf R is meant to act as a farewell for the pure ICE-powered Golf, arriving in 2027 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the R nameplate—after this, it’s hybrid and EV powertrains only for the legendary hatchback, at least according to Autocar. While it’s no VR6, smooshing Audi’s iconic inline-five into a Golf seems like a fitting sendoff of quirkiness.
[Ed note: God is obviously real, or else how would you explain the existence of the 1996 Ford Escort RS Cosworth. – MH]
Photo: Audi/VW
I’ve owned a 2017 GTI and a 2018 Golf R. I agree that the GTI is more fun to drive.
The problem with the premise of this article is that the issue with the R isn’t that it lacked power, which is what the 5-cyl offers. The R isn’t as fun because it is heavier, and the AWD mutes driver feedback. Putting a 5-cylinder in it is likely to make those issues worse rather than better.
Partner, let’s go half on a
sackGolf RWell, okay!
Let’s go all-in and bring over the Golf R Variant wagon and give me a reason to spend a stupid amount of money at the Volkswagen dealer.
What will this mean for the S3/RS3? The S3 shares so much with Golf R I can’t see how the S3 won’t also get the 5 cylinder. This move would effectively put the new S3 on par with the current RS3. Then what does this mean for the RS3?
This engine is based on Audi’s 20v I5 turbo, and it’s an EPIC engine but it’s only used in the RS3 and TTRS. I don’t understand developing an entire engine, which costs millions and millions of dollars, and only using it in 2 f’ing models.
5 cylinders were what Audi was known for at one time; imho this is the engine that should be in basically EVERY Audi made today.
An A4 Avant with this engine, manual trans, would be an absolutely incredible car.
maybe it’s just half of the v10 that is in the r8 and the lambo?
It’s always puzzled me that this engine isn’t more widely used. It’s pretty much perfect. It sounds great, makes great power, and is shockingly efficient for what it is. People see mid 30s highway MPG in RS3s which is absolutely nuts considering the power on tap.
I’d rather have this than the decent but unremarkable 3 liter turbo V6 in all the S offerings. That being said I don’t think they’ve ever paired it with a manual and they’re definitely not going to eat the costs of developing one at this stage…
The iron block version of the 2.5T was in the Mk2 TTRS with a manual only. But I’d argue the latest version of the engine pairs best with a DCT to help keep it on boil. The engine is pretty lazy off boost, which doesn’t come on until 3000+ rpm.
The RS3/TTrs 2.5L DAZA is just a revised 07K which was found in the jetta, golf, and rabbit. So it has really lived in 5 models, including the model talked about in this article before. The major engineering cost was spread plenty wide.
Give me an modern S4 Avant with a DAZA and a stick and I would be on the waiting list at the Audi dealer to buy one.
Very German that they make the claim that it’s the most powerful VW Golf R, because the W12 wasn’t technically a “Golf R”, but a Golf GTI.
As Audi struggles, VW is basically making an RS3 available at a lower price point?
Lower price and as a hatchback. Unfortunately the RS3 hatchback isn’t sold in the US, so this would be a good consolation prize. It’ll be easier to sell our partners on the hatchback VW for less than $60,000 than it will be to sell them on a compact luxury sedan for $70,000…
My brother has an RS3 that he got last year, and he had a GTI before that. Gonna ask him this weekend when I see him if this is something he’d ditch the RS3 for.
The RS3 is a great car, you just have to really, really want it. It’s not a good value at all and it’s not as practical as the mid sized performance sedans in the same price range. As I said in my other comment, I’d have a very hard time choosing one over an M3 or Blackwing for roughly the same money.
You either have to REALLY love Audi or really love going to the track for it to make sense. The general consensus is that it’s not really that much better than an S3 until you’re really, really pushing it and you’re going to wind up in jail driving it above 7/10ths on public roads.
It’s still really cool…but if they offered the same powertrain in a hatchback Golf R for under 60 grand it would make a lot more fiscal sense to me.
God, I hope it’s good. The EA888 is such a garbage engine that it turned me off of VW for a long time. The Golf R needs a shot at redemption and I hope this can be it.
A VW hatch with 5 cylinders and AWD is not a GTI.
It’s an Audi.
I would plop down money for this tomorrow if it actually happened at a reasonable price, and I’m a card carrying VW hater. That five cylinder is one of the most unique and special engines that’s still on sale today and the RS3 is ugly in addition to being way too expensive. I’m sorry, but I’m not paying $70,000 for a FWD based compact luxury sedan when the CT4V BW, M3, IS500, etc exist. Unless you’re an Audi fanboy it’s just not worth it.
Which is where this comes in, although I have reservations. First and foremost, I’m not sure how they could make the price work, since the Golf R is already overpriced as is. Golf Rs all show up on lots fully loaded and right now the MSRP on them is around $53,000. It’s not a great buy at that price as is, and that’s BEFORE dealerships mark them up.
So how much would this potentially go for? $60,000ish before markups? At that point it runs into the same issues the RS3 does. You can get high performance, rear wheel drive, 6 or 8 cylinder, manual if that’s your thing, performance sedans at that point. You’d have to really, REALLY love VW to fork over that kind of money for a Golf…and every time VW has tried to woo luxury buyers with $50,000+ cars they’ve failed. Look no further than the Arteon.
So how would this work? Really the only way it would make sense to me is if they just made the 5 cylinder the standard Golf R engine and kept a 5 in front of the price. Otherwise I’m not sure if there’s room for this in VAG’s lineup. You can also get an Integra Type S for the same price as a Golf R where things stand today, and FWD or not I’d personally take one of those over a Golf R.
If this actually happens and it’s $60,000+ before the inevitable markups it’ll be DOA outside a handful of the most diligent VAG cultists.
what they need to do is ditch the turbo, and start making this Audi’s engine in every single one of their models, then add diff turbos and tunes depending on the trim. Economies of scale would drive price down, and Audi would be known for 5 cylinders again, the RS6 avant would get cancelled because it’s a posermobile, and all would be right with the world.
The RS6 Avant is 5,000 goddamn pounds.
And an automatic only.
And has no rally pedigree in any of the drivetrain.
And it’s covered in fake vents.
I somehow came across a YouTube short that showed me the timing chain on that V8 and what has to be done to access it….suffice to say it’s never going to be on my shopping list
I love this idea. I was toying with the idea of getting a DAZA-swapped Golf R before I got an RS5, but this could entice me to switch if it works out. I wonder if they’ll bring over the reverse-staggered wheel setup from the RS3 too?
As the owner of an earlier version of the engine… it’s a very good engine. Makes all the right noises, punches up and always can and wants to give more.
I’ve wanted a Golf R ever since they came out. Unfortunately, they just cost too much in the US for what you get and dealers suck with their additional upcharges. (I had to pay MSRP for my 337 GTI back originally). Why would you get this Golf R versus, say, a new Dodge Charger twin turbo with 150 HP more for about the same price? Both brands have a general viewpoint of being unreliable.
Ugh, a great engine wasted on a lousy transmission. To me, A Golf/Rabbit/GTI/Golf R with any kind of automatic transmission is a travesty. If ever there was a car that should be all-manual, all the time, it’s the Golf.
I don’t necessarily agree, because the performance Golfs are basically what paved the way for DCTs in normal cars. The R32 was one of the first mainstream cars to offer one and it became a real selling point for the MK5 and MK6 GTIs that none of the competition offered. Hell, none of the competitors offer it today outside of the Ns.
I think everyone suddenly turned on DSG when VW killed the manual in the GTI/R, but even a couple of years ago it was pretty universally praised and recommended. Now if we were talking about a car that’s always been manual only suddenly going auto only I’d agree with you, or if it’s something like a Miata or Toyobaru where getting an auto completely ruins the experience.
But with the spicy Golfs DCTs are as much a part of their legacy as manuals are at this point.
Yeah but the problem is they removed the manual option. The golf has always had that option and it is one of the reasons enthusiasts kept getting GTIs. Removing it really killed interest in it especially since they were running on good will anyways with their awful capacitive buttons. The DCT is good but it always needed to be the option not the standard.
absolutely right. GTI sales in the states have fallen significantly (30% down, as per VW’s Q2 earning report) since VW eliminated the manual transmission.
And they deserve it, especially after the capacitive button fuck up. You screw up that hard and then what do you do, you remove the manual? Like no wonder their sales are down. Idiots man.
“if it’s something like a Miata or Toyobaru where getting an auto completely ruins the experience.”
To me, the Golf- no matter what form- belongs in this category.
Here’s hoping they build it! I agree the Golf R hasn’t felt special enough since the R32.
Yep, the R32 isn’t earthshattering on paper, but it’s a great drive and nobody would sit in it, back to back, with a MkIV GTI and feel like they were the same car at all.
When I tried out the GTI and R several years ago, it felt a lot more like they were just a single trimline apart. A very expensive trimline.
This sounds like a lot of fun, but very expensive. If we even get it over here.
But let me guess, they’ll remove the paddle shifters and make them touch pads on the back of the steering wheel instead.
Wheel paddles are so played out.
They’re integrating the shift controls into the map lights. Tap the right one to upshift, left one to downshift – except in RHD markets, where the controls will be reversed. Owners in those markets will then vag-com those settings back the other way.
That’s so old-school. They’re all gestures in front of the screen now.
You need to learn the ASL alphabet, but that’s not too hard.
Screaming my hands off to upshift only to money shift
“command not recognised, please try again”
Nah, they’re gonna debut voice command gearshifts
Ve call it SSVPAUVZWG or Sprachgesteuerte Schnellschalttechnologie von Porsche, Audi und Volkswagen zum Wohle der Gesellschaft
SSVPAUVZWG? NEIN!
Don’t be silly, Nsane. We all know they’ll be AI-powered gearshifts! The car will try to predict when you would want to shift, and then do it anyway. The AI will even be able to perfectly replicate a money shift!
Are particulate filters common on gasoline engines?
Definitely an interesting car. I’ll see how they hold up. I may be interested in a three year old version at half price or so.
In Europe they are, yes. Commonly called OPF.
They are becoming common in Europe with their stricter regulations.
They are a requirement in most of Europe. Ford actually put one on the refreshed Maverick and that’s why it’s horsepower rating decreased slightly.
Gasoline Particulate Filters were first used in Europe in 2014 and have become common there since Euro 6. China has also required them since 2020 (China 6). The USA will start requiring them with EPA Tier 4 that phases in from 2027 to 2033.
As TheDon mentioned – some US vehicles already have GPFs as manufacturers are installing them early to earn credits.
What credits? The fine for violating cafe has been adjusted to $0.
This is firmly in “I’ll believe it when I see it” territory. And even if does come to exist, there’s absolutely zero chance it will make it to the US. Between homologation costs and other regulatory hurdles and the brand differentiation between Audi and VW, there is essentially no logical business case for the car to exist here, as cool as it would be. A Golf R is already north of $50k, and this variant would have to be pushing into the 60s, right where the current RS3 sits.
As an 8Y owner, I want nothing more than the epic 5 cylinder to continue living on, but I just don’t see that happening in a VW product.
Now THAT is exciting. Hopefully they fix the stupid steering wheel next! How they migrated back to real buttons on the GTI, but not the significantly more expensive R is beyond me.
Agreed. I was considering a golf R but the buttons killed it for me. Went with an integra type s instead.
The ITS is hands down the Golf R’s biggest problem right now other than VW dealerships. It’s better in every way other than drivetrain and probably 95% of the people who think they need AWD don’t anyway. Most Golf Rs are the same price or more at this point too.
Now if you give it a 5 cylinder things will get interesting. I’d put up with a lot more shit if I got that engine than I would for the 1,222,732nd EA888 variant that VW swears won’t blow up this time….
I want to believe that the turbo-5 Golf R is real, but after the massive letdown of the Mk7 400R never materializing, I’m not holding out too much hope.