Golf R & GTI

Maximum output increased by 13PS

Volkswagen Japan held the Japan premiere of the new Golf R and Golf R Variant. The Golf R is a popular sports model whose first generation, the R32, was released in 2002, and more than 300,000 units have been produced to date.

The first generation was equipped with a narrow-angle V6 3.2-liter VR6 engine and combined it with a multi-link rear suspension and 4Motion (AWD), but the new model is equipped with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder turbo engine that produces a maximum output of 333 PS, an increase of 13 PS, and also drives all four wheels with 4Motion and R Performance Torque Vectoring.

The exterior boasts its performance with an illuminated emblem and ventilation grilles on the left and right under the front. The front of the Variant is similar to the hatchback, but it differs in that it has a large rear spoiler.

The new Golf GTI is also on display

Also on display was the new Golf GTI, an evolution of the “hot hatch” tradition that has continued since the first model. At the press conference, brand director Imogen Buschmann spoke of the first-generation Golf GTI, which debuted in 1976 and dominated the Autobahn, asserting that it remains a Volkswagen icon. The exterior features GTI-esque parts such as the LED matrix light “IQ Light” and honeycomb front grille, and the interior, with its checkered pattern, does not disappoint.

Bushman has declared that the lineup of five models announced for introduction last year, “T-Roc,” “T-Cross,” “Golf,” “Passat,” and “Tiguan,” will be complete and will be enriched in 2025. It will be interesting to see if the company gets off to a smooth start as predicted.

Additionally, at the Volkswagen booth in the East Hall, visitors who answer a questionnaire will receive original merchandise (while supplies last), and there will be a talk show with a trainer certified by the German Volkswagen Academy (held on January 10th and 11th). All visitors to the booth will receive a special edition of Motor Fan magazine, “All About the Golf R & GTI (Special Edition),” which compiles the latest information on the Golf R and Golf GTI.