Shimmering haze radiating from the Lapiz Blue wheels of Volkswagen’s latest Golf R hot hatch blends the blue finish of its brake calipers with an azure glow from its brake discs.
Yes, the VW Golf R is fast enough to turn steel brakes blue.
Fast cars are central to Volkswagen’s success in Australia, and the new VW Golf R 20 Years is the fastest of them all.
Volkswagen Australia boss Michal Szaniecki expects performance cars to represent one-in-five new VW sales this year, and one-in-four when supply is stronger in 2024.
“Australians love the segment for reasons I don’t understand – because of our [speed] cameras and stuff,” he said.
“We are the number one market in the R family right now. We are beating Germany, and in Germany you can drive at 200-plus kilometres an hour.”
Opportunities to hit the double-ton are rare in Australia, which is why Volkswagen launched the Golf R 20 Years at Sydney Motorsport Park alongside other members of the VW performance family.
Every car we sampled exceeded 200km/h on the circuit’s front straight.
And the new model was fastest of all, recording an indicated 217km/h into turn one, well beyond the 205km/h reached by the evergreen Golf GTI.
The updated Golf R was also about two seconds a lap faster on one of the circuit’s shortest layouts, thanks in part to a clever torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system.
Powered by an uprated version of VW’s 2.0-litre turbo engine, the Golf R 20 Years has 245kW and 420Nm of punch – 10kW and 20Nm more than the standard Golf R.
Revised electronic controls for the turbocharger elicit improved engine responses that help the hatch reach 100km/h in a claimed 4.6 seconds – two tenths faster than the standard car.
Built to celebrate two decades since the V6-powered Golf R32 reached showrooms, the 20 Years benefits from a handful of changes including an upgraded exhaust by European specialists Akrapovič.
Finished in a choice of white paint with blue wheels, or blue paint with black wheels, the limited-edition car has subtle badges that separate it from regular models.
A fully-loaded cabin adds genuine carbon fibre interior trim, a Harman Kardon stereo and panoramic sunroof to a space that already benefits from soft-touch leather seats, a digital dashboard and flat-bottomed steering wheel with oversized shift paddles.
It’s a beautifully executed space that feels a cut above most hot hatch rivals.
We still have frustrations around the accessibility of certain features within its complex touchscreen, and poorly placed buttons that can have you activating steering wheel heating on every tight left-hand turn, but it is impressive on the whole.
Priced from $77,490 plus on-road costs (about $85,500 drive-away), the special-edition model costs $10,500 more than a regular Golf R.
Only 50 are coming to Australia, and VW expects them to sell out quickly.
Seat-of-the-pants impressions report that the upgraded engine doesn’t feel much quicker than other R-badged models, but the stopwatch and speedo testify to a performance advantage.
It would be significantly quicker on circuit with better tyres.
The Golf R wears the same 235mm-wide Bridgestone Potenzas as the GTI, tyres that relinquish grip sooner than expected if you carry too much speed into a corner.
Safe and predictable handling falls short of the slidey thrills offered by more focused rivals.
Then again, the Golf R was never intended to be an uncompromising track weapon.
It’s a polished all-rounder that combines a polished cabin with a surprising turn of speed.
All-wheel-drive traction gives it an all-weather advantage over front-drive alternatives. Few hot hatches match the combination of cross-country pace and daily versatility of the Golf R.
It’s a car worth celebrating – even if few will get to do so.
VERDICT
VW’s limited-edition Golf R reminds us of what is special about the model, bringing speed and refinement few hatches can match – for an eye-watering price.
3.5 stars
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R 20 YEARS
PRICE About $85,500 drive-away
ENGINE 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo, 245kW and 420Nm
WARRANTY/SERVICE 5-year/unlimited km, $3000 for 5 years
SAFETY 8 airbags, auto emergency braking, active cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert
THIRST 7.8L/100km
CARGO 374 litres
SPARE Inflator kit