Performance-focused 2021 Volkswagen Golf R Unveiled Is The Most Powerful Golf At 315PS

• Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged TSI engine delivering 315PS and 420Nm, 27PS and 20Nm more than its predecessor.

• Achieves 0-100kmph in 4.7 seconds and a 250kmph top speed thanks to 6-speed manual/ 7-speed DSG gearbox options and 4Motion all-wheel drive.

• Other performance highlights include revised suspension setup, new rear differential, bigger front brakes and two new drive modes.

• Design highlights include aggressive bumpers, front lip spoiler R-specific air intakes, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

• The cabin is similar to the standard model aside from different upholstery, blue accents, sports seats, and a specific R button on the steering wheel.

• Will go on sale in the U.S in late 2021. Won't make it to India.

Back in February 2020, with different flavours: the GTI, GTE and the GTD. And now, the carmaker has added even more oomph by revealing the next-gen Golf R. If you thought the other Golf variants were spicy enough, wait till you get a load of what the Golf R is packing:

The biggest highlight of the Golf R is under the hood. Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged TSI four-cylinder motor, it pushes 315PS of grunt and 420Nm of twist. This is a jump of 27PS and 20Nm over its predecessor, making it the most powerful Golf R in existence. Paired with either a six-speed manual or 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox and 4Motion all-wheel drive, it goes from standstill to 100kmph in just 4.7 seconds and tops out at 250kmph.

Aside from outright power, there's also some tech wizardry going on under the skin. Its 4Motion all-wheel drive system gets a new rear differential that distributes power variably between the front and rear axles. It also gets torque vectoring that is capable of sending 100 per cent of torque towards the outside wheel, therefore giving it more grip and helping you push out of a corner.

Its suspension has been re-tuned, with the hot hatch sitting 20mm lower than before. And with the added performance, you get more stopping power thanks to a larger brake master cylinder and bigger front discs. There's also the Special and Drift driving modes for the Golf R. This is in addition to the Comfort, Sport, Race and Individual drive modes already present. The former is essentially a driving mode specifically set up to tackle the Nurburgring circuit, whereas the latter, as the name suggests, is for those who prefer to have a really loose rear end to let the tail slip out.

Even in design, the new Golf R oozes spicy hot hatch vibes. The five-door hot hatch gets a new bumper joined by a motorsport-inspired splitter, R-specific air intake grilles with gloss black accents, side skirts, and 19-inch alloy wheels. It also has the traditional R-specific blue brake callipers that look yummylicious.

The cabin is pretty familiar to the standard model, consisting of a R-themed 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and the Digital Cockpit driver's instrument display. There are some differences like sports seats with Nappa leather, blue accents and R badging all around. There's also a specific R button on the steering wheel that activates Race mode directly.

There will be a long wait for those wanting to get their hands on the new Volkswagen Golf R as sales will commence in the U.S. only around the latter half of 2021. Will this hot hatch ever make it to India? Highly unlikely as we don't even have the standard Golf on sale in India. That said, Volkswagen India is preparing to introduce the around that time period.