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2015 Volkswagen Golf R Debuts, Is VW’s Most Powerful Hatch to Date

A front view of the Golf R

At the opening press day of the 2014 North American International Auto Show, VW unveiled the all-new 2015 Volkswagen Golf R at long last. As Volkswagen promised, the newest edition Golf R is the most powerful production Golf to hit American shores yet.

2015 Volkswagen Golf R: Driving Pleasure

The engine of the Golf R

VW estimates the hot hatch, which is powered by “an even more advanced version of the EA888 four-cylinder turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® 2.0-liter engine that’s fitted to the new Golf GTI,” at 290 ponies, which is 34 more horses than we saddled up with last time the German automaker spit out a Golf R (a 2013 model). Even with the added boost, the 2015 Volkswagen Golf R still manages to be more fuel-efficient than its predecessor. No EPA estimates have been doled out yet, obviously, so we’ll have to take the automaker’s word for it when they say that the six-speed manual will yield 31 mpg, four more than we got from the trusty, old 2013 model.

Oh, and did I mention this hatchback hits 62 mph in just 5.3 seconds? Look out, Corvette, here comes Golf. (Okay, not really.)

The engine of the Golf R

Power is sent to all four wheels via VW’s 4MOTION® system featuring a fifth-gen Halex® coupling. Volkswagen also gave the Golf R a new sport suspension, stability control system (which can be deactivated if you’re on the track), and a variable-ratio steering system. Volkswagen put these in place to ensure enhanced chassis dynamics from the 2015 model.

Thanks to the Driving Profile Selector, drivers will get four race modes: normal, individual, race, and comfort. These come with the DCC dynamic chassis control system (optional), which is responsible for controlling the damper valves.

A side view of the Golf R

2015 Volkswagen Golf R: Exterior

The exterior of the 2015 Volkswagen Golf R is marked by a new bumper design at the front of the model, featuring large air inlets, daytime running lights (in Bi-Xenon headlight housings), and an updated radiator grille modeling the bold “R” logo. The Golf R sits on 18-inch “Cadiz” aluminum-alloy wheels and features four chrome tailpipes, an “R” design diffuser, and a trunklid featuring that “R” logo again. The Golf R’s also got “R” badges on the front fenders, black brake calipers that—you guessed it—feature the “R” logo, body-color “R” style side skirts, even door mirror caps in “Matte chrome.”

2015 Volkswagen Golf R: Interior

Volkswagen also took good care of the inside details as well. Sports seats with leather seating surfaces welcome the driver and passengers in, with “Carbon” Nappa leather-upholstered head restraints, outer seat surfaces, and inner side support panels, as well as Nappa leather-trimmed center sections. Volkswagen seems to have had a love affair with leather (don’t tell PETA), because it was also utilized it for the grip zones of the “R” sport steering wheel. (And yes, it sports the “R” logo; did you even have to ask?)

The inside is also marked by “Carbon Touch” design for the door trim panels and dashboard, and features pedals, kick plates, and a foot support with a stainless-steel appearance. The instruments and touchscreen’s start menu also received customization updates, and drivers can enjoy the radio and navigation via a 5.8-inch touchscreen.

Keep your eyes peeled for the 2015 Volkswagen Golf R to hit the market in the beginning of 2015.

2015 Volkswagen Golf R Photo Gallery

Timothy Moore

Timothy Moore takes his leadership inspiration from Michael Scott, his writing inspiration from Mark Twain, and his dancing inspiration from every drunk white guy at a wedding. When Tim is not writing about cars and money, he’s working on his novel or reading someone else’s, geeking out over strategy board games, hiking with his pooch, or channeling his inner Linda Belcher over beers with his friends. See more articles by Timothy.