New looks, 235kW turbo engine and …. drift mode.

VOLKSWAGEN has released its inner Hoonigan with the 2021 Golf R, finally revealed today.

In addition to ticking the required boxes in respect to being the most powerful and quickest Golf – no surprises there, obviously – it also unloads a function that VW previously steered clear of offering on its four-wheel-drive street racer.

As with the Mk 8 GTi, the R has a ‘Vehicle Dynamics Manager’ system which controls the ‘XDS’ electronically-controlled front locking differential, ‘DCC’ adaptive dampers, all-wheel-drive system and other electronics systems in tandem to sharpen driving dynamics.

As an option – in Europe at least – there’s an ‘R Performance’ package, which increases the top speed from 250kmh to to 270kmh, and adds 19-inch wheels and a larger rear spoiler, with the latter intended to increased downforce. 

The package also introduces two new drive modes: Special, which softens the adaptive dampers, and Drift mode, which shuffles greater percentages of the engine’s torque to the rear axle to break traction and enable controlled drifts.

Why ‘Special?’ It’s a set-up to cater for the undulating surface of the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Using it enables to shave 17 seconds off its predecessor’s lap time around the demanding circuit. Obviously not an easy reach for Kiwi owners, but still.

Under the bonnet is the same 2.0-litre ‘EA888’ turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that powered its predecessor, now producing 235kW of power and 420Nm of torque (from 2100-5350rpm).

Drive is routed to all four wheels via a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions, though the former will be limited (at launch, at least) to North American markets.

The Golf R benefits from the same new-generation, Haldex-type all-wheel-drive system as the related Arteon R and Tiguan R.

The R Performance Torque Vectoring that allows up to 100 percent of the engine’s torque to be distributed between the front and rear axles, or between each individual rear wheel, in milliseconds.

Volkswagen claims a 0-100kmh sprint time of 4.7 seconds.

Under the skin, the new Golf R sits 20mm lower to the ground than standard Golf models, thanks to retuned suspension with 10 per cent stiffer springs, revised control arms and wheel mounts, increased negative front camber, and unique anti-roll bars.

Hiding behind the alloys is a set of larger performance brakes, measuring 360mm up front and clamped by two-piston aluminium callipers.

Lighter brakes shave 1.2kg of unsprung mass off the car’s kerb weight, complemented by a further 3kg loss thanks to a lighter aluminium subframe.

Other available performance features include variable sports steering, an optional, 7kg-lighter Akrapovic exhaust system, and five additional drive modes: Comfort, Eco, Sport, Individual and Race.