Completing the holy trinity of the Volkswagen Golf line-up in Malaysia is the 2022 Volkswagen Golf R. Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has just previewed the hyper hatch for Malaysia, with prices starting from RM 356,412.

That marks a massive RM 77k increase in price compared to the Mk7.5 Golf R, which retailed for RM 278,888 (without GST).

Unlike the TSI and GTI siblings that are locally-assembled (CKD) in Pahang, the Mk8 Golf R is imported (CBU) from Germany.

Powering the Mk8 Golf R is Volkswagen’s long-standing EA888 turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine, fettled to produce 320 PS and 420 Nm. That’s 30 PS and 40 Nm more than the Mk7.5 Golf R that it replaces.

Also Read: All-new 2021 Volkswagen Golf R Mk8 debuts – 320 PS, 420 Nm

For the Malaysian market, the sole transmission option is a 7-speed wet-type dual-clutch (DSG) automatic transmission, hooked up to Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

This powertrain combination allows the Mk8 Golf R to dispatch the century sprint in just 4.8 seconds, shaving 0.4 seconds off the model it replaces. Top speed is an electronically-limited 250 km/h.

That said, in the Mk8 Golf R, the 4Motion AWD system now features the R-Performance Torque Vectoring system that is capable of delivering 100 percent torque to the outside wheel for increased traction.

Because our Malaysian-spec car isn't fitted with the Performance Package, it lacks the fancy Drift mode. 

Also Read: Volkswagen Golf R Mk8 gets Drift Mode like an AMG A45S

Seeing that it is the flagship model in the Golf line-up, it gets all the bells and whistles, including 19-inch Adelaide dual-tone alloy wheels and a quad exhaust muffler configuration as well as silver-finished side mirror caps.

Inside, the Mk8 Golf R offers the 480-watt, 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Infotainment duties is taken care of by a 10-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Three colours are available for the Mk8 Golf R, namely Pure White, Lapiz Blue, and Deep Black.