The latest all-new 2021 Volkswagen Golf R Mk8 – one year later and still not launched?

The most powerful Volkswagen Golf the world has ever seen was launched in late 2020, and the hype was real. Volkswagen’s latest all new Golf R Mk8 makes 320 PS and 420 Nm, and doubtless the pandemic delayed its arrival to our shores. At the moment, there is neither estimated time of arrival, nor projected price for the new Volkswagen Golf R, and god knows the superhatch’s fans are beside themselves with impatience.

These benchmark figures come from a 2.0-litre turbocharged EA 888 engine, and it can either be paired to a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed DSG automatic. Will we see the manual ‘box for sale here? Likely not, although it is a an important spec for the North American market.

With these figures, the Volkswagen Golf R will complete the century sprint in 4.7 seconds, and go on to a top speed of 249 km/h. Just like every generation before, this new Volkswagen Golf R also features all-wheel drive.

The exterior of the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf R is still wonderfully subtle, thankfully. Performance cars must, understandably, have a degree of flair and extroversion, but Volkswagen has decidedly pushed back against this norm and every single Volkswagen Golf R is all the better for it.

The new front bumper has a motorsport-style splitter, and sitting above are R-specific air intake grilles. At the rear is a bumper with new a new diffuser complete with the now-customary quad tailpipes. They simply hint at the car's extra pants-bulge, instead of waving it about in people's faces.

Aside from that, the all new Volkswagen Golf R squats 0.8 inches lower than the standard model, and rides on 19-inch wheels. Completing the exterior is a roof spoiler that is more aggressive than the previous model that adds just the right amount of edge to the entire look.

Inside, the superhatch is no less subtle, but it certainly feels special. Its seats are finished in Nappa leather, and the new steering wheel is also finished in leather, with a prominent ‘R button’ at the centre spoke.

This magic button gives drivers access to 6 different driving profiles: Comfort, Sport, Race, Individual, and Drift. A more forceful press of the button will engage Race mode directly, and yes, just like the Ford Focus RS, there is, indeed, a Drift Mode for some tire-smoking fun.

So more power, more features, more refinement and more drivability – no price has yet been given, but certainly when it does come here, the all-new Volkswagen Golf R Mk8 will be more expensive than the outgoing model as well. The previous one was priced just north of RM300k, so we expect the price of this all-new Volkswagen Golf R stray a little further up towards RM320-330k.

On a final note, Volkswagen have since added a wagon to the R lineup, but of course, we won’t be seeing it officially in our country. It is a shame though, because it's quite the looker.