VW Hatches Hot 2025 Golf R, Gives It More Power and Drops Stick Shift Option

Does this sound like an official unveiling? Well, it's not, as the Wolfsburg-based car manufacturer has yet to uncover it fully. However, that hasn't stopped it from announcing how punchy it is, how quickly it can reach sixty-two mph (100 kph), and what it hides beneath the refreshed skin.

First things first, let's talk about the firepower, as that's what interests the petrolhead crowd. Like its predecessor, the facelifted 2025 VW Golf R comes with the familiar 2.0L four-banger, which now produces 329 horsepower (334 ps/245 kW) and 310 pound-foot (420 Nm) of torque. If you were wondering, that's an extra 14 hp (14 ps/10 kW) and 15 lb-ft (20 Nm) over the car it replaces.

A seven-speed DSG delivers the output and thrust to the 4Motion all-wheel drive system. This is the only transmission, as the manual gearbox was dropped for the mid-cycle refresh. Volkswagen claims the refreshed AWD hot hatch needs 4.6 seconds to sprint to 62 mph, whereas the sporty station wagon is two-tenths slower. The top speed jumps from 155 to 168 mph (250-270 kph) with the optional Performance Package.

It is worth noting that these are the specifications of the European model, as details surrounding the car that will also arrive in the United States (hatch only) haven't been released yet. The outgoing 2024 Golf R kicks off at $45,665 before destination, does 0-60 mph (97 kph) in 4.5 seconds, comes with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission, and enjoys 315 hp (319 ps/235 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque from its 2.0L turbo-four.

Volkswagen's facelifted Golf R remains a tail-happy machine with the drift mode engaged, which turns it into a pure rear-wheel drive car. The brakes also carry over, and the 2025 model sits one inch (mm) closer to the ground than its predecessor. It has a revised chassis setup and benefits from adaptive suspension as standard. Additional upgrades will include the refreshed front and rear fascias and every other novelty on the rest of the Golf Mk8.5 family.

The official unveiling date of the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R in both body styles is right around the corner. The automaker will unveil it at the end of the month, on June 26, and we expect it to open the order books later this summer. VW will keep the station wagon version away from our market, which is sad, as it would've been a breath of fresh air in the compact class.