Key Takeaways

• Volkswagen will debut the refreshed Golf R on June 26.
• The Golf R 8.5 will receive updated styling and a revised interior, among other changes.
• No word yet on whether the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine will receive additional power.

It’s official. Five months after the new Golf 8.5 (not available in the USA) and GTI 8.5 were revealed, Volkswagen R will unveil the refreshed Golf R on June 26. VW’s performance sub-brand shared the news via social media, along with a teaser image previewing the Golf R’s updated front lights. The feisty hot hatch will receive an illuminated front badge, which has become increasingly common on VW products.

The caption doesn’t give much detail, simply noting, “The time has come. Mark the 26th of June in your calendar. We can hardly wait for it!” With the new Golf R debuting before month-end, we don’t have much longer to wait before VW spills all the details.

What Can We Expect?

Recently, the automaker shared a teaser showcasing the Golf R hatch and the desirable wagon, which isn’t sold in the United States. In the brief video, both models will receive subtle exterior upgrades, with new bumpers at the front and rear. As mentioned, the headlights have also been tweaked, bringing the Golf R in line with the facelifted Golf and Golf GTI.

There’s no word yet on whether the new R will receive more power, but there is hope. When the revised Golf GTI broke cover in January, fans were surprised to learn that the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine received a power bump and now produces a respectable 262 horsepower. The Golf R is already very powerful, with 315 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque (280 lb-ft for the manual).

More Power, Please, VW!

However, Volkswagen may need to increase the power to distance the Golf R from the GTI. The Golf R 333 is proof that the EA888 mill can handle more power. While we’d welcome more, the current outputs are hardly tepid, enabling the hot hatch to sprint from 0-60 mph in under four seconds when equipped with the DSG transmission. We expect the manual to be discontinued, as the GTI is no longer offered with three pedals.

If the Golf R doesn’t get more power now, it may in the near future. Remember, Volkswagen R has plans to go all-electric. While not yet approved by the board, VW officials have said the company would like to create a hardcore version of the R, in the same vein as the recently revealed GTI Clubsport. Expect the updated Golf R to receive the same interior upgrades as the rest of the range, including the updated touchscreen, AI voice assistant, and more intuitive vehicle controls. Thankfully, we don’t have long to wait until VW whips the covers off.