2023 Volkswagen Golf R set for power boost months after launch

The 2023 Volkswagen Golf R is set for a power hike months after its Australian launch, Drive can reveal, to coincide with the arrival of a new anniversary special edition.

In time for the Golf R hot hatch’s 20th birthday, Volkswagen earlier this week revealed a new Golf R 20 Years special edition, which – among other upgrades – brought a 10kW power boost for its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, to 245kW and 420Nm.

This power bump was initially thought to be exclusive to the limited-time special edition – however Drive now understands the standard Golf R will also benefit within the coming months, to coincide with the introduction of the 20 Years model.

While sources have confirmed to Drive the hatch will receive the power boost, it’s unclear if the wagon will follow suit – though given the consistencies between the models, it’s likely to be only a matter of time.

Although for European markets the engine retune will represent a 10kW increase, for the Australian-market hatch, it’s a 10kW/20Nm bump – given Golf R hatchbacks currently run behind their European counterparts, and lack a petrol particulate filter.

However, the introduction of the 245kW/420Nm tune will seemingly re-align the Australian car with Europe – meaning the addition of a petrol particulate filter is highly likely, with the stipulations around fuel quality it brings (click here for more details).

The Golf R wagon in Australia – due in showrooms within weeks – was only ever planned to be offered with 235kW/420Nm and a petrol particulate filter, as it is “producible only with the filtered 420Nm engine”.

Volkswagen says Golf R hatchbacks with the 245kW/420Nm tune – the most potent ever offered in a Golf – are capable of 0-100km/h sprint times of 4.6 seconds, one tenth quicker than standard 235kW/420Nm European models, or two tenths quicker than 235kW/400Nm cars.

The effect the uprated engine tune will have on pricing remains to be seen. Volkswagen Australia cut $1000 from the Golf R’s price when the 400Nm was announced late last year – something that could return, if a petrol particulate filter is added back to the vehicle.

It’s also unclear if the Volkswagen Golf R’s high-riding sibling, the Tiguan R medium SUV – or the Europe-only Arteon R large sedan and wagon – will follow suit in adopting the 245kW tune.

For more details on everything included with the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years special edition – which is due in local showrooms in the third quarter of 2022 (July to September) – click here to read Drive’s full story from earlier this week.

While the 20 Years edition will only be available for one year – with the number of cars built to be limited by time, rather than a specific production cap – the 245kW tune for the standard Golf R hatch is expected to remain.