Like the GTI, the Golf R is also built as a three- or five-door hatchback and there's also a wagon version. It is powered by a newly developed version of the
turbocharged EA888 petrol FSI straight-four engine used in the latest Golf GTI, Audi S3, Volkswagen Tiguan and Jetta, and dozens of other Volkswagen AG vehicles, but in this application, it produces (or for "hot climate" markets such as Australia, South Africa, Japan, and the US) from 5,500 to 6,200 rpm and from 1,800 to 5,500 rpm of
torque. Compared to the GTI's powerplant, the Golf R's engine has a modified cylinder head, exhaust valves, valve seats and springs, pistons, injection valves and larger
intercooler and turbocharger.
DSG-equipped models also come with an auxiliary oil cooler on the passenger side on right hand drive models. 0-62 mph (100 km/h) takes 5.1 seconds (versus 5.7 seconds for the previous Golf R) or 4.9 seconds with the optional DSG gearbox. The top speed is electronically limited to . Despite this increased performance, a combined fuel consumption of , and emissions of 165 g/km and emissions of 159 g/km DSG) make the Golf R up to 18 percent more efficient than its predecessor. The R uses an updated, fifth-generation
Haldex 4MOTION four-wheel drive system. Under low loads or when coasting, the rear axle is decoupled, helping to reduce fuel consumption. Drive to the rear axle can be engaged in fractions of a second via the Haldex coupling, which is actuated by an electro-hydraulic pump. Up to 50 percent of power can be transferred to the rear axle. A brake-actuated XDS+ system mimics a limited-slip differential by applying the brakes to the wheel with the least traction, this is on both the front and rear axles. The ride height is 20 mm lower than the standard Golf. Golf R models equipped with the optional 'DCC' (
Dynamic Chassis Control) offer three suspension modes: 'Comfort', 'Normal', and 'Race'. Each mode adjusts the stiffness of the suspension damping, thereby offering drivers a way to change the way the vehicle responds with the push of a button. Comfort mode places the dampers in the softest setting, increasing the absorption of road imperfections and allowing for a smoother and more comfortable ride. Race mode stiffens the dampers to their most aggressive setting, reducing body movements and increasing adhesion to the road for more precise high-speed driving. Race mode also increases throttle response, firms up the steering for a heftier feel, and alters the shift pattern of the DSG gearbox (where fitted), and increases the speed of the Adaptive headlamps (AFS) response time. On top of ESC Sport mode, as found on the GTI and GTD, which delays intervention of the electronic stability control system, the R offers the option fully to disengage the ESC, for track driving. For the Canadian market, the optional Discover Pro 8" infotainment system is available as part of the single option "Technology Package," while only the 6.5" Discover is available to US consumers. In North America, the Golf R comes standard with halogen tail lights and HID bi-xenon headlights with LED front and side view mirror turn signals, while ROW markets received the options for a sunroof, a three-door version, and LED tail lights. All these features are not available in the North American version. The Golf R and e-Golf are the only Golf models available in North America that was produced in Germany. Other Golf models for the North American market are produced by Volkswagen de México in
Puebla, Mexico. A limited edition Golf R400 was rumored in August 2015 by Heinz-Jakob Neusser, then-head of brand development, but in the wake of the
Volkswagen emissions scandal (and Neusser's suspension) it was cancelled in favor of focusing on the Golf R. For the South African market, the Golf R received another upgrade in power in March 2019. The upgrade resulted in and of torque (up from and in the facelift seen in July 2017). Additionally, the Golf R was also optionally available with an Akrapovič performance exhaust from the factory. The Mk7 Golf R was discontinued in the United States in August 2019.
Spektrum Program For the 2018 model year in Canada and 2019 model year in both Canada and the United States, Volkswagen offered 40 custom-order paint colours for the Golf R as part of their Spektrum Program. The program was initially introduced only for Canadian-market e-Golfs. Many of the colours offered were previously available on past Volkswagen Group models. The option carried a lead time of two to four months, as each car ordered as part of the Spektrum program was hand-painted in a separate facility from the main production line. Each custom-order colour carried an MSRP in the United States of $2,500. A total of 473 Spektrum Golf Rs were produced, with 199 going to the United States, before the Mk7 Golf R's discontinuation in North America. ==Facelift==