2022 Volkswagen Golf R Arrives With 315 HP And Manual Gearbox

It goes without saying that anticipation for the new Volkswagen Golf 8 is high in North America. That is emphasized when talking about the Golf R, the high-performance version of the Golf range that we already knew would be themost powerful Golfyet. We also knew that a manual gearboxmay be offered for the range-topping Golf, but until VW confirmed the technical details, we didn't want to get ahead of ourselves.

Well, here it is: the2022 Volkswagen Golf R, which we can now confirm produces 315 horsepower from its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Even better, the Golf R will be offered with a six-speed manual in the US market. An optional seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission will be available as well, along with a standard torque vectoring 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

With 27 hp more than the previous Golf R and 310 lb-ft of torque in European spec (295 lb-ft in the US), the latest Golf R can reach 62 mph in only 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. That makes it quicker than theHonda Civic Type R, one of our favorite hot hatches. The Golf's newly revised AWD system not only distributes power between the front/rear axles but between each rear wheel, too. Up to 100 percent of torque can be sent to the outside wheel in the bends, which reduces understeer and results in more agile handling.

Also enhancing the high-performance goals of the Golf R is a 0.8-inch lower ride height relative to regular Golfs, while an aluminum subframe has lowered the front suspension's weight by 6.6 pounds. An enhanced braking setup comprises two-piston front calipers made of aluminum, lowering mass by 60 percent on each side. The front discs have grown to 14.1 inches and 1.3 inches wider.