A person can have a lot of fun answering the prompt of: “What is the world’s fastest Volkswagen?” You can be clever and argue it’s the brand-new Bugatti Tourbillon V-16 hypercar, or the Porsche 911, or many other high-performance models from the brands under the Volkswagen Group umbrella—but Volkswagen is one of those brands, too. There’s an updated 2025 Volkswagen Golf R that promises to be the new fastest car it’ll sell (well, in a tie). Here’s what to expect from the updated hot hatchback coming stateside early next year.
2025 Volkswagen Golf R Gains Power
The updated Golf improves on the outgoing model year with 13 more horsepower, totaling 328 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque through all four wheels. This makes it the most powerful VW Golf ever. Moreover, power comes from a retuned 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, and the claimed 0-60 mph time has improved to 4.6 seconds for the hatch. With the available Performance Pack, the 2025 Golf R can reach a top speed of 167 mph, which matches the top speed of the European Arteon R Shooting Brake model; both share the title of “World’s Fastest Volkswagen.” Optional wheels include the 19-inch Warmenau forged alloys, which are named after the town of Warmenau on the outskirts of Wolfsburg, Germany, where the vehicle was developed. These allow for a reduction in wheel weight by 20 percent.
2025 VW Golf R Design Updates
The new Golf R trim features the same upgrades as the recently-updated standard 2024 Golf model, which includes IQ.Light LED matrix headlights and taillights, illuminated VW badges, new front air curtains, and bumper design. Additionally, it offers a matte chrome exterior mirror finish, standard 18-inch Jerez-style wheels, and a quad-exhaust setup. Inside, drivers will find a new large 12.9-inch touchscreen, available heads-up display (HUD), and an updated Digital Cockpit Pro track analysis feature, including a new G-meter and lap timer—which is only available with the Performance Pack. Furthermore, the Golf R hatchback can be ordered with a richer sounding R Performance Akrapovič titanium exhaust system, as both available exhausts come with controllable flaps for greater nuance.
2025 VW Golf R Black Edition Confirmed
The so-called “Black Edition” of the 2025 Golf R will feature a black-painted version of the otherwise available 19-inch Estoril wheel design, equipped with 235/35 tires, black brake calipers, black exhaust tips, and darkened Volkswagen badges and R logos. A spokesperson from Volkswagen has confirmed that it will be available in the U.S. for the 2025 model year as an option.
What To Expect for the U.S. 2025 Golf R Hatchback
In Germany, a Performance Pack is available as an upgrade, and we expect a similar offering for the updated 2025 model in the U.S. It should be noted that 2024 was said to be the last year that a manual transmission would be available for the Golf R in the U.S., so we only anticipate the return of the seven-speed automatic dual-clutch DSG transmission. All new models in Europe, as well as current U.S. models, are equipped with DCC adaptive chassis damping control as standard, so we expect the same for the 2025 model year in the U.S. Moreover, the Golf R suspension should be approximately 0.8 inches lower than the standard Golf, and the expected Performance Package should feature a larger rear roof spoiler. It is unfortunate that the Performance Pack will likely not include an increase in top speed stateside.
The 2025 VW Golf R Wagon the U.S. Doesn’t Get
The so-called “Variant” wagon version of the new Golf R shares the same power boost and total output as the hatch, but its 0-60 mph time is slightly slower at 4.8 seconds. It is also available with the Performance Pack in Europe. Furthermore, the Golf R Variant features distinct silver-anodised roof rails, and all Golf R models will come with “R” hubcap centers for the first time. Sadly, this version will not be available in America.
