Golf R

Make
Volkswagen
Segment
Hatchback

The Volkswagen Golf R is supposed to be the peak of the Golf lineup. It's an Audi S3 with a big butt and some VW badging (with a side of oversimplification from us). However, Volkswagen has a history of making special, more hardcore versions of hot Golfs.

Arguably the most notable example is the GTI TCR, a hardcore, track-ready version of the ever-present hot hatch from Wolfsburg. Usually, these models bring stiffer suspension and other sporty upgrades, and now it appears Volkswagen is working on a TCR upgrade for the Golf R.

This should be no surprise, as VW is already working on a TCR upgrade for the current 8th-generation Volkswagen GTI. We've seen photos of that on numerous occasions already. We're looking at a new Golf R prototype undergoing testing at the Nurburgring.

Our spies report this is a 20th Anniversary Edition, which obviously has some new changes.

The most prevalent of those are the new canards VW has fitted to either side of the front bumper. Unfortunately, those are the only changes our spies were able to spot. Luckily, some VW insiders gave our spies the scoop.

Apparently, Volkswagen is working on something "special" at the 'Ring, but VW employees didn't want to elaborate more.

However, Volkswagen did have several other R-spec cars, including an Arteon R and a second Golf R. Right now, the canards aren't something you'll find in VW's parts catalog, so it's clear something is in the works.

If you ask us, a TCR or other hardcore version of the Golf R is highly likely. Given Volkswagen is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Golf R, something more than that 20th Anniversary edition has to be in the works.

Should this be a TCR, we can expect a few things. First and foremost is more power. The brand's EA888 turbocharged engine is a tiny powerhouse, and tuners have pushed these well beyond 400 horsepower with bolt-on modifications and a tune. Given the R's current output of 315 hp, we can't say 400 is out of reach.

Of course, unique bodywork like the canards we see here could also come to the R, with a more aggressive diffuser and suspension a possibility.

We'd also expect the TCR to be auto-only, as a track-focused car with a hunger for lap times. For now, we'll have to wait for our spies to report back with more info.