It shouldn't be much longer before the 2021 Volkswagen Golf R is unveiled. Along with the GTI, these performance versions will make up a much smaller Golf 8 range in the US, as we've been deprived of more affordable versions of the iconic hatchback. At some point, the Golf R was rumored to make use of the Audi RS3's five-cylinder turbocharged engine, which would have made the Golf range-topper even more characterful. But Audi doesn't want the Golf R poaching RS3 sales, so instead, the new R will use a 2.0-liter turbo-four. This didn't stop someone from putting an RS3 engine into a Golf 7 anyway, though, and the results are predictably explosive.

The Golf 7 in question not only gets the 2.5-liter TFSI engine from the RS3, but also a new TTE700 turbocharger that takes the output up to 740 horsepower. That's a massive jump over the stock RS3 which makes 394 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. In the video, the juiced-up Golf 7 takes on an RS3 hatchback, with the hot Golf running a half-mile time of 16.4 seconds, over two seconds quicker than the RS3. The RS3 had a poor launch but even so, this Golf 7 is mighty quick. Later, it also outpaces an RS6 Avant.

But besides the power, the RS3's five-cylinder engine makes a lovely noise that is a cut above the regular Golf's turbo-four. It reminds us of the legendary Golf R32, one of our favorite Golfs which packed six cylinders and also sounded fabulous. Of course, the chances of another Golf with more than four cylinders are increasingly unlikely. By the way, if you're interested in the TTE700 turbo which increases output to around 600 horses on pump gas, it'll set you back nearly $5,200. Or, if you aren't that greedy, the new Golf R's 328 hp should make it one of the quickest hot hatches on the market anyway.