Volkswagen Golf R Performance teased in video

An EVEN faster version of the fastest Volkswagen Golf could be on the cards for Australia after it was teased in an official video.

Volkswagen posted a video titled ‘Golf R Performance’ on its YouTube channel, highlighting several extra features for the hot hatch to be “introduced at a later date” as part of a package.

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It describes the model as: “Even rawer, even less compromising, even more strong-willed.”

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Features not included on the ‘regular’ Golf R that will reach Australia in August in updated form include ‘air curtain’ side intakes borrowed from the GTI 40th Anniversary Edition, V-spoke wheels in black rather than silver, black roof lip spoiler, and a titanium exhaust system from specialists Akrapovič.

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The additions for the all-wheel-drive Golf follow the move for the front-wheel-drive Golf GTI hot-hatch. The latest GTI Performance offers more power and torque – up 11kW to 180kW and 20Nm to 370Nm – as well as larger brakes.

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It’s not yet clear whether the special exhaust system will liberate any extra power for the R’s 213kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

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The video suggests the Golf R Performance will only match the regular version’s 0-100km/h acceleration of 4.6 seconds, though a clip of the digital speedo reaching 267km/h suggests its top speed will be slightly higher.

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VW Australia spokesman Paul Pottinger wouldn’t be drawn on the R Performance teased in the video but says Australia couldn’t ignore the popularity of hotter Golfs.

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“We do very well with the R, and periodically it has outsold the GTI. If you ask whether we would consider different R versions created for Australia, yes, too right we will. It’s a niche in which we’re very much interested.”

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In 2015, Volkswagen Australia introduced a $58,990 wagon-based Golf R Wolfsburg Edition, which included various features and appointments exclusive to this market.