Volkswagen teases potential Golf R 20th anniversary, set for February 2022 reveal

Volkswagen looks set to bolster its Golf range, teasing another performance grade for the evergreen hatchback.

Set to be revealed next month, the manufacturer took to Facebook to announce it would be launching an "NFT", or Notably Fast Transporter as they called it – poking fun at the current Non-Fungible Token craze.

Despite the overwhelming number of commenters begging for a return of the Beetle, the teaser is unmistakably a Mk8 Golf – adopting the rear spoiler over its hatch from the Golf GTI and R, as well as clearly sharing the popular hatchback's profile.

So, what could it be?

Volkswagen's performance line-up is already stacked across the globe. In addition to the Golf GTI and soon-to-be-released Golf R in Australia, international markets score other grades such as the diesel-powered GTD and the GTE plug-in hybrid.

In some countries, Volkswagen offers the GTI in hardcore Clubsport 45 guise, providing another level of performance to its front-wheel-drive hatch – although the Golf R currently exists in a lone grade.

Back in the Mk7.5 generation, the Golf R Grid was offered in Australia at a $5000+ price-cut from the standard R, sacrificing certain equipment such as in-dash active safety warnings, leather seats and the larger infotainment screen for a cheaper way in to the all-wheel-drive hot hatch.

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However, this year is also a special anniversary for Volkswagen as 20 years have passed since its first Golf "R" model came out – the Mark 4 R32.

Powered by the narrow-angle 3.2-litre VR6 engine from the Audi TT, the R32 was the first ever car to be sold with Volkswagen's now commonplace DSG transmission – the only gearbox available in the Mk8.

The R32 badge and engine was retained until the Mk6 came along, with the Golf's flagship performance variant moving across to the EA888 four-cylinder turbo engine and standard "R" naming, carrying on until today.

MOTOR will provide updates when Volkswagen shows off the as-yet-unknown Golf variant next month.