The battle of the hatches has moved on from just classifying these types of cars as merely hot. These days, ‘hot’ is just the start, and the mega hatches are where the victories are far sweeter. While the Volkswagen Golf R (and R32) can lay claim to most of the credit for starting this new tier of compact performance, the fastest VW hatch has not been at the forefront.
Instead, cars like the similarly all-wheel drive Ford Focus RS, Audi RS3 Sportback, Mercedes-AMG A 45, and even the front-driven Honda Civic Type R, all have an average output exceeding the Golf R. Newer models like the all-new Renault Megane RS has grown up a touch; now a 5-door with a dual-clutch transmission option and similar numbers while remaining FWD.
For a while most of the world thought that Volkswagen were content with their more sedate but ruthlessly effective high speed hatch, not really needing to prove their mettle by partaking in mega hatch cage fights.
That said, apparently, they’ve held their tongue for too long, and according to AutoExpress, are developing a next-generation Golf R - based on the forthcoming 8th-generation Golf - with an excess of 300kW.
Jürgen Stackmann told UK publication “The R brand is going extreme,” and that “The role of R is that it can go beyond the rational; nobody needs a compact car with 400bhp, but is there a place [for it?]. Certainly, and that’s the turf of R.”
That is certainly quite a strong indication that Volkswagen not only plans to expand the sheer volume of models under the R badge, but seeks much higher performance credentials from each, and that should be all-round good news for fans of fast cars.
It’s unlikely that Volkswagen would want to step away from their proven formula of a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, DSG transmission, and 4Motion all-wheel drive for the all-new Golf R, and it’s already proven that tuners have been able to push the EA888 much father than its respective stock outputs, and quite reliably.
Interestingly, VW might be looking at other areas to improve the car’s on-road arsenal. Because the next-generation Golf will be constructed with support for more advanced electrical architecture, the R might have a 48 Volt mild hybrid system on hand to provide short ‘torque fill’ boosts via an electric motor while also improving fuel economy in normal circumstances.
Furthermore, Volkswagen could also choose to fit the new Golf R with rear wheel steering, endowing it with even more dynamic capability relatively easily. Already used in the new Megane RS, it’s also a feature that’s expected to reach the next Focus RS and Mercedes-AMG A 45.
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