The Golf R has an even more advanced version of the EA888 four-cylinder turbocharged and direct-injection TSI? 2.0-liter engine that's fitted to the new Golf GTI. The engineers boosted power to an estimated 290 hp, delivered at 5500 rpm, thus creating one of the most powerful four-cylinder production engines in the world. Maximum torque has been increased to 280 pound-feet, available over a broad speed band from 1800 to 5500 rpm. To attain this output, the Golf R model's 1984-cc engine was subjected to a motorsports-style development program. The following components were modified or completely redesigned compared to the GTI engine: the cylinder head (together with exhaust valves, valve seats, and springs), pistons, high-pressure injection system, and turbocharger.
Like before, Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is used in this new Golf R, with the latest-generation Haldex coupling. The automaker says a full 100 percent of the engine's available torque can be sent to the rear wheels, should the need arise, and the XDS cross-differential lock at the front and rear helps make the vehicle more agile, and allow for faster cornering. Equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, the Golf R will reach 62 mph from rest in 5.3 seconds, an improvement of 0.4 seconds over the old car; with the six-speed DSG? dual-clutch automatic transmission, the car completes the sprint in just 4.9 seconds.
The new Golf R is equipped with "ESC Sport" as standard. The system is activated by a two-stage switch on the center console. When the driver presses this switch briefly, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) switches to the "ESC Sport" mode. In very fast driving on a race track, the ESC system has a higher threshold in this mode. When the ESC button is pressed for longer than three seconds, the system is fully deactivated for high-performance track driving, a feature that is available only on the Golf R.
