Facelifted Volkswagen Golf R Will Have 328 HP

Key Takeaways

Facelifted 2025 Golf R to have same 328 horsepower output as limited-edition 2024 Golf R 333.
US model may have different figures.
A Clubsport variant of the Golf R is under serious consideration.

Ahead of the unveiling of the new Golf R later this month, Volkswagen has again teased the AWD hot hatch, this time giving us some useful information: the new Golf R will have 333 PS, the same as the limited-edition Golf R 333 revealed last year. That translates to 328 hp in SAE numbers and represents an increase of 13 ponies versus the current Golf R. As for torque, we’re still in the dark for the time being.

2024 Volkswagen Golf R

Base MSRP: $45,665
Engine: 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
Horsepower: 315 hp
Fuel Economy: 20/28 MPG

Presumably, the new Golf R will again match the limited-edition 333, which offered 309 lb-ft of twist, but it’s worth keeping in mind that the US-spec model may have different figures to the rest of the world.

Potentially Not The Last Combustion-Powered Golf

The end of the road for the gasoline-powered Golf is fast approaching, and the entire R division is set to go electric soon. However, there may be one last celebration of combustion in the form of a Clubsport variant of the Golf R. The project is yet to be approved by board members, but VW engineers are already at work.

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If this is approved for production, it will be a track-focused version of the Golf R, with less weight and sharper handling. Presumably, as a runout special, Volkswagen would consider increasing the output of the EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged engine further, but then again, the Clubsport version of the GTI is more focused on handling outright power.

Imminent Reveal

The facelifted Golf R will arrive on June 26, and it’s expected to get the same changes as the 2025 Golf GTI, meaning no more manual gearbox, the return of physical buttons to the steering wheel, a better infotainment and climate control interface, and sharper styling with IQ.Light LED headlights and taillights. Some new wheel designs are also possible, and those will likely be teased in the coming days. We’ll bring you more information as we get it.