Volkswagen Mk8

The Golf R is the top-performance version of the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf, sitting above the GTI and offered as a three- or five-door hatchback or wagon. It pairs the Golf's everyday usability with serious pace and all-weather traction.

Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter EA888 four-cylinder, rated at 300 PS (296 hp) at launch in 2014 and rising to 310 PS for 2016-2018 cars, with 380 N-m of torque available from 1,800 rpm. Drive goes to all four wheels through a fifth-generation Haldex 4MOTION system that can send up to half the power rearward and decouples the rear axle under light loads to save fuel.

With the optional DSG gearbox the Golf R reaches 62 mph in 4.9 seconds, and top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. The Mk7 Golf R was discontinued in the United States in August 2019.