Live from the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon, the Top Gear Philippines team got an up close and personal look at the newest Volkswagen Golf R, slated to enter the U.S. market sometime this year. Volkswagen showcased a wagon-type Golf R, right next to a prized hot hatch body. And we’d definitely go with the hot hatch on this one.
The Golf R has always been seen as the more expensive, techy, and modern twin to the cult-classic Golf GTI. While both of these cars could burn some serious rubber, the Golf R usually has a few more bells and whistles that make its driving experience much more dynamic, and well, just fun.
2025 is ramping up to be a big year for Volkswagen, and its Golf heritage. The iconic hot hatch is entering its 50th year and to celebrate, Volkswagen has given the Golf R a few welcome updates, and one not-so-welcome announcement.
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To get the bad news out of the way first, Volkswagen has announced that in 2025, the Golf will only be manufactured with a dual-clutch transmission. While it is technically correct, that may just be Volkswagen’s way of saying it is an automatic, without saying the word ‘automatic.’ However, Volkswagen will try to win back purists and racers with the 2025 Golf R’s additional 13hp, bringing the total to 328 horses.
Manual, or not, the Golf R still packs a beefy 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that can complete a 0-100kph acceleration in just 4.6sec. Though others will say the Golf R can hit it in an impressive 3.9sec.
The Golf R also comes standard with Volkswagen’s AWD system, 4Motion with ‘Torque Vectoring.’ That system will essentially allow the car to modify the torque that goes into each axel when drifting, or high-speed turning. And Golf R drivers will be drifting in 19-inch wheels, shod in performance tires.
Inside, the Golf R also gets Volkswagen’s updated infotainment system and digital cluster. The latter should be able to show drivers their real time torque and g-force output. Drivers and front passengers will be sitting on racing seats with a deep blue ‘R’ stitched into the headrests.
Outside, the Golf R keeps the classic Golf impression and look, but with a few updates. On the front, a light bar sandwiches a glowing VW logo—a uniform design element for all 2025 Volkswagen cars. The bumper has a more pronounced curve that slides off that bright VW logo, which then slides further into a thick, rectangular grille. There are less changes on rear, with only slighly sharper curves on bumper.
Sadly, and as mentioned, this will only be released in the U.S. market. With the sad lack of hot hatches in the Philippine market, and with Volkswagen celebrating the 50th year of the Golf, we are hoping and praying the Golf R shows up on our roads.
More photos of the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R
