Volkswagen Golf R
2002– (R32/R); US from 2004
The Golf R is the top-performance, all-wheel-drive Golf. It began as the Mk4 R32 — a narrow-angle VR6 with VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive — and evolved into the turbocharged four-cylinder 'R' from the Mk7 onward. It sits above the GTI as the fastest, most capable Golf. // Source: Wikipedia "Volkswagen Golf Mk4" / VW media — US R32 single years MY2004 (Mk4) and MY2008 (Mk5); 'Golf R' from the Mk7 (MY2015).
2002– (R32/R); US from 2004
Overview
The Golf R is the top-performance, all-wheel-drive Golf. It began as the Mk4 R32 — a narrow-angle VR6 with VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive — and evolved into the turbocharged four-cylinder 'R' from the Mk7 onward. It sits above the GTI as the fastest, most capable Golf. // Source: Wikipedia "Volkswagen Golf Mk4" / VW media — US R32 single years MY2004 (Mk4) and MY2008 (Mk5); 'Golf R' from the Mk7 (MY2015).
Collectibility
The VR6-powered R32s (especially the Mk4) are sought after as the first and last six-cylinder Golf Rs. Modern Golf Rs are strong enthusiast cars. Values are qualitative here by design.
Every production run
Years & eras
| Years | Engine | HP | Production | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 (Mk4 R32, US) | 3.2L VR6 | — | — | — |
| 2008 (Mk5 R32, US) | 3.2L VR6 | — | — | — |
| 2015–present (Golf R) | 2.0L turbocharged four (EA888) | — | — | — |
2004 (Mk4 R32, US)
The first US Golf 'R' was the Mk4 R32: a VR6 with all-wheel drive, a manual gearbox, and a six-speed, sold in limited numbers. // Source: Wikipedia "Volkswagen Golf Mk4" — US Mk4 R32 a single 2004 model year (5,017 US units).
2008 (Mk5 R32, US)
A second US R32 followed on the Mk5, again with the VR6 and 4Motion all-wheel drive. // Source: Wikipedia "Volkswagen Golf Mk5" / VW media — US Mk5 R32 a single 2008 model year.
2015–present (Golf R)
From the Mk7 the model became the turbocharged-four 'Golf R' with all-wheel drive — quicker and more potent than the GTI, and the range-topping Golf.
Worth knowing
Notable
- Began as the Mk4 R32 with a VR6 and all-wheel drive.
- Switched to a turbocharged four-cylinder from the Mk7.
- The most powerful and most capable Golf.
Model years featuring the R