Volkswagen Tinkering With Rally-Inspired VW Golf R at Nürburgring

A Volkswagen Golf R sporting lifted suspension has been spotted on the Nürburgring. Could this test mule be a rally-inspired version of the German firm’s pinnacle hot hatch?

VW Golf R test mule rally

Image: Statesidesupercars

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Earlier this year, we were afforded the opportunity to sample the 8.5-generation Volkswagen Golf R on ice in Sweden. However, what if you desire an all-paw hot hatch for gravel? Well, recently, a Golf R sporting lifted suspension and a wider body kit was spotted being tested on the Nürburgring. Consider this prototype then a 911 Dakar or Huracan Sterrato on a budget!

Featuring an array of vehicles, in the footage released by Statesidesupercars on YouTube the test mule makes a brief appearance from around the two-minute mark. But could this be a rally-inspired Golf R?

Related: Review: Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 4Motion DSG

Well, while the proposition of such a Golf is enticing, a fair bet would be that it only serves as a test bed for the development of new, or updated, mechanical components relating to the drivetrain, chassis and suspension. In addition, though sporting the shell of an 8.5-generation Golf R, it could be a completely other model (updated T-Roc R, anyone?). But with the German marque yet to divulge any information, we can only speculate.

Related: Volkswagen Golf 8.5 – Pricing and Spec

As a reminder, the 8.5 generation of Volkswagen’s pinnacle hot hatch retains the eighth iteration’s — which soldiers on in the South African market owing to our current fuel quality issues — 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. However, for the revised Golf R, the EA888 has received a bump in power and torque — to 245 kW and 420 N.m, which signifies increases of 10 kW and 20 N.m. As a result, the Mk8.5 Golf R dispatches the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.6 seconds, two-tenths of a second quicker than the pre-facelifted model.

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The post Volkswagen Tinkering With Rally-Inspired VW Golf R at Nürburgring appeared first on CAR Magazine.


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