New 2024 Volkswagen Golf R and GTI Clubsport: Price, specs and release date

The new top-of-the-range sporty Golf models go on sale this month.

Fresh on the heels of a facelift to the latest-generation Volkswagen Golf, the four-wheel-drive, performance-focused Golf R has had a power boost to go with an upgraded interior and new infotainment system. It’s available in hatchback and Golf R Estate forms, with a special Golf R Black Edition also available

Volkswagen has also announced details of the Golf GTI Clubsport, a front-wheel-drive enhanced version of the popular Golf GTI.

Volkswagen has previous announced an optional R-Performance package , too, which makes so-equipped Golf Rs Volkswagen’s fastest production cars, matching the Arteon R Shooting Brake.

The new 2024 Volkswagen Golf R will be a rival to hot hatches like the Cupra Leon, the Honda Civic Type R and the Audi S3 Sportback, and also offers a more affordable alternative to premium cars like the Audi RS 3 Sportback and Mercedes-AMG A-Class models.

New 2024 Volkswagen Golf R and GTI Clubsport: prices and release date

All the new high-performance Golfs are available for order from 8 August, 2024. Prices start at £41,655 for the hatchback-only Golf GTI Clubsport, while the Golf R costs from £42,320 or £44,685 for the Estate version. The Golf R Black Edition, which also only available as a hatchback, costs from £44,570.

Expect deliveries before the end of the year.

New 2024 Volkswagen Golf R and GTI Clubsport: interior and exterior

The latest Volkswagen Golf R and Golf R Estate are based on the recently refreshed eighth-generation Golf, and share the same general look. However, their performance intent and high specification are highlighted with an illuminated Volkswagen badge on the front and upgraded “LED Plus” headlights, as well as a sportier-than-standard bodykit. New 19-inch forged alloy wheels are available as an option.

The Golf R comes as standard with adaptive dampers, known as DCC. This continuously adjusts the suspension to ensure a balance between driving dynamism and performance.

Inside, there’s an upgraded infotainment system over previous Golf Rs, with Volkswagen’s latest ChatGPT-infused voice assistant, known as IDA. A digital driver display is included as standard, which can be configured in different ways, including to an R-specific design with a central rev counter.

Sports seats are standard in the front of the Golf R, with optional nappa leather upholstery.

A special edition Golf R Black Edition is also available, which has darker VW badges and R logos, black brake callipers and black 19-inch wheels, as well as black tailpipes and darkened headlights.

The Golf GTI Clubsport has specially tuned suspension, a model-specific front bumper with a honeycomb air-intake grille, as well as matrix LED headlights and an illuminated VW logo. It rides on 18-inch alloys, and inside has keyless enrtry and start, heated front seats and three-zone air-conditionining, as well as adaptive cruise control.

New 2024 Volkswagen Golf R and GTI Clubsport: engines and gearboxes

The headline feature in the Golf R is its engine. The turbocharged 2.0-litre engine has more power than before, up 13PS to 333PS. The optional R-Performance package ups the car’s top speed from 155mph to 168mph, and also adds extra driving modes targeted towards track use. Drift mode lets you slide the car around more easily, while Special mode has been set up specifically for the Nurburgring race track, should you fancy a road trip.

Cars with the R-Performance package also have a larger roof spoiler and a GPS lap timer with a G-force meter included as standard.

The GTI Clubsport has 300PS from its 2.0-litre engine, giving it a 5.6-second 0-62mph time.