Volkswagen Golf R hatch buyers have to wait for more power

The hot one Volkswagen Golf RThe power boost has been delayed.

Volkswagen Australia previously confirmed the Golf R range would receive an upgraded engine from the Golf R 20 Years special edition this year, but that has now been pushed back until 2024.

“If that happens, we’re looking more towards a facelift now that happens next year,” Volkswagen Australia general manager of communications Paul Pottinger said.

The special edition Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years will go on sale locally on July 13 with only 50 examples available.

This special edition Golf R model introduces a more powerful tune from the regular R’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that boosts output to 245kW and 420Nm.

Compared to the current Australian-spec Golf R hatch, this is an increase of 10kW and 20Nm, although the current Australian-spec Golf R wagon already has a full 420Nm.

Earlier that year, Volkswagen confirmed orders for the Golf R hatch and wagon were “paused due to previously announced component shortages”.

Orders for the regular Golf R hatch or wagon have yet to reopen, with Mr Pottinger hoping but not guaranteeing orders will reopen in the third or fourth quarter of 2023.

In addition, Mr Pottinger said the company was looking at what increased engines meant for the entire mid-life updated Golf range.

“It may be important given the statements made recently about some aspects of the car,” Mr Pottinger said.

Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer recently told Autocar haptic steering wheel switches and touch capacitive climate control sliders “certainly did a lot of damage” to Volkswagen’s standing among loyal customers.

“We have disappointed customers who shouldn’t be disappointed,” Mr. Schäfer said.

“So we’ve spent a lot of time now – working very systematically – on all the functions that customers normally touch when using a vehicle.

The CEO confirmed late last year that he had worked to drop or modify various controversial features, announcing the sliders would be illuminated and the steering wheel would return to traditional buttons.

The interior of the next-generation Tiguan is a proof of concept for what Volkswagen’s interior will look like moving forward.

The mid-life updated Golf will reportedly also receive an interior rethink. A spy prototype was caught last year apparently with these internal changes.

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