Volkswagen Australia has announced that the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years will go on sale in Australia in July 2023 priced from $77,490 plus on-road costs. Adding extra equipment, more power, more noise and more performance over the regular Golf R on which it’s based, just 50 units of the 20 Years will be offered locally. Celebrating 20 years since the first R-badged Golf was released, the Golf R 20 Years edition will only be only available through the Volkswagen Australia website.

Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles director Michal Szaniecki said the Golf R 20 Years is a fitting tribute to two decades and five generations of ultimate Golfs.

“The original Mark 4 and Mark 5 Volkswagen Golf R32 introduced the pioneering DSG and were renowned for their sonorous acoustics and compact agility,” Mr Szaniecki said.

“Now, the Mark 8 Golf R moves onto another level with its torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system fused with incredible technology. It is fitting that this 20 Years special edition is about both enhanced styling, more power and torque, sharper responses from the transmission and an even more expressive sound.”

Over the Golf R on which it’s based, the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years adds a number of features, including the premium paint, sunroof and Harman Kardon sound system that are optional on the regular Golf R. In addition to that, it adds more power and torque, real carbon fibre interior inlays and an Akrapovic exhaust system.

Producing 245kW of power and 420Nm of torque, the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years adds 10kW of power and 20Nm of torque over the Golf R on which it’s based. Its claimed 0-100km/h sprint time is just 4.6 seconds, which is an improvement of 0.2 seconds on the normal Golf R. The 20 Years edition, in addition to its louder exhaust, has a new feature for a higher 2,500rpm engine idle speed, which is activated by a 1.5 second press of the starter button.

In addition to that, the engine now has a turbo ‘pre-loading’ feature where the turbo speed is maintained while driving in the part-load range (for example, country driving at a constant speed). According to Volkswagen, this delivers faster power development for subsequent acceleration, faster build-up of engine torque after releasing the accelerator and then accelerating again and in race mode, an open throttle valve in overrun phases. The gearbox also now includes a noticeable shifting jolt between gears using the paddles in sport and sport+.

Special touches for the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years include 19-inch wheels painted in either black (when choosing ‘Lapiz Blue’ paint) or ‘Lapiz Blue’ when choosing’ Pure White’. Likewise, the mirror caps are painted in the same colour.

2023 Volkswagen Golf R pricing (plus on-road costs):

  • Golf R hatch: $66,990 (until June 30)/$68,990 (from July 1)
  • Golf R wagon: $69,990 (until June 30)/$71,990 (from July 1)
  • Golf R 20 Years hatch: $77,490

The 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years will go on sale in Australia in July. Stay tuned to DiscoverAuto for the latest automotive news and reviews.

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