A number of enterprising enthusiasts have figured out how to upgrade the already-rapid Volkswagen Golf R by swapping in an Audi RS3 five-cylinder drivetrain. While the results have almost always been impressive, Volkswagen is reportedly jumping into the game with a factory-swapped Golf R that promises to take things to the next level.
VW is expected to discontinue the Golf after the 2027 model year, with the five-pot R being the halo-car sendoff for the model. The current turbocharged four-cylinder engine offers 328 horsepower, but the turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine produces almost 400 horsepower. That will likely improve the R’s 0-60 mph time from the mid-four-second range to under four seconds.
The engine upgrade will require a suspension rework for the Golf R, including extra chassis bracing to cope with the added power. VW may also fit some of the RS3’s other components, including the front axle, which is much stiffer in the Audi. The Golf R will likely also get lighter-weight wheels and other parts to balance out the heavier engine.
Beyond its prodigious power output, the five-cylinder engine’s sound is a big selling point. Audi was expected to discontinue the engine to comply with tightening Euro 7 emissions rules, but the automaker recently confirmed that it had plans to keep it around for the foreseeable future.
[Images: Volkswagen, Audi]
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