According to a report by Britain’s Autocar, the fitment of a more restrictive outlet system will see power drop from 228kW to 221kW when the new regulations come into effect on September first. Despite the drop, European spec R’s will still be more powerful than those sold in South Africa, which makes 213kW due to our country’s hotter climate.
“In the context of new homologations, there are adaptions for the exhaust gas treatment and for the power output. From now on, all Golf R models will feature a 300 PS [221kW) engine,” a Volkswagen spokesperson was quoted by the publication as saying.
The automaker, who recently applied similar touches to sister brand Seat’s flagship Leon Cupra 300, resulting it being re-named Leon Cupra 290, has indicated that the changes would be implemented on all cars currently on order, and that owners would be informed once their cars are build.
As with local models, the Golf R is available in the United Kingdom only with the DSG gearbox and in five-door bodystyle, following reported buyer demand which has resulted in the dropping of the three-door variant, as well as the six-speed manual ‘box.
In addition to the R, casualties of WLTP have so included the BMW M3, Peugeot 308 GTI, Opel/Vauxhall Astra OPC/VXR, Skoda Octavia vRS 230 and vRS 184 TDI and the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa OPC/VXR.
