Why Sports Car Lovers NEED the 2022 Golf

Introducing the New Mk8 Line-Up: The Golf GTI and Golf R

When people think of the most iconic hatchback vehicles of all time, they immediately think of the Volkswagen Golf. The very first Golf rolled off the assembly line way back in 1974 in Wolfsburg, Germany. Since then, the VW Golf has seen many different iterations and sold tens of millions of units, both in Europe and here in the U.S. People love the Golf. It’s small yet speedy and great on gas mileage. When a savvy car buyer sees a Volkswagen Golf for sale, they give it a serious look because they have a long-standing history of being highly reliable cars that are fun to drive.

Having said that, it probably comes as no surprise that a new generation of the VW Golf will be available for the U.S. market by the end of 2021. Car buyers will have two versions of the Mk8 edition of VW Golf to choose from: the 2022 Golf GTI and the 2022 Golf R.

Per Hein Schafer, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing and Strategy, Volkswagen of America, “The previous Golf GTI and Golf R models were widely regarded as the best hot hatches you could buy, but the Mark 8 versions up the ante. Now built in Wolfsburg, the cars have more performance, better handling, more standard equipment and improved tech features, yet minimal price increases.”

Similarities Between the Golf GTI and the Golf R

What long-time fans of the VW Golf will notice immediately is the change to the Golf’s look and design aesthetic. It’s not a complete overhaul. The new Golf will still be recognizable as a Golf, however, there’s a sportier vibe about it now. This is pulled off via the steeply raked hood, new signature LED headlights, and grille lightbar on either side of the updated VW logo.

Under the hood, both the VW Golf GTI and Golf R will run on the same 2.0L turbocharged direct-injection TSI engine. It can be paired with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG dual clutch automatic transmission. For those wondering how these new Golfs compare to prior versions, the GTI and Type R will officially be the most powerful versions of the Golf ever released.

The wheelbase of the Mk7 version of the Golf sits at 103.6 inches. That will remain the same for the Mk8 versions. Regarding the exterior dimensions, the VW GTI and the R are nearly identical. The Golf GTI is 168.8 inches long and 57.6 inches in height. Comparatively, the Golf R is 168.9 inches long and 57.7 inches in height. Both cars are the same exact width at 70.4 inches. On the interior of both Mk8 versions, there is 91.9 cubic ft. of space for passengers, 19.9 cubic ft. of cargo space (34.5 cubic ft. with the seats folded up). As is the Golf’s signature, the famous hatchback remains in place.

Of course, no Golf would be complete without a full suite of the most advanced safety and convenience features ever assembled. Both the Type R and GTI will feature a brand-new electronic architecture that will enable drivers to digitally network their displays and controls. Also in the new Golf will be the 10.25-in Digital Cockpit Pro that will show drivers their vehicle’s status, driving data, driver assistance features, and more. Technologically-speaking, this is one of the most significant leaps yet for the Golf.

Finally, both the GTI and R models feature the IQ.DRIVE suite of driver assistance features for hands-on semi-automated capability. The sensors and cameras that have been installed will be your extra pair of eyes out there on the road. In the event that there’s someone in your blind spot or you’re getting dangerously close to a nearby cyclist, the intelligent system will give you a heads-up, allowing you to take corrective action.

Main Differences Between the Golf GTI and Golf R

We’ve covered what’s the same about the Golf GTI and the Golf R. Now let’s talk about the differences.

The Golf GTI has a starting MSRP of $29,545 and comes in three distinct trim levels (S, SE, and Autobahn). As previously mentioned, it runs on a 2.0L turbocharged engine and will feature 241 horsepower (up 13 hp from the previous iteration) and 271 Lb-ft. of torque.

The GTI comes with an electronically controlled torque-sensing limited-slip VAQ differential. The system offers a variable degree of intervention depending on the actual driving situation and ESC, EDS and XDS+ functions. This allows drivers to avoid steering corruption. The VAQ differential optimizes grip and handling in fast corners, which enhances the performance and helps decrease understeer, which is usually a problem for FWD cars.

The Golf R has a starting MSRP of $43,645 and is available in one fully-loaded trim level. It runs on a 2.0L turbocharged engine and will feature 315 horsepower and 280 Lb-ft. of torque, officially making it the highest performing Golf ever released. If you like sports cars, you’ll love this iteration of the Golf.

The brand-new Golf R features 4Motion all-wheel-drive system with rear-axle torque vectoring, which is going to give drivers more control when dealing with dicey road conditions. The new torque vectoring system uses a rear differential with two multi-plate clutches that can distribute up to 100% of the rear torque to an individual rear wheel. When needed, the system will direct more power to a specific wheel, thereby reducing cornering radius.

Coming Soon to a VW Dealership Near You

The brand new Mk8 iterations of the VW Golf aren’t quite available yet, but they will be soon. Volkswagen announced that they’ll hit the showroom floor by Q4 of 2021, which is just around the corner. The best way to stay up to date on the release of the new Golf is to keep checking back with our site. The moment we have them in, we’ll make sure to share that the new VW Golf is for sale at our dealership on the main homepage.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for new cars for sale or used cars for sale, your friends at VW SouthTowne have you covered. We are conveniently located at 11000 Frontage Rd. in South Jordan. Or, if that’s outside your range, you can search the phrase “VW dealership near me” and your local dealerships should pop up on your map. Additionally, you can always stop by the VW service center for any routine maintenance or repairs that your VW might need.

Make sure to check out our specials for great deals, and feel free to contact us with any questions that you may have about your current VW vehicle or one that you may be interested in test driving.

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