Golf R "20 Years" is now the fastest R-badged VW to ever lap the Nurburgring

It’s official now that the mighty Golf R of 20 years in history has break its previous lap record on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife German racetrack, making it the fastest R model to depart Wolfsberg.
The 2.0-liter inline-four in the Golf R Special Edition has been given an extra 13.4 hp (10 kW/13.5 PS), which has helped the car accelerate 4 seconds faster than the standard Golf R with a top speed of 270 km/h resulting a new record time of 7:47.31 minutes.

However, it isn't truly the fastest Golf to have ever lapped the track. Even though the Golf R "20 Years" is on par with some impressive vehicles including the 2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, the 2004 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and the 2006 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, it isn't quite as quick as the 2016 Golf GTI Clubsport S, which set a lap record of 7:47.19.

"The car is truly an all-arounder that can do anything’’ claims Benjamin Leuchter, a touring car racer and a Volkswagen R development driver who tested the limited-edition car on the long racetrack.
Equipped with "Special" and "Drift" driving profiles are also included as standard with the special-edition model. Benjamin preferred the "Special" driving profile, which was made for the Nordschleife, for driving on the track.

The beast also offers technical highlights consisting of its exclusive R-Performance package, Driving Dynamics Manager, and R-Performance Torque Vectoring.
Meanwhile in Malaysia, we received the 8th gen Volkswagen Golf R 1.4-liter TSI 4-cyl turbo engine that churns out 150 HP and 250 NM to the front wheels with an Aisin 8-speed automated transmission instead of its customary DSG twin-clutch transmission.
Volkswagen R has come a long way where it evolved from Golf R323 with 238 hp (241 PS), the Golf 6 R3 with 266 hp (270 PS), and now the Golf R "20 Years" with 328 hp (333 PS), making it the ultimate collector's item.
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Written By
Jesica Sendai
from 9 to 5 grinder to 'racing' her way in the automotive industry through editorial work.
JPJ Running Numbers
KUALA LUMPUR
VQQ6276
SELANGOR
BSN4164
JOHOR
JYT3297
PULAU PINANG
PSA5762
PERAK
APG298
PAHANG
CFF7973
KEDAH
KGE7910
NEGERI SEMBILAN
NEJ7862
KOTA KINABALU
SJQ8231
KUCHING
QAB4155N
Last updated 17 Mar, 2026
Fuel Price
Petrol
RON 95
RM 2.59
+0.05
RON 97
RM 3.15
+0.05
RON 100
RM 5.00
VPR
RM 6.23
Diesel
EURO 5 B10
RM 3.04
+0.05
EURO 5 B7
RM 3.24
+0.05
Last updated 26 Feb, 2026
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