Launched: Volkswagen Golf R CKD – RM332,990

The wait is over as VPCM officially announced the price for the locally-made (CKD) Volkswagen Golf R super-hatch earlier today.

It’s been a minute, but the folks at Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) have finally gotten things in order with the government to launch the locally assembled (CKD) Volkswagen Golf R. The super-hatch was first previewed in Aug last year, and VPCM has been accepting orders for it since.

We’ll go straight into the model’s price first, and VPCM has tagged the super-hatch at RM332,990 sans insurance and on-road costs. Take note, said figure includes the Volkswagen Assured Package (VAP), which adds a 2-year, unlimited mileage warranty plus 5-year roadside assistance.

Thanks to CKD status, the VW Golf R now boasts a more accessible price tag of RM332,990.

Evidently, localisation has allowed VPCM to price the Golf R CKD at a much more ‘accessible’ figure. For reference, PHSAM last offered the Golf R in fully imported (CBU) form at a much more staggering figure of RM431,162 sans insurance.

As a refresher, this super-hatch flavour of the eighth-generation Golf (Mk 8) is powered by a 2.0-litre TSI 4-cyl turbo petrol mill outputting 320 HP and 400 NM. Paired with the mill is a DSG 7-speed DCT automatic and 4Motion all-wheel-drive (AWD), altogether enabling 0-100 KM/H in 4.8 secs plus a V-max of 250 KM/H.

On board, the Golf R CKD boasts a new heads-up display (HUD) module, and it also gets the IQ.Drive ADAS suite. 

On board, the made-in-Pekan, Pahang Golf R model mirrors its GTI-badged twin, albeit with slight differences – R-badges in the seat backs and steering wheel, as well as R-themed digital displays. It also boasts a new heads-up display (HUD), but all else remains identical to the fully imported (CBU) version PHSAM offered prior. 

Again, like the recently updated GTI, the Volkswagen brand’s IQ.Drive Active Driver Assistance (ADAS) package is primed as standard. This adds features like Travel Assist with Adaptive Cruise Control, Side Assist, Front Assist, Lane Assist, and Emergency Assist, altogether enabling a high degree of semi-autonomous driving abilities.

Through the added Performance Pack, the Golf R CKD gets an exclusive aerokit, 19-inch 'Estoril' alloy wheels, Akrapovič quad-tailpipe, and both 'Drift' and 'Special' drive modes.

As seen during its preview, the Malaysia-made Golf R gets a number of additional goodies thanks to the standard-equipped Performance Package. Highlights include an exclusive full aerokit complete with a more aggressive front bumper, more prominent rear diffuser and larger rear spoiler, followed by 19-inch dual-tone ‘Estoril’ wheels, and an Akrapovič quad-tailpipe.

Other key additions enabled by the Performance Pack mentioned are the ‘Drift’ and ‘Special’ drive modes. These, according to VPCM, allows full upshift control and also optimises the steering response and lateral dynamics during performance driving.

Following today’s launch announcement, VPCM also confirmed that the new and made-in-Malaysia Volkswagen Golf R CKD will be on display at the brand’s booth during the Malaysia Autoshow 2024 that’s happening this week from May 22 to May 26 at MAEPS, Serdang.