Will the Volkswagen Golf R Variant 8 become a reality, but will it reach Spain?

With the eighth generation of the Volkswagen Golf 8 already underway, it was to be expected that its sportier variants would arrive soon, among others. And so they did following the presentation of the Golf GTI, GTE and GTD, three of the most legendary variants of the German compact. As the final highlight of the cursed 2020, Volkswagen unveiled the Golf R 8, a version that, months after its launch, continues to generate great anticipation, as does the Golf R Variant 8, a version that will also make its appearance sooner than we think, as spy videos and photos suggest.

However, given the limited success of the previous generation of the sporty estate from Volkswagen, at least in Spain, its commercialisation is somewhat uncertain. We must not forget that, for example, the current Golf GTD is not sold in our country, a clear sign that the German firm’s strategy is changing.

With this premise, it is easy to imagine that the new Volkswagen Golf R Variant will be sold in countries such as Germany, where this type of bodywork has much greater appeal. It is true that the VAG Group already occupies that position in Spain with the CUPRA León Sportstourer, a variant that shares many elements with the Golf R and whose more affordable price makes it a more attractive product.

If this is Volkswagen’s approach, we fear we will not see the new R Variant roaming our roads. Either way, the main difference from the conventional Golf R will be the styling, since no mechanical changes are expected, keeping intact the layout we already know and which, for now, is working well.

This means the new Volkswagen Golf R Variant will feature a four-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbo engine producing 320 CV and 420 Nm of torque. These figures will be distributed between both axles via the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, although this version of the German compact is also expected to include Drift Mode.

In this way, Volkswagen would have completed its R range of the Golf, a model that, let us recall, has lent its name to other vehicles such as the Tiguan R, a car that can also fulfil the role of the Golf R Variant and that enjoys a better reception in Spain than the estate. It will be a matter of weeks before we learn the German firm’s final decision regarding its sportiest estate, alongside the Arteon Shooting Brake R.