Models

Golf R

The four-wheel-drive Golf R from its 2013 launch to the end of MK7.5 production: engines, gearboxes, performance, dimensions, chassis, options, special editions, paint and prices, with the source for every figure.

Overview and timeline

The MK7 Golf R had its world premiere at the IAA Frankfurt show in September 2013 and went on sale in Europe in the fourth quarter of 2013 as a 3-door and 5-door hatchback¹. UK sales began in March 2014². The Estate (Variant) was revealed at the 2014 LA Auto Show and reached the UK in September 2015, with DSG only³.

The US got the R for model year 2015 (first quarter of 2015) as a 4-door with DSG only; a manual was added for MY2016⁴. The US never had the 3-door or the Estate R Unverified⁵.

The facelift (MK7.5) was revealed in November 2016 Unverified⁵, and the UK facelift price list is dated 14 February 2017⁶. On 5 July 2018 VW said every R would drop to 300 PS for WLTP, and the UK lost the 3-door and the manual, leaving the 5-door DSG only⁷⁸. The UK list of 1 May 2020 still showed one R, the 5-door 7-speed DSG 300 PS, with a note that it might no longer be available⁹. The US R ended in August 2019 with no MY2020 car, and the MK8 replaced the range from December 2019 Unverified⁵.

Date	Event	Source
Sep 2013	World premiere, IAA Frankfurt	[1]
Q4 2013	European launch, 3-door and 5-door	[1]
Mar 2014	UK launch	[2]
Apr 2014	Golf R 400 concept, Beijing	[5] [10]
2014	Estate revealed, LA Auto Show	[3]
Q1 2015	US launch (MY2015), 4-door DSG	[4]
Sep 2015	UK Estate launch, DSG only	[3]
MY2016	US manual added	[4]
Nov 2016	Facelift revealed Unverified	[5]
22 Dec 2016	German facelift R priced from €40,675	[11]
14 Feb 2017	UK facelift price list	[6]
5 Jul 2018	WLTP: 300 PS for all, UK 3-door and manual dropped	[7] [8]
Aug 2019	US Golf R ends, no MY2020 Unverified	[5]
Dec 2019	MK8 replaces the range Unverified	[5]
1 May 2020	UK list: R 5-door DSG only, "may no longer be available"	[9]

The Golf 7 range was built at Wolfsburg and Zwickau, and North American R cars came from Germany Unverified⁵. Which plant built every R is not confirmed.

Engine

EA888 Gen3 2.0 TSI

Capacity: 1,984 cc¹²¹³
Bore x stroke: 82.5 x 92.8 mm¹²¹³
Construction: Cast-iron block, forged crankshaft, chain-driven twin overhead camshafts¹¹²
Compression ratio: 9.6:1 per VW US¹²; 9.3:1 per a secondary source¹⁴ Sources differ
Turbo: IHI IS38 Unverified¹⁵¹⁶; peak boost around 1.2 bar per a secondary source¹⁴

Compared with the GTI engine, the R has its own cylinder head, exhaust valves, valve seats, valve springs, pistons, injectors and turbocharger¹. It uses dual injection (direct plus port), electronic coolant control, an exhaust manifold integrated into the water-cooled head and two-stage exhaust valve lift¹.

Power and torque by market and year

Market and period	Power	Torque	Source
EU/UK 2013-2017 (MK7)	300 PS (221 kW) at 5,500-6,200 rpm	380 Nm at 1,800-5,500 rpm	[1] [2]
Hot-climate markets (MK7) Unverified	280 PS		[5]
Australia (MK7)	206 kW	380 Nm	[14]
US MY2015-2018	292 hp at 5,400 rpm	280 lb-ft at 1,800 rpm	[12] [13]
US MY2019	288 hp		[17]
EU/UK 2017 facelift (MK7.5)	310 PS (228 kW) at 5,500-6,500 rpm	400 Nm at 2,000-5,400 rpm (DSG); 380 Nm (manual)	[18] [6]
Australia facelift	213 kW	380 Nm	[19]
EU/UK WLTP, from mid-2018	300 PS	400 Nm	[7] [8]

For WLTP the engine was given a more restrictive exhaust⁷⁸ and, per secondary sources, lost port injection¹⁶²⁰. No source in the research shows the R returning to 310 PS after the WLTP change.

Engine codes

Code	Output	Where used	Source
CJXC	221 kW / 300 PS	EU and UK MK7 R	[15] [21]
CJXB (also CJXA)	206 kW	Australia MK7 R. Bar-Tek lists CJXA, CJXB and CJXF at 280 hp	[15] [21]
CYFB		US R, direct injection only (no port injection) Unverified	[15]
CJXG	228 kW / 310 PS	Facelift R	[15] [21]
DJHA	310 PS	EU facelift R with port injection (secondary source)	[21]
DNUE	300 PS or 310 PS Sources differ	WLTP R; reported without port injection	[21] [20]

Bar-Tek lists DNUE at 310 PS; VWROC owners report 300 PS without port injection, which matches VW's 2018 WLTP announcement of 300 PS²¹²⁰⁷. CJXE (265 hp) and CJXD (290 hp) are not R codes²¹. For the engine's known faults, see Faults.

Gearboxes and 4MOTION

Gearboxes

Gearbox	Type	Fitted to	Source
6-speed manual	Reinforced clutch. Code MQ350 (0FB per one supplier, 02Q per another) Unverified	MK7 and MK7.5 until the 2018 WLTP change in the UK	[1] [22] [7]
DQ250	6-speed wet-clutch DSG (02E / 0D9)	MK7 R	[23] [2]
DQ381	7-speed wet-clutch DSG (0GC), rated around 420 Nm Unverified	R from the 2017 facelift, with Launch Control; US from MY2018	[23] [18] [6] [13]

Ratios (per VW US)

These are the ratios printed in VW US technical specifications. The DQ381 figures are shown in the order VW US printed them, which is not strictly first to seventh.

Gearbox	Forward gears	Reverse	Final drive	Source
6-speed manual	3.36 / 2.09 / 1.48 / 1.09 / 1.10 / 0.91	3.99	4.24 / 3.27	[12]
DQ250 6-speed DSG	2.92 / 1.83 / 1.31 / 0.97 / 1.04 / 0.81	3.26	4.77 / 3.44	[12]
DQ381 7-speed DSG	3.19 / 2.75 / 1.9 / 1.04 / 0.79 / 0.86 / 0.66	2.9	4.47 / 3.3	[13]

4MOTION and stability control

4MOTION uses a fifth-generation Haldex coupling, electro-hydraulically operated. At low load the rear axle is decoupled, and up to nearly 100% of drive can go to the rear¹². A genuine R shows PR code 1X1 (four-wheel drive) on its data sticker²⁴.

XDS+ works on both axles, with electronic differential lock braking on all four wheels. ESC has a Sport mode and can be switched off fully¹.

Haldex and DSG service intervals are on Servicing.

Performance and economy

Version	0-62 mph (0-100 km/h)	Top speed	Source
MK7 hatch manual	5.1 s	250 km/h (155 mph), limited	[1] [2]
MK7 hatch DSG	4.9 s	250 km/h (155 mph), limited	[1] [2]
MK7 Estate DSG	5.1 s	250 km/h (155 mph), limited	[3] [25]
US MY2015, 0-60 mph	4.9 s		[4]
MK7.5 hatch manual	5.1 s	250 km/h, limited	[18]
MK7.5 hatch DSG	4.6 s	250 km/h, limited	[18]
MK7.5 Estate DSG	4.8 s	250 km/h, limited	[18]
MK7.5 hatch, Performance Pack		267 km/h (165-166 mph)	[18] [26]
MK7.5 Estate, Performance Pack		270 km/h (168 mph)	[18] [26]

Economy (MK7, NEDC)

Gearbox	Combined	CO2	UK combined	Source
Manual	7.1 l/100 km	165 g/km	39.8 mpg	[1] [2]
DSG	6.9 l/100 km	159 g/km	40.9 mpg	[1] [2]

Dimensions and weights

Dimensions shown on this site's own drawings are illustrative. Use the figures in these tables.

Measurement	MK7 hatch	Estate	Source
Length	4,276 mm	4,596 mm	[2] [3]
Width excluding mirrors	1,799 mm		[2]
Width including mirrors		2,027 mm	[3] [18]
Height	1,436 mm	1,467 mm	[2] [3]
Wheelbase	2,630 mm	2,630 mm	[2] [3]
Track front / rear	1,541 / 1,515 mm		[12] [13]
Ground clearance	122 mm		[12] [13]
Turning circle	10.9 m		[2]
Boot, seats up / down	343 / 1,233 litres	605 / 1,620 litres	[2] [3] [18]
Fuel tank	55 litres		[12] [13]
Drag coefficient (Cd)	0.32		[12] [13] [17]

The UK Estate press pack labels the 2,027 mm figure wrongly; it is the width including mirrors³. Official VW dimensions for the MK7.5 hatch were not found in the research, so they are not given here Unverified.

Weights

Market and year	Manual	DSG	Source
UK MK7 kerb weight	1,476 kg	1,495 kg	[2]
US MY2016 curb weight	1,489 kg	1,515 kg	[12]
US MY2018-2019 curb weight	1,497 kg	1,530 kg	[13] [17]
US MY2018-2019 gross vehicle weight	1,980 kg	2,020 kg	[13] [17]

Chassis, steering, brakes, wheels and tyres

Suspension

The R sits 20 mm lower than a standard Golf and 5 mm lower than a GTI¹². The UK price list gives about 15 mm Sources differ²⁷. The front is MacPherson strut with a lower wishbone, the rear multi-link¹.

Adaptive chassis control (DCC, second generation) was a UK option at £815 in 2014 and £830 in 2017²⁷⁶. It was standard on the US R for MY2019²⁸.

Steering

Progressive steering is standard, with 2.1 turns lock to lock and a ratio that varies from 9.5:1 to 14.1:1¹¹².

Brakes

Item	Front	Rear	Source
Discs (ventilated front)	340 x 30 mm	310 x 22 mm	[1] [12]
Caliper piston	60 mm	42 mm or 43 mm Sources differ	[1] [2] [12]
Caliper finish	Black with R logo		[1]

The Performance Pack brakes are 2 kg lighter, with two-piece pinned front discs (aluminium hub, iron friction ring) and silver calipers²⁹²⁶. Their disc sizes are not confirmed Unverified.

Wheels and tyres

Wheel	Size	Tyre	MK7	MK7.5	Source
Cadiz	18 in, 7.5J	225/40 R18	Standard	Standard	[1] [27] [6]
Cadiz	19 in		Option		[1] [27]
Pretoria	19 in, 8J	235/35 R19	Option, £895 (2014)	Option	[1] [27] [6]
Pretoria Black	19 in, 8J	235/35 R19		Option, £990 (2017)	[6]
Spielberg	19 in, 8J	235/35 R19		Option, £810 (2017); new for the facelift; part of the Performance Pack	[6] [18] [26]

Reifnitz wheels belong to the GTI TCR, not the R⁹.

MK7 vs MK7.5

Item	MK7 (2013-2016)	MK7.5 (2017-2020)	Source
Power (EU/UK)	300 PS, 380 Nm	310 PS, 400 Nm DSG; 300 PS after WLTP (2018)	[1] [18] [7]
DSG	DQ250 6-speed	DQ381 7-speed, Launch Control	[23] [18] [6]
Headlights	Bi-xenon with double-U LED daytime running lights	LED with dynamic curve light, standard in the UK; Dynamic Light Assist £310	[1] [6]
Tail lights	Smoked LED (outside North America; NA cars had halogen Unverified)	3D LED with sweeping indicators, standard in the UK (hatch only)	[1] [5] [6] [30]
Instruments	Analogue dials with blue needles, 320 km/h speedometer	Active Info Display 12.3 in standard in the UK from Feb 2017, no-cost delete; US standard from MY2018	[1] [6] [28]
Infotainment (UK)	Composition Media 6.5 in standard, Discover Navigation option (2016 press pack)	Discover Navigation 8 in standard; Discover Navigation Pro 9.2 in with gesture control £1,325	[2] [6]
Sport HMI		Boost and power displays, G-meter	[18]
Mirror caps	Matt chrome	Matt chrome, gloss black, or carbon (£450 UK)	[31] [18] [6]
Performance Pack, Akrapovic	Not offered	Offered (see below)	[18]
Standard wheel	18 in Cadiz	18 in Cadiz	[1] [6]

Drive modes on the MK7 were Eco, Normal, Individual and Race internationally, plus Comfort with DCC¹. UK cars listed Normal, Individual and Race, plus Comfort with DCC².

Pre-facelift R cars have bumpers with large air inlets, an R grille, quad chrome tailpipes and black R calipers³¹. How to tell the two apart by VIN and data sticker is on Identify.

Performance Pack and Akrapovic exhaust

Performance Pack (MK7.5)

19 in Spielberg wheels, performance brakes with silver calipers, top speed limiter raised, rear roof spoiler (hatch only)²⁶.
DSG only in the UK²⁶.
UK price £2,300 in 2017 and £2,400 in 2020²⁶⁹.
Top speed 267 km/h for the hatch and 270 km/h for the Estate¹⁸.

Akrapovic titanium exhaust (MK7.5)

Titanium, 7 kg lighter than standard, with valves and round tailpipes²⁹.
Hatch only in the UK, £2,795 in 2017 and £3,000 in 2020²⁶⁹.

Special editions

Edition	Market	Details	Source
Golf R 400 (concept) Unverified	Shown Beijing, Apr 2014	400 PS, 450 Nm, 0-100 km/h 3.9 s, 280 km/h, 1,420 kg. Cancelled in 2016, never sold	[5] [10]
Wolfsburg Edition	Australia, 2017	Grey 19 in Pretoria wheels, carbon mirror caps, Carbon Nappa leather, Dynaudio 400 W audio, driver assistance pack. A$57,990 hatch, A$59,990 wagon. Volume 300 per body style or about 300 in total Sources differ	[19]
Final Edition	Australia, 2020	450 cars, 150 each in Victory Blue, Viper Green and Violet Touch (A$300 option). A$57,990, 213 kW	[32]
Spektrum	US and Canada, MY2018-2019	Choice of 40 colours at US$2,500. 473 built, 199 for the US	[5] [28]

There was no US Golf R Wolfsburg Edition, and the "R 20 Years" is a MK8 model, not a MK7 R.

Paint colours

Launch colours for the MK7 R were Lapiz Blue (new, and exclusive to the R), Pure White, Tornado Red, Night Blue, Limestone Grey, Reflex Silver, Deep Black Pearl and Oryx White¹. The paint code is printed on the vehicle data sticker³³.

The paint codes below come from paint-supplier listings, not from VW. Check the code on your car's data sticker before ordering paint.

Colour	Code (supplier)	UK Jul 2014	UK Feb 2017	UK May 2020	Source
Pure White	LC9A / 0Q	£255	No cost	No cost	[34] [27] [6] [9]
Tornado Red	LY3D / G2		£280	£375	[34] [27] [6] [9]
Lapiz Blue	LD5K / L9		£630	£755	[34] [27] [6] [9]
Deep Black Pearl	LC9X / 2T		£570	£625	[34] [27] [6] [9]
Oryx White	L0K1 / 0R	£950	£990	£1,040	[34] [27] [6] [9]
Night Blue	LH5X / Z2				[34] [1]
Limestone Grey	LA7N / Z1				[34] [1]
Reflex Silver	LA7W / 8E				[34] [1]
White Silver	LB9Z / K8		£570		[34] [6]
Atlantic Blue	LC5B / H7		£570	£625	[34] [6] [9]
Indium Grey	LR7H / X3		£570	£625	[34] [6] [9]
Tungsten Silver Unverified	LB7W / K5				[34]

The July 2014 UK list priced by band rather than by colour: Pure White £255, any metallic or pearl colour £535, and Oryx White £950²⁷. A blank cell means that list does not name a price for that colour. Whether Tungsten Silver was offered on the R is not confirmed. The Australian Final Edition colours are listed under Special editions.

Prices

Market and date	Version	Price	Source
UK, Jul 2014	3-door manual	£29,900	[27]
UK, Jul 2014	5-door manual	£30,555	[27]
UK, Jul 2014	3-door DSG	£31,315	[27]
UK, Jul 2014	5-door DSG	£31,970	[27]
UK, Feb 2017	3-door manual	£31,865	[6]
UK, Feb 2017	5-door manual	£32,520	[6]
UK, Feb 2017	3-door DSG	£33,280	[6]
UK, Feb 2017	5-door DSG	£33,935	[6]
UK, May 2020	5-door DSG	£35,125 RRP / £37,120 OTR	[9]
US, MY2015	Base / with DCC and navigation	US$36,595 / US$39,090	[4]
US, MY2019	Manual / DSG	US$40,395 / US$41,495	[28]
Australia, 2017	Hatch manual	A$52,990	[19]
Australia, 2017	Hatch DSG	A$55,490	[19]
Australia, 2017	Wagon	A$57,490	[19]
Germany, 2017	Facelift, from	€40,675	[11]

Standard and optional equipment (UK)

From the UK price lists of 2014 and 2017. The control module behind each item is on the module map.

Item	UK R status	Source
Progressive steering	Standard	[1]
Two-zone climate control	Standard	[27] [6]
Adaptive cruise control (ACC)	Standard	[27] [6]
Parking sensors	Standard	[27] [6]
Park Assist	Not offered	[27] [6]
Sound actuator (Soundaktor)	Standard	[27] [6]
Tyre pressure monitoring	Indirect (through ABS) only; direct TPMS not fitted	[27] [6]
Active Info Display (MK7.5)	Standard, no-cost delete	[6]
Navigation, MK7	Discover Navigation standard per the price list; the 2016 press pack lists Composition Media 6.5 in standard with Discover Navigation optional Sources differ. Discover Pro optional	[27] [2]
Navigation, MK7.5	Discover Navigation 8 in standard; Discover Navigation Pro 9.2 in optional (£1,325)	[6]
DCC adaptive dampers	Option (£815 in 2014, £830 in 2017)	[27] [6]
Keyless entry and start (Kessy)	Option	[27] [6]
Side Assist (blind spot)	Option	[27] [6]
Lane Assist (front camera)	Option	[27] [6]
Rear view camera	Option	[27] [6]
Dynaudio Excite 400 W	Option	[27] [6]
Dynamic Light Assist (MK7.5)	Option, £310	[6]
Panoramic sunroof (MK7.5)	Option	[6]
Carbon mirror caps (MK7.5)	Option, £450	[6]
Towbar (MK7.5)	Not offered	[6]

Retrofitting options the car was not built with is covered on Retrofits, and switching hidden features on is on Coding.

Spotting a genuine R

Engine code on the data sticker: CJXC, CJXG, DJHA or DNUE for UK and EU cars²¹.
PR code 1X1 (four-wheel drive) on the data sticker²⁴.
Outside: quad tailpipes, black R calipers (silver with Performance Pack brakes), matt chrome mirror caps (MK7)³¹²⁹. R badges on the grille, wings and boot Unverified.
Inside: R on the seat backrests, Top sport seats in Race fabric and Alcantara, blue sill plates, stainless pedals, R steering wheel Unverified.
A European VIN does not show whether a car is an R. A US VIN does: position 4 W (manual), V (DSG) or U (some early manuals) with position 5 F³⁵.

Full VIN decoding and data sticker locations are on Identify.