Mystery Volkswagen Golf R performance variant teased
Volkswagen USA has released a shadowy teaser of what looks to be a Golf R hot hatch – but the jury is out on whether it’s a production car built to celebrate the Golf R’s history, or the latest addition to the NFT virtual image craze.
Volkswagen USA has teased what could be a new performance variant of its 2022 Volkswagen Golf small car, set for reveal in February 2022.
A teaser image posted to Volkswagen’s US Facebook and Instagram pages shows the silhouette of a Mk8 Golf hatchback, accompanied by the caption: “We’re launching an NFT (Notably Fast Transporter). Coming February 2022.”
The cryptic nature of the teaser (and the caption published below it) mean there are few confirmed details to work with, however the image does picture the mystery Golf with a large rear roof spoiler – the same unit available with the front-wheel-drive Golf GTI Clubsport and all-paw Golf R performance variants.
The fact the teaser image was posted by Volkswagen USA rather than its German head office is telling, as the US division doesn’t offer the GTI Clubsport – instead, its performance Golf range consists only of the standard GTI and flagship R, the latter of which is due on sale in the US this month.
Some online have speculated the mystery Golf could be a new special-edition variant designed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original Mk4 Golf R32 – the first modern R-badged Golf, and the car that today’s turbo Golf R is a descendent of – in line with its global reveal back in May 2002.
Alternatively, in early 2021 Drive reported on references to a more powerful 245kW/420Nm version of the Golf R’s 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder (up from 235kW/420Nm) in the car’s owners’ manual – a perfect fit for a Golf R ’20 Years’ limited edition.
It’s also possible Volkswagen USA could simply be doing as the image caption suggests, and launching its own NFT – the acronym typically used for a non-fungible token, a one-of-one digital image authenticated as unique by a network of servers – known more broadly as the blockchain, the same tech underpinning the Bitcoin cryptocurrency.
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) – which carry real-world monetary value, like a physical art piece – have grown in prominence among automotive circles in recent months, with car giants including Nissan (in Canada) and Volkswagen (in Malaysia) creating and selling NFTs of their own.
Volkswagen USA will reveal full details of the mystery Volkswagen Golf variant – be it a production car, or a virtual showpiece – next month. Stay tuned to Drive for all the latest.
The post Mystery Volkswagen Golf R performance variant teased appeared first on Drive.