Volkswagen appears to be preparing a final performance send-off for the Mk8 Golf R, and if recent Nürburgring sightings are anything to go by, it could be something rather special.
A "camouflaged" prototype has been seen lapping the Nordschleife with noticeably more aggression than the current R333, suggesting that Wolfsburg may be working on a more potent version of its flagship hot hatch. While nothing has been officially confirmed, speculation is already swirling around one tantalising possibility: the use of Audi’s EA855 five-cylinder engine.
The Five-Cylinder Rumour
The EA855 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder is a familiar powerplant to fans of the RS3 and Cupra Formentor VZ5. With outputs ranging from 394bhp to over 400bhp in its latest form, it would represent a significant step up from the Golf R’s current EA888 four-cylinder unit.
For years, enthusiasts have called for this engine to make its way into the Golf, not just for the extra performance, but for the character it brings. The distinctive warble of a five-pot, combined with the Golf’s all-wheel-drive chassis, could make for a compelling swansong before the model transitions to electrification, or at least partly electrified!
Technical Possibilities
With Euro 7 regulations on the horizon, Audi is reportedly updating the EA855 to meet stricter emissions standards. If Volkswagen does choose to use it, the timing would make sense, a final ICE-powered Golf R that celebrates the combustion era while staying compliant. There's rumours of higher cell-counts in the catalyst, revised injector mapping amongst other things which would help the VAG Group meet those ever-stringent emissions regulations.
That said, there’s no official word from VW yet. The prototype could simply be a test mule for chassis tweaks, aero revisions, or software updates. But the pace and poise seen on track suggest something more than a cosmetic refresh.
What Comes Next?
Volkswagen has already confirmed that the Golf name will live on in its electric future, but the R badge’s next chapter remains unclear. If this hotter Mk8 does arrive with a five-cylinder under the bonnet, it would mark a fitting end to two decades of turbocharged, all-wheel-drive Golf Rs.
For now, we wait. But if the rumours prove true, this could be the Golf R that enthusiasts have been asking for, not just faster, but more soulful.