Sport seats in cloth/Alcantara and Carbon Leather. As in the three previous Golf R models, Volkswagen R GmbH has extensively customised and upgraded the interior of the new model as well. This most powerful Golf is equipped with what are known as top sport seats (front). The middle panels are designed in "Race" fabric ("Titan Black") with black backstitching. Meanwhile, the side panels are executed in Alcantara ("Crystal Grey"). The outer surfaces of the seats and the head restraints are designed in "Clip" cloth upholstery ("Titan Black"). Decorative seams in "Crystal Grey" form a contrast to the dark areas. An "R" logo is embossed on the backrests of the front seats.
As an option, Volkswagen also offers a Nappa Carbon leather package. Here, the outer seat surfaces, inner side support panels and head restraints are all upholstered in dark "Carbon" Nappa leather. Meanwhile, the middle seat panels may be ordered in either dark or light Nappa leather ("Anthracite" or "Modern Grey"). The decorative seams are "Crystal Grey" in the leather upholstery version as well. Leather is also used to trim the three-spoke sport steering wheel in "R" design. Last but not least, the steering wheel's lower cross bar has a chrome "R" logo. Here too, all leather elements are upgraded by decorative stitching in the contrasting colour "Crystal Grey".
The decorative inlays of the dashboard and door trim panels feature the "Carbon Touch" design; ambience lighting is also integrated in the door trim panels as standard. The door sill guards are illuminated as well (in blue). The pedals and foot supports are also designed in stainless steel look as standard. Customisation extends down to the floor mats, which have upgraded piping in a contrasting colour.
Instruments in "R" design. The instruments and the start menu of the touchscreen on the centre console were also customised. To give a sporty feel from the very start, when the ignition is switched on the illuminated light-blue needles of the tachometer and speedometer sweep once across the entire scale to the end pin – in the case of the speedometer to the 320 km/h mark. The instrument needles are also automatically illuminated as soon as the driver's door is opened. The touchscreen of the radio or radio-navigation system (Composition Touch radio is standard) shows an animated "R" logo as a start screen. Also new and upgraded with an "R" badge is the accessory used to start the Golf R: the ignition key, specifically its case; it represents perfection in the smallest details.
Radio and radio-navigation systems. Volkswagen is equipping the Golf R with redesigned radio and radio/navigation systems. All systems have a touchscreen as standard. The new device generation is available in three different display sizes: 5 inches, 5.8 inches and 8 inches. For the first time, Volkswagen is implementing displays that have proximity sensors (5.8-inch display and above): when the driver or front passenger moves a finger near to the touchscreen, the system automatically switches from display mode to input mode. The display mode shows a screen that is reduced to just the essentials. In the operating mode, on the other hand, the elements that can be activated by touch are specially highlighted to simplify intuitive operation. The displays also have a function that lets users use wiping motions to scroll through lists or browse CD covers in the media library.
Car Net. Car Net is offered for the Golf R in conjunction with the Discover Pro radio-navigation system and the "Premium" mobile phone interface. It consists of a set of new mobile online services. For example, Car Net lets drivers integrate highly up-to-date traffic information into dynamic route guidance and input Points of Interest (POI) into the navigation system online. It also integrates the 360-degree panoramic street perspective images of Google Street View. Realistic photographic satellite images can also be displayed, which are based on the Google Earth™ map service (Google Maps).