High-tech turbocharged engine. Like the current Golf GTI, the Golf R is powered by further advanced engine design of the four-cylinder EA888 engine series. Compared to the previous engine, numerous technical details were modified to reduce fuel consumption and emissions and to simultaneously increase power and torque values. The engine has a newly designed cylinder head, for example. Compared to the 169 kW / 230 PS Golf GTI Performance, designers boosted engine power of the Golf R by 70 PS to 221 kW / 300 PS (from 5,500 to 6,200 rpm), creating one of the most powerful four-cylinder engines. Maximum torque was increased 30 Nm to 380 Newton meters; it is available over a broad speed range from 1,800 to 5,500 rpm. To attain these values, the TSI, with a displacement of 1,984 cc, underwent a development program similar to that of a motorsport engine. The following components were modified or completely redesigned compared to the already highly agile GTI engine: the cylinder head (together with exhaust valves, valve seats and springs), pistons, high-pressure injection valves and turbocharger.
Efficient thermal management. The turbocharged direct gasoline injection engines of the EA888 series all have complex innovative solutions such as water-cooled exhaust gas channels running through the cylinder head to the turbocharger (to efficiently reduce full-load fuel consumption) and a dual injection system with direct injection and multi-port injection. The Golf R is also much more efficient with a reduced warm-up phase thanks to its new fully-electronic coolant control system and thermal management of the TSI. In turn, this reduces friction losses and fuel consumption. The TSI also features variable valve timing with dual camshaft adjustment. In addition, valve lift on the exhaust side can be switched between two stages. This solution enables optimal control of the charge exchange process for better performance, fuel economy and low emissions.