---
title: "2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition: Black Wheels, No Sunroof, Real Carbon"
description: "Treating the Mk4 R32 as a starting point, the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition celebrates two decades of AWD VW hot hatchery."
date: "2022-09-01"
modified: "2022-09-01"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/2023-volkswagen-golf-r-20th-anniversary-edition-black-wheels-no-sunroof-real-carbon"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Volkswagen News"
tags:
  - "compact"
  - "Golf R"
  - "Hatchback"
  - "Volkswagen"
---

# 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition: Black Wheels, No Sunroof, Real Carbon

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/01/15839-GolfR20thAnniversaryEdition.jpg>)
*Volkswagen*

Volkswagen is releasing a special edition of the [Golf R](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/41536/2022-vw-gti-starts-just-over-30k-golf-r-at-44640>) to celebrate two decades of the all-wheel-drive VW hot hatchery—the genesis being the Mk4 R32 from 2002. About 1,800 units of the 2023 Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition will be produced, according to VW, so perhaps it will build 1,797. Maybe 1,811. Not really sure yet.

Anywho, Volkswagen sets the 20th Anniversary [Golf R](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/40046/watch-a-stock-2022-golf-r-hit-180-mph-on-the-autobahn>) apart by not giving it a sunroof to save weight, painting its 19-inch wheels gloss black, and fitting summer performance tires. As a production VW-first, real carbon fiber trim is used on the interior. Blue R badging is found throughout (even on the key fob), puddle lights shine "20 R" onto the ground, and "20" badges can be found on the B-pillars.

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/01/15835-GolfR20thAnniversaryEdition.jpg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/01/15842-GolfR20thAnniversaryEdition.jpg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/01/15832-GolfR20thAnniversaryEdition.jpg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/01/15825-GolfR20thAnniversaryEdition.jpg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/01/15824-GolfR20thAnniversaryEdition.jpg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/01/15807-GolfR20thAnniversaryEdition.jpg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/01/15818-GolfR20thAnniversaryEdition.jpg>)

This special edition R can only be had in blue, black, or white but, a little weirdly, the mirror caps do not match the rest of the car. Blue cars will get black mirror caps while units painted black or white will receive—*blue mirror caps*. Yeah, I don't get it either.

Performance remains the same as the regular Golf R. An EA888 turbo-four makes 315 horsepower—[exactly the same as the new Honda Civic Type R, if you haven't heard](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/its-official-the-2023-honda-civic-type-r-makes-315-hp>)—and can be paired to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch auto. Unlike its less powerful, front-drive GTI sibling, power goes to all four wheels with the rear axle capable of torque vectoring. [Driving it last year](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/43000/2022-volkswagen-golf-gti-and-golf-r-first-drive-review-hot-hatches-frigid-controls>), the Mk8 Golf R proved to be as capable and predictable as you'd expect as a driving machine—while admittedly not being all that distinctive—but is let down by a seriously frustrating, touch-only user interface.

Manual versions of the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition will start at $46,035 while those wanting the DSG will pay at least $46,835, $650 up from the regular, non-anniversary version.

*Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach him here: chris.tsui@thedrive.com*

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)