Germany vs Korea: Why electric VW Golf R must challenge Hyundai’s fun-packed Ioniq 5 N

May 30, 2025May 30, 2025 Iain Curry 5037 Views Golf electric, Golf GTI electric, VW electric, VW golf r EV

Petrolheads may weep, but the future’s set for a world without combustion Volkswagen Golf GTIs and Golf Rs.

Speaking to EV Central, Volkswagen R’s Head of Sales and Marketing Pedro Martinez Diaz said it was “absolutely realistic” the ‘R’ brand would be EV-only as soon as 2030.

His comments followed an Autoexpress interview where Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schafer confirmed to the UK magazine the next-generation front-drive Golf GTI and all-wheel-drive Golf R will be all-electric, with petrol-powered versions remaining until decade’s end.

Speaking specifically about VW’s R models, Wolfsburg-based Martinez Diaz said: “We’re working on several projects, and I think it’s obvious we want to translate the R brand into the battery electric vehicles.”

He wouldn’t be drawn on which electric ‘R’ model would kick off proceedings, but said: “We’re discussing different concepts and packages right now, but I think it’s also obvious that we think about the Golf R,” due to it being the volume seller.

For performance EV fans, that opens the door to a dual motor, high performance all-wheel-drive battery-powered hatchback to rival the multi award-winning Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. — The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the engagement king in the EV world. Could VW rival it with an electric Golf R?

But would VW R join Hyundai in bringing fake sounds, fake gear shifts, limitless torque distribution variability and a drift mode to its EV hyper hatch?

“I’ve tested the Hyundai and the (simulated) sound is great; we will see if we also go for this kind of sound, or if we would have other ideas,” said Martinez Diaz.

“We’re discussing how would be the user experience in the future because the sound of the (combustion) engine will disappear.”

No doubt simulated gear changes and the like are top of the discussion list, as performance brands like VW R need driver involvement points of difference to retain buyers seeking engagement from EVs.

Going quick in a straight line is simply not enough – even a city SUV Volvo EX30 Ultra Performance can reach 100km/h in 3.6 seconds … that’s Porsche Turbo numbers of not long ago.

The latest Mk 8.5 Golf R uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder good for 245kW, 420Nm, and a 0-100km/h time of 4.6 seconds.

2025 MK 8.5 Volkswagen Golf R — Final combustion fling: the Mk 8.5 Volkswagen Golf R.

An electric all-paw version would of course dial things up to 11 to challenge the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. The $111,000 Korean boasts 448kW and 740Nm from its brace of electric motors, then finds 100km/h in 3.4 seconds.

The electric Hyundai N can manage two laps of the Nürburgring in absolute attack mode without losing power or hitting battery level critical. You fancy the team at VW R would be doing likewise – or better – with an EV Golf R. It’s in their own Green Hell backyard, after all.

“Today it’s easy to develop acceleration from 0-100 in less than four seconds,” said Martinez Diaz. “But important is that we have to consider the whole ‘R’ DNA, therefore, we’re working on driving dynamics.”

What about hardcore combustion fans, who’ve bought over 350,000 R products globally since the first Golf R32 launched in 2002? Are they prepared for an EV-only future?

“There are early adopters who are willing to experience something new; and then I have a lot of friends saying I will drive petrol cars as long as I can,” explained Martinez Diaz.

“I know petrolheads, petrol customers, who have driven now the ID.7 or ID.4 and they said: ‘Wow, what a great acceleration, what torque,’ for example.”

“Before COVID, I think a lot of companies thought that the transformation into battery electric vehicles would be faster. So now over the last years, we have seen that the transformation slowed down a bit. So therefore, we will see how will be the acceptance by 2030.”

In 2026, VW releases its front-wheel-drive ID.2 GTI – the first time the hallowed badge lands on an EV. Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schafer said an electric Golf GTI would be front-drive, and the Golf R an all-wheel-drive.

These vehicles, plus countless others in the wider Volkswagen Group, will likely be on the brand’s all-new 800-volt highly scalable SSP architecture.

This likely opens the door to R models across Volkswagen’s electrified portfolio, including (if they survive) models like T-Roc, T-Cross, Tiguan and Touareg alongside the ID. vehicles.

Back to the Ioniq 5N-rivalling Golf R EV, when could we see it arrive to challenge the all-conquering Hyundai?

“There are questions we are discussing now in order to launch a proper 100 per cent Volkswagen R as battery (powered) in the future,” said Martinez Diaz. “From the time frame, it will still take a couple of years.”

A reborn hot hatch hero? Let’s hope driver engagement – simulated or otherwise – is front and centre!

Iain Curry

A motoring writer and photographer for two decades, Iain started in print magazines in London as editor of Performance BMW and features writer for BMW Car, GT Porsche and 4Drive magazines. His love of motor sport and high performance petrol cars was rudely interrupted in 2011 when he was one of the first journalists to drive BMW's 1 Series ActiveE EV, and has been testing hybrids, PHEVs and EVs for Australian newspapers ever since. Based near Noosa in Queensland, his weekly newspaper articles cover new vehicle reviews and consumer advice, while his photography is regularly seen on the pages of glossy magazines.