Australian pricing and specifications for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI and R range have been detailed this week, ahead of an expected arrival in mid-August. Headlining updates include the revival of the three-door GTI in the GTI Performance Edition 1, and the Golf R wagon, which initially arrives in special-edition Wolfsburg trim before returning as a permanent member of the family in ‘standard’ R form in January.

The performance line-up kicks off with the Golf GTI, starting at AUD 41,490 with the standard six-speed manual and AUD 43,990 for the six-speed DSG dual-clutch variant. For 2017 the GTI’s 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine gets a power bump to 230 Hp, while torque remains the same at 350 Nm.


Standard equipment includes 18-inch ‘Milton Keynes’ alloy wheels, adaptive chassis control with selectable driving modes, dual-zone climate control with Air Care filtration, keyless entry and start, leather multifunction steering wheel, a colour driver’s multifunction display, 8.0-inch ‘Discover Media’ infotainment system with satellite navigation and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and LED interior ambient lighting.

There’s also front fog-lights, automatic LED headlights with dynamic cornering, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, and an automatically-dimming rear-view mirror. Like the regular Golf range, all models come equipped with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), multi-collision brake, seven airbags and a driver fatigue monitor. Optional equipment for the Golf GTI includes metallic/pearl effect paint (AUD 500), Driver Assistance Package (AUD 1600), Infotainment Package (AUD 2300) and GTI Luxury Package (AUD 2300). The Driver Assistance pack adds the usual adaptive cruise control, lane assist, blind spot monitor, park assist, proactive occupant protection and dynamic light assist.


The Infotainment pack includes the 12.3-inch Active Info Display virtual instrument cluster, a 9.2-inch ‘Discover Pro’ satellite navigation system with gesture and voice control, along with the Dynaudio 400W premium audio system with 10-channel amplifier and subwoofer.

Specifying the GTI Luxury package adds niceties like a panoramic electric sunroof, vienna leather upholstery, heated front seats, electrically-adjustable driver’s seat with memory, and power folding exterior mirrors with memory function. For AUD 47,990 you can have the special three-door Golf GTI Performance Edition 1, which is limited to just 150 units.


Additional specification includes an uprated 245 Hp/370 Nm version of the 2.0-litre turbo mated to a new seven-speed wet-clutch DSG transmission, a front differential lock, larger disc brakes, 19-inch ‘Brescia’ alloy wheels, and honeycomb microfleece/leatherette upholstery.

There’s also ‘Premium’ LED tail-lights with dynamic indicators, the 12.3-inch Active Info digital driver’s instruments, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, park assist, dynamic light assist, blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert, rear privacy glass, and a merchandise pack worth AUD 300.


Essentially, the limited edition adds the driver assistance package as standard equipment, with the only other option being a panoramic electric sunroof for AUD 1900. Sitting atop the permanent range is the Golf R, which in hatch form starts at AUD 52,990 with a six-speed manual and AUD 55,490 with the new seven-speed wet-clutch DSG. The ‘regular’ Golf R wagon will join the line-up permanently next year, with pricing to be detailed closer to launch.

The Golf R picks up 290 Hp and 380 Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which sends power to the company’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system. Standard kit includes the new 9.2-inch ‘Discover Pro’ satellite navigation system with gesture and voice control, 12.3-inch Active Info virtual instrument cluster, vienna leather upholstery, heated front seats, electrically-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function and power lumbar support, power folding exterior mirrors with memory, rear privacy glass, metallic/pearl effect paint, 19-inch ‘Spielberg’ alloy wheels, and ‘Premium’ LED tail-lights with dynamic indicators.


Meanwhile, the limited-edition Golf R Wolfsburg Edition returns in both hatchback and wagon body styles, with the seven-speed wet-clutch DSG as standard. Pricing for the Wolfsburg models is still to be confirmed.

Extra equipment includes 19-inch ‘Pretoria’ alloy wheels in grey metallic, real carbon-fibre exterior mirror housing, chrome roof rails (wagon), ‘Carbon’ nappa leather upholstery, Dynaudio 400W premium audio system with 10-channel amplifier and subwoofer, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and dynamic light assist.


The Golf R is also available with the optional Driver Assistance pack, which is identical to that offered with the GTI minus the automatic parking function, which isn’t available for the flagship model, along with a panoramic electric sunroof which is offered on both the Golf R and Golf R Wolfsburg (AUD 1900).

All performance versions of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf range are available to order now, with first deliveries expected in mid-August.