When the new Mk8 VW Golf R arrived, we were all amazed by the performance on offer. But of course, it didn’t take long before people decided they wanted more…

So ABT has stepped up to the plate and once again offered a tuning package for the new R that will turn the performance from amazing to crazy!

We couldn’t just use the base R as a starting point, though, so to get things going, this is a Mk8 Golf with the Performance Package – this gives you a set of 19-inch ‘Estoril’ wheels and the larger rear spoiler seen on the GTi Clubsport to start with to beef up the looks a little.

But under the skin is more exciting – with the DCC dampers we’ve added, you get Drift Mode which turns it into an RWD monster, and ‘Special’ mode, which was set up on the Nurburgring. The top speed limiter is also increased to 168mph.

But VW also offers a very tasty Akrapovic exhaust too, to give the R the sound it deserves, so of course, we’ve added that.

And then we come to ABT’s side of things – an engine tune with a full ABT warranty that makes the Golf R jump from 316bhp to 375bhp, along with a torque increase from 420Nm to 470Nm. That’s good enough to knock a few tenths off the 0-62mph time and make overtaking through the gears feel like a ballistic missile.

This is all the Golf you could ever want:

VW Golf R, with 19" wheels, Akrapovic Exhaust and DCC dampers - £49,460

ABT Golf R 380hp tuning kit plus fitting - £2,155