Volkswagen R has announced its return to international motorsport with a Nurburgring campaign in 2027, several years after announcing its exit in 2020. 2027 also marks the R performance division’s 25th anniversary. For the 24-hour race, Volkswagen is developing an all-wheel-drive, track-focused Golf R with Max Kruse Racing, and the 24H show car gives the first look at that project. Volkswagen says the race car is being developed to test the brand’s performance hardware under racing conditions.
- The Golf R 24H show car will be shown at the Ring Boulevard at the Nurburgring
- AWD setup is confirmed, but powertrain details are unclear right now
The race programme will continue with Max Kruse Racing, with Benjamin Leuchter involved in development work as a driver and team co-founder. Volkswagen will also use the project to develop the car further before the 2027 race.
Volkswagen Golf R 24H show car details
The Golf R 24H show car gets a more prominent front lip, which should help create more downforce at higher speeds. It carries over the same sleek LED headlights and connected light bar seen on the standard Golf R. The bonnet design is also similar, and it gets functional air vents. The fenders are wider than on the standard model and also feature air vents to improve aerodynamics. At the rear, the spoiler uses swan-neck mounts that pass through the area where the standard car’s rear windshield sits.
“The 24h Nurburgring is the toughest test for us under real competitive conditions,” said Reinhold Ivenz, head of Volkswagen R. The brand’s roots go back to the Golf R32 in 2002, and it says motorsport has remained part of its identity through rallying success and racing-related development work.
Glenn Noronha
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
