Currently reading: 2017 Volkswagen Golf R facelift spotted in estate form at 'Ring
Styling updates will form the bulk of changes to refreshed model; due to arrive early next year

The 2017 Volkswagen Golf R has been spotted again ahead of its anticipated arrival in the first few months of next year.

The 2017 Volkswagen Golf R has now been revealed

The car’s exterior will receive a few small tweaks, as seen here, including a new front bumper, air intakes and grille.

While the test car is an estate, the same changes can be expected for the facelifted hatchback version.

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The absence of any further camouflage confirms no other changes have been made to the body, but previous facelifted cars (shown earlier in the gallery) were seen benchmark testing against a current production R, suggesting the 2017's adjustments could be more than just skin deep.

The current car’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine sends 296bhp to all four wheels, but a growing list of hot hatch rivals, including the 306bhp Honda Civic Type R, may have encouraged Volkswagen’s engineers to extract more power for the facelifted 2017 model.

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Inside, Volkswagen’s touchscreen infotainment system will be updated, with some sources suggesting gesture control is top of the list of new features. As with the current car, the system will also be compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

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Billed the 'Ultimate Golf' and given more power, but can this facelifted Volkswagen Golf R knock the imperious Ford Focus RS from its perch?

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Volkswagen has remained tight-lipped about the facelifted Golf R’s launch date, but most sources agree on an early 2017 arrival. Pricing will most likely stay close to that of the current car, which costs from £31,685.

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jer 6 October 2016

Buy before April 17

As afterwards a quick look suggests road tax will be penal. They need to get co2 under 150...
KenF 6 October 2016

jer wrote:

jer wrote:

As afterwards a quick look suggests road tax will be penal. They need to get co2 under 150...

And legally this time

MJC1973 5 October 2016

The New Power Output will be......

Probably exactly the same as the already announced Audi S3. Therefore 310(PS) or 306(Bhp) or exactly the same as the Type R but with much better traction and probably 4.6 to 60 with the DSG.
MJC1973 5 October 2016

MJC1973 wrote:

MJC1973 wrote:

Probably exactly the same as the already announced Audi S3. Therefore 310(PS) or 306(Bhp) or exactly the same as the Type R but with much better traction and probably 4.8 to 60 with the DSG.

TS7 5 October 2016

A shame the 400R...

...seems to have been shelved, at least for the Mk VII Golf.