VW Golf R Even More Tempting With New Brakes, Titanium Exhaust

With nearly 300 horsepower on tap and a five-second 0-60 time, you wouldn't think that the VW Golf R needs much help in the performance department. But Volkswagen evidently begs to differ.

The German automaker has just rolled out several performance upgrades for its top hot hatch, including a new exhaust, new brakes, and semi-slick tires for track days.

For the fresh set of pipes, Volkswagen has collaborated with one of the biggest names in the business: Akrapovič. The system they developed is crafted from titanium, cutting 15 pounds of excess weight and giving the hot hatch “completely new acoustics.”

Also available is a new brake kit that trims four and a half pounds of unsprung weight. The front built pin discs combine a steel friction ring with an aluminum pot to allow for radial expansion under heat, with special brake pads and increased precision.

We can't tell you whether those upgrades will be enough to help the Golf R keep up with the more potent Ford Focus RS or Honda Civic Type R, but they certainly can't hurt. And something tells us some of these upgrades could find their way into the next-generation model as well.