2022 Volkswagen Golf R price dropped by $1000 due to semiconductor shortage

Volkswagen Australia has cut $1000 off the list price of its upcoming Golf R to ensure deliveries of the hot hatch aren't delayed.

Slated to launch in local dealerships from April, the Mk8 Golf R has undergone a second price cut before it has even arrived, with the hatchback and wagon now on sale for $65,990 and $68,990 respectively, before on-road costs.

However, the decreased price comes at a cost, as production issues thanks to the on-going semiconductor shortage have resulted in the standard-fit Harman Kardon sound systems becoming temporarily unavailable.

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UPDATE: The new Golf R is now on sale in Australia. See our fresh coverage at the links below

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Normally a $1500 extra for the Golf Life, R-Line and GTI, the Harman Kardon unit is a 480-watt sound system, utilising a 12-channel amplifier and nine speakers to deliver a premium audio experience over the base six-speaker setup.

The local arm of the manufacturer says a number of Australia-bound Golf Rs have been fitted with the Harman Kardon system, although it has now been taken off the list of standard equipment for the range-topping Golf, available as a $1000 option for all new buyers.

“With more than 7000 expressions of interest in the new R range and in excess of 1000 deposits, our foremost intention is to meet rapidly growing customer demand," said Michal Szaniecki, Brand Director of Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles.

“Initially both versions of the Golf R will be offered at the revised RRP without Harmon Kardon, and with [it] at $66,990 for the hatchback and $69,990 for the Wagon. This, and the choice of a sunroof, are the only two options on the Mk8 Golf R.”

The aforementioned sunroof sets buyers back an extra $1900 when fitted to the hatchback and $2000 on the wagon, bringing the price range between a base Golf R hatch ($65,990) and fully-optioned wagon ($71,990) to $6000.

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Even at the reduced price point, the 2022 Golf R is $10,000 more than its Mk7.5 predecessor, last updated in 2020 with a list price of $55,990, before on-road costs.

Despite lacking the Harmon Kardon system as standard equipment, the Golf R will continue to pack its biggest punch yet with the latest iteration of the EA888 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235kW and 400Nm. Meanwhile, the wagon scores an extra 20Nm thanks to its petrol particulate filter.

Volkswagen had initially planned to give both hatch and wagon variants the full-fat, 420Nm engine but was forced to adopt the less potent hatch due to supply constraints, dropping its pre-sound system shortage price from $67,990 to $66,990.