The conventional Ice Race was the perfect place to rejoice the previous, current and way forward for the sporty Golf variants. Spectacular, a bit wild, however completely down-to-earth, the monitor on ice and snow turned the large stage. Racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck and six-time World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson showcased varied Volkswagen automobiles in true fashion by driving on the limits. The vehicles included the Golf I GTI, which celebrated its premiere in 1975, and the Golf IV R32 from 2002, the forerunner of all efficiency variants bearing the R model emblem. Volkswagen additionally offered different historic exhibition automobiles: a rally model of the Golf I GTI and two rally variations of the Golf II.

According to Reinhold Ivenz, Head of Volkswagen R, “Volkswagen R is Volkswagen’s premium performance brand and has stood for sportiness and dynamic performance for more than 20 years. Here at the Ice Race, the past meets the future. We can hardly wait for the Golf R, still disguised here, to celebrate its premiere this summer.”

New Golf in motion
The new Golf was on show in Zell am See in 4 variants – not solely as an exhibit, but in addition in motion. Alongside the Golf R, the Golf GTI, Golf eHybrid and Golf GTE accomplished the line-up.

Hans-Joachim Stuck says: “The Ice Race is a real spectacle. Other drivers would be putting on snow chains in these conditions, but for us racing drivers, this is when the fun really starts.” Stuck is a two-time Le Mans winner, former Formula 1 and sports activities automotive driver and German touring automotive champion. “At the Ice Race, you meet true motorsport fans and also many people who otherwise have little contact with motorsport – but go home with a lot of enthusiasm for it,” says Stuck.

Johan Kristoffersson says: “I love driving a powerful all-wheel drive car on ice and snow – especially if it’s an R model.” The Swede received 5 of his six World Rallycross Championship titles with Volkswagen. He reveals: “It was great fun to sit in the brand-new Golf for the first time. I can only say that even though the Golf R has not yet been revealed, there is a true sports car under the camouflage that fans of the R brand can already look forward to.”

About the Ice Race
The Ice Race can look again on a protracted historical past that began with skijouring, a daring leisure exercise pursued by Nordic and Alpine farmers who let horses pull them over the ice on skis. Skijouring turned a sport, but in addition bolder and extra spectacular: motorbikes and vehicles changed the horses. In 1937, a course for this was ready for the primary time in Zell am See; the occasion then befell once more from 1952 and have become a daily motorsport spectacle till 1974. In its present kind, the Ice Race is already a second revival: it was held once more in 2019 for the primary time since 1974. In 2024, the fourth version of the up to date Ice Race offered not solely conventional skijouring, but in addition spectacular racing vehicles and manufacturing automobiles on ice and snow.

About Volkswagen R
Volkswagen R is Volkswagen’s premium efficiency model and is answerable for the sportiest automobiles that complement the product vary. Customers presently have a selection of 5 performance-boosted and enhanced manufacturing automobiles – from the extraordinarily dynamic Golf R to the model’s high mannequin, the Touareg R eHybrid. With greater than 35,000 automobiles produced, 2023 was a report 12 months for the Volkswagen R. A complete of greater than 300,000 R fashions have been delivered since 2002. The Volkswagen R is now realigning itself for the longer term. Based on the 4 pillars – efficiency, design, innovation and high quality – the portfolio will progressively see a shift to all-electric R fashions by 2030.