Just to confirm, I bought 1K0145803BP (Golf 6 R) back in 2016 from my dealer. I measured the core depth at around 40mm, or could be 38mm as Brian mentioned in the OP, vs 32mm for the GTI one that I took off the car.
Obviously the updated intercooler core can't be too much thicker than GTI otherwise the radiator stack won't sandwich together nicely. I do remember the 6R cooler almost touching the radiator after fitment, whereas the GTI cooler had a much bigger air gap.
Anyway, I'm sure the newer stuff is fine even if dimensionally identical. Technology is constantly moving on.
FWIW, the old all alloy S3 one was a heavy sod. The later plastic ended ones are very light for their size.