The next-generation Volkswagen Golf R is currently undergoing testing and it is believed that the range-topping hatch will make between 290 and 300 hp.
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When Volkswagen finishes launching all seven planned variants of its popular Golf within the next 12 months, the Golf R will sit at the top of the lineup boasting 286 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.
More photos of the Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet have surfaced ahead of its official 2013 Geneva Motor Show debut. Continue Reading…
After debuting concept versions of the next-generation Golf and GTI at the Paris Motor Show last year, Volkswagen is now teasing a Golf R model ahead of a likely debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Volkswagen has announced its lineup of customized vehicles heading to the 2012 SEMA Show, with its Beetle model being the star.
Recent spy photos of the 2014 Volkswagen Golf R showed that the German automaker is hard to work on its performance-minded, seventh-generation Golf model.
After the regular Golf R was seen undergoing testing yesterday, today Volkswagen rolled out the Golf R convertible, completely camo-free, offering us a full look at the new drop-top hot hatch.
Introduced at the Worthersee GTI meet as a concept, the Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet has now been caught testing by our spy photographers, dressed up like a GTI for a disguise.
The Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet is the drop top version of the powerful Golf R, and we now know thanks to patent drawings that the cabriolet concept we saw last year will be put into production, although it likely won’t make it the the States.
10: Audi TT RS
Classic car insurance company Hagerty has just released its annual list of vehicles that it expects will become the collector cars of the future. The list of “affordable” collector cars is capped at $100,000 and comes on the heels of the annual Scottsdale collector car auction week.
“After more than twenty years of witnessing car-collecting trends, we have the unique ability to look at new cars through the eyes of a collector,” said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance. “This year’s Hot List includes cars that are sure to develop a cult-like following because their characteristics resonate with driving enthusiasts.”
Starting off the list, and a favorite of ours is the Audi TT RS which retails for $56,850 and is a favorite amongst automotive enthusiasts as an affordable, fun ride without having to indulge into Porsche costs. The TT RS has plenty of global appeal which means it’ll have plenty of global demand down the road. And besides, Audi consistently finds itself at the Le Mans podium; you just can’t argue with success.
With the Volkswagen Golf R hitting US dealerships this month, the German automaker has decided to release the “Golf R Drivers Forever” app to bring Golf R information to the masses.
The iPad app will provide access to everything anyone would ever want to know about the iconic performance model and features stories told through the perspective of VW enthusiasts and drivers that helped bring the coveted variant to America. It’ll include a mini-documentary about the world of Volkswagen, an exclusive interview with designer Chip Foose and accounts from key members of the Volkswagen of America Product Marketing team.
“The Golf R app was created to celebrate and thank the Volkswagen brand’s community of enthusiasts because they represent what makes the Golf R special,” said Jon Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “The app will help build awareness around the Volkswagen brand heritage and we are excited to offer this innovative approach that illustrates the performance of the Golf R.”
The 2012 Golf R is the most powerful Volkswagen sports performance vehicle ever sold on American soil. It packs 256-hp and 243 lb-ft of torque through a 2.0L TSI engine. The app is free to download.
Check out a video after the break highlighting what the app is all about.
GALLERY: Volkswagen Golf R Drivers Forever App
This may be the most boring post you will ever read about the Volkswagen Golf R. Even though it has an awesome 270 horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder, all-wheel drive and a choice of 6-speed gearboxes, Volkswagen decided to milk the car for every last drop of “publicity” by launching 4 dubiously dubbed “concept” editions at the Geneva Auto Show.
The “concepts” are merely some Golf R models with unique interior and exterior combinations. The “Oryx White” model is available with a “St. Tropez” interior, while the “Carbon Steel Grey” model has the inside trimmed in “Almandine Red”. A third “Space Grey” model features a carbon fiber interior. The final model apes the “Space Grey” car’s exterior treatments but is finished in Aplomb Blue.
Frankly, we couldn’t care less. Just give us the damn car already. It could be painted in Pig Vomit Brown with an interior made of Hyena hides and we’d still drive it. Unfortunately, we won’t be getting those awesome bucket seats shown in the photos.
Gallery: Volkswagen Golf R Concepts
Volkswagen fanboys can rejoice at the news of VW of America’s CEO Jonathan Browning’s announcement that he wants to see the Scirocco sports coupe make its way to the United States.
Speaking to USA Today, Browning remarked that “I’d love to … We were not able to make the case to bring it in this (product) cycle, but in the future, I’d love to see it here in the U.S.” Volkswagen is currently launching the Golf R, a high performance variant of the GTI, and a new Scirocco could potentially cannibalize sales of the Golf R.
In addition, VW’s mainstream products, like the New Beetle and Passat are being re-designed and resources are liklely being diverted to those product lines, which will drive more sales than the niche sports coupe.
[Source: USA Today]
Volkswagen‘s hottest of hatchbacks will make its way to U.S. soil, confirms the German automaker. A spiritual successor to the R32, the Golf R is part of VW’s new ‘R’ performance brand, and gets its motivation from VW’s always-impressive 2.0T turbocharged 4-cylinder rather than the old V6 in the R32.
While VW hasn’t released specs on the engine, in Europe it receives the same state of tune as in the Audi TT-S, making 265-hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque. So far, VW USA will only say it’s a,”significant hp increase over GTI.”
Mated to VW’s 4MOTION AWD system and offered exclusively with a six-speed manual, the car should be able to hit 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds.
The upgrades don’t stop with the engine, however, with the full R model getting 18-inch wheels, a center-exit dual exhaust, upgraded brakes, a lowered suspension and a more aggressive stability control program. VW also plans to offer the car in both 2-door and 4-door hatch versions.
A special R interior will also be included with a special shift knob and steering wheel, although it’s not likely to be exactly like the Euro-spec model and we’d be surprised to see the same sports seats here in the U.S.
VW is likely to debut the U.S.-spec Golf R at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show as it moves ahead with a plan to uphold its brand with special high-performance models while it simultaneously pursues a plan to offer lower-priced volume models like the new Jetta and upcoming Passat replacement.
GALLERY: Euro-Spec VW Golf R
Official release after the jump:
While still less than certain, the Volkswagen Golf R is reportedly set to be offered in North America next year, with a likely announcement set for the upcoming Detroit Auto Show in January.
The ultra-hot hatch has already been on sale in Europe for close to a year, making the GTI look tame in comparison with a 265-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder – the same engine offered in the Audi TT-S. Mated to VW’s 4MOTION AWD system and using a dual-clutch transmission, VW claims a 0-62 mph time of 5.5 seconds.
GALLERY: Volkswagen Golf R
GALLERY: Volkswagen Golf R Debut in Frankfurt
[Source: Car and Driver]
Yes, we are in love with Volkswagen‘s Golf R and every time we see yet another tuner releasing upgrades for it we curse the fact that it isn’t offered here. Mcchipp-DKR is the newest of our interests, with a simple ECU tune that boosts the stock figures of 270-hp and 256 ft-lbs of torque to an impressive 315-hp and 325 ft-lbs of torque.
All this can be hand for a tad over $1,150 and no one would know that the car has been modified for the increase in performance. And naturally like any ECU upgrade, it works on any transmission setup. For those looking for more, Mcchip-DKR offers a set of H&R springs for $449 installed. And for wheels and tires, Mcchip-DKR chooses 19×8-inch OZ Ultraleggera wheels for $4,100. The wheels come wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup rubber in a 235/35/19 variety.
Obviously the non-Mcchip-DKR parts are available at a premium and can be hand for much cheaper elsewhere; but the ECU upgrade is definitely worth a grab at its price point. Especially those that don’t really want to do any other bolt-on modifications.
GALLERY: Mcchip-DKR VW Golf R
[Source: WorldCarFans]
Volkswagen Golf R Launches in Europe With 265-hp and AWD
VW's 4MOTION all-wheel drive setup, makes this hot-hatch a all-year-round performer
Volkswagen has just officially launched the high-performance Golf R model in Europe, just days after its first North American showing as a concept at the Montreal International Auto Show. As an even-higher performance version than the iconic GTI, the Golf R gets an upgraded version of the same 2.0-liter TFSI 4-cylinder as well as VW’s 4MOTION AWD system, making it an exceptional driver’s car – even in the rain… or snow.
Using the same 2.0 TFSI as found in the Audi TTS, the Golf R makes 265-hp at 6000 rpm and 258 ft-lbs of torque from 2500 to 50o0 rpm. Both a six-speed manual and six-speed dual-clutch transmission will be offered, allowing a 0-62 mph time of as low as 5.5 seconds (likely 5.3 seconds to 60 mph).
Other highlights include a new front fascia and rear bumper with dual center-exit exhausts, as well as a stiffer suspension that has been lowered by 25mm (1-inch). The list goes on an on, with a sport steering wheel, highly bolstered sport seats, upgraded brakes and 18-inch wheels (19s optional). There’s even a version of Audi’s Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) that allows the driver to adjust the sensitivity of the throttle, steering and suspension.
When the car was shown in Montreal, Volkswagen Canada said in a statement that it, “brings this Concept vehicle to Montreal to gauge public reaction and solicit feedback in order to determine the desirability of a premium performance model like the Golf R Concept for sale in the Canadian market at some point in the future.”
We have to imagine the Golf R will also make its way to major shows like the Chicago Auto Show next month, as there’s simply no way VW would sell such a low volume car in Canada and not the U.S.
Volkswagen has released an entirely list of specifications for the Golf R in Europe as well as a new gallery of photos. Feel free to peruse both below and give us your thoughts in if you think the Golf R should come to North America.
GALLERY: Volkswagen Golf R
Official release after the jump: