Carsales Staff•21 Aug 2013
NEWS
FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Volkswagen Golf R revealed
VW releases images and specs of AWD hot hatch ahead of Frankfurt motor show debutOne of the stars on Volkswagen's stand at the Frankfurt motor show next month is bound to be the Golf R – VW's all-wheel drive small car offering big performance numbers.
Overnight Volkswagen issued two pictures of the new model, which is based on the bread-and-butter Golf 7, and confirmed the new car's specifications for Europe.
Lifting VW-fan heart rates into the red zone, the new Golf R produces 300PS (220kW) and 380Nm from its new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that is shared with Audi (the current sixth generation Australian Golf R quotes 188kW). Performance for the new car is claimed by the manufacturer to be enhanced to the tune of 5.3 seconds for 0-100km/h (versus 5.7 for the Golf 6 version).
With the optional DSG transmission the new car's time drops back to 4.9 seconds. In contrast with the GTi that shares the engine architecture the new Golf R has moved to a modified cylinder head, exhaust valves, valve seats and springs, pistons, injection valves and turbocharger.
The drivetrain is an update of the current Golf R with VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, with the fifth-generation Haldex system and a choice of six-speed manual or DSG auto transmission. Braking is handled by four-wheel ventilated discs, measuring 30 mm by 340 mm at the front and 22 mm by 310 mm at the rear.
Golf R is readily distinguished from its siblings by a new front bumper, revised radiator grille with 'R' logo, larger air intakes and daytime running lights integrated with the standard bi-xenon headlights. Standard 18-inch alloy wheels are shod with 225/40 tyres and reveal black-painted brake calipers featuring ‘R’ logos. A distinctive rear end features smoked LED tail lights, an ‘R’ diffuser and four chrome-tipped exhaust pipes.
Inside, the sports seats are trimmed with a cloth centre section and Alcantara bolsters. R-branded sports instrument dials boast blue needles.
The ride height is 20mm lower than the standard Golf's and 5mm lower than the GTi's. In Europe the car will be offered with Adaptive Chassis Control as an option. No word on whether that will be the case in Australia.
But Volkswagen Australia’s General Manager for Communications, Karl Gehling, said the seventh generation Golf R will arrive here next year.
“The Golf GTi and the Golf R are two of our strongest models. We can’t wait to see the new Golf R joining the Australian line-up,” he said.
It’s way too early for pricing details, but a figure hovering around the $49,990 tag that applies to the current Golf R, in manual transmission form ($52,490 for the DSG version), is unlikely to be far off the mark.
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
Don't forget to register to comment on this article.
Tags
Volkswagen
Golf
Car News
Hatchback
Performance Cars
Motor Shows
Frankfurt Motor Show
Written byCarsales Staff
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalists
Related articles
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Love every move.
Buy it. Sell it.Love it.
®Contact
Advertise with us
Local marketplaces
International marketplaces
Scan to download the carsales app
Want more info? Here’s our app landing page
App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo
are trademarks of Google LLC.