LA MOTOR SHOW: Volkswagen Golf R Variant wagon

Volkswagen's Golf R Variant has finally broken cover. 

The go-fast all-wheel drive wagon 'variant' of the high-output Golf hot hatch is not quite as rapid as the European-market 221kW Golf R hatch, which dispatches the 0-100km/h dash in 4.9 seconds, but the 5.1 second wagon is quick enough to bloody the noses of many six- and some eight-cylinder wagons.

Although Volkswagen Australia has made no firm decision on whether the wild wagon will be coming Down Under, the company says the new model is "of interest".

Kurt McGuiness, Volkswagen Australia Public Relations Manager, told motoring.com.au that the new model "would be a good fit in the range".

If the hi-po Volkswagen did arrive here, it would likely be offered with the same detuned version the hatch gets, a 206kW 'hot weather' version, and because the hatch is one tenth of a second slower to 100km/h, the wagon would likely do the dash in the 5.2 seconds when hooked up with the six-speed dual-clutch auto gearbox.

The last time Volkswagen offered a high-performance wagon in Australia was between 2008 and 2010, in the form of the Passat R36, an all-wheel drive V6-powered family hot rod.

After numerous spy photographers snapped the Golf R wagon testing on the Nurburgring over the past 12 months, the vehicle is making its debut at the Los Angeles motor show, powered by the same EA888 2.0-litre turbo-petrol as its hatchback cousin, pumping out 221kW and 380Nm.

It has a top speed of 250km/h, features an advanced fifth-generation Haldex coupling system to deliver '4MOTION' all-wheel drive traction but unlike the Golf R hatch it possesses a longer body and larger boot, improving versatility.

A total of 605 litres of cargo space is available in the boot with five passengers on board, up from the hatch's 350 litres. That extends to a useful 1620 litres when the 60:40 splitting rear seats are folded, creating "a nearly level surface with the cargo floor" says Volkswagen.

The boot length is 1055mm long, extending to 1831mm with the rear seats folded.

Despite its sporty new look, riding on 19-inch alloy wheels, fitted with performance brakes, sports suspension and riding lower to the ground, the Golf R Variant can be very fuel savvy says Volkswagen, using a claimed 7.0L/100km on the combined cycle (NEDC). CO2 emissions stand at 163g/km, another impressive figure for such a rapid vehicle.

Both six-speed manual and DSG transmissions are available, and the car features a driving profile selection system, offering four distinct modes that affect the way the car accelerates and handles by adjusting the adaptive dampers, along with engine and gearbox response: Eco, Normal, Individual and Race.

Volkswagen says the Golf R wagon will go on sale first in Europe in the northern Summer, mid-2015. If it does get the green light for Australia it probably won't be available here until later 2015, if not 2016.

The Golf R hatch is priced from $51,990, and the Variant would add a premium of around $1500 based on the relative difference between regular hatch and wagon models in Australia. It would also make it the most expensive Golf ever sold in Australia.