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NEWS
SPY PICS: VW's Gen VII Golf R Busted
VW's edgier, sharper and more hard core Golf R exposedJust days ahead of the Paris motor show debut of VW’s much-anticipated seventh generation Golf, the spies at Carparazzi have captured the red hot R spec version out in the suburbs.
The pics arrive less than a month after we published spy images of the sixth generation Golf R cabrio undergoing testing, a model which VW Australia is yet to confirm for local release. The early emergence of revealing Golf VII R spec images might make it hard to shift a generation-six version of the Golf R ragtop, if and when VW decides to bring it here.
Meanwhile, details on the all-new Golf R hardtop are still sketchy but what we do know is it will be based on the seventh generation Golf unveiled to the media with much fanfare in Berlin on September 5, ahead of its Paris motor show global debut next week.
VW stopped short of revealing details of the Golf GTI or the Golf R at the Berlin reveal, but the UK’s Autocar has reported the GTI will pack a 165kW version of Audi’s EA888 turbo engine, leaving the way clear for the Golf R to claim the 200kW high ground.
Stylistically, the Golf R wears the same chiselled look as the rest of the new Golf range, characterised by sharper edges and distinctive creases in the bonnet and vehicle sides. VW has been careful in massaging the Golf’s iconic design, retaining the unmistakable C-pillars, long roofline, and typical window line, but there’s no denying the resemblance of its accents and crease lines to the design trends currently favoured by BMW and Mercedes.
Wolfsburg’s top-of-the-range Golf R adds some muscle to the core styling and is distinguished by an aggressive front fascia, aerodynamic side skirts and a centre-mounted dual exhaust system (although the latter is not visible on this prototype).
Mesh cut outs mounted low in the front fascia provide additional cooling for what is expected to be an all-new turbocharged direct fuel injection 2.0-litre developing 208kW and 350Nm. Mated to a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission and driving all paws, the engine is expected to propel the hot hatch from 0-100 km/h in less than six seconds and on to a top speed of 250 km/h.
Big stoppers lurk beneath those gloss-black alloys, while other performance goodies are expected to include sports-tuned suspension and a high spec interior with leather-clad sport seats, and carbon-fibre accents.
Significantly, the Golf R’s performance will benefit from the weight-cutting regime that’s seen 100kg ripped out of the body weight of mainstream Golf models, thanks to savings in the body structure, engines, running gear, electronics and cabin trim. VW has said the resulting lighter footprint will deliver a significant fuel savings of up to 23 per cent on its cooking models, and an average reduction of 13.9 per cent across the range, so it’s likely the Golf R will also improve on the current model’s fuel efficiency as well as its performance.
Like its more humble stablemates, the Golf R is also expected to come loaded with an array of standard electronic safety features typically the reserve of more expensive prestige models. The list includes autonomous emergency braking, electronic diff lock, Adaptive Cruise Control, Multi-Collision Braking, Front Assist and City Emergency Braking Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Fatigue Detection, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Parking Assistant.
Crucially, for sports-oriented Golf R buyers, as well as being lighter the new Golf body is also stiffer, stronger and features a longer wheelbase, the latter stretched by 59mm to 2637mm.
The new Golf goes on sale in Europe before the end of the year and reaches Australia in mid-2013. Based on the previous roll out of GTI and R models, we wouldn’t expect to see the latter before mid-2014.
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Written byCarsales Staff
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