Volkswagen Golf R breaks cover

The king of hot hatches just got hotter. Volkswagen has unveiled the fastest and most powerful Golf ever. The successor to the Golf R32, simply now called the Golf R, was unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show overnight and almost went unannounced amid the fanfare for electric cars.

For Golf GTI and Golf R32 fans, however, the news is all good.

Despite using a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine instead of a 3.2-litre V6 from the R32, the new model has more power and more torque, up from 184kW to 199kW and 320Nm to 350Nm respectively. Significantly, peak torque is now available between 2500-5000rpm, whereas the R32 had an asthma attack beyond about 2500rpm, according to VW's torque graph.

The result of the magic worked on the new Golf R 2.0 engine (the most powerful VW of its type to date) is an impressive 0 to 100km/h time of just 5.5 seconds when equipped with the optional automated twin-clutch DSG gearbox. By comparison the R32 stopped the clocks at 6.5 seconds.

Oh and there's one other bit of good news: it will cost less to run than before.

The new Golf R sips just 8.5L/100km -- 20 per cent less than its predecessor.

The engine's lighter weight is expected to make the new Golf R feel better balanced and less nose-heavy. VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system keeps the power in contact with the road, although a completely revised set-up now means that in extreme circumstances, it can direct almost 100 per cent of the drive to the rear axle only.

The ride height is 25mm lower than the Golf GTI (which goes on sale in Australia next month) and there are bigger brakes all around (front: 345mm, rear: 310mm). As with the GTI, the Golf R is available with three levels of steering mode: sport, normal and comfort.

Although 18-inch wheels and tyres are standard, factory-fitted 19-inch wheels and tyres (pictured in the press photos) are optional.

The R32's chrome nose has been replaced by piano black highlights, including a black grille, black side mirror housings and black accents on the headlight surrounds. There are no foglights, instead daytime running lights are standard.

The Golf R is also the first in the latest Golf range to get LED tail-lights.

Race-style sports seats complete the transformation.

The Golf R is not yet officially confirmed for Australia but it is certain to make its way Down Under. Australia is one of the biggest markets in the world for the GTI – accounting for 25 per cent of all Golf sales. So our appetite for fast Golfs is well known. VW sources suggest if all goes to plan the Golf R should be in Australian showrooms by this time next year.

Price is anyone's guess given the variation that currency fluctuations can bring, but as a guide $56,000 is the starting price for the current model Golf R32. The standard Golf GTI starts at about $40,000.

Check out the Carsales Network’s Frankfurt show preview and brand-by-brand summaries. And stay tuned for more Frankfurt show news and first drives in the days to come.

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