2010 Volkswagen Golf R Series Turbo Coming to America
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Originally Posted by Edmunds
BY JENS MEINERS, ILLUSTRATION BY ERIC WOODWARD
January 2009
The ultimate Golf gets 270 hp and may be called the R20.
It’s no secret that we love the Volkswagen GTI—it's a three-time reigning recipient of a 10Best Cars award, after all. But even the 210 hp of the upcoming sixth-generation 2010 replacement model leave the GTI at a distinct power disadvantage in its class.
In the recent past, VW’s answer for power junkies has been the R32—a GTI with a 3.2-liter V-6 shoehorned into its engine compartment. Heavier than the GTI and equipped with all-wheel drive, the R32 failed to deliver significant performance improvements despite its 250-hp rating. We liked it, but were disappointed by the marginal performance benefits over the base GTI.
Six Becomes Four—Plus a Turbo
Meet the new R-series Golf. It will feature basically the same direct-injection 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that you find in the GTI, tuned to an impressive 270 hp. Power will be transmitted to all wheels. Zero-to-60 times should be in the low- to mid-fives, and while the regular GTI tops out at a drag-limited 149 mph, the new R version will hit its governor at 155, with a theoretical top speed 10 mph or so higher.
Unlike the R32, the new R model will offer performance greater than the GTI’s, with the slightly increased weight and resistance of the AWD system easily offset by the leap in power and torque. We expect a choice of manual and dual-clutch transmissions, each with six forward ratios.
Essentially, the Golf R features the Audi S3’s powertrain. We have driven that car extensively; think WRX performance combined with Audi refinement. It’s worth noting that the new Golf MkVI, upon which this R version will be based, is more sophisticated than the Audi A3/S3.
The exterior of what we believe will be called R20 Turbo is distinguished from the GTI by an even more aggressive front spoiler, complete with three distinct air intakes, a more aggressive rear spoiler, and two center-exit exhaust pipes. Three doors will be standard, but VW will most likely also offer a five-door variation. Our artist’s renderings show a possible look for the three-door R20.
It’s Coming Here!
This ultimate Golf will go on sale in Germany in late 2009, and after some internal back and forth, VW has decided to offer the R model in America.
VW will first show the R-series Golf on May 21 at the ADAC 24-hour race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Volkswagen will also launch an R version of the sporty, Golf-based Scirocco. Equipped with the same engine as the R20, it will be front-wheel-drive. Torque steer will be managed by an electronic differential VW calls XDS—and a prayer.
So far, no Scirocco is slated for a U.S. launch. But the Golf R is, and we couldn’t be more excited.
January 2009
The ultimate Golf gets 270 hp and may be called the R20.
It’s no secret that we love the Volkswagen GTI—it's a three-time reigning recipient of a 10Best Cars award, after all. But even the 210 hp of the upcoming sixth-generation 2010 replacement model leave the GTI at a distinct power disadvantage in its class.
In the recent past, VW’s answer for power junkies has been the R32—a GTI with a 3.2-liter V-6 shoehorned into its engine compartment. Heavier than the GTI and equipped with all-wheel drive, the R32 failed to deliver significant performance improvements despite its 250-hp rating. We liked it, but were disappointed by the marginal performance benefits over the base GTI.
Six Becomes Four—Plus a Turbo
Meet the new R-series Golf. It will feature basically the same direct-injection 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that you find in the GTI, tuned to an impressive 270 hp. Power will be transmitted to all wheels. Zero-to-60 times should be in the low- to mid-fives, and while the regular GTI tops out at a drag-limited 149 mph, the new R version will hit its governor at 155, with a theoretical top speed 10 mph or so higher.
Unlike the R32, the new R model will offer performance greater than the GTI’s, with the slightly increased weight and resistance of the AWD system easily offset by the leap in power and torque. We expect a choice of manual and dual-clutch transmissions, each with six forward ratios.
Essentially, the Golf R features the Audi S3’s powertrain. We have driven that car extensively; think WRX performance combined with Audi refinement. It’s worth noting that the new Golf MkVI, upon which this R version will be based, is more sophisticated than the Audi A3/S3.
The exterior of what we believe will be called R20 Turbo is distinguished from the GTI by an even more aggressive front spoiler, complete with three distinct air intakes, a more aggressive rear spoiler, and two center-exit exhaust pipes. Three doors will be standard, but VW will most likely also offer a five-door variation. Our artist’s renderings show a possible look for the three-door R20.
It’s Coming Here!
This ultimate Golf will go on sale in Germany in late 2009, and after some internal back and forth, VW has decided to offer the R model in America.
VW will first show the R-series Golf on May 21 at the ADAC 24-hour race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Volkswagen will also launch an R version of the sporty, Golf-based Scirocco. Equipped with the same engine as the R20, it will be front-wheel-drive. Torque steer will be managed by an electronic differential VW calls XDS—and a prayer.
So far, no Scirocco is slated for a U.S. launch. But the Golf R is, and we couldn’t be more excited.
#2
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Cool, this a very quick car, maybe slightly faster than a IS350.
Couple of concerns regarding it's place in the US market:
1. "Hot Hatches" or hatchbacks in general are not high demand vehicles here.
2. The durability of this engine being in such a high state of tune is questionable, but then the durability and reliability of all VW products sold in the US are questioned by auto consumers here.
Couple of concerns regarding it's place in the US market:
1. "Hot Hatches" or hatchbacks in general are not high demand vehicles here.
2. The durability of this engine being in such a high state of tune is questionable, but then the durability and reliability of all VW products sold in the US are questioned by auto consumers here.
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1. GTIs sell
2. This makes little sense. There plenty of "chipped" 1.8ts with upwards of 180,000K on them. The fact that they are coming this way from the factory rules your point even more moot. The 2.0t is a fabulous engine and there's nothing cheap about them. Direct injection, high compression turbo.
2. This makes little sense. There plenty of "chipped" 1.8ts with upwards of 180,000K on them. The fact that they are coming this way from the factory rules your point even more moot. The 2.0t is a fabulous engine and there's nothing cheap about them. Direct injection, high compression turbo.
#5
Lexus Fanatic
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1. GTIs sell
2. This makes little sense. There plenty of "chipped" 1.8ts with upwards of 180,000K on them. The fact that they are coming this way from the factory rules your point even more moot. The 2.0t is a fabulous engine and there's nothing cheap about them. Direct injection, high compression turbo.
2. This makes little sense. There plenty of "chipped" 1.8ts with upwards of 180,000K on them. The fact that they are coming this way from the factory rules your point even more moot. The 2.0t is a fabulous engine and there's nothing cheap about them. Direct injection, high compression turbo.
2. 2.0T is an excellent performing engine of course. Did somebody say it was cheap? When they see the price on this vehicle, it won't be cheap. But the VW so-so reputation for reliability is what it is, not my opinion. And the concerns grow when the engine output for such a small displacement engine is this high. It's good that you've seen a few examples of chipped 1.8's that haven't gernaded yet, certainly reassuring but it's a limited sample.
IMHO I think this car would be a blast to drive. The question is would I buy it?
btw - Sorry you respectfully disagree, but I'm sure that you noticed there are a lot of Lexus owners here. Lexus vehicles are often chosen for qualities in the areas of reliability/style/quality/fit & finish/performance/luxury that often exceeds VW products. I for one can appreciate the performance of this VW, but prefer the proven quality of the IS350 for example.
Last edited by IS-SV; 02-07-09 at 02:56 PM.
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