Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Officially Official: Volkswagen Golf R headed to U.S. for 2012

It's been a couple of years since Volkswagen's heavyweight hot hatch, the R32, graced America's shores, but now we have official word of a successor. Tuned by the in-house R team at Volkswagen, the Golf R should be a good bit more exciting than its already entertaining forebear, and hopefully, it will shave a few pounds off, too.

Unlike the R32, which was powered by VW's popular VR6, the new model will be powered by Volkswagen's ubiquitous turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. And while Volkswagen isn't quoting power output for the new U.S. model, the European version currently on sale conjures up 270 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. All of that gumption will be routed through VW's fourth generation Haldex 4Motion all-wheel drive system, which means the VW should once again be a good foil for cars like the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart.

Along with the power increase, VW is promising bigger brakes, an uprated suspension, 18-inch wheels, center-exit dual exhaust and a more liberally tuned ESP. Perhaps most interestingly, the Golf R will be available in both two and four doors and be paired exclusively with a manual transmission. That's right, we said it.

Although the press release after the jump doesn't mention when it will debut (our money's on Detroit), additional R accoutrements include model-specific aero bits and badging, along with upgrated trim and a new steering wheel, shift ****, and so on.

In other words, it's time to get excited.

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/volks...f-r20/#2648691

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/09/v...rica-official/

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

what a sweet car!

Koma

iTrader: (3)

This very well may be my next purchase...

Not quite as fast as I'd like it to be but it has better interior refinement then the EVO or STI. The fit and finish on the interior of the Golf GTI are excellent. And best of all it comes in two door as well, the one thing the STI doesn't offer.

My next car has to be a RWD or AWD, DSG or manual, two doors and fit within the sub 40k range with most options.
Options include:
-HIDs
-Moonroof
-iPod or USB audio connectivity

Not must haves but would really help swap the decison:
-Alcantara seats (at least middle inserts)

The Golf R hits all of these except Alcantara seats. Although I'd take a two door STI over this anyday.

MR_F1

Nice. Why not bring the Scirrocco R instead?


Anyway, would love to see how the FT-86 goes against this.

IS250TW

iTrader: (3)

^yeah..... I'd rather buy a Scirrocco than this.....
Scirrocco looks way better imo

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

Love this car! ...but can't understand why they would not offer the DSG as an option.

Koma

iTrader: (3)

Scirocco is FWD only. That's why.

bagwell

because they don't want women driving it??

j/k


btw -- I really like the looks and specs on this!!!!