Volkswagen Golf R revealed ahead of Frankfurt

The top performance variant of the Volkswagen Golf has been released, the Golf R, and it’s set for a public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 300hp (30hp more than before) and 380Nm of torque (280lb ft), which sends its power through the latest 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.  The new Golf R’s 0-100km/h time is 5.3 seconds (4.9 seconds with the six-speed DSG gearbox), while top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.

Volkswagen is claiming an 18 per cent increase in fuel efficiency compared to the previous Golf R, while its CO2 output is a claimed 159 g/km.  The Golf R’s engine is based on the unit found in the current Golf GTI, but with a different cylinder head, pistons, exhaust valves, turbocharger, valve seats and springs, as well as injection valves.

The Golf R’s 4MOTION system is in fact the fifth-generation Haldex system, which makes use of only the front wheels during low loads and coasting, but can then send as much as 100 per cent of power to the rear wheels if needed.  The Haldex coupling is activated by an electro-hydraulic pump.

As for the suspension, the Golf R rides 20mm lower than a standard Golf on specially-tuned springs and dampers, while Adaptive Chassis Control is available as an option.  It will ride on 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, and will come with ventilated brake discs (measuring 30mm x 640mm at the front, and 22mm x 310mm at the back) and brake callipers painted in black with ‘R’ logos.

The Golf R will be on sale in the fourth quarter of 2013, with prices starting at 38,325 euros in Germany.