VW fans unite - Golf R

[scca-racerx]

Officially Official: Volkswagen Golf R headed to U.S. for 2012
by Chris Paukert (RSS feed) on Dec 9th, 2010 at 2:00PM

 
2010 Volkswagen Golf R20

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 knob, and so on.

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

[Habib88]

Rumor has it one local autocrosser has one of these on order already.  Something about his blue VW got dirty or something 

BMW also released the specs on the 1-series M coupe.  330hp, 6 speed manual only, roughly 70+lbs lighter than the normal 1 series.

[roundel]

BMW also released the specs on the 1-series M coupe.  330hp, 6 speed manual only, roughly 70+lbs lighter than the normal 1 series.

and importantly..  a real diff...

[Housegsx]

I like it, but it's probably going to be overpriced for an awd GTI.  At around $28k I think it would be a good buy. Over 30k, not so much.

And are they really not going to offer it with a DSG option?

[Mark Aubele]

And are they really not going to offer it with a DSG option?

That would be really cool of them, but I highly doubt it. 

[rob]

Golf R, schwing!!!!!!!   Can't afford one but will drool from a distance.  I don't think the DSG trans fits once you add the Haldex/AWD...

[Housegsx]

I don't think the DSG trans fits once you add the Haldex/AWD...

The R32 is DSG and has a bigger vr6.

[paNX2K&SE-R]

I've seen the figure of $32k tossed around a few sites.  Sorry but $27k WRX > $32k Golf.

[HRERACING]

Rumor has it one local autocrosser has one of these on order already.  Something about his blue VW got dirty or something 

BMW also released the specs on the 1-series M coupe.  330hp, 6 speed manual only, roughly 70+lbs lighter than the normal 1 series.

Wonder who that could be? I seem to like to wait a long time for my cars to arrive, waited 362 days for my R32

[HRERACING]

I've seen the figure of $32k tossed around a few sites.  Sorry but $27k WRX > $32k Golf.

I paid 31k for my 04 R32 and have driven many WRX's, not a chance in hell the WRX is a better car, may be quicker in some venues, but as a whole package the VW kills it, just look at the quality of materials used, the luxury items, the more solid feel of the car, you can agrue this if you want, but there is no comparasion and it will fall on deaf ears. I am not a one car guy either, I have a ford, GMC, a dodge, a Porsche, and 2 VW's that we actually drive and have owned jap cars as well.So I am not that biased.

[968crazy]

It seems to me when comparing a vw and and subaru one should think about how many subarus blow motors.  We have had quite a few autocrossers in subarus losr engines.  If only vw would lighten the damn things it would be no contest

[Wizco]

Don't much care about the whole Subaru/VW thing, but who has lost a Subaru engine?

[rickshank]

Lynd and Denning, at a minimum...

[roundel]

Bobby, Paul, Dave, Matt...  Maybe one more, can't remember.

[RandyP]

Bobby, Paul, Dave, Matt...  Maybe one more, can't remember.

Isn't this apples to oranges? Boost it enough and it will blow! Why would we compare this to a stock, NA VW?

[roundel]

Bobby, Paul, Dave, Matt...  Maybe one more, can't remember.

Isn't this apples to oranges? Boost it enough and it will blow! Why would we compare this to a stock, NA VW?

how is the R20 2.0L Turbo 4 a NA VW?

[RandyP]

Bobby, Paul, Dave, Matt...  Maybe one more, can't remember.

Isn't this apples to oranges? Boost it enough and it will blow! Why would we compare this to a stock, NA VW?

how is the R20 2.0L Turbo 4 a NA VW?

I don't speak german.  I thought we were talking about the R32. I'm pretty sure I can still turn a turbo VW into melted metal though.

[paNX2K&SE-R]

I paid 31k for my 04 R32 and have driven many WRX's, not a chance in hell the WRX is a better car, may be quicker in some venues, but as a whole package the VW kills it, just look at the quality of materials used, the luxury items, the more solid feel of the car, you can agrue this if you want, but there is no comparasion and it will fall on deaf ears. I am not a one car guy either, I have a ford, GMC, a dodge, a Porsche, and 2 VW's that we actually drive and have owned jap cars as well.So I am not that biased.

I guess it comes down to whether spending an extra $5,000 is worth it to have have a slightly more luxurious car.  Comparing the sale figures of each pretty much answers that question.

[Habib88]

From driving both.  I really like the R32, the fact it delivers the bulk of its power down low and actually use it with the AWD makes it extremely fun.  Compared to any of the Japanese rally cars I'd pick the R32 for daily use every time.  In all out racing the R32's weight kinda kills things.  Still it handles itself pretty well for all the extra heft of the V6 and AWD.  Even if this Golf R weighs the same as the older R32's, I imagine there has to be less overall weight over the nose.  And VW's 2.0T motor seems pretty good in the usual GTI so I really think this new one stands a good chance at being a better autox car.  In what you look for in a car its going to be a bit of a apple to oranges comparison between the Golf-R & WRX.

[HRERACING]

I paid 31k for my 04 R32 and have driven many WRX's, not a chance in hell the WRX is a better car, may be quicker in some venues, but as a whole package the VW kills it, just look at the quality of materials used, the luxury items, the more solid feel of the car, you can agrue this if you want, but there is no comparasion and it will fall on deaf ears. I am not a one car guy either, I have a ford, GMC, a dodge, a Porsche, and 2 VW's that we actually drive and have owned jap cars as well.So I am not that biased.

I guess it comes down to whether spending an extra $5,000 is worth it to have have a slightly more luxurious car.  Comparing the sale figures of each pretty much answers that question.

HMMM I guess thats why VW limited production to 5000 and the rights to buy were going for 5-7k over sticker price. I would say there was plenty of people wanting to buy them, but couldnt.  You can melt any engine with enough boost, that being said, Thhere were alot of Stock Suby engines that destoyed themselves, seen it in person on brand new car at pro 2 years ago. It was spectacular! All I know if the R20 is in DS, you will see me in one and yes it is lighter than my car, at least in euro spec, almost 300lbs.