We've known about Volkswagen's plans to sell the hot Golf R in the States for a while now, but today, the German carmaker released pricing details on the heir to the 2004 and 2008 Golf R32 models, which will go on sale early next year.
The most powerful VW hatch sold on this side of the Atlantic will be offered in both three- and five-door body styles with prices starting from $33,900 *plus destination. Models equipped with sunroof and navigation will carry MSRPs of $35,490 (two-door) and $36,090 (four-door), not including destination and handling fees.
While the older Golf R32 models made use of 3.2-liter VR6 engines, the new 'R' hides a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine under its hood. In the States, it is rated at 256 horsepower (a 6HP increase over the VR6 fitted into the 2008 R32) and 243 lb-ft.
The N.A.-spec Golf R will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in less than six seconds with its top speed limited at 130mph (209km/h). For reference, the European model that is rated at 270HP and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft), completes the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 5.7 seconds (5.5" with the DSG) and has a limited top speed of 250km/h (155mph).
The German company said it expects the Golf R to return an estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway compared with EPA estimated mileage of 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway for the 2008 Golf R32.
Power is transferred to all four wheels through a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox and VW's 4Motion system with a Haldex clutch pack that continuously varies the amount of torque sent to the rear axle.
The Golf R also features a beefed up suspension and new vented 13.6-inch-diameter front and 12.2-inch rear discs (up from the GTI’s 12.3-inch-diameter vented front and 10.7-inch solid rear discs), along with 18-inch alloy wheels shod in 225/40 all-season performance tires.
Visually, the flagship Golf stands out from its more modest GTI sibling thanks to a new body kit that includes a more aggressively styled front bumper incorporating LED daytime running lights, and a new rear bumper with a diffuser and central-mounted tail pipes, plus a gloss black finish for the mirrors and brake calipers.
The R is available in five colors: Rising Blue, Candy White, Carbon Steel Gray, Black, and Tornado Red.
On the inside, there are "R" logos on the side sills, the new bucket seats, the shifter knob and the squared off sports steering wheel, plus blue pointers for the instruments.
Standard features across the range include Bi-Xenon headlights; dual-zone Climatronic air conditioning; cruise control; leather seating surfaces; aluminum pedals; Bluetooth technology and an speaker sound system with an in-dash six-CD changer, and more usefully for the...21st century, an auxiliary input jack along with an iPod adapter.
6 Comments:
With taxes, transportation, and destination fees, the R will top 37k in many states, even for the base model (check the 'tex for details). Considering the other vehicles that are out there for the same or less money, there may be better performance bargains. But the Golf (and it's variants) do have a certain charm, upscale interiors, and are easy to live with everday. They may be an expensive compromise of comfort and performance, but VW will easily sell all they can import to dub enthusiasts. Plus, a crazy boost in power is just a $600 flash away.
VW NA simply does NOT understand what its core buyers and related enthusiast want in the states. Instead they need to realize that people will pay a premium for performance when warranted. The Scirocco is a car I would love to have as a daily driver. A Golf R is a wolf in sheeps clothing when I demand a wolf in wolfs clothing. Bring the Scirocco stateside and the vehicle will sell profitably. Whomever does their current market research is completely wrong. Current drivers need a premium car within the lineup to graduate to and NOT the Phaeton.
I used to be an '08 R32 owner. Let me get this straight VW... You are taking away the awesome sounding V6 and your giving it to us with with 14 hp's less then the rest of the world and it only increases by 6 hp compared to the '08 model and it's a little more expensive then the prevision one? Am i missing something here? Why do American's continue to get the short end of the F'ing stick?
And bring over the Scirocco you morons! And don't give me that crap about it eating into the GTi's sales in the US when VW sells a million different hatchbacks in the UK and they all seem to sell just fine.
Although i agree with most of what you wrote the R has a MUCH BETTER interior than the Impreza has. Far better.
I love VAG, but I don't see the value here. That is 135i price range which will be a TON faster and a bit more luxurious and with a JB4 flash getting the bimmer near 400hp, there is just a big puzzle for me on the price of this Golf.
will the u.s. version of the vw golf r require snow tires if driven in the northeast and atlantic regions of the country or will its all season performance tires, coupled with its all wheel drive be sufficient?
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