Rumour: Volkswagen to launch R GmbH at Geneva

Several motoring blogs are reporting the news that Volkswagen will launch a new and separate performance division at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. It is understood the company will be titled simply ‘R GmbH’, following in the footsteps of the family’s similar Audi performance branch Quattro GmbH.

R GmbH will be responsible for building performance models with less compromise than can be afforded under the Volkswagen umbrella.

One quote currently doing the rounds allegedly confirming this news stems from Inside Line, who claim a Volkswagen exec told them this, “BMW has its M, Mercedes has AMG, and our sibling Audi has Quattro. This new R division will be our Quattro.”

It is also being suggested that Volkswagen will release a Jetta R, based on the Compact Coupé. If true, this will make the third model to boast ‘R’ bragging rights, joining the Golf R and Scirocco R.

Presumably the existence of R GmbH would indicate a succession of ‘R’ models to follow, including the likes of Passat, Polo, Touareg and more. Sounds good to me.