Finally, the über Golf has been confirmed by Volkswagen! The Golf R, complete with a fully revised 4motion all-wheel drive system, 199kW and 350Nm of torque, can accelerate from rest to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds when fitted with a DSG box, or 5.7 seconds for the manual version.
Over the model it replaces, the V6 powered R32, the new Golf R increases peak power by 15kW and maximum torque by 20Nm. With fuel consumption rated at 8.5l/100km the 2-litre four cylinder TSI reduces fuel use by a very respectable 21 per cent. CO2 emissions drop from 255g/km to 199g/km, or a reduction of 28 per cent.
Stopping power is provided by 345mm sized front discs, with barely smaller 310mm rotors at the rear. The R comes standard with 18″ Talladega alloys, fitted with 225/40/18 rubber. Larger 19″ wheels in the same style can also be optioned with 235/35/19 tyres. The ESP system has been tweaked and given a Sport setting that allows for greater slip in aggressive track-like driving situations.
Apart from the more obvious body styling, the Golf R sets itself apart from the rest of the Golf range by the latest bling lighting fad, with LED daytime running lights at the front and, for the first time on a Golf, LED rear tail lights.
The Golf R really is an Audi S3-lite. Brilliant! Just how “lite” will the pricing be, and when will we see the Golf R on Australia soil? You can ponder these questions while checking out the pics and reading Volkswagen’s press release after the jump. A reminder, too, that all pics can be viewed as wallpaper friendly 2000px super images by clicking on each image.
UPDATE 6 April 2010: 20 new images added at end of article.
