Following the release of details for the Golf VI comes news that a GTI prototype could be revealed as soon as October this year. It is expected a 160kW Golf VI GTI will be on sale in the second half of 2009 for European customers.
But the big news is the reported plans for a special Audi S3-based 200kW (265bhp) all wheel drive GTI ‘R’ variant. This will fill the void left after the naturally aspirated R32 is dropped from the Golf VI range due to EU emissions regulations.
The GTI and up-spec ‘R’ variant are expected to take styling cues from the radical GTI W12 650 concept car pictured above. Many Volkswagen fans have been calling for an all wheel drive GTI for some time and while some will lament the loss of the sweet sounding R32, an Audi S3 in Volkswagen clothing, and pricing, should be something to look forward to indeed.
Source: Autocar.co.uk