Volkswagen pushes forward with 300kW Golf R

[Wretched]

Volkswagen is pushing forward with plans to build its hottest Golf yet, a 300kW beast to rival world-beating hot hatches such as the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG.

Speaking to Britain's Car magazine, VW's powertrain chief Dr Heinz-Jakob Neusser said that "We soon will have the Golf R 400, we will do this car".

Volkswagen officials present at the launch of the new Golf R wagon in Spain told Australian reporters that testing for such a model is well advanced.

Company spokesman Christoph Peine says the Golf R 400 is under consideration, though "no decision has been taken about going to market".

Peine says a highly tuned version of the Golf R could have variable outputs similar to the brand's current performance flagship, a car that makes 221kWin Europe but just 206kW in Australia.

While final power outputs for the model have not been confirmed, with the car's suitability for various climates likely to be a source of debate.

Audi and Volkswagen detune four-cylinder performance cars for Australia, though most other manufacturers do not restrict power for Australian customers.

Peine says the high-strung nature of modern turbocharged engines means their environment must be taken into account.

"When you consider this and the possible issue of overheating in hot climates you do need to worry about it," he says.

"We need to consider this on a case by case basis."

When asked whether the brand would consider using hybrid power to boost the efficiency and outputs of performance models, the spokesman said there were no plans officially in place, adding that Volkswagen is "looking at all options for the future."

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/v...28-1mupel.html

[deluxe_]

VW stepping up their game to tackle the upcoming Focus RS

[b0son]

Tackle? Annihilate. It doesn't have the Audi brand cachet though, so if its going to be priced anywhere near Merc A45 levels, it may be a tough sell.