VW announced Thursday that the diminutive and powerful Golf R is coming to the United States in 2012. Tuned by the in-house R team at Volkswagen, the Golf R should prove more exciting than the current Clark Kent-version sold in the US.
While details like price and launch date remain unknown, Volkswagen did talk about what will separate the R model from the run-o-the-mill Golf. The Golf R gets a tuned up version of the GTI’s 2.0-liter turbo four, though Volkswagen stopped short of indicating how many horses the R will have over the GTI’s 200. In addition to more power, the Golf R gets a sport-tuned ESP, Haldex 4Motion AWD, uprated sport-tuned suspension and bigger brakes. It will only come with a manual.
VW also failed to mention how much power the American version of the Golf R will receive, but we do know the European version winds up 270 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. All of that gumption will be routed through VW’s fourth generation Haldex 4Motion all-wheel drive system, which means the VW should once again be a good sparring partner for cars like the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart.
Aesthetically, you’ll see 18-inch alloy wheels, a unique steering wheel and interior trim, and an R model body kit.
Can not wait!