With 300 horsepower, decent fuel economy and a very competent new Haldex 5 all-wheel drive system that can even slide the tail, the Golf R is considered by many to be the sweet-spot in Volkswagen's range. This places the company in an ideal situation to expand its R model range, something they are actually considering at the moment.
Volkswagen powertrain chief Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neusser recently spoke to Australian magazine Motoring and said more R models are being considered, hinting at the Polo and Passat as likely candidates for go-fast badge. The decision to build them depends more on the commercial viability of these cars, not technical limitations.
We've actually been told by our own sources that Volkswagen was testing an all-wheel drive Polo R with 230 horsepower in Scandinavia last winter. To celebrate their return to the WRC, the Germans have already launched a limited production Polo R WRC that's FWD+manual only during 2013. But this just shows shoehorning a 2.0 TSI under the bonnet is technically feasible. Sister brand Audi has already developed a Haldex AWD system for its S1 hot hatch that could work very will on the Polo R.
The only real problem is that it would cost somewhere in the region of €27,000 in Germany, which is a lot for an impractical little car.
Of course, putting down over 300 horsepower in a Passat means it will need all-wheel drive as well, which it already has. The all-new B8 model just launched in Europe packs the system in combination with a new twin-turbo 2.0L diesel making 240 PS or a de-tuned version of the Golf R's engine making 280 PS.
What Neusser "forgot" to mention is that a new Golf R version is 99% to launch very soon. We're talking about the estate model that we've seen testing at the Nurburgring all year. It's a major engineering project that we expect to be revealed as early as the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.
We've actually been told by our own sources that Volkswagen was testing an all-wheel drive Polo R with 230 horsepower in Scandinavia last winter. To celebrate their return to the WRC, the Germans have already launched a limited production Polo R WRC that's FWD+manual only during 2013. But this just shows shoehorning a 2.0 TSI under the bonnet is technically feasible. Sister brand Audi has already developed a Haldex AWD system for its S1 hot hatch that could work very will on the Polo R.
The only real problem is that it would cost somewhere in the region of €27,000 in Germany, which is a lot for an impractical little car.
How about a twin-turbo V6 Passat R?
As for the Passat, an R32 version of the outgoing model exists, powered by a V6 engine pumping out 300 horsepower. The same mill is also available on the Skoda Superb, but will be phased out. The naturally aspirated V6's place, Neusser hinted, could be taken by a newly longitudinal six-cylinder engine that could work with both the Passat and their new 7-seater crossover.Of course, putting down over 300 horsepower in a Passat means it will need all-wheel drive as well, which it already has. The all-new B8 model just launched in Europe packs the system in combination with a new twin-turbo 2.0L diesel making 240 PS or a de-tuned version of the Golf R's engine making 280 PS.
What Neusser "forgot" to mention is that a new Golf R version is 99% to launch very soon. We're talking about the estate model that we've seen testing at the Nurburgring all year. It's a major engineering project that we expect to be revealed as early as the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.