Photo: Volkswagen
Were it not for the Dieselgate scandal, we could have been looking at a production version of the Golf R400 today. The concept was revealed exactly two years ago at the Beijing Auto Show and, for a while, made it look like the A45 was in big trouble.
Immediately after the new CEO of Volkswagen Group was appointed, we found out that the R400 had been scrapped to save money for TDI engine fixes. For a while, it looked like it was back on, but company insiders have revealed to Automotive News that a super Golf is off the table.
R&D chief Heinz-Jakob Neusser has left the company while policy makers are afraid of what a tuned hatchback may do to VW's already battered image.
The good news is that development of the 400 horsepower EA888 2-liter engine is already finished. Audi has taken it over and may install it in future versions of the A3 or TT.
Sources say that instead of the R400, Volkswagen may offer a lightened version of the current R that may also bring more power. Up to 300 pounds (136 kilograms) may be lost by the 3,283 lbs (1,489 kg) European pocket rocket.
We know that a brand-new generation of the Golf will debut in a few years, and by 2020 there will be a new Golf R with more power, just not 400 PS.
All things considered, we would be very happy if a 350 PS hot hatch went on sale without a price increase. However, with the entire company's future still hanging in the balance, excellent models like this one could be delayed.
New European regulations coming into effect towards the end of the decade are forging all the ideas for fast cars to go through a bottleneck. Why do we mention that? Because Peugeot also wants a hot version of the 308 compact. It's also reached the late stages of development. While the fact that it's a hybrid is great, it's still too expensive for a hatchback.
R&D chief Heinz-Jakob Neusser has left the company while policy makers are afraid of what a tuned hatchback may do to VW's already battered image.
The good news is that development of the 400 horsepower EA888 2-liter engine is already finished. Audi has taken it over and may install it in future versions of the A3 or TT.
Sources say that instead of the R400, Volkswagen may offer a lightened version of the current R that may also bring more power. Up to 300 pounds (136 kilograms) may be lost by the 3,283 lbs (1,489 kg) European pocket rocket.
We know that a brand-new generation of the Golf will debut in a few years, and by 2020 there will be a new Golf R with more power, just not 400 PS.
All things considered, we would be very happy if a 350 PS hot hatch went on sale without a price increase. However, with the entire company's future still hanging in the balance, excellent models like this one could be delayed.
New European regulations coming into effect towards the end of the decade are forging all the ideas for fast cars to go through a bottleneck. Why do we mention that? Because Peugeot also wants a hot version of the 308 compact. It's also reached the late stages of development. While the fact that it's a hybrid is great, it's still too expensive for a hatchback.
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