According to Motor Authority, Das Auto is now in the final stages of compliance procedures that will allow the Golf R to run freely on US roads. The information comes from a reliable source - Volkswagen’s product and technology communications manager Mark Gillies - so we can be sure the four-wheel drive R will be coming in less about 9 months...or less.
It’s not all good news, however, but it’s kind of expected. When we first heard that the Beetle was also getting a hot R version, it was rumored it would only have about 240 horsepower at its disposal in the US. It seems this is also the case with the Golf R, which will only pump out about 250 from its 2.0-liter turbocharged four. Let’s hope that the EPA regulations an US fuel don’t manage to eat away all the fun from the hyper-hatch. Even in its less powerful guise, the R will probably still be able to sprint to 60 mph in 6 seconds dead.
The US version will only feature the six-speed manual as opposed to the dual clutch DSG option. We can’t really be saddened by the news, as the car is better of this way. Want an all-wheel drive hothatch without the left pedal? Go ask Audi for one!
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