Officially Confirmed: New Volkswagen Golf R to go on Sale in the USA

Hot hatches are mostly a European fad, but Volkswagen’s R- and GTI-badged products have proved successful in the North American market over the years. That said, VW loyalists will be happy to know that the new Golf R has finally received the green light for America. No specific launch date was given, but according to the official announcement, the U.S.-bound Golf R will be released in “limited numbers and for a very limited time” starting from 2012.

Already offered in Europe and other markets, the Golf R32's successor ditches the naturally aspirated V6 in favor of a turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI engine. The Euro-spec model’s four-pot is rated at 270 hp and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque, bringing it closer to the STi and EVO X. Available in both 3- and 5-door flavors, the R also features VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive with a Haldex differential.

The 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint is completed in 5.7 seconds when the Golf R is equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, and in 5.5 seconds when gears are shifted with VW's optional DSG dual clutch transmission. In both cases top speed is limited to 250km/h or 155 mph.

As for the U.S. version, detailed specifications should be available later on.

By Csaba Daradics

Key attributes:

• 2.0L turbocharged engine with significant hp increase over GTI
• 4th generation Haldex 4Motion - all wheel drive
• Increased rotor diameter translating to improved braking
• Sport tuned ESP
• Upgraded sport tuned suspension
• 2 door or 4 door
• Manual Transmission Only
• Unique 18" alloy wheels
• Unique steering wheel
• Unique interior trim
• Exterior R model badge and bodykit
• R model shift knob
• R model door sills
• R model front and rear fascia with dual, center exit, exhaust

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

MR Car Design gives the VW Golf R a Power Boost

Made for those that find the GTI underpowered, the Golf R with its 270HP 2.0-liter turbo-four is the most potent and fastest-accelerating Golf ever to be produced by VW. Still, that's not enough for certain buyers that wouldn't mind a few extra ponies. And here's were tuners like MR Car Design come into the picture.

Enter the tuning firm's new "MR6R" power kit, which adds a reprogrammed ECU, custom downpipe, intercooler and a sports exhaust system to boost the TSI's output from 270HP and 350Nm to 330HP and 470Nm. The German company did not release acceleration numbers, but we'll assume that with this kit, the Golf R will improve the stock model's 5.7 second time for the 100km/h mark.

Also available from MR Car Design are new 19-inch wheels wrapped in 235/35-19 rubber and a set of H&R sports springs.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Wimmer RS Turns VW Golf R into 478HP Red Devil

Red Devil is the name German tuning firm 'Wimmer RS' chose for its latest take on the Volkswagen Golf R. 'Red' because of the color chosen for the car, and 'Devil' because this Golf R packs a sinister punch under the hood...

In stock form, the all-wheel drive Golf R rolls out of VW's factory with a 2.0-liter TFSI producing 270-hp and 350Nm / 258 lbs-ft of maximum torque. After Wimmer RS's engineers perform their magic, those numbers increase to a whopping 478-hp and 610Nm or 450 lbs-ft.

The extra power comes from a variety of mods including -but not limited to- changes to the turbocharger, ECU, air intake, injection nozzles and exhaust system.

According to the tuning house, the upgraded Golf R can reach an electronically limited top speed of 291 km/h or 181 mph.

Additional performance enhancements include a coil-over suspension set and more potent braking system.

The German tuner did not release info on pricing.

Volkswagen Golf R Chip-Boosted to 315HP

Squeezing a few more ponies out of a new engine today is as easy as 1-2-3; all you need is to connect a computer to the vehicle's engine control unit (ECU) and reprogram it with new software. The VW Golf R's 2.0-liter turbocharged four, is one such example. By tweaking the ECU, German tuner Mcchip-dkr has bumped output from 270HP and 350Nm to 315HP and 440Nm. If you're interested in the ECU upgrade, it's priced at €899, equal to about US$1,150 at today's exchange rates.

For those also wanting to improve the hot hatch's appearance and handling, Mcchip-dkr has you covered with a new set of lowering springs from H&R (€350 / US$450) and 19-inch OZ Ultraleggera alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance tires from Michelin Pilot Sport Cup size 235/35-19 (€3,190 / US$4,100).

CFC and MK-Soundstyle's VW Golf GTI Aims to Deafen

The people over at CFC Styling Station and MK-Soundstyle in Neuss, Germany are trying to give old Phil a run for his money when it comes to baseless ego (scroll down to read excerpts and add curse-free insults, this is a family show). With the Hi-Fi Golf, these people have created a huge, rolling boom box...of doom.

Under the matte silver painted body (€1,500) is an upgraded suspension with bits from ap-X which, that will run you €749. Eisenmann is behind exhaust duties with a €1,238 kit plus...actually, enough with the silly grab-bag tuner name-dropping and pricing. Bottom line, it's got 265 horsepower from some chip tuning that costs significantly less that that of Sport Wheels' Galactic R8.

The sound system, though, is this GTI's claim to fame thanks to MK-Soundstyle (name only dropped because they're partially behind the build). From Pioneer come the head unit and four amps hooked up to a 15-inch sub. It has Rainbow tweeters and midrange speakers powered by another two amps in front.

At least they admit it isn't for everyone. What IS for everyone are a few choice excerpts from the press release:

"The task of turning a VW Golf VI GTI into a driving sound machine and making it look excessively great at the same time is probably not for everyone."

"The result is worth a few words of admiration."

"Renewed confirmation of the old saying 'No risk, no gain!'"

Agreed; press releases are there to announce to the world how great your product is. However, at least have some video of it shattering teeth. Pictures, while worth a thousand words, can't hold a single tune.

By Phil Alex