The R400, which is based on the Golf R, has 395bhpSuper-hot hatchback with 395bhp will come to market, but no launch date has been set
A production version of the Volkswagen Golf R400 concept is “now in development”, according to VW technical chief Heinz-Jakob Neusser.
Neusser gave no indication of a launch date for the most potent Golf model yet, which in concept form produced 395bhp and 332lb ft from its beefed-up turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, taken from the Golf R.
The R400 is all-wheel drive and uses a six-speed manual gearbox. It can hit 62mph from rest in just 3.9sec and reach a top speed of 174mph.
One of the main challenges in bringing the R400 to production is understood to come from finding a gearbox suitable to handle the R400’s 332lb ft torque output. VW also wants an automatic option to give the model greater global appeal. The Golf R’s six-speed DSG ’box is only rated for torque loads of up to 280lb ft.
The Golf R400 concept car was originally shown to display the firm's engineering prowess, as well as the range of customisation options open to its customers. If given the green light for production, the new model would do battle with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG, BMW M235i and Audi's second-generation RS3.
Neusser also confirmed that, despite rumours, the VW Beetle would survive for a third generation. It will be based on the new MQB platform and is likely to be built alongside the Golf and new Tiguan in Mexico.
Despite plans to drop the low-selling three-door layout for the next Polo, Neusser confirmed that the Golf-size MQB-A platform would retain a three-door layout.
When asked if the current Scirocco would be replaced, Neusser said cars such as the small coupé were “emotional cars” and that there had to be “an evolutionary step for these type of cars” in the next generation, which suggests a much more stylistically radical replacement.
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