SPIED: Volkswagen Golf R 400 caught at the ‘Ring

VW Golf R400 3

A year on from its Auto China 2014 debut, the rabid Volkswagen Golf R 400 appears to be progressing nicely from show stand to showroom – our European spies have spotted a development mule around the Nürburgring’s peripheral roads, pretty much confirming a previous report that the car has received the green light for production.

The prototype sighted looks like a “regular” Golf R at first glance, but a closer inspection reveals a few telltale signs that this car means business. The wider wheels – Lamborghini Gallardo-like Speedline Corse SL3’s shod with track-biased Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres – are immediately apparent, but they also hide larger brakes (the lightweight wavy front discs appear to have been nicked from an Audi RS4).

VW Golf R400 9

Also clear to see are wider wheel arch bulges to clear the wheels, a small front splitter and a rear wing that appears to be even larger than the one on the concept. Of course, there’s also a more prominent intercooler aft of the lower front intake that hints of the car’s performance potential.

That would most likely come from the same 2.0 litre turbocharged TSI four-pot as on the concept – there, it develops 400 PS and 450 Nm, sent to all four wheels through a six-speed DSG. If recent reports are to be believed, the production version could actually end up with even more power – rumoured to be 420 PS, shared with the Audi TT quattro sport concept – which would gain it an R 420 badge instead.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Areyousure on May 20, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    Great car. But not everyone that can afford VW can afford Golf-R.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
    • 4G63T DSM on May 20, 2015 at 1:12 pm

      But anyone that can afford an Audi can.

      Downgrade the badge and gets lots of grunt instead.

      TT Quattro or this Monster in sheep’s clothing?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
      • Same L0rrrr on May 20, 2015 at 1:45 pm

        Great car, but with low reliability, expensive maintenance and poor services. Good luck to the owners.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 7
      • W204 C63 AMG on May 20, 2015 at 2:40 pm

        The TT for sure. I’d even sacrifice some of those grunts for the interior of the TT, after all I’d be sitting inside of the car everytime I drive.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
        • Add-A-Comment on May 21, 2015 at 8:27 am

          Agreed…That’s why I bought the A250 instead of Golf GTI. Never regret…

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Annoynimouse on May 20, 2015 at 12:24 pm

    Crazy horsepower battle… a 450PS hot hatch? When is it going to end? Looks good. Focus RS competitor?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
    • It’s not that powerful when DSG fails

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 16
      • funny on May 21, 2015 at 12:43 pm

        Lol,the car just come in production stage and haven’t start the sale so fast conclude it with DSG failure. What a joke.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Janji najix tak ditunaikan,penipu Rakyat! on May 20, 2015 at 12:24 pm

    SOFA!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Kenzo on May 20, 2015 at 12:42 pm

    420, light it up

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • VeryWorry Owner on May 20, 2015 at 12:45 pm

    The car will spend most of its time in the service center getting all the technical issues rectified

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 13
  • Kancil Hybrid on May 20, 2015 at 1:03 pm

    Wow.. Nice car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Nancy on May 20, 2015 at 1:27 pm

    It is time for PM to counter the attack & keep his promise. Instead of 30%, why not make it 48.9% reduction to make the Proton adviser stun. Else who can afford this car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • hazamiey on May 20, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    Can go to toilet for a moment while waiting for the turbo to spool up.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 4
  • Barney on May 20, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    Proton sucks. Period.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
  • Same Lorrr on May 20, 2015 at 3:16 pm

    Iriz is more beautiful than this crap! Proton is more good RV than this crap VW! But buy Toyota Better! Good RV!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 11
    • Not Same Lorrr on May 21, 2015 at 4:09 pm

      Toyota not safety, because of no sales so everyday salesman too free to come over here and bash all the cars.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • nabill (Member) on May 20, 2015 at 11:02 pm

    Talk about stressing a small engine like no tmr….
    all those high powered small 4 cylinder engines have no soul, and theres no nice sound that comes out of it to love it…
    Id rather have a lower powered v6 engine…
    I can see lighter weight n emissions being the only reason for it…
    The fold now has way too many variants, maybe being vw, with all the resources thy have, should have come out with a new model, new design n offer it with this same chasis..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Love German engineering. No other country are even close to their level.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Agree on May 22, 2015 at 4:23 pm

      yea, look at that 420ps roughly 414hp! that performance is amazing. It’s sure a nice car… so tempting

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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