As an on-again, off-again project, a 400-horsepower Volkswagen Golf R Plus now seems more plausible than ever thanks to the arrival competitors.
We’ve reported on the possible coming of a high-powered 8th generation Volkswagen Golf R before but for this round, there seems to be extra weight behind the claim. Mercedes-AMG will launch an A 45 shortly and Audi’s not dropping the RS 3 just yet – two good reasons to build the Golf R Plus.
Autocar has reported that its sources claim that the car has the support of VW boss Herbert Diess despite it not being approved for production yet. The goal behind the Volkswagen Golf R Plus is to create a new halo performance that will position itself above what should a be 300-horsepower future Golf R.
Nearly five years ago, Volkswagen revealed a Golf R400 concept which was followed up by the Golf TCR race car developed by Volkswagen Motorsport. The desire and know-how are all in place to make the Golf R Plus a reality.
The R400 produced 395-horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque from its turbocharged EA888 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine. With a 7-speed DSG transmission and AWD, the R400 was capable of a 0-100km/h time of 3.9sec and a 278 km/h top speed.
Are we actually getting closer to a Super-Golf? It is difficult to say but as with many other manufacturers, compact and powerful car and SUVs are getting loads of love. VW themselves have released the T-Roc R so a Mighty Golf seems like a logical final petrol-burning performance car to produce.
[…] website Motor1.com during an event organized in California by Volkswagen US last week, only the Mk8 Golf R and GTI will be offered to consumers in […]