However, don’t expect R400 power…
Volkswagen has yet not revealed the eighth generation of its most-sold car, but Wolfsburg is eager to share some information about the iconic Golf R. Jost Capito (head honcho for the R division), described the Golf R to be the “crown jewel” of performance in the Golf lineup. He also mentioned that the next generation of the powerful hatchback will be “fantastic.”
But what does this actually mean? We know that it won’t be electrified. Jurgen Stackmann, Volkswagen board Member, stated that a hybrid must be more affordable and environmentally-friendly than simply fulfilling the role as a sports car. The GTE will be back for a new generation as an alternative to the GTI. Stackmann called the Golf R the “performance king”, but don’t expect a lot of power.
Capito answered Top Gear when he was asked why VW didn’t produce a R400 concept. He said it would have been too costly to buy and maintain. Capito said that people looking in this market want 300 horsepower and a cost of less than EUR50,000 ($562,294). The current Golf R is priced at EUR44,405 for Germany, and $40,395 for the United States. Capito said that releasing the 400-horsepower Golf R would have meant half the volume of sales had it not been for the fact that the Golf R was so expensive.
The next-generation Golf R is likely at least a year away. However, the T-Roc R is the newest R in town. Capito believes it drives better than the Golf R, despite being a crossover vehicle with a higher center-of-gravity. VW began with the Golf R, but modified everything to make it more suitable for the taller model. This included modifying the engine mounts and gearbox mounts to improve the vehicle’s handling and stiffening.
Capito suggested that more R models were in development, but the Polo won’t be one of them as the supermini doesn’t have 4Motion all wheel drive. Although there have been rumors that VW plans to introduce a TIGAN R and an Arteon R at some point, nothing is confirmed.