Volkswagen's Golf (now in its eighth generation) has been a mainstay in the automaker's line-up as the replacement for the venerable Beetle. Since then, the Golf has received numerous upgrades including the performance-oriented GTI and R models. Where the GTI is a well-balanced run-a-bout, the Golf R is all about speed and handling with 4Motion all-wheel drive. This newest Performance Golf R features an upgraded engine with more than 315 hp and torque-vectoring added to the all-wheel-drive system. Expect the new Golf R to hit 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds and early prototypes have posted record times (for Golfs) at Germany's Nürburgring Nordschleife racing center. As the top-of-the Golf line, the R receives all of VW's good stuff from tech to safety equipment. As anyone who's shopped a Golf R before, prices can climb to the mid-five-figure region quickly depending on options chosen, etc. VW may not sell tons of these, but those lucky enough to come up with the price of entry are generally very happy. On a down note, couldn't all this have been accomplished with a performance-hybrid system (gas engine in the front driving the front wheels, electric motor in the back driving the rear wheels) which could provide equal or better performance with improved fuel economy and provide a bit of a "green" patina. VW is expected to phase out the Golf over the next few years and replace it with the iD.3 EV series. Rumor has it that VW is already at work on an iD.3 GTI. We shall see. Enjoy the media release and video after the jump.
Source: Volkswagen - Media release, video, and pics after the "read more" jump.
