THE NEW 221KW GOLF R

Volkswagen has finally pulled the covers off its most powerful production Golf model of all time, the brand new Golf R. Sorry about the lack of more pics, but these are all that we could find. Never mind, the Golf R will be unveiled next month at the 2013 Frankfurt International Motor Show. Meanwhile, let’s take a look at some of the mechanicals involved.

The engine remains the same 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder motor used in the GTI, except this time it makes more than just 162kW. The little squirter kicks out 221kW between 5500rpm and 6200rpm, with maximum torque going for the 380Nm figure between 1800rpm and 5500rpm. Quite a wide range to play with. Power and torque go to all four wheels through the company 4MOTION all-wheel-drive (AWD) system that’s based on the usual Haldex technology. Volkswagen has gifted the Golf R with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed DSG, where the manual can catapult the car from 0 – 100k/h in just 5.1 seconds and the DSG in 4.9 seconds. On average the car consumes 7.1 litres of fuel per 100km of travel. All are claimed figures and will prove slightly slower and thirstier in real life.

Some markets, probably Mzansi, will only offer the DSG option as has been previously the case with Golf R models. The other thing that should be standard is the DCC or Dynamic Chassis Control, which features Comfort, Normal and Sport modes of driving. These are damper control measures that stiffen or soften the chassis, depending on what the driver prefers at the time.

Some of the other neat stuff the Golf R comes with are 18-inch alloy wheels to match its 5mm lower ride height, smoked LED taillights, four chromed exhaust pipes (nice dudes!), cloth/Alcantara combo sports seats with some piano black, an infotainment system run by a touch-screen and a sports steering wheel with R badges all over the car as well.

We expect the new Golf R to land in Mzansi in the second quarter of 2014.