New Volkswagen Golf R gets horsepower boost

This has been a big year for the VW Golf. The first six months of 2013 saw the new GTI, GTD, Variant and TDI BlueMotion all debut in Europe. Now comes the one we've really been waiting for, the Golf R, announced today in Euro trim.

A new 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo-four powers the latest hottie, producing 296 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, up 30 hp on the outgoing model. The engine has a new cylinder head, exhaust valves, valve seats, valve springs and pistons, and a new turbocharger.

Like the three previous Golf Rs, the new one has permanent all-wheel drive -- in this case, the latest 4MOTION system with a fifth-gen Haldex coupling. There's also a new sport suspension, variable-rate steering and a stability control system defeatable for the track. Other highlights include an optional dynamic chassis system with a race mode. With a manual transmission, VW says the Golf R hits 62 mph in 5.3 seconds, 0.4 second quicker than the old car. With the DSG dual-clutch, 62 arrives in 4.9 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.

Even with more power, fuel consumption improves from 28 to 33 mpg combined (European cycle) with the manual trans. Equipped with stop/start, battery regen and the optional DSG, the car gets a combined 34 mpg.

The new Golf R differentiates itself from lesser Golfs with unique bumpers, side skirts, rear diffuser and 18-inch aluminum wheels. It also has standard bixenon headlights, dark-red LED taillights and four chrome exhaust tips. It sits 0.8 inch lower than a standard Golf, 0.2 inch lower than a GTI.

The interior has a leather three-spoke sport steering wheel, ambient lighting, automatic climate control and a touchscreen stereo.

Electronic Stability Control is standard. Press the ECS button for longer than three seconds and the system is shut off. Suspension is struts in front and multilink rear.

A dynamic chassis system is optional. It has comfort, normal and sport settings, selected and displayed via the center console touchscreen. The previously mentioned race mode stiffens the suspension and quickens engine response and DSG shift points. There are four-wheel disc brakes, of course, and 19-inch aluminum wheels are optional.

The new R will be launched in the fourth quarter in three- and five-door models. VW hasn't yet confirmed the car for the U.S., but sources say if it is greenlighted for North America, we're looking at fall 2014 or spring 2015.

Bring it!

By Wes Raynal