Red-hot VW Golf R400 is headed for production

If you thought the Volkswagen Golf R400 concept displayed at the Beijing auto show seemed suspiciously like a real product -- you know, one you'll someday be able to buy rather than something trotted out to tease the world's enthusiasts -- you were on to something. VW says a production version of the car is in the works.

We should clarify: We didn't get confirmation of that, exactly. But VW did confirm that its research and development chief Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neusser said it's going into production from the floor of the Beijing show. Presumably, he knows a thing or two about future product.

For the time being, there are no plans to bring the as-of-yet unrealized production version of the R400 to the United States. VW says it's focusing on the launch of the 2015 Golf R, but we wouldn't be surprised if we get an up-close look at the concept down the road.

So what is this fiery hatch we're all waiting for? Powered by a rabid version of Volkswagen Group's EA888 turbocharged 2.0-liter direct-injection inline four, it produces 395 hp at 7,200 rpm and 332 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 6,000 rpm. We assume these figures would be mirrored by a production car; its name comes from its output (395 hp is equivalent to 400 metric horsepower), and the Golf R397 just doesn't have the same ring to it.

As it is, its output is enough to whip the CLA45 AMG's 355 hp and 332 lb-ft, and it blows the upcoming Golf R's 290 hp and 280 lb-ft North American output out of the water. A 4Motion all-wheel-drive system (using the same Haldex multiplate clutch as the Golf R) helps put all that power to the ground.

To top it all off, the R400 supposedly weighs 3,130 lbs -- roughly 124 lbs lighter than the Golf R. 0-62 mph times are in the 3.9-seconds range, though we're not sure if that's with a dual clutch or the six-speed manual seen in the concept.

We thought the upcoming Golf R was fun to flog. To say that we're curious about how its unhinged sibling drives is something of an understatement. You know how to reach us, Volkswagen.

By Graham Kozak