Volkswagen Golf R 400 revealed – and it looks production ready

The VW Golf R 400 (pictured) revealed ahead of Beijing

A few days ago we had a teaser sketch for the VW Golf R 400, a 395 bhp version of the Golf R, which we assumed would be nothing more than yet another uber-powerful Golf Concept. But with underpinnings largely taken from the production Golf R, and a fully functioning interior, this Golf R 400 looks more production ready than any Golf Concept before.

The Golf R 400 still uses the regular Golf R’s 2,0 litre Turbo, but VW has managed to squeeze an extra 99bhp and 52lb/ft of torque to produce supercar-rivalling performance of 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 174mph.

That gives the Golf R 400 a significant advantage over the current hot-hatch performance leader – the Mercedes A 45 AMG – and manages to offer a power to weight ration significantly better too. In fact, the Golf R 400 is 50kg lighter than a regular Golf R and 135kg lighter than the A45 AMG, and its power to weight ratio is 77bhp per tonne more than the Mercedes too.

To achieve all that power, VW has fitted a new turbo with more pressure and a reinforced crankcase. There’s a water-cooled exhaust feed to the turbo and variable valve control with dual camshaft adjustment. So it’s a chunk more than just fiddling with the Golf’ brain.

Cosmetically, the Golf R 400 is again production-ready restrained, with a body that’s 20mm wider, flared wheelarches, new sill extensions, 19″ alloys with increased offset, a redesigned front bumper with carbon fibre splitter and aerodynamic wings, an ‘R’ badge on a Lemon Yellow background and a  horizontal bar across the grill, also in Lemon Yellow.

At the back there’s also a new bumper with vents at each side, a  centrally mounted exhaust and a black double spoiler with LED brake lights.

Inside looks just as production-ready as the exterior, with motorsport shell seats in cross-quilted Alcantara panels and carbon leather, a pair of  individual seats in the back and lots of Lemon Yellow contrast stitching.

Volkswagen are adamant the Golf R 400 is just a concept, with no production plans. But the evidence says otherwise.

By Cars UK