Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Frankfurt 2009: Volkswagen Golf R20

Volkswagen Golf R20

The Volkswagen R20 returns some brawn to the styling of the body Golf after a lengthy flirtation with smaller, svelter lines. And we, for one, are happy about it. Things get started right up front with the lower grille and it's Audi-RS-and-R8-reminiscent openings and strakes. From there it's an easy flow back over a body a-bulge with just the right taste in creases and lines. We're still waiting for a less hipster tailpipe treatment to return, but we're happy with the car nevertheless. The interior gets the trim-and-texture treatment to identify it as a 270-hp flyer, and the seats complete the job by letting your butt feel what your eyes can see. Speaking of feeling, those earlier 60-mph runs were a little off: the manual gets to 62 in 5.7, the DSG in 5.5.

PRESS RELEASE

World premiere 7: Golf R as most powerful Golf ever Automotive passion has always had something to do with performance. However, Volkswagen is demonstrating – in the world premiere of the new 199 kW / 270 PS Golf R at the IAA – that fuel consumption values can be corrected downward even in the high-end sports car area. The highlight here: While in the now retired Golf R32 (184 kW / 250 PS), 10.7 litres of fuel was processed by the injection system every 100 kilometres, on the new Golf R – thanks to a boosted high-tech TSI – the figure is just 8.5 litres, which is 2.2 litres or 21 percent less! The all-wheel drive Golf R (350 Newton-meter torque between 2,500 and 5,000 rpm) sprints to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds (Golf R DSG: 5.5 seconds) and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Two of the many identifying visual features of this exceptional Golf conceptualised by Volkswagen Individual: newly developed LED taillights and LED daytime running lights. The Golf R can be ordered in Germany starting at the end of this year.

Golf R-Line – Sporty exterior and interior packages plus 17-inch wheels

Wolfsburg/ Frankfurt, September 2009. The new Golf R – like the current Passat R36 and Touareg R50 – was developed by Volkswagen Individual, the specialist when it comes to sporty and exclusive high-end models. Volkswagen Individual developed the "R-Line" equipment packages for all those customers who want the especially dynamic styling of body
and interior in the spirit of the power-enhanced R models, yet prefer a conventional powertrain. The company is simultaneously presenting three models of an entirely new generation of R-Line vehicles at the IAA: the Golf R-Line, Scirocco R-Line and Passat CC R-Line. They will all be launched on the market this autumn. Together with versions
already introduced on the Touran, Tiguan, Passat, Passat Estate and Touareg, a total of eight models with R-Line features will be ready at the start.

Volkswagen Individual has also repositioned its "Individual" product brand; in the future it will market products under the "Exclusive" label and bundle a range of especially high-end models and equipment features. A dual premiere: The first Exclusive model to be offered will be the brand new Golf Estate; it is crossing over from an all-purpose vehicle to a lifestyle estate car. Other models will follow in succession.

The new Golf R-Line

The R-Line version of the world's bestseller was emphatically given a sporty flair. In configuring their new car, buyers can choose between an interior and an exterior package. The two R-Line packages may also be ordered together.
Exterior package: Its body appearance has been customised with 17-inch alloy wheels in a new design ("Mallory" type, 18-inch optional), sport chassis, body coloured side skirts and bumpers that have been modified compared to the normal Golf and Golf R. The exterior is completed by decorative door tread plates with R-Line logo, a roof edge spoiler ("GTI"), high-gloss black ventilation grille (radiator and lower air intake) as well as a diffuser also in glossy black. The lens covers of
the taillights are also smoked. On its sides, the Golf is identified by R-Line logos (front fender at height of A-pillar).

The interior package of the R-Line program impresses with a leather multifunction steering wheel (three spokes, R-Line logo in lower spoke, multifunction keys in the two cross spokes), stainless steel pedal caps and foot support, R-Line door tread plates, sport seats ("R-Look" fabric design) with R-Line logo integrated in the head restraints and a R-Line
specific interior decor. All seams are in "Art Grey", a light tone of grey.

A full leather interior ("Vienna") will be available as an option.