Coming to America: Volkswagen GTI R-Series
Click above for a gallery of the Volkswagen GTI
As good as the Volkswagen GTI is, an infusion of extra power couldn't possibly hurt. VW's GTI R32 was a highly refined car, but buyers quickly realized that the 3.2L VR6's 250 horsepower was barely enough to compensate for the engine's added weight over the standard GTI's 2.0L turbo four and the R32's heavy all-wheel drive system. What's more, the R32 was short-lived; it's no longer available for the 2009 model year. Enter the GTI R-Series.
According to Car and Driver, VW will bring the R-Series to the United States, possibly to be named R20, featuring the powerplant from the Audi S3. Expect around 270 horsepower from a high-pressure 2.0L turbo engine - a 70-horsepower improvement over the standard GTI. That power will be funneled through either a standard 6-speed stick or dual clutch DSG transmission to the front wheels. Like some other high-power front-wheel drive cars, an electronic differential will try and cope with the inevitable torque steer.
As much as we'd love to see the big 3.6L V6 engine from the Passat stuffed under the GTI's hood, a small turbo four will likely make for a better handling package along with reasonably good fuel economy – definitely something to look forward to later this year as a 2010 model. Thanks for the tip, other man!
Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen GTI LIVE
[Source: Car and Driver]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Carlos 9:52AM (2/01/2009)
It's about time VW gave the GTI some muscle. They're eaten alive by Cobalts, Calibers, and MPS3s.
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MikeW 11:46AM (2/01/2009)
Stock GTi s?
zamafir 12:10PM (2/01/2009)
It's not a GTI per say, it's their next "R32". This car won't be poised to take on the cobalt or whatever high strung forced induction american econobox you want to bring up, it's going to be placed slightly below the WRX.
James 2:30PM (2/01/2009)
"Expect around 270 horsepower from a high-pressure 2.0L turbo engine - a 70-horsepower improvement over the standard GTI...."
VWoom!!...VWoom!!
Valentino Amoro 2:37AM (2/03/2009)
This is a good update. No question about that.
However, the make or brake is going to be decided on pricing. This is a car that should be priced around what the existing GTI costs. It's really an upgraded chip with maybe a few hardening components (like strong oil squirters etc).
If they do price this in the 30K category, then we're not competing with MS3's etc anymore but the excellent (I'm taking Porsche Cayman S trouncing) 370 Z. From all I'm hearing the 370 is an excellent machine with incredible handling (the old 350 was fantastic), ridiculously good braking (See reviews on C&D and R&T) and strong skid pad performance. The interior is also much improved and with RWD goodness it's going to be a formidable competitor in the 30-45K price range.
The only other cars that are strong entries at that price is an EvoX and a Camaro SS (Pending further review. Of course, E46's M3's, 996 911's and 06 C6/05 Z06's are also at that price but those are preowned).
Yin 10:02AM (2/01/2009)
According to the C&D article referenced, this will be AWD, not Front wheel drive.
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carguy 10:13AM (2/01/2009)
If it does have AWD then it will be a bargain S3 in VW clothing.
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zamafir 12:12PM (2/01/2009)
Yup, that's the formula VW's been following for close to a decade now. It's been the hallmark of the "R" line. Just as the MkV R32 burrowed the best bits from the top spec TT of the time, so too will this R32 successor burrow the best bits from the TT-S. The logic is, whoever was salivating will have already purchased their S3 or TT-S, the development costs recouped, and now VW can afford to drop the 272hp (or slightly detuned from that mark) and haldex from the TT-S into the MkVI (which is still the same chassis as the MkV and MkII TT) at relatively little development cost.
My big hope is that they bundle dynamic drive standard as they do on the cheaper-than-the-GTI Scirocco.
Kumar 1:20PM (2/01/2009)
Would it be too much to ask to borrow the magnetic shocks as well as an option?
James Ricketts 3:45PM (2/01/2009)
So when is the MkVI hitting showrooms in the States? I'm so over the 99' Honda Civic hatch styling of the MkV--so bland and uninspiring.
loser40 12:01PM (2/02/2009)
This will be a great car. AWD with around 270 HP with a DSG 'box. Its sure to be lighter and notably quicker & faster then the R32 and should cost less too.
As another has said, this will be S3 performance at VW prices.
If memory serves me right, VW do have there own version of Audi's magnetic ride (as available on the sexy Passat CC V6) so it will surely be available on the Golf Gti-R 6.
A Scirroco version will no doubt follow.
M.
cgiz 10:21AM (2/01/2009)
yay, another golf variant. Listen up VWoA.... scirocco. SCIROCCO!
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zamafir 12:13PM (2/01/2009)
VWoA's already indicated they hope to bring it over last year at a dealer meeting in vegas, autoblog (and every other automotive blog) reported the news. We're just waiting for the official shoe to drop later this year.
Avinash machado 10:26AM (2/01/2009)
I think that the Cobalt SS will still be faster.
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chconline 10:36AM (2/01/2009)
The problem with the Cobalt SS is that, although it is fast and handles extremely well for a FWD, there's nothing much other than that. Crap interior quality (I dropped by a local Chevy dealer yesterday afternoon and drove one) it was kind of cold, so I fired it up to warm it before I took it for a test drive. The panels rattled against each other. The materials looks like and feels like low quality. Not a big fan of the clutch and shifter setup either. The car looks and feels cheap inside, and if you can overlook that, the Cobalt SS is a great driver. Unfortunately that's about it.
These cars aren't even in the same class though. The Cobalt SS is going to be like $10k cheaper.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:21AM (2/01/2009)
Fuel economy too.
For the price and power, and especially for just being a 5-speed, the Cobalt SS also gets good fuel economy. Compre it to the Mazdaspeed3 for example.
I dunno about parts rubbing together, I had a Cobalt as a rental from Enterprise and even though rentals lead a tough life, it didn't have rattles or parts squeaking like you say. But the interior does look cheap. The area around the radio console looks especially cheap, for no reason I can understand. I think the interior could be made to look better even without changing the materials if they tried.
Still, I'd be tempted by an SS. I am, in fact. But I probably won't follow through.
MikeW 11:50AM (2/01/2009)
Compare the rear suspension of the Cobalt to the GTi.
why not the LS2LS7? 6:47PM (2/01/2009)
Whatever. The car outhandles the GTI. But I guess people will always find something to complain about.
It's a much cheaper car than the GTI. It appears they found some places to save money and then applied it in other places where it could do more good.
chconline 10:27AM (2/01/2009)
R, S, GT, etc. -- a collection of the most overused letters/letter combination in the industry. Think about it :P
But yeah, it needs it. I drove the GTI 2 days ago, and to be honest, I am not really as impressed as other journalists makes it to be. :P
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Matt 10:41AM (2/01/2009)
The GTI was fine when its only competition was the old SRT4, the Si, and the SE-R SpecV. Buying a GTI over those cars was a reasonable argument. In today's market, it just needs more power to compete, which is exactly what the R-Series is bringing. Let's hope it doesn't price itself out of the market like it did with the R32.