Frankfurt 2009: Volkswagen Golf R20 is our kind of bolt of blue
by Jonathon Ramsey on Sep 15th 2009 at 1:01PM 
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. Should we get it, we have a feeling we'll enjoy it.
Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Volkswagen Golf R20
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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
RX-8 1:11PM (9/15/2009)
I really like this. I hope that it will come with the same 4 wheel drive system and a real manual.
I almost bought the original R32 in 04 but opted for my Mazda instead. When the second R32 came last year I was dissapointed that it only had the DSG.
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ckm 1:14PM (9/15/2009)
+1 for the manual transmission. I had the same thing when I was looking to buy a new car.
Mehdi Cheddadi 1:15PM (9/15/2009)
true that, if then don't have it here with a 6MT I'M NOT BUYING THIS!
I'm serious, that car is pretty much everything I want in a car, but I didn't get last gen's version because it came only with the dsg transmission. Otherwise I would already be rocking the r32.
Oh and btw, its coming with Haldex's GEN IV AWD. Same as on the Saab turbo X (XWD) and on the new 2009 Audi S3.
it's going to be AWESOME
MikeofLA 1:41PM (9/15/2009)
+1!!
Do Want... but not with a damn flappy paddel shifter....
@Mehdi Cheddadi - Exact same experience. I test drove the R32 and really wanted to like it, it was a fun little car, but I couldn't bring myself to spend the money without being able to row my own gears.
lineardrag 2:05PM (9/15/2009)
@ Braden
What a selfish comment. If you love your mk5 R32 so much, then keep it forever and stop worrying about it loosing value.
John 2:01PM (9/15/2009)
This car is awesome... VW is doing an awesome job with all their current and designs (actually... I'll take that back on the Routan, but that's really a Chrysler)... But anyways, this car is going to be a rocket, and I would take a DSG, I'm sick of having shift myself for my daily driver, and VW DSG is pretty slick, works quite well on my fiancee's GLI.
Anyhow... to the other readers... I just noticed, no sunroof on this R, is that common for the R's of the past to not a sunroof?
PJ 2:19PM (9/15/2009)
Definitely want.
And +1 on the second-gen R32 comments. The original R32 was one of the most enjoyable, well-rounded cars I've ever driven, but I never even got around to driving the second-gen because of its transmission lobotomy. The R20 looks like a return to form.
zamafir 2:22PM (9/15/2009)
@PJ - i take it the GT-R, new Mclaren,and ferrari california are also not worth even a casual test drive as well?
naggs 3:47PM (9/15/2009)
zamafir
i drive new cars every day, every thing from Ferrari's to 20 year old buicks
it is more fun to drive a manual trans base civic than a v10 automated manual m5, its a personal opinion of course but you have to understand that for a large fraction of the enthusiast segment manual trans is a deal breaker
for me its about 90% of the fun of driving hard, keeping the engine in gear on a twisty mountain road
3 pedals for life
PJ 4:42PM (9/15/2009)
Zamafir, while those cars and the R32 do have the automated manual in common, there are obviously also more than a few differences that would make driving them more memorable.
That said, if I was remotely wealthy enough to consider owning any of them, the missing clutch pedal would indeed be a deal-breaker. I won't buy anything with two pedals and no stick.
zamafir 7:27PM (9/15/2009)
"manual trans is a deal breaker"
100% understood.
I'm commenting on:
"but I never even got around to driving the second-gen because of its transmission "
I've driven the GT-R, and drive the R32, I wouldn't pass up the chance to drive the McLaren because of its transmission. that's what I'm responding to. the chance to drive a car and add a deeper understanding of its character, regardless of transmission.
I'm not advocating purchasing DSG to anyone who enjoys a manual.
Farmboy 1:11PM (9/15/2009)
Blue and black. Damn, how did you guys know? :) That is gorgeous.
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Patrick 2:56PM (9/15/2009)
This.
I want one in this color, with 6MT. I'll import the seats myself if VW doesn't offer it. This, a 2011 Mustang GT and a 2011 Ranger or 2010 Raptor would complete my driveway.
Farmboy 3:35PM (9/15/2009)
Patrick, you must be like a long lost twin or something. hahaha
Mehdi Cheddadi 1:11PM (9/15/2009)
WANT IT SO MUCH!
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Mehdi Cheddadi 1:20PM (9/15/2009)
BTW, if you are listening VW, BRING OVER THOSE SPORT SEATS!
no dumbed down seats for North American plz! k thx
Braden 1:39PM (9/15/2009)
Those seats will never make it here due to crash regulations related to head support. The 2008 R32 didn't get them, and in 2009 or 2010 there are actually more strict regulations in place with regards to head support in a crash (IIRC all 2010 cars have to have active headrests or some special design to help prevent neck injuries).
Given that the seat doesn't even have an adjustable headrest it probably won't make it, unless there are some nifty pyrotechnics inside to make it "active".
I'll definitely be pissed if this car makes it stateside in a manual, because I have an mk5 R32 and the value is going to go down the toilet. :( Yes, mine is the "last of the VR6" and I will love it forever for that, but nobody will want it because they all want the 6MT... even though the DSG is better in a few ways.
Silly "enthusiasts."
Randy915 4:34PM (9/15/2009)
Checkbook ready, where do I sign?
jORGE 1:14PM (9/15/2009)
dead sexy...
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dal20402 1:17PM (9/15/2009)
That tailpipe treatment works on Volkswagens (only) because it was used on Beetles for nearly twenty years. I think it's a nice homage here. I love the car in general -- as cool as the VR6 sounds, it's too heavy for a Golf, and this engine is a better fit.
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