New VW Golf R20 (GTI-R) may come to America
2010 Volkswagen Golf R20 - click above for high-res image gallery
Volkswagen unveiled the new high-zoot R version of the MK VI Golf at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month, but it declined to say whether Americans would ever get a chance to buy one. Fans of the R32 will likely be clamoring for the new R20 if does make it to our shores, in part because of the 400 pounds it has shed.
While we are here in Wolfsburg today to drive VW's more pedestrian Golf varietals, we had a chance to follow up on the R20 possibility for America. First, we asked VW of America CEO Stefan Jacoby, who told us it was being studied and that no decision had yet been reached about the R20 for America. A little later, we talked with Andres Valbuena who happens to be the U.S. product planner for the Golf, GTI and New Beetle. That means he guides the direction of the Golf in this country. To give you some perspective on where Andres stands on this subject, his personal ride back home in Virginia is a 2004 edition R32 with an added blower, so word that Valbuena is pushing hard to get the R20 should come as no surprise. Further, if it does cross the Pond, he wants it available in both two- and four-door bodystyles with a choice of manual or DSG transmissions.
If the R20 does make it here, odds are VW won't be able to justify two powertrains given the expected low volumes. In that event, Valbuena tells us he prefers the manual, but regardless, all R20s would be equipped with all-wheel drive. Working in the R20's favor is the fact that this is essentially the powertrain from the Audi TT-S which has both gearbox options. Hopefully, we'll have a decision from Wolfsburg within a year. If you want the R20 in your local VW showroom, make your voice heard in the comments because the automaker is listening.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 12)
Matt 7:06PM (10/07/2009)
Yes, please. Manual transmission, four (five?) door for me.
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Mehdi Cheddadi 7:36PM (10/07/2009)
Me too I WANT A MANUAL ONE. dsg is fast, but the R model is a high end model for the ENTHUSIAST. if you want to give use something nice, make it so we can actually "drive" it.
Mazdamia 10:39PM (10/07/2009)
5 door stick please!!! This would be one of the only small hatch/wagons available with a stick, awd or rwd, and decent power!
Fox 2:02AM (10/08/2009)
Absolutely, once it comes with a manual then us enthusiasts will be happy...Make sure it happens VWOA
bkroupa 2:44AM (10/08/2009)
Yes please! Manual
Jason 8:23AM (10/08/2009)
Yes, with a real manual transmission would be perfect.
And try to keep the wheel size in check, okay? Race tires for 18" wheels (or larger...) are expensive! It's the one of the two things I dislike about my Mazdaspeed 3 (FWD is the other).
devol 10:32AM (10/09/2009)
I would trade my 2007 GTI in on this in a heartbeat. AWD + GTI = sold.
AWD OWNZ U 7:08PM (10/07/2009)
I'll take a DSG 3 dr.
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Turall 7:10PM (10/07/2009)
I'm sure you can still find a new R32..
JC 7:25PM (10/07/2009)
The current R32 isn't turbo. I need my boost.
Farris 1:45AM (10/08/2009)
Swap in a turbo. Nothing like a little VRT action.
edgararellano 7:09PM (10/07/2009)
PLEASE! - Simple as that VW. Let it happen.
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Zamafir 3:10AM (10/08/2009)
I'm sure it will though I was under the impression someone at VW individual made the call on R models not Andres. No matter, Andres is the man.
Enrico 7:08PM (10/07/2009)
By the comments, seems yankees are craving the R20
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Turall 7:10PM (10/07/2009)
*may* come? I thought that we were confirmed to be getting it. If anything it's news that it is not a certainty.
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Robert 7:09PM (10/07/2009)
I have a 135i and would buy this GOLF R NOW for the winter. Stick is the best but I'd buy DSG 4 door if offered.
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Egon 7:09PM (10/07/2009)
It's a most impressive package, but if I recall correctly the R32 rang up a bar tab of about $30K or so. That's quite a bit of cabbage for something carrying around that much Golf DNA.
Having said that, an R20 4-door with a manual would be damn near perfect. Then, all I'd have to find would be some carseats with good lateral bolstering and a couple of toddler-sized racing helmets.
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LaserRed38 7:31PM (10/07/2009)
You know Recaro makes baby seats, right?...
ralphws1 8:38PM (10/07/2009)
The MKIV R32 at least was made up of Audi TT 3.2 mechanical bits and pieces, which makes it well worth the price. If these had been just Golf suspension and drivetrain components then the car would have been way overpriced.
Bobmarley 9:56AM (10/08/2009)
You took the words out of my mouth!...except for the "bar tab" and "cabbage" metaphor?
...i need this car in my life!
Maybe we should start a sign up list for people that "want" this car like they did for the 50,000 people that "want" the Volt