When Volkswagen took the covers off the Golf R 400 concept at the Beijing Motor Show, it was immediately showered with positive responses. It might not be as extreme as the GTI 650 concept housing a monstrous W12 engine, but the closer-to-reality nature gave hopes that it will somehow reach the production lines.
Such dreams might not be farfetched as VW’s R&D boss Heinz-Jakob Neusser said that the Golf R 400 will be built, and one might not have to wait long for this hot hatch to arrive. According to a CAR magazine report, the Golf R 400 has definitely been given the green-light and the production version will make its debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.
With sales expected to commence before the end of the year, the British publication claims its sources insist that the R 400 will be a regular variant in the Golf line-up and not be limited in production.
Powered by the 2.0-liter turbocharged EA888 four-cylinder engine, this Golf R is blessed with 400PS and will have uprated suspension and brakes to handle the extra grunt it now possesses. However as for the time being, VW has yet to officially confirm the launch of the R 400, let alone its specifications. But to give you an early idea, the concept transfers its power to all four wheels via a six-speed dual gearbox, allowing it to do a zerotohundred in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 280km/h.
