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This is Volkswagen’s answer to Ford Focus RS – the Golf R20. While it’s competitors have waged a power war the Golf GTI has been left behind with just 207bhp.

This car, fitted with a modified version of the last Golf GTI’s EA113 2.0-litre with direct injection, will have over 260bhp and replaces the six-cylinder R32.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/240236/

Unlike the front-drive Scirocco R20, the range-...Read the full article

I would guess that VW have their reasons, but I would have thought a version of the five pot lump found in the TT RS would have been more suitable?

I know there is nothing wrong with the blown two litre lump, but at least the five pot would have given it a bit more kudos over the tuned GTi image this car could get.

TegTypeR:

I would guess that VW have their reasons, but I would have thought a version of the five pot lump found in the TT RS would have been more suitable?

Internal politics between the brands mean that VW would not be allowed get their grubby mitts on this engine to put into the Golf. At least not until Audi have launched an RS3...

TegTypeR:

I know there is nothing wrong with the blown two litre lump, but at least the five pot would have given it a bit more kudos over the tuned GTi image this car could get.

No more than the Focus RS is seen as a tuned ST.

 still a chance of an RS golf or golf R25, when the RS3 comes out.

i think VW will decide on what to do when they conclude how good at performing the R20 is, if its behind the focus in ability then will make a more powerful version. or they could make a stripped out type like Renault have done, that would be an ethos change for VW, but a welcome one.

as it is a 260bhp 4wd golf will have better 0-60mph benchmark figures that the fwd focus RS.

the 250bhp impreza does 0-60mph in 5.7s the 300bhp focus RS in the same time.

 

 

 

 

My preferred publication CAR is more accurate and reliable than Autocar spy shots. After 30 plus years of buying Autocar you are overdue for some journalist changes, e.g Chas Hallett does not compare to Chris Harris. As to the new Jaguar XJ being 'magical' after many spy shots then I rest my case.

Quattro369:

Internal politics between the brands mean that VW would not be allowed get their grubby mitts on this engine to put into the Golf.

 

Im puzzled i thought VW took over Audi ? not the other way round. So why would Audi be able to call the shots.

 could be more of a case vw choose to make audi the premium product over vw, for the sake of sales. 

 Basically, its a 2007 spec Audi S3 in the golf shell.

Roger Frost:

As to the new Jaguar XJ being 'magical' after many spy shots then I rest my case.

 

Having recently seen one parked nose first on a local driveway my initial fears regarding the rear end styling have been dispelled. If the casual observer has grown used to the XF's looks, then he should be suitably impressed.

Back to the subject in hand. If the 2 litre turbo lump is lighter than the 3.2 n/a one then it might have less nose-heavy handling than it's predecessor. Does it have "proper" 4wd or a haldex thingy?

jskater:

Back to the subject in hand. If the 2 litre turbo lump is lighter than the 3.2 n/a one then it might have less nose-heavy handling than it's predecessor. Does it have "proper" 4wd or a haldex thingy?

I would think it'll more than likely be running the latest 4th generation Haldex system, like the Audi S3 etc.

VW have obviously aimed to keep the cost of the R20 competitive, hence using the 2.0T unit not the 5-cylinder unit. I'll miss the 3.2 V6 for it's glorious noise more than anything.

If the Audi S3 will be thought of as a premium product over the R20, the price will be the opposite. An S3 discounted can be bought new for £25.5k. A normal GTI with leather and discount for £24k. So any premium of more than £1.5k for the R20 and it will be dearer than the Audi. But will it be better as that is what matters?