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Official pictures of the Volkswagen Golf R have leaked out ahead of its anticipated launch at the Frankfurt motor show tomorrow.

A hot version of the Golf to rival the Ford Focus RS, Mazda 3 MPS and Audi S3 has long been rumoured and our spy photographers have captured it several times.

See the high-res Volkswagen Golf R picture gallery

The reports claim it will be largely base...Read the full article

Autocar:

Its 0-62mph time for the six-speed manual is expected to be 6.5secs, with the DSG-equipped model capable of getting to 62mph in 6.4secs

This really needs to be quicker.   A 0-62 for something with 261 bhp and 4WD should be below 6 seconds, closer to 5.

The only reason that I can see why VW won't allow it to do a decent 0-62 is because it would wipe the floor with the S3, a car long over due a complete refresh.   And that's not a good enough reason at all.

£25k for a 2.0 litre Golf?? No thanks... ;-)

I'm afraid that this just won't cut the ice. Basically, it's VW's answer to the emission and consumption restrictions troubling the Golf V R32 engine - NOT an answer to the competition, or the spirit of the times for that matter.

Due to VW Group's canibalisation paranoia, we don't get an engine that is sufficiently distanced from the 210hp engine of the GTI (so that the S3 and the new Leon Cupra won't feel the heat). The exterior is moderately changed and quite succesfully at that - but then again the starting point was boring. The interior is quite uninspiring and not differentiated enough from the 'normal' one.

I do not doubt that the car will be great-to-superb on the road, but this is only half the point. At least competition will be forced to answer back soon - and this can only be a good thing. 

VW will sell plenty, there are enough people out there who, for whatever reason, don't want an RS ford, a Mazda or a Leon etc... The 0-60 time reflects the weight of the car with the 4wd but its bound to feel sure footed and planted in all conditions, something the other hot hatches wont.

Symanski:

This really needs to be quicker.   A 0-62 for something with 261 bhp and 4WD should be below 6 seconds, closer to 5.

Completely agree. I really like the golf but £25k? I think I'd ditch the 4wd, the VW badge, squishy interior and take the Leon Cupra R. I'd also save myself the best part of £5k.

Topkat:

£25k for a 2.0 litre Golf?? No thanks... ;-)

 

£25k for a 2wd Ford Focus?? No thanks...;-)

Sounds quite good but a very predictable car that brings nothing new to the game. The 2.5T 5-Pot from the TT RS would have been a much better choice of engine.

Topkat:

£25k for a 2.0 litre Golf?? No thanks... ;-)

 

It could be worse, you could spend K900 on the potential new bugatti impersonating a Bentley Continental with all the design style of a victorian bath tub

A hot Golf with an unswitchable ESP? Which brakes one wheel in every turns?

Long live the Golf VR6...

The problem is it will not be £25k, once a few options have been added it will be nearer £30k without a doubt.

 good value for the car get, £2k cheaper than a ford focus.