eusser gave no indication of a launch date for the most potent Golf model yet, which in concept form produced a 395bhp and 332lb ft from its beefed-up turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, taken from the Golf R.
The R400 is all-wheel drive and uses a six-speed manual gearbox. It can hit 62mph from rest in just 3.9sec and reach a top speed of 174mph.
Not sure if this is in reference to the same Golf model, but I read that there might be a targa roof option for the next-generation Golf as well. it would certainly add something a bit more exciting and interesting to the vehicle.
Australian magazine Car Advice has learned from an insider that the Golf Targa is "more than just an idea," which could mean that concepts or prototypes are considered.
Not sure if this is in reference to the same Golf model, but I read that there might be a targa roof option for the next-generation Golf as well. it would certainly add something a bit more exciting and interesting to the vehicle.
Yes but we're not talking about the NEXT golf. We're talking about THIS Golf and THIS golf they plan to stuff a 400 PS thingamajig in there... Gosh I hope they use the Audi 5 cyl
I noticed people really liked the Fiat 500 Cabriolet, which serves a similar purpose as this targa top does. Only difference is with the targa golf, they should see some real success with it in comparison to what competing brands have been trying to do
The new Golf design is a nice improvement, and the Targa roof adds some more fun to it as well. Its a good move since I usually think of VW as a boring brand.
While VW may seem boring, what they do well with is getting *hit done!
And even while they don't have a good understanding of the american market, they still do surprisingly well.
I think thats more the nature of german design then anything. Its always been a bit more conservative then other nations. Then again there is the 911 which is about the most RADICAL design there is. I mean they stuck the engine BEHIND the rear wheels. Its not suppoed to work that way >>>
Looks like some competition is headed towards the RS. I much rather prefer the look of the Focus but if those performance ratings stand for the production of the Golf R400 that's gonna be a beast!
Yeah true. I get what your saying. Im here for Ford too but I'm just looking into performance comparison. Seeing a Golf with so much power is just interesting to see how it will perform in the real world. Could be fun to drive.
Phaeton 2.0 at that point. They're also asking Audi money, you could get your mitts on something with their lovely straight 5 for that money... The only boys who drop to their knees at horsepower figures are the boys who aren't buying...
Audi RS3 went for £39,950 and the golf R for £31,970 (both 5 doors). Now the golf R400 doesn't seem to be bringing anything more sinister to the table then the RS3 and is certainly not as cool IMO.
I've been reading that the R400 will likely come with a 6 speed DSG, not a manual shift. I have to wonder if Dual CLutches might actually be the key to better sales here. Put your prejudices aside for a second and think about how there are plenty of people who prefer not to shift, more then those who prefer to row it themselves. I know enthusiast this and that, but car companies are not charities, they're in business to make money.
I have a sneaking suspicion that, baring artificially limited quantities, the R400 will outsell the RS simply because of gearboxes.
Considering the massive DCT problems Ford is having with the current ST I doubt they want to go anywhere near hi-po DCT's. Ford is confident in their manuals and the people who drive them I believe, they only offer the 1.0L Triple with an MT. I think that takes a bit of balls as a manufacturer if you ask me... Then again it could be a cost consideration thing
I think the main deciding factor will be the design since the engine used in both vehicles are the same.
On the outside, it is believed that Volkswagen will be working to give the Golf R the exterior design of the 1989 Rally Golf. The last Golf concept was revealed at the Beijing Motor Show last year and many believe that the Golf R will end up coming in looking something like that.
If the design turns out stunning, the Volkswagen Golf R will not have to worry about the Ford Focus RS but if not, we think the Volkswagen Golf R will have a hard time keeping up base on performance alone.
One thing that might discourage people from going for the R400 is the fact that german cars are known to be unreliable, instead going for the Focus RS.
'Unfair'
Top of the table was Honda, with Japanese manufacturers Suzuki, Toyota and Mazda in the top six.
"Honda's success in the reliability index is chiefly down to low failure rates," said Jim Holder, the editor of What Car?
"However, when things do go wrong, the cars are also relatively cheap to fix."
The reliability index is calculated according to how often a car needs to be repaired, and how expensive those repairs are.
Luxury cars may therefore fare worse in the table, as spare parts can be more expensive.
Bentley said that that the survey was unfair, because it covered less than 4% of Bentleys on the road, and did not include comparable luxury brands like Rolls Royce, owned by BMW.
Those responsible for the survey said there were too few Rolls Royces on the road to provide statistically reliable data.
"The cost of owning and maintaining a Bentley is never going to be directly comparable with the other cars in this survey," said a spokesperson .
