It handles the sprint to 100km/h in around 5 seconds and attains a top speed of 250km/h (governed) – this is the sharpest production Golf ever and one of the most agile sports cars in its class. However the potential of the Golf enables even further extensions to the limits of what is feasible in sporty performance. Now for those of you who would remember, Volkswagen teased us with a concept Golf not so long ago. The Wild Golf, dubbed the R400 was proof that Volkswagen was able to make the R even hotter. Well, guess what…
VW research and development chief Heinz-Jakob Neusser confirmed that the R400 will be built!! Ok, Ok, sit down and calm down, we are just as excited as you are. Here is what you need to know about the R400…
The ‘400’ refers to 400 horsepower, which in normal terms translates to 294kW complimented by 450Nm. This will mean that the R 400 will be the fastest street legal Golf ever produced. The compact high-performance engine – a 2.0 TSI- the lightweight dual-clutch gearbox and low body weight as well as genes from the WRC racing version propels the Golf to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds. Its top speed, assuming that you have the balls to take it there is governed at 280km/h. To keep all 400 wild horses in check Volkswagen has added a performance-tuned version of its proven 4Motion all-wheel drive system, a heavily revised suspension setup and beefier brakes on all four corners.
Volkswagen has been known to play it safe when it comes to styling. Not with the R400.This car looks so much more aggressive than the Golf R thanks to a sporty and wild looking body kit all around and a long list of aerodynamic add-ons crafted out of carbon fibre. The sport-focused upgrades continue inside with features like motorsport shell seats with integrated head restraints and belt openings as well as a model-specific three-spoke steering wheel.
The Volkswagen Designers have made a wide-ranging of design changes to the Golf R400. For one, the body was widened by 20 mm on each side to accommodate the 19-inch wheels that are further outboard due to their larger wheel offset. In front, the designers developed an entirely new wing which is significantly flared. Similarly, the rear side panels over the wheel housings of the Golf R 400 were also flared.
We hare at Autodealer are not sure if the R400 will reach South Africa though. Sean and Justin have stated that they will disrupt Parliament and stage a march to get at least one of these bad boys to our country.
(okay, that is a joke, they won’t do that but they will cry like little babies if it doesn’t come)
