For the Beijing Auto Show Volkswagen rolled out an even more powerful concept version of the Golf R. Dubbed the Golf R400, the new car features 400PS of power and all-wheel drive.
Based on the Mark VII Volkswagen Golf R, the Golf R400 concept has a 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with WRC (World Rally Championship) roots. It kicks out 295kW (400PS, hence the name) of power and 450Nm of torque to all four wheels via a 6-speed automated dual-clutch transmission (DSG). According to Volkswagen that’s good for an electronically governed top speed of 280km/h and a 0 to 100km/h time of 3.9 seconds.
For sake of comparison, the regular Golf R has 221kW (300PS) of power and 380Nm of torque going to all four wheels. The Golf R is restricted to a top speed of 250km/h and can do the 0 to 100km/h dash in 4.9 seconds.
The 4Motion all-wheel drive in the Golf R400 features a Haldex-5 coupling, which, according to Volkswagen, is able to shift power around before wheels begin to slip. In low speed situations the rear wheels can be decoupled in order to improve fuel economy. There’s also the XDS system which brakes individual wheels as necessary during cornering.
Both the Golf R and Golf R400 run on suspension that sits 20mm lower to the ground than regular Golfs. They also both ride on 19-inch alloy wheels, although the Golf R400 features a new wheel design and wider track. In fact the track is so wide now that the R400’s body had to extended by 20mm on each side.
Up front the Golf R400 features motorsport-style carbon fibre shell seats clad in Alcantara (fake suede). The R400’s highlight colour, used for trim on the grille, alloy wheels, leather stitching and so forth, is yellow. On the GTI it’s red, while the GTE has blue and the regular R uses chrome.
