VW Will Debut U.S. Spec 2015 Golf R at Detroit Show

by TTAC Staff

Published: January 9th, 2014

vw will debut u s spec 2015 golf r at detroit show

The U.S. version of the 2015 Golf R will be a five door, unlike the three door Euro spec model.

Volkswagen of America confirmed that the U.S. spec 2015 Golf R will debut at the Detroit auto show next week. While at 290 horsepower, it’s down 6 HP from the Euro spec Golf R shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September but that still will be enough power driving through all four wheels to tick off 5.3 seconds in a zero to sixty run with a six speed fully manual transmission and an even quicker 4.9 seconds in the DSG dual clutch equipped R. That’s correct, U.S. consumers will finally have a choice of gearboxes in the R. Starting with the 2004 R32, VW has only offered either the six speed manual or the DSG transmission on American versions of the Golf R.

The U.S. Golf R will only be available as a five door hatchback and will go on sale in the first quarter of 2015. No official EPA rating is yet available but VW says that the car will show an improvement of 4 MPG (highway) over the 2013 Golf R’s 27. All 280 lb-ft of torque is available from 1,800 to 5,500 RPM.

In addition to more boost than in the GTI, the 2015 Golf R has significantly quicker steering, 2.1 turns lock to lock versus 2.75 on the lower powered Golfs, along with progressive variable ratio steering. The Golf R sits on an upgraded suspension that’s 0.2 inches lower than the GTI and 0.8 inches lower than the standard Golf. The U.S. Golf R also comes with 18-inch wheels, a more aggressive body kit, and bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights. Out back there is a four-tip exhaust. Stability control can be deactivated for track use. The brakes are also upgraded with 13.4-inch rotors and 2.4-inch brake pistons in the front along with 12.2-inch rotors in the rear with 1.7-inch pistons.

There are four driver selectable modes: comfort, normal, individual and race that adjust shock absorber damping, shift points and engine throttle mapping.

The interior gets upgrades as well, with nappa leather trimmed sport seats, “carbon touch” dashboard inlays, a three-spoke steering wheel and a gauge cluster unique to the Golf R..

#2014Naias #2015GolfR #Volkwagen #VW #VwOfAmerica

TTAC Staff

More by TTAC Staff

Comments

Join the conversation

13 of 31 comments

Qest on Jan 09, 2014

Lemme know if they do the lease deal that makes it cheaper than the GTI again, and I'll forgive them the lack of the VR6 soundtrack.

Like Reply
- See 3 previous
- Bball40dtw on Jan 09, 2014
  
  I had an MKV R32 and the buy was cheaper than the 4 door GTI. So many discounts because no one wanted them. I think there was $7000 on the hood of a $33000 car.
  
  Like
- LeeK on Jan 09, 2014
  
  @bball40dtw My wife got her Mk V R32 for $28,500 -- not quite as good as the $7k discount that you mention, but we felt it was quite a deal. I agree, at the time it was cheaper than the Autobahn package GTI with DSG. We loved that car, but a chronic Check Engine Light (with four N-80 evaporative valve replacements, a new gas tank, and more emissions hardware that came with all the national recall of all US R32s) caused her to dump it for a 328i in frustration. Big mistake -- within six weeks she was back in a 2010 GTI, which we still have and enjoy today. No major problems with this current one in the past four years. Yeah, I know -- Volkswagens...
  
  Like
- Bball40dtw on Jan 09, 2014
  
  @LeeK I bought a demo that had a few thousand miles on it, so that was part of the discount. I got the check engine light often as well. My wife and I moved from Detroit to Arizona and the R32 decided to get vaporlocked all the time in the desert. Once we bought a GTI, the VW dealer would call me every few weeks to sell them the R32. They eventually made an offer I liked, and gave me a good deal on a GLI.
  
  Like
- Krayzie on Jan 10, 2014
  
  @LeeK Really worth to get a VAGCOM cable whenever you buy a VW/Audi.
  
  Like
Cubista on Jan 09, 2014

This is Vee-Dub's Evo X MR fighter...I am guessing the buy-in is @ $40k.

Like Reply
- See 6 previous
- Corey Lewis on Jan 09, 2014
  
  Crikey. Too expensive.
  
  Like
- Bball40dtw on Jan 09, 2014
  
  The last one started at $35K. I don't think it'll change much.
  
  Like
- Corey Lewis on Jan 09, 2014
  
  @bball40dtw That's the same price as a Taurus Limited AWD. And just a couple grand off from a Q50 AWD 3.7.
  
  Like
- Bball40dtw on Jan 09, 2014
  
  @Corey Lewis You could probably get a Taurus SHO for that price. They start at $40K, but no one pays that. The Taurus has a minimum of $4000 on the hood around these parts. I priced one out with my A-plan discount, and a 2013 SHO would be around $30K. I'd end up one with the performance package and nav and end up spending $35K.
  
  Like
- 05lgt on Jan 09, 2014
  
  STI? Not as nice an interior, but as a sometimes fanboi I'd like to think it was in there with the Evo and R. Especially since they sell so many more of them.
  
  Like
- Fordson on Jan 09, 2014
  
  @Corey Lewis You could get a used double-wide mobile home or a 5-carat brilliant-cut diamond in your choice of setting for that money, too. So what? You think there are many people cross-shopping Golf Rs against AWD Taurus and Infiniti sedans?
  
  Like
- Corey Lewis on Jan 10, 2014
  
  @Fordson You done being a dick yet? Just let me know. ;)
  
  Like

Recent Comments

Master Baiter EV mandates running into the realities of charging infrastructure, limited range, cost and consumer preferences. Who could possibly have predicted that?
Jkross22 Our experience is that the idea of leasing/owning an EV is better than the experience of getting a closer look at them and coming away underwhelmed.
Ajla I never thought I'd advocate for an alphanumeric but "Junior" is a terrible name.
Arthur Dailey So pay moving costs, pay penalties or continue to pay for space in the RenCen, and purchase all new furniture and equipment. Rather than just consolidating in place and subleasing. Another brilliant business decision.
Jkross22 Why not just consolidate space and rent out to vendors at a reduced rate? Wouldn't this help with coordination and partnerships as well as letting go of unused space, turning it into a revenue generation opportunity as well as a PR win where GM could offer younger companies great space to develop ideas? Oh right, that might make more financial sense. Can't take the OLD GM out of GM.