America, rejoice. Starting 2012 the Golf R will be unleashed onto the streets of the USA. Inspired by the technology and temperament of motorsport, this phenomenal car features a redesigned front fascia and unique 18-inch alloy wheels at all four corners. There’s a center-mounted dual-exhaust out back, too – a signature styling element that drives home the point that the Golf R is well, fast. And to that point, as soon as you step on the gas, the new and lighter-than-ever 256-hp, 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 4MOTION® all-wheel drive, and 6-speed manual transmission, will launch you from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.9 seconds.1
But its exterior details and what’s under the hood is only the beginning. Walk up to your Golf R and its doors will unlock as soon as you touch the door handle (assuming you’ve got your keys with you), thanks to available keyless access with push-button start. In the cockpit you’ll find dual-zone automatic climate control, bolstered sport seats with leather seating surfaces and available touchscreen navigation complete with an available nine-speaker Dynaudio® premium audio system. And don’t forget the available sunroof overhead to whip your hair around when you’re out on the open road. Plus, for the first time, the Golf R is going to be available in 2- and 4-door models, so whether you’re lugging your friends around or opening it up solo on the track, you’ll want to be one of the select few driving this hyper-tuned beast.
With limited production the Golf R is sure to be a treat, but only if you can get your hands on one. Hold tight. More updates on R, coming soon.
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Legal
1. Always obey local speed and traffic laws. Engine specifications and 0-to-62 time based on European-specification engine and may not apply to U.S. engine specifications and 0 to 62 time not available at time of printing.
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Release date? Fall 2011? Or Spring 2012?
Either way I love it
January 2nd 2012 is the first day that they can legally sell it as the 2013 model that it is. So you can safely bet that it will start appearing in the US mid-Jan to early Feb.
So, when is it coming? And how come in Europe the power rating is listed at 265HP? Do you not have a launch date?
So everyone is like, how come Europe gets more horsepower, wah wah…
But consider the 0-60 times are the same in the European model, and the US. So, it’s the same. VW has been a little modest about power ratings in recent cars, in recents marketing.
its the EPA folks. That’s why Europeans have, for decades, enjoyed much better MPG, great diesels, and always higher torque/HP. But, as I understand it, the EU version of the EPA is starting to crack down as well…
i want the R GTI itll be my 5th gti have a tuned and tweaked gti vr6 make it happen
Not an r32 but I’ll take it.
Honestly, I’ll take this over the front end heavy and under performing R32.
Excellent. Please bring the euro LED tail lights to the US market.
I really hope this will be available with the DSG. If not we are really getting cheated in America with one of the best transmissions ever made for the fastest Gulf ever built. It just makes sense. So VW follow our calling and give us the DSG. If so I will be one of the first ones to buy this car!
You can have your automatic transmission. I will take my manual transmission where i have more control of the car and make shifting more fun.
@Ben – you don’t know what is a DSG. Drive one first. DSG Euro model with 7 gears
it comes with both but the main reason the MkV R-32 sold so horridly was because you could only get it with that crappy engine and that horrid transmission and vw purists wanted more power and a manual. I would prefer the car to only come with a manual hence the reason for it being a specialty car if you cant drive a manual dont get the car!!
A very exciting car, but I wish Volkswagen would release it in the US with the DSG automatic transmission. I think others that feel the same way should make it known to Volkswagen. I can wait to see if things do change.
DSG never, SAVE THE MANUALS
Agree, I’d rather see it in a manual.
MANUALS FTW!!!
agreed. Personal opinion, the DSG would fit me better. Love manuals, but how can you turn down that sweet transmission. Please make it an option!!!
Alright, nice. However, I need to see the TDI powertrain offered in more models. Seriously. Otherwise, get out of my face with these fun-yet-grossly-impractical gas-guzzlers. I don’t keep up with the automotive world–I don’t know what the latest buzz is at VW HQ or what all the bloggers and forum-goers are chattering about these day–I just came here expecting some news on new car potentials, because it happens that I might want one in the not so distant future. So if there’s some word on a VW hybrid (that I’d crap my pants with joy to hear about) or new ways VW is finding to shoe-horn the TDI system into more models somewhere out there on the Internet, point me to it, will ya?
I couldn’t have said it better myself as I have a 2009 Jetta TDI and want more. Sadly, not sure they are selling that well and the city driving savings doesn’t offset the current clean diesel price hikes. However, the engines are hard to ever kill, there are no spark plugs, wires or the rest of it to maintain. It may be a trade off in the long run.
wake up dude, they already have “shoehorned” the TDI into the Golf R, its called the Golf TDI…been around forever and a day.
maybe a GTI Buy back program so I can get my hands on an R is in order
I’m actually looking forward to the manual transmission. There’s just something about the feel of (almost) total control and changing gears that puts a smile on my face. Although, I do love this car or sports cars in general, I also wish VW would ship the polo bluemotion to the U.S. for those who want to get great fuel economy. Aus liebe zum automobil.
DSG and MORE power please…
Finally the manual is back!!! Thank you Vw!
Nice, but I’ll drive my Corrado SLC until VW brings the Scirocco.
VW , please don’t waste your time even considering DSG. We “enthusiasts” want 6-speed
manual. You’re finally bringing over a 2.0T AWD GOLF, don’t assume that all American drivers are lazy.
Bring manual! Oh, and don’t bother trying to lock-out the ECU. Because you know some of us will go straight to your buddies @ APR and tune it anyways. Stop playing games VW. We all know that you are
are secretly married to APR.
If everyone was so gung ho about the DSG, why did the 08 R32 have such a problem selling? Everyone who said they wanted one, did not buy one. The manual seems more fitting for this car. 90% of the time you will be commuting with a DSG so you won’t realize it’s potential anyway. The car is already going to be expensive, adding the DSG is going to be another 2k or so.
Almost everyone who will buy this car will buy it because they want a more natural car to drive and love their GTI’s. This is what everyone has modded their cars has been waiting for. A good tuning platform, AWD, 250hp stock. What else do we need.
Let it stay a manual.
We are going to be paying a good price for the car, let’s just revel in the fact that we are actually getting it.
256 hp? That’s lame! I know that I’m talking about two different cars, but the Hyundai Sonata with a 2.0t get’s ~276 hp stock. VW might be conservative on their power ratings, but 0-62 mph in 5.9 isn’t that incredible. I thought it was gonna be around the 300 hp mark. This car isn’t going to be cheap either. I haven’t heard an exact figure, but from what salesmen tell me probably ~$35k. The whole reason that I would want the GOLF R is to have an OEM-modified GTI, basically (and 4-motion). I don’t know if the overall value is there, if I’m going to be spending approximately $14k more than what I paid for my 2008 GTI brand new off the lot….
I will only buy it with a DSG Transmission. Heres hoping VW changes their minds.
Yes, yes, yes AWD Golf!!! Now we just need the vans back and lot’s of money to buy with…
I can’t wait for the R to come out in the us . definitely will buy one.Or a TDI but please why only 140 hp?
I’ve heard Europe will get 170hp also with DSG,now that makes me want to have an R and TDI for my wife.
VWoA, please pay close attention to virtually every auto journalist who has previewed this car and reconsider bringing the Golf R with DSG to the States. Maybe 70% of the people surveyed said they would prefer the manual, but doesn’t that mean VW is leaving 30% of potential US revenue on the table? When your automated-manual is one of the best in the business, why wouldn’t you give buyers of your most premium Golf the option to pay a little more for DSG?
Excerpt from Autoblog.com:
“It seems contradictory for us normally stick-shift-praising enthusiasts to shed tears over the lack of an “automatic” transmission, but in the case of the Golf R, it’s really a crying shame. Simply put, the DSG fires off shifts with a quickness that’s unmatched when you have a three-pedal setup, and the brap from the exhaust during shifts is whimsically addicting. Do-it-yourself shifters are great fun, no doubt, but the setup that Volkswagen uses in the GTI isn’t exactly our favorite, and for serious drivers, being able to keep both hands on the thick-rimmed wheel is a serious plus for hardcore driving. Again, the manual-only configuration for the U.S. model is the result of VW having to keep build combinations to a minimum, but when you consider that 50 percent of GTIs sold in the States are fitted with the DSG, it seems like an odd omission. Truth be told, some of us on staff would rather Volkswagen not offer a manual at all if it meant that the DSG could be had on our shores. Yeah, we said it.”
I really hope the R will be offered for the College grad program, and available in DSG! Otherwise I’m going to have to settle for the GTI.
Please bring the CONVERTIBLE (Cabriolet) to the states! You’d sell one to me!
The manual transmission only is a deal breaker for me. Manual transmissions are fun but the DSG has the same or better fperformance and won’t wear you out in stop and go freeway traffic.
Same here, I definitely want the new R, but the manual transmission is a deal breaker here too. Im moving to DC where there is pretty much always traffic, thus I really want the DSG. Please VW give us the DSG.
The Tiguan: the responsible choice and all round satisfying
The R: the .:Right choice…
and now the Jetta R Coupe!? sooo sexy and sophisticated.
WTF VW, do u want me to have an aneurysm?
Save the Manuals!!!
VW needs this car to be in manual transmission, the only way i will buy the car!
The DSG is flawed with reliability problems and doesn’t have enough driver input for me to consider at all
I owned the DSG R32 and now have one of each of the manual and DSG GTI’s…..having driven both quite extensively, pleasssssse bring in this new model in DSG.
Reserved the first one in NWI yesterday… Hurry up Januaryish…
I doubt you will have to wait until January, my guess is you will see them here in the Fall.
How ’bout an update VW?
I hope VW offers a lighter leather interior the black is getting old. I have a 2011 Golf which I love
and it gets great gas milage,
I have a feeling that fuel economy wasn’t VW’s main goal with this one
I am so excited, even though just bought 2011 GTI.
I love the AWD GTi finally coming forth as the Golf R. (I liked the R36 idea for natural aspiration’s sake keeping with the R line but I think we can rest on that)…
I have been driving and loving manual VWs since 16 but being married with kids now and considering the performance of the DSG, I really have to side with Golf R DSG on this one. It is too expensive to get STI or EVO numbers out of this AWD Turbo so let us have paddles and DSG while we listen to Public Radio on the weekends in a bone stock, warrantied Golf R. . . VW should offer both imo but not limit to one or other.
Exactly! Give us the choice for crying out loud! Don’t alienate one type of driver for another.
Hi VW! Can I import the VW SCIRROCCO R to the states if I want to?
I just have to say I am extremely displeased to see that DSG will not be an option. Someone stated its because it would be $2k to $3k more. To that my retort is – I’d gladly pay $4k more to have my car the way I want it.
I understand you want to keep the integrity of the racing spirit alive. How come you didn’t import the nice racing seats to the US then? It’s also my understanding that DSG gets better gas mileage and a faster 0-60 thanks to launch control. I mean, launch control, that just sounds like it has sport written all over it.
No – its not that I’m lazy and can’t drive stick. I currently drive a ’02 EP3 Civic SI. I have just been waiting around to find the next “hot hatch” that I really love. I thought the GTI-R was going to be it. Alas, I get to wait another 2 or 3 years. Either until Honda does a Mugen CR-Z, throws a hatch back onto the Civic SI, or VW imports either a Scirocco or a GTI-R with DSG.
Thank-you VW for disappointing yet again. You did a horrible job with the R32 and you’ve managed to mess up this one as well.
Dsg Dsg Dsg Dsg I was going to buy the Dsg r32 a year ago but did not like the fact that it was down on power and didnt use the turbo from the gti I would be one considering the new golf r only if it has the dsg option its like the 1m bmw not using or giving the option of the dct. I dont like it! if it volkswagon r does not have dsg option Ill go with up coming evo hybrid. there nothing like have awd in big city especially in harsh winter conditions like in new york. DSG please.
Definitely need the DSG. To me it gives you the best of both worlds. I was really looking forward to this car but I need the DSG in case the wife needs to drive the car.
worse reliability with the DSG had to replace flywheel in 45k miles now on 59k miles valve body , plus the transmission needs repair too and VW don’t cover nothing. worse car ever I owned. I spend ton of money and still not fixed ,I can not do anything VW don’t do anything even they have the recall for the same problems, they say it was not my VIN. it is the same DSG how they figire it is not on that vin ???? go figure.
I am stuck with the car on 59K miles with thousand on repair and still not fixed. Newer had so bad experience in my life. it is not the VW used to be. All of them cheap Mexican build crap.
I can confirm all of my problem, I am waiting for lawsuit against them to get some of my repair money back.DO NOT BUY VW JETTA DSG Period!!!!
Hi Vedat, please contact our Customer CARE Center at (800) 822-8987 so we can further assist you.
I just put a deposit on one of these at my local dealership. Since they are only going to receive two I had to reserve one somehow. Here’s what they told me in regards to the release date…Early January people that have reserved the car will be able to come into the dealer and pick their options which will then be sent to VW and by mid March the car will be ready to go. They said these dates might change but for the most part is a good idea of when the car will available. Cars will limited to 5000 so if this is a car you want get to your VW dealer and reserve one before its too late!
Wow…how much further behind the rest of the world can we be in regard to the delivery of this vehicle.
I just placed my deposit on the Golf R in Phoenix (Thank god it’s refundable if it gets watered down any more). I’m really excited for it’s arrival but disappointed about the lack of DSG, LED tail lights and the down graded HP. VW please change your mind!!! I don’t want to have to order the tails from Europe for $900.00.
DSG is a must have. I love driving stick don’t get me wrong. but at the same time I don’t want to sometimes. thats where this beautiful thing that came about a little while ago call DSG comes in. ya some say its “flawed” or “its not the same” but put your foot down for a second with DSG and you will forget real quick that you “just cant live with out manual”. Embrace the future and its technology VW. We need the option of DSG or Manual, or expect this car to fail.
those crying for DSG need to realize what this is. Not a regular production model, but a low-volume specialty model. Due to the extensive US certification process, it was inevitable there would only be one tranny, I am glad it is the shift-yourself.
I would be very pleased to also see VW consider the AWD on the next GTi as an orderable option. We all know there are plenty of ways to get the extra power and most other goodies on the Golf R, but you just can’t plop in the AWD, at least with any sense. Since the golf is on the same chassis as the A3, use the mechanicals available to offer the best product. I’d pay an extra $2000 for an AWD GTi if available. Same thing for a GLi or GLi SportWagon.
Very much agreed…
Ok now you automatic lovers know how I feel when I can’t find a car with manual transmission , where is my choice when I shop for cars ?? Oh yeah they give me the shit base model , I’m glad it comes with manual only .
stop complaining, just be happy we actually get some euro goods for once, ford didnt even give us a chance at the RS, and vw is kind enough to bring the R here and people are already complaining. come on guys………………but anyways im excited and extreamly happy u can get them in 5 door……time to talk my dad into tradin in the g37 for one. a candy white golf r 5 door will look great next the peformance white boss 302
My dealership just put their order in… I was told that the car should be built in november, and delivered sometime after the 1st of the year. still no official price however…
i would never take ltaheer seats in a car i want to have fun in..they feel great until you get to a corner, and then you start to feel really uncomfortable since they are slippery and basically take half the fun away from the car, alcantara should work fine but full ltaheer is definitely not good in a sportscar. period.
So I don’t get it VW…Why wait this long!!! I thought about trading my 09 GTI in for a Golf R but now I notice you will be updating the Golf in 2013 as the MkVII…guess Ill just wait why do I want a MkVI Golf R when the MkVII want be far behind????
Are there any 2011/12 VW vehicles that are AWD and will get oer 40mpg – selling in the 30′s?
Thanks
Im a super big fan of the VW i own many and have had many. most are gtis. and have owned other vw in the past. Everytime they rsleaee the r3.2 i get disappointed. Now that the r2.0 im still disappointed. how does vw think they are going to compete with sti and evo. hey that what they always compare themselves to. 260 sad. what about 3.2l with a turbo. Or 2 turbos so no lag. come on vw. thumbs down for me. but mk6 is so sexy in and out.
I have a 2010 model Golf GTI, purchased in Saudi Arabia. How can I check wehther this car is EPA certified? the VIN is WVWEH31K2AW262164 and the Engine number is CCZ048008. The car seems to be imported from Germany. I want to take the car to the USA
too many cars these days are automatic or ‘trip tronic’ BRING BACK THE CLUTCH!