2011 Volkswagen Golf R

2011 Volkswagen Golf R Sport

Many in the U.S. are still lamenting Volkswagen’s decision not to bring the sporty Scirocco coupe and its high-performance Scirocco R variant across the Atlantic for local sale but as some solace the automaker will be bringing over its new 2011 Golf R, most likely in the first half of the year.The Golf R was in fact first revealed last year in Frankfurt and now we have new images and details following the car’s driving launch, which took place in Ellmau, Austria over the weekend.

2011 Volkswagen Golf R Side View

The aggressively-styled hot hatch is the replacement for the V-6 powered R32 but it makes do with a 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged four-cylinder mill. The new engine is rated at 265 horsepower--the most powerful production Golf ever. Combined with a sophisticated all-wheel drive system and either a manual or DSG dual-clutch gearbox, the Golf R should give cars like the Audi S3 and even the BMW 135i a run for their money.

2011 Volkswagen Golf R Photo

The Golf R is capable of propelling to 62 mph from rest in 5.5 seconds when equipped with the optional DSG dual-clutch gearbox (the standard manual gets it done 0.2 seconds slower). Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.Average fuel consumption is about 21% better than the R32, up to 27.7 mpg combined according to Volkswagen--not bad considering the hatch tips the scales at more than 3,353 pounds for manual models and almost 3,400 pounds for DSG-equipped cars.

2011 Volkswagen Golf R Interior

2011 Volkswagen Golf R Front Angle View