Along with the new Shelby GT350 Mustang that surfaced a couple of days ago, the LA Auto Show is seeing the debut of a host of other new performance cars this week – including the world premier of the new Volkswagen Golf R Wagon. Whether you call it an Estate like the Brits, or a Variant like VW does, there’s no denying the coolness of the Golf R equipment in a roomy and useful station wagon package.
The wagon version of the Golf R comes with the same 296 horsepower TSI engine as the Golf R hatchback, along with the same 4Motion AWD system. A six-speed DSG gearbox is standard.
Everything else that makes the normal Golf R stand out also carries over to the wagon, including the unique exterior treatment and upgraded cabin. The only difference is you now have the space of a small SUV.
Despite the extra heft, Volkswagen claims the car will go from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in just 5.1 seconds. Whether you consider this as the ultimate Golf daily driver or a baby version of Audi’s high performance wagons, the Golf R Wagon is a very solid proposition.
European sales are scheduled to begin in the spring of 2015, and while no info on a US release has been given, VW’s choice to debut the car in LA shows that they are at least toying with the idea.
Please bring it Stateside!
Mike Garrett
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mike@speedhunters.com
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Usual VW.... nothing special and expensive. Don't like at all.
BMW, Audi, Mercedes are way better.
@Babauzis Except those 3 don't offer their more powerful, small wagons in the US.
Very intelligent move considering that Subaru discontinued the 5 door option for The WRX/STI. VW has clearly stated that new Golf R 2 door is directly competing with the STI. I'm really hoping that this forces Subaru's hand to build and sell the 'Levorg' STI concept here in North American market. Fingers crossed!!!
I'm a little confused. Why is this not called the Jetta R. I don't know if there is a long wheel base version of the Golf in Europe, but in the US the car that looks exactly like the one pictured would be called a Jetta. Can someone explain?
any word on what price might be?
Well done VW! You've done it again! As for people asking about price, it'll probably be fairly pricey. The old golf r was around 34k, so I expect the new one to be about 36k+, and the wagon close to 38k-40k. We'll have to see though!
@winnicki Yes, I actually could. Jetta is called a Golf with 4 doors (not five like in hatchback). Otherwise is a Golf. In the past, they had a different grille but today is just that. A 4 door Golf.
For an R badge'd car it looks very ordinary IMHO...
For an R badge'd car it looks very ordinary IMHO...
Should be an awesome car to daily. Stage 1 tuning on the DSG 3-door has seen these cars laying down 3.7-second 0-60 times! That's pretty mental for a 30 grand car with a software upgrade. I want one!
Pedro Ferraz They are all pretty bland stock. Kinda par for the course. Good for tuning, though.
greenroadster This car is an upgrade of the old Golf 5 Variant (Combi) and called Sportscombi in the EU.
There are differenses between the US market och EU market.
Ben Chandler Pedro Ferraz Yeah VWs have always been on the conservative side, but that's what a lot of people are looking for when they buy a wagon - even if its a fast one.
Ben Chandler Pedro Ferraz Yeah VWs have always been on the conservative side, but that's what a lot of people are looking for when they buy a wagon - even if its a fast one.
@winnicki It is kind of confusing. The previous generation Golf wagons were branded Jettas in the US, but it seems the Mk.7 wagon will no longer be called a Jetta here.
@Babauzis Audi and VW use the same stuff under the fancy Audi covers and the not so fancy VW equivalent. And its not even meant to compete in the same league as BMW and Merc' wagons. More aimed at the (now family hatching) Euro tuner fan.
Now hold on a minute there, I'll have you know the tartan and stripe interiors of the eighties where the hight of fashion....
Fairly pricey eh'? Consider yourselves lucky, here in Aus we pay around $55k for the Golf R. If this lands here, the price expected should be $60k at least. Here's a question for all our mates stateside, how much coin does a Chevy SS cost overthere. Here the Holden Commodore SS is $52k base. Be interesting what the difference is.
Fairly pricey eh'? Consider yourselves lucky, here in Aus we pay around $55k for the Golf R. If this lands here, the price expected should be $60k at least. Here's a question for all our mates stateside, how much coin does a Chevy SS cost overthere. Here the Holden Commodore SS is $52k base. Be interesting what the difference is.
Chris 'Haffy' Hafner u job payed higher to..enjoy it..
TarmacTerrorist The newer Interlagos fabric is still pretty cool!
Taxes are a bitch here as well, Porsche Turbos are $390k!
Meh. The vw r line is for posers. No one that actually buys these things have done so for the performance, because theres many better alternatives. Rather the idea behind owning a vw has an air of arrogance, thinking they are somehow superior. It shows where i live as vws are overwhelmingly popular here, and nothing but balding hipsters and hippie chicks own them. Vw is good for one thing and thats tdi, anything else is truly for posers.
@turbo BEAMS ae86 Chris 'Haffy' Hafner Paid.
Chris, don't forget to factor in the currency exchange factor...
I like, just wondering why this is a golf and not a jetta. Golf wagons Always confused me
@Babauzis Audi IS Volkswagen...
To be honest, I like the look of the current Jetta wagon better, but this still looks good.
Pfft! Evo 9 wagon or GTFO! na jokes, this is cool. I'd rock one for sure.
Pfft! Evo 9 wagon or GTFO! na jokes, this is cool. I'd rock one for sure.
$55k for a Golf R? Jokes on me, in Indonesia we pay $55k for a Golf TSI 1.4. Shitty tax price..
Yes VIP it now!!!
Mugen Power In this case I can help you to get them into US from Europe
Mugen Power --- exacty. Not all vehicles are created for all customers. This is made for a demographic wanting to look cool while lugging around their family. Great post. Kim Shugart - CEO @ http://federalautoloan.com
prazzi The current "Jetta" wagons actually have the Golf front end on them. They should have been called Golf wagons from the get go.
@turbo BEAMS ae86 Chris 'Haffy' Hafner Well in Malaysia a Golf R is $75k. And our job paid less.
LavarBowers What exactly is vip about a golf? how about vUNiP it
Ben Chandler Who cares about 0-60 ' i have never seen a dsg driven in anger. why because they break and die. auto is for homos. faction
Over here in Singapore, a 2014 VW Golf R costs USD 180K...
@winnicki The Jetta is built on a totally different platform. This car is a Golf, and now it's being called one.