Published: Feb 11, 2013

New VW Golf R to Pack 286 HP

Volkswagen's top hot hatch will soon be even better thanks to more power, less weight and some trick engineering.

Just days after Volkswagen revealed its 270 horsepower Golf R Cabrio, details about the next-gen R model are already leaking out. Like the new seventh-gen Golf, the next Golf R will be built on the automaker's new MQB platform, meaning it will be lighter and more agile, which in turn will help with overall performance. Autocar is now claiming that the next range-topping Golf R will be powered by a 2.0-liter TFSI engine that will reportedly produce an incredible 286 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful Golf ever.

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It will be mated to a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox that will send power to all four wheels using VW's latest Haldex AWD system. The automaker claims this system allows for better handling and a faster transfer of power between front and rear axles. With less weight, more power and trick traction, the new Golf R could make the sprint from 0 to 62 mph in five seconds flat, with a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph. The exhaust note will also be louder and sportier than the current model's. Even with the added performance, fuel economy will also improve and C02 emissions will drop. Expect for the new Golf R to have its official premiere next September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.