gavriil

It's made GTI the byword for hot hatches, but VW isn't resting on its laurels. Bosses have exclusively unveiled plan to Auto Express to introduce another performance badge to its models. And this time it's an R!

Building on the dynamic excellence of the Golf R32 - the most powerful production Golf ever - the firm will launch a range of exclusive R cars. A spokesman said: "We will roll out other R models as well as the R32, and they will be the pinnacle of performance for each model range, much in the same way the S-line has done for Audi."

The move has been sparked by a wish to develop a range of cars in line with BMW's M Sport models. GTI will be the accessible performance model, V will continue to signify luxurious fast vehicles, and the new R will mark out the hottest versions.

The spokesman confirmed that following on from the R32, an R-badged W8-engined Passat and a Bora V6 would appear. The Passat is likely to be badged R40 to signify its 4.0-litre unit, although a bi-turbo would be ad-ded to put power into the region of a BMW M5-rivalling 400bhp. The Bora will take the 3.2 engine from the Golf R32.

But it's not only family sized cars that are in for a power hike. Amazingly, the R range will even stretch to the luxury Phaeton model and the forthcoming Touareg off-roader. An R-badged Phaeton W12 will be developed as a rival to the likes of the Mercedes S55 AMG, and a super-sporty Touareg will have the 4.6-litre BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne in its sights. However, bosses are keen for the Touareg to use a tuned version of the 5.0-litre V10 diesel powerplant, which will be seen in the Phaeton next year. In standard spec, this engine produces 313bhp and 750Nm of torque, so in modified guise it should give the off-roader sports car-rivalling performance. It would be badged R50.

For a full racing machine feel, several hot VWs will also get a development of the paddleshift gearbox first seen on the Phaeton. This is expected to appear on versions of the R32 next year, with a decision yet to be made on what other models will get it.

Zoot

Now that's f*cked up! A company that actually admits they want to compete with themselves. Silly VW.

gavriil

I disagree. I think the strategy is correct.

soopa

astro

I think this is AWESOME NEWS.....

now I don't know what to get...the w12 Phaeton, the W12 Phaeton R, or the V10 Phaeton Diesel...

gawdamn, what a great time we have coming upon is in the automotive world....