Our spy shooters have followed automaker’s European testing programs south, leaving the snowy lanes of Scandinavia for some of the first shots of the season from Germany’s Nürburgring.
The first trip to the Ring has yielded some real pay dirt this time, with these first images of the Volkswagen Golf R20. Set to be the spiritual successor to Volkswagens dominating R32 Golf, the R20 will offer a highly tuned version of the company’s 2.0-liter, direct-injection, turbocharged four in place of the R32’s V-6. Despite being down two cylinders, the R20 should produce a whopping 270 horsepower (pipping the R32 by 20 ponies) and will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in the low five-second range. Braking power should be ample, as the new hot VW will use the bigger brakes found on today’s Audi S3.
While there is no word yet as whether or not the R20 could make it to the U.S., we do know that car will be available in both three- and five-door configurations. Look for a May debut for R20, perhaps at this year’s 24-hour Nürburgring race.
The Golf R32 is dead, long live the Golf R20.
The new Golf R20 is lapping some quick laps at the Nürburgring racetrack disguised as a 2.0 TDI. But they can’t fool us, not with those two big central mounted exhaust pipes. While the R32 had a six cylinder engine with 250 horsepower, the new R20 will have a version of the 2.0 liter turbocharged engine with direct injection which will be tuned to produce 270 horsepower. That should be enough to let the R20 accelerate up to 100 km/h in some low five seconds range.
To stop the car is as important as power, and this prototype has the same brakes as the Audi S3 which will be enough for this power rabbit. Both 3- and 5-door versions will be available but we expect the 3-door version to come first.
Expect a more aggressive front bumper when the R20 will have its debut, rumors says it will be in May at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.