2017 Volkswagen Golf R Performance pack could come to Australia
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VeF8FknXus
The facelifted 2017 Volkswagen Golf R will soon be offered in Europe with a Performance option, and although not yet confirmed for Australia, the company’s local arm says it is far from written off.
In a short clip released in March, the German company teases several performance-oriented options that will allow owners to “squeeze even more out of your new Golf R“.
Among the new add-ons is a 17-inch brake package (432mm), a larger rear spoiler similar to the one used on the Golf GTI 40 Years special edition, a titanium exhaust system sourced from Akrapovic, along with what seems to be a derestricted top speed of 267km/h – up from 250km/h.
In overseas markets like Europe, where the Golf R gets a higher-power engine tune (228kW/400Nm), Volkswagen claims its hottest hatchback can complete the 0-100km/h sprint in just 4.6 seconds. However, in “hot climate” markets like Australia, the 2.0-litre turbo is detuned to 213kW/380Nm – with the claimed benchmark sprint rated at a marginally slower 4.8 seconds (down from 5.0 seconds).
As standard the Golf R is offered with a six-speed manual transmission, with a new quick-shifting wet-clutch seven-speed DSG available at extra cost.
Volkswagen says in the above video that the performance options will be “offered at a later date”.
Australia
Speaking with CarAdvice, general manager for corporate communications at Volkswagen’s local arm, Paul Pottinger, said the company is looking into the performance options, but could not confirm their availability for Australian models at this stage – which arrive in August.
“Just as we’ve co-operated with Oettinger for similar accessories on current Mark 7 Golf GTI and R, we’ll be looking at similar gambits for the Golf 7.5 performance range,” he said.
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