VW Golf R400 Concept debuts at Beijing

VW has upped the ante in terms of specific output, developing a stonking 395bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and plonked it into the Golf to make one of the maddest versions of this hot hatch since the 2007 unveiling of the Golf GTI W12 Concept. VW had crammed the twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 fire-breather into the Golf that develops 650bhp and 750Nm causing the lightweight hatchback to whip past the ton mark in a supercar rivaling 3.7 seconds and reach a claimed top whack of 325kmph.

The Golf R400 Concept (named for the 400PS it pushes out) may not be the most powerful Golf ever but it may actually reach production. The 2.0-litre four-pot engine is the same one used across the VW Group range including some Audis and Skodas though has been thoroughly retuned to produce a massive 395bhp at 7200rpm and 450Nm between 2400 and 6000rpm. The AMG tuned Mercedes-Benz A 45 develops 355bhp from its 2-litre four cylinder motor, touted as the world’s most powerful production motor. Though AMG’s head honcho recently announced that they are also working on breaching the 200bhp/litre barrier.

The R400 Concept weighs just 1,422kg, meaning a power-to weight ratio of 278bhp/ton, enabling the hatchback to reach 100kmph in 3.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250kmph though it can actually reach a whopping 280kmph. All the power and torque is delivered via VW’s six-speed DSG to four wheels using the patented 4MOTION all-wheel drive system. The Golf R400 Concept also gets all manner of electronic aids like electronic differential locks (EDS) integrated in the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, ‘XDS+’ system which brakes the wheels on the inside of a corner during fast driving through the twisties and the ‘ECS Sport’ function that can disable the ECS altogether for track racing.

Externally, the hot hatch looks even hotter with a 20mm lowered stance, gorgeous five-spoke 19-inch alloys and dashes of yellow along the grille, headlamps and the brake callipers. Open the bonnet and the engine cover also gets yellow accents. The interiors aren’t much different from the standard Golf R either with the addition of the grey-and-yellow theme, Alcantara in every nook-and-cranny and leather trims.

We sincerely hope that this version of the Golf comes into production though the likelihood of it coming to India is slim-to none. Hot hatches haven’t really caught on in the country but there is significant potential for such cars in India.