Volkswagen Makes the Golf R an Even Hotter Hatch Volkswagen Golf R Tony Ding/Associated Press Introduced on Monday, Jan. 13: 2015 Volkswagen Golf R The ultimate all-wheel-drive hot hatch, at least from Volkwagen's perspective. At almost 300 horsepower, the Golf R's engineers may have made their point. It's real in Europe now, but the American version has spent a couple of extra months in the oven. Now, it's hot and ready to serve. What they said: "This Golf R is the ultimate expression in the Golf line up," said Michael Horn, Volkswagen of America's new leader. It's a real sport car, and my personal favorite. It's what I had in my garage back home in Germany. What they didn't say: That it will cost almost twice as much as the base model Golf. It will come in only utilitarian hatchback guise. And its production may be limited, which may not be a factor given its price point. Essentially the same 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that's in the 296-horsepower European model. But because of variations in American fuel quality (generally worse than European petrol) and weather conditions, Mark Gillies, a company spokesman, said the United States model would carry a rating of 290 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. That's up almost 30 horsepower on the model it replaces; also, the Golf R should be capable of better than 30 m.p.g. fuel economy. A 6-speed manual is standard; a 6-speed automatic will be an option. Good question, and one not specifically answered. Figure on at least $35,000, when it does come this year. Enough of a "wolf in sheep's clothing" thing.