Volkswagen R GTI Debuts

Volkswagen's California Design Center has created its vision of the "hot hatch" of the future in the R GTI.

An evolution of the R concepts from last year's SEMA show, the R GTI features carbon-fiber body panels from OSIR Design with a black paint scheme, blacked-out headlamp housings, R32 taillamps with smoked lenses, and central twin exhaust pipes.

Tuner APR started with VW's 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, replacing the turbocharger with a larger Garrett unit. Output jumps to 375 horsepower on 93-octane fuel (400 hp on 100-octane race fuel). VW claims 0-60-mph acceleration takes a mere 4.8 seconds.

H&R Tuning supplied the suspension mods, including coil-over shocks, springs and stabilizer bars, and lowered ride height as much as 2.5 inches. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup performance tires are mounted on 19-inch custom wheels, and Brembo disc brakes are fitted.

The cabin is trimmed in black leather with red stitching, with Recaro buckets and OSIR black carbon-fiber trim.

VW says the R GTI is a one-off with no immediate production plans.

© Source: original article on insideline