Golf Makes New Power Plays

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Hotter hatches from VW are set to raise the performance bar

With VW’s latest 210PS Mk6 GTI significantly out-gunned by hot hatch rivals, the German firm is exploring options to redress the balance.

According to various unconfirmed reports, hotter versions of the Golf undergoing development testing at the Nurburgring include a car powered by a twin-turbo version of the new GTI’s 2.0 four engine and an even hotter 4x4 version sharing an engine with Audi’s new TT-RS.

This engine already sees duty in the Audi S3 where it offers 265PS, but VW has reportedly turned up the wick and is track testing the Golf at closer to 300PS with a view to upstaging the S3 in production trim.

Look out for the new installation in a new R20T model, reportedly due to be unveiled officially at the Frankfurt motor show this Autumn, although we may get an preview of the R20T as soon next month when a race-prepared version is tipped to be competing at the Nurburgring 24hrs.

Meanwhile, VW is also said to be testing Golf prototypes with all-wheel-drive and a version of Audi’s new 2.5 five cylinder – as recently introduced in the new TT-RS.

According to one report we’ve seen, VW engineers have boosted that engine all the way up to 390PS for a new R45-badged Golf variant that could see the light of day in 2010.

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