[vladberca]

@Groundpilot: R400 will be fast in straight line due to 4motion, but will not be better than M2 on track. Nor more fun to drive.
On the other hand is great with the release of all these (super) hot hatches!

[heavystarch]

I strongly doubt VW bring the R400 stateside. When has VW ever brought very limited special editions to the states? The VW Golf R will be the only fast VW hot hatch in the US market.

If anyone isn't happe with a 369Hp M2, I'm sure there will be a few tuning shops which can extract another 10% from the M2 with a "Stage I Tune"...so in the 405Hp range. Within 6-10 months after that it's likely there will be "Stage II" tunes that will get the M2 into the 440-450Hp range or possibly higher.

I'm going to do Euro Delivery on my M2...I wonder if I can get Atacama Yellow...

[W///]

Originally Posted by heavystarch

I strongly doubt VW bring the R400 stateside. When has VW ever brought very limited special editions to the states? The VW Golf R will be the only fast VW hot hatch in the US market.

If anyone isn't happe with a 369Hp M2, I'm sure there will be a few tuning shops which can extract another 10% from the M2 with a "Stage I Tune"...so in the 405Hp range. Within 6-10 months after that it's likely there will be "Stage II" tunes that will get the M2 into the 440-450Hp range or possibly higher.

I'm going to do Euro Delivery on my M2...I wonder if I can get Atacama Yellow...

When BMW says 370 hp, it's more like 370 whp most of the time, which on a car that small (and hopefully as light as possible), I don't see how that's plenty. If it isn't, then it's time to get a car with an S55 or S63.

Unfortunately they don't do Individual for the 2er, so very much doubt you'll be able to get Atacama Yellow. I'm all for an Austin Yellow M2 though

[Cavpilot2k]

Originally Posted by Reedomn

Reports are indicating it will be faster, cheaper and a lower production car than the M2. Reminds me of the 1M.

It's not so much that the Golf series are ugly, per se - VW is just lazy with design, and always has been. Nobody has ever accused VW of making a beautiful car. Take the Golf (and R400) for instance: It is a box with a tapered wedge attached to the front. There is no attempt at sculpting whatsoever. Look familiar to anyone?

[Delnari]

I think the upcoming M2 and R400 in a head-to-head competition will be fun and entertaining for sure. Judging by the run of the R400 on YouTube the new new M2 will have it's hands full. An AWD M2 might be needed to beat it.

[Groundpilot]

How can that car be r 400 in that video? Maybe you ment tuned Golf 6 R ?

[vladberca]

^It's a tuned version of the Golf VI R. With a great driver, for sure! We' re talking about stock versions, for tuning maybe the sky is the limit.

[Groundpilot]

Yeah, the rumor is, R400 will have at least 420 hp stock. Tuned version with bolt ons will be pushing 500 easily At 3,200 pounds with 4 wheel traction on wide slicks, this car will be a monster. It might replace my 135i. Lets just hope it will make it to the US

[heavystarch]

Originally Posted by W///

I'm all for an Austin Yellow M2 though

Austin Yellow is indeed a brilliant color and should show off the M2's lines nicely. Plus I do like the way the AY shifts in appearance as the lighting changes.


The VW R400 is a beast but I still wouldn't hold my breath for it. Of course it could end up a black swan like the 1M.

[heavystarch]

Originally Posted by Groundpilot

Yeah, the rumor is, R400 will have at least 420 hp stock. Tuned version with bolt ons will be pushing 500 easily At 3,200 pounds with 4 wheel traction on wide slicks, this car will be a monster. It might replace my 135i. Lets just hope it will make it to the US

From all the initial reports it seems it will be 395-400Hp from the factory.
This is pushing that 2.0L 4-banger pretty. 500Hp is certainly possible from this motor but probably not with simple bolt on parts. More likely any tunes coming out for this would be ECU tunes/piggy backs/whatever that would net 440Hp.

Here is a GIANT GRAIN OF SALT. These are needed with my comments.

[MDIVISION]

M2
Unless you're 22, then VW

[Alpine F31]

I was shocked to see the R400 at the LA Auto show. It looks bad ass and very well made, but it still looks more like a Golf than the mini super-car that it really is.

I asked the reps that were manning the VW booth if the car was going to be sold in the US. They said "at this time there are no plans to bring it to the US." They said the same thing about the new Golf R Sport Wagon, but I think that will be sold here.











All that being said, I'd take an M2 over an R400 no matter what the performance it has. The same way I got my son a used Z4 over a used GTi. The VW does nothing for me emotionally/visually.

[Jackie Chiles]

Considering that the M2 might be faster around many tracks than the M3/4, the R400 might have a hard time keeping up. Unless it's raining or snowing.

And that's the rub. Here in Upstate NY I'd prefer AWD, so the R400 might win over the M2, GT350, etc.

[ashburyn54]

It won't be hard for the m2 to reach 400whp. It's it's not hard now for the n55 and it will be easier in a year. Tune, dp, $1000 stock frame turbo, meth and or e85 mixture. (Assuming they use a similar DME that's already in use) N55's are already touching 500whp with a $400 piggy back, $2500 stock appearing turbo upgrade and some fueling tweaks for e50ish fuel.

[sth519]

I think it's great that VW is putting the R400 into production. They might even create an instant classic in the hot hatch world. I also think that it will be cheaper to buy, cheaper to run and probably be easier to drive fast than an M2.

But while the Golf probably won't be a one trick pony that only goes fast in a straight line, I still expect the power output to be the most defining feature of the car. The M2 will almost certainly have quite a different character and of course be more about handling and balance rather than (just) having the most horses under the bonnet.

Both will be fun and both have their place. Personally, I'm way more excited about the M2 at this point.

[Colinv6]

That is a sexy looking golf it has to be said...

[challer]

If only they offered the R400 in a four door. I'm keeping an eye on the EA888 engine. They've talked about putting it in a 4-door stretched TT called an Audi TT Sportback as well.

Any four cylinder that is in the three second club on a 0-60 is fine by me.

[wantm135i]

HELLO BMW BRING THE M135 HATCH TO THE US!!!!! HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO SAY THIS!!!!!!!
I will be at the dealer tomorrow, along with a lot of others. If somebody knows how i can bring one to the us now with out breaking the bank let me know if its even possible.

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by Artemis

The release of several interesting cars in 2015 is good news: it also helps in keeping the folks at the BMW M division sharp to come up with an M2 motoring marvel in 2015 Q4 that is bound to blow the competition out of the water.

+1

[vladberca]

I doubt that VW will release a Golf more powerful than the RS3. It's a nonsense!

[swifty]

I recently had a F30 328xi for a month, which is rear wheel biased compared to the fwd biased version of awd on the current Golf R or potentially in the R400. All I can say is that it was the most boring experience I ever had driving a car. It defn felt surefooted in the snow compared to m3 but it was impossible to tell when the power would be transferred to the front in the middle of a turn when I was trying to drift it in the snow. Plus understeer would rear it's head at any given time.

I've been looking forward to test driving the Golf R as the reviews have been amazing. However, now I'm not sure what to expect as I was considering it as a 2nd car. I'm hoping the R400 will have differentials similar to the new focus RS which enables it to be drifted easily. Even has a drift mode.

[Bimmed Out]

Originally Posted by W///

Most likely not even available in the US so no concern for me. I really do wish BMW would make a 1M hatchback and bring it here, I'd totally consider one.

as would i.