With 296hp coming out of its 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, the VW Golf R is powerful enough for a (hot) hatchback. However, it appears that VW wants to squeeze more performance from its all-wheel-drive hot-hatch and the result of its efforts is rumored to debut at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show in April.

If the report from AutoExpress is accurate, the German carmaker will unveil a lighter, more powerful Golf R Evo at the Chinese venue. Quoting an inside source, the report said the car will be presented as a study, with a production model likely to follow.

While the standard Golf R’s four-pot engine produces 296 hp (300PS) and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) of torque, the Evo model should receive a small power increase. However, increased performance will mainly be due to weight-saving measures.

The Golf R Evo is said to ditch the rear seats and replace them with a roll-cage, use lighter bucket seats in the front and lighter alloy wheels, as well as a carbon fiber roof and body panels.

Since the standard Golf R tips the scales at 1,476 kg (3,254 lbs), it’s not hard to imagine it shedding 100 kg (220 lbs) of its curb weight, which would make the Golf R Evo as light as the Golf GTI, despite being much more powerful.

The same source said VW’s R GmbH performance division will roll out a more extensive range of performance parts within the next two years, including engine upgrades, bigger brakes and electronic assistance systems.

By Dan Mihalascu

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