VW Prices 292HP Golf R from $36,595* in the US; No Manual Gearbox

I don’t know whether this will help you get over the disappointment of VW not bringing the Golf R Variant to the United States, but the automaker has just announced pricing for the Golf R hatchback.

The first batch of 500 Golf R models can be pre-ordered, with prices starting from $36,595 (plus $820 destination). With 292hp from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the VW Golf R is the fastest and most powerful Golf ever to be sold in the United States.

Mated to a standard six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, the engine allows the Golf R to sprint from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 4.9 seconds, with top speed rated at 155 mph (250 km/h).

Compared to the previous model, the new VW Golf R has 36 horsepower and 37 pound-feet (50 Nm) of torque more. However, it is considerably more fuel-efficient, with an EPA estimated highway fuel economy rating of 30 mpg (7.8 l/100 km) with the six-speed DSG transmission, up from 27 mpg (8.7 l/100 km) for the previous, manual-transmission model.

The Golf R has a permanent four-wheel drive system, the latest version of the 4Motion system with a fifth-generation Haldex coupling. The car also features a new sport suspension, progressive variable-ratio steering, and a stability control system (“ESC Sport”) which can be deactivated for track driving. Other highlights include the optional DCC adaptive damping system.

Standard equipment includes Bi-Xenon headlights with newly designed LED daytime running lights and four chrome exhaust tips. Inside, the Golf R features sport seats with leather seating surfaces, a leather-wrapped three-spoke sport steering wheel, ambient lighting, R-specific instrumentation, 5.8-inch touchscreen radio with SiriusXM Satellite radio, ambient lighting, Media Device Interface (MDI) with iPhone connectivity and Climatronic dual-zone automatic air conditioning, among other things.

The VW Golf R will arrive in U.S. dealerships in the first quarter of 2015 in four-door form only and initially will be available only with the DSG transmission.

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