We’ve known about Volkswagen’s plans to sell the hot Golf R in the States for a while now, but today, the German carmaker released pricing details on the heir to the 2004 and 2008 Golf R32 models, which will go on sale early next year.

The most powerful VW hatch sold on this side of the Atlantic will be offered in both three- and five-door body styles with prices starting from $33,900 *plus destination. Models equipped with sunroof and navigation will carry MSRPs of $35,490 (two-door) and $36,090 (four-door), not including destination and handling fees.

While the older Golf R32 models made use of 3.2-liter VR6 engines, the new ‘R’ hides a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine under its hood. In the States, it is rated at 256 horsepower (a 6HP increase over the VR6 fitted into the 2008 R32) and 243 lb-ft.

The N.A.-spec Golf R will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in less than six seconds with its top speed limited at 130mph (209km/h). For reference, the European model that is rated at 270HP and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft), completes the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 5.7 seconds (5.5″ with the DSG) and has a limited top speed of 250km/h (155mph).

The German company said it expects the Golf R to return an estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway compared with EPA estimated mileage of 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway for the 2008 Golf R32.

Power is transferred to all four wheels through a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox and VW’s 4Motion system with a Haldex clutch pack that continuously varies the amount of torque sent to the rear axle.

The Golf R also features a beefed up suspension and new vented 13.6-inch-diameter front and 12.2-inch rear discs (up from the GTI’s 12.3-inch-diameter vented front and 10.7-inch solid rear discs), along with 18-inch alloy wheels shod in 225/40 all-season performance tires.

Visually, the flagship Golf stands out from its more modest GTI sibling thanks to a new body kit that includes a more aggressively styled front bumper incorporating LED daytime running lights, and a new rear bumper with a diffuser and central-mounted tail pipes, plus a gloss black finish for the mirrors and brake calipers.

The R is available in five colors: Rising Blue, Candy White, Carbon Steel Gray, Black, and Tornado Red.

On the inside, there are “R” logos on the side sills, the new bucket seats, the shifter knob and the squared off sports steering wheel, plus blue pointers for the instruments.

Standard features across the range include Bi-Xenon headlights; dual-zone Climatronic air conditioning; cruise control; leather seating surfaces; aluminum pedals; Bluetooth technology and an speaker sound system with an in-dash six-CD changer, and more usefully for the…21st century, an auxiliary input jack along with an iPod adapter.

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