Golf R400 - M.I.A at Geneva ?
Discussion
I'll admit that I had to Google Golf R400 to see if it was worth looking at.
Got pictures of what appeared to be a silver 3 door Tdi with big wheels and twin fart cannons sticking out of the back.
So that's a "no" then.
I've seen other pictures of other manufacturers stands at Geneva and can't help feeling that if it had been there I'd have walked past it thinking it belonged to the guy who was there putting the carpet tiles in.
underwhelmed.
Got pictures of what appeared to be a silver 3 door Tdi with big wheels and twin fart cannons sticking out of the back.
So that's a "no" then.
I've seen other pictures of other manufacturers stands at Geneva and can't help feeling that if it had been there I'd have walked past it thinking it belonged to the guy who was there putting the carpet tiles in.
underwhelmed.
Golf Rs have long delivery times - 6 months is quite common currently. The R seems to be selling well despite this.
A dealer told me even a boggo polo is around that wait time currently.
The factory is meant to produce 3,800 cars a day, but is apparently struggling to do much over half that.
They've got problems with the MQB platform not being as versatile as they hoped, factory machinery and worker unions.
VW are also trying to improve their market share in the US and South America where thy are struggling and behind target.
All in this article: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/09/24/uk-volksw...
Far as I recall it was never promised and was just a prototype, like the W12 thing they hawked about a few years ago ? Yes this one drove, but it is probably just a mule with the prototype body panels. I doubt if the car they showed about was anywhere near production ready to the spec they quoted.
They might decide to put more effort in to the other markets than create a "uber golf". There is also the issue it could take the shine off of the new RS3 - built on the same platform, similar performance, probably a similar price ?
The other aspect is if the factory is struggling with output, adding a new variant with different tooling (body panels) is just another problem when they appear to have enough on their plate already.
If it does come I reckon they'll do it as a run out model for the last 18 months of the Mk7 lifecycle, by which time the threat to the RS3 will be lessened (i.e. anyone who wants one will have bought one) and the R will be 3+ years old, so they may tempt people to upgrade.
Maybe there is a small chance it will appear next year when the car gets its mid life facelift/refresh but I wouldn't count on it.
I'd be highly surprised if we see it this year, if ever.
A dealer told me even a boggo polo is around that wait time currently.
The factory is meant to produce 3,800 cars a day, but is apparently struggling to do much over half that.
They've got problems with the MQB platform not being as versatile as they hoped, factory machinery and worker unions.
VW are also trying to improve their market share in the US and South America where thy are struggling and behind target.
All in this article: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/09/24/uk-volksw...
Far as I recall it was never promised and was just a prototype, like the W12 thing they hawked about a few years ago ? Yes this one drove, but it is probably just a mule with the prototype body panels. I doubt if the car they showed about was anywhere near production ready to the spec they quoted.
They might decide to put more effort in to the other markets than create a "uber golf". There is also the issue it could take the shine off of the new RS3 - built on the same platform, similar performance, probably a similar price ?
The other aspect is if the factory is struggling with output, adding a new variant with different tooling (body panels) is just another problem when they appear to have enough on their plate already.
If it does come I reckon they'll do it as a run out model for the last 18 months of the Mk7 lifecycle, by which time the threat to the RS3 will be lessened (i.e. anyone who wants one will have bought one) and the R will be 3+ years old, so they may tempt people to upgrade.
Maybe there is a small chance it will appear next year when the car gets its mid life facelift/refresh but I wouldn't count on it.
I'd be highly surprised if we see it this year, if ever.
Ok, thanks for that Crafty, I am surprised at the 6 month wait for a Golf R. Blimey.
Seems a shame, since the R400 looked production ready almost a year ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knkdpgZOKAQ
Carl_Docklands said:
Ok, thanks for that Crafty, I am surprised at the 6 month wait for a Golf R. Blimey.
Seems a shame, since the R400 looked production ready almost a year ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knkdpgZOKAQ
It's not just the Golf R, it's most VW cars. GTDs are taking 5 - 6 months, my in-laws ordered a new Polo which they've been told will be a similar time.Seems a shame, since the R400 looked production ready almost a year ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knkdpgZOKAQ
Crafty_ said:
Golf Rs have long delivery times - 6 months is quite common currently. The R seems to be selling well despite this.
A dealer told me even a boggo polo is around that wait time currently.
The factory is meant to produce 3,800 cars a day, but is apparently struggling to do much over half that.
They've got problems with the MQB platform not being as versatile as they hoped, factory machinery and worker unions.
VW are also trying to improve their market share in the US and South America where thy are struggling and behind target.
All in this article: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/09/24/uk-volksw...
Far as I recall it was never promised and was just a prototype, like the W12 thing they hawked about a few years ago ? Yes this one drove, but it is probably just a mule with the prototype body panels. I doubt if the car they showed about was anywhere near production ready to the spec they quoted.
They might decide to put more effort in to the other markets than create a "uber golf". There is also the issue it could take the shine off of the new RS3 - built on the same platform, similar performance, probably a similar price ?
The other aspect is if the factory is struggling with output, adding a new variant with different tooling (body panels) is just another problem when they appear to have enough on their plate already.
If it does come I reckon they'll do it as a run out model for the last 18 months of the Mk7 lifecycle, by which time the threat to the RS3 will be lessened (i.e. anyone who wants one will have bought one) and the R will be 3+ years old, so they may tempt people to upgrade.
Maybe there is a small chance it will appear next year when the car gets its mid life facelift/refresh but I wouldn't count on it.
I'd be highly surprised if we see it this year, if ever.
I think you've confused the Golf R400 as being at the same level as the RS3. Surely the RS3 is the Audi equivalent of the normal Golf R? As the S3 is the same level as the Golf GTI etc...A dealer told me even a boggo polo is around that wait time currently.
The factory is meant to produce 3,800 cars a day, but is apparently struggling to do much over half that.
They've got problems with the MQB platform not being as versatile as they hoped, factory machinery and worker unions.
VW are also trying to improve their market share in the US and South America where thy are struggling and behind target.
All in this article: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/09/24/uk-volksw...
Far as I recall it was never promised and was just a prototype, like the W12 thing they hawked about a few years ago ? Yes this one drove, but it is probably just a mule with the prototype body panels. I doubt if the car they showed about was anywhere near production ready to the spec they quoted.
They might decide to put more effort in to the other markets than create a "uber golf". There is also the issue it could take the shine off of the new RS3 - built on the same platform, similar performance, probably a similar price ?
The other aspect is if the factory is struggling with output, adding a new variant with different tooling (body panels) is just another problem when they appear to have enough on their plate already.
If it does come I reckon they'll do it as a run out model for the last 18 months of the Mk7 lifecycle, by which time the threat to the RS3 will be lessened (i.e. anyone who wants one will have bought one) and the R will be 3+ years old, so they may tempt people to upgrade.
Maybe there is a small chance it will appear next year when the car gets its mid life facelift/refresh but I wouldn't count on it.
I'd be highly surprised if we see it this year, if ever.
Swanny87 said:
I think you've confused the Golf R400 as being at the same level as the RS3. Surely the RS3 is the Audi equivalent of the normal Golf R? As the S3 is the same level as the Golf GTI etc...
Nope. RS3 will be 40k 370hp. A golf r is 30k, 300hp. Not comparable.
R400 wold be RS3 money or close to it. Main difference will be 5 pot vs 4.
S3 is 300hp and 30k ergo rivals the golf r
All of those are 4wd.
Golf gti is 26 or so ? 220-230hp and only fwd. Does not compare in any way to the s3. Its main rival is the focus ST.
The golf gti is just a "warm" hatch and has been for years.
andrewparker said:
R400 > RS3
R > S3
Don't know if Audi have a natural competitor to the GTI.
it could be the R600 and it would still sound naff compared to the RS3 R > S3
Don't know if Audi have a natural competitor to the GTI.
its classic VAG vapour ware
every year they (and most manufacturers) trot out x number of cars that they have no intention of making just for some mag cover shots
i am still waiting for my golf W16 to be delivered
the a1 club sport with 500bhp RS3/TT engine
the audi tt420
the audi quattro
the a3 club sport quattro
R8 etron
etc etc etc etc etc
Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Thursday 5th March 13:06
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff