Friday 22nd May 2015

Golf R 400 and GTI Clubsport spotted

Golf R's supremacy looks in peril ... from an even faster Golf R and stripped out GTI Clubsport

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No disguises needed for these two test mules, the most interesting of which is probably the blue one. That's the much-desired Golf R 400, boasting - you guessed it! - 400hp according to Autocar. While the noise issuing from those four exhausts could hardly be called smooth, the warbling is not strong enough to suggest that VW has pried the 2.5 five-cylinder from under Audi's lock and key.

Half cage and Recaros for Clubsport

Under the skin it's more than likely a version of the EA888 four-cylinder, though one with a bigger oil cooler, revised turbo and plenty more poke. The most obvious external difference is the WRC-inspired fixed rear wing. Other changes include ever-so-slightly flared arches, wider wheels and bigger brakes with 'wavy' discs.

The red car is badged as a GTI, but also sports the same rear wing as the R 400, not to mention a half roll cage, with matching Recaro buckets and harnesses too. But the Pistenklause rumours are that the red car's safety additions are actually official options for the recently announced Clubsport Edition. And, best of all, that there's a mechanical limited-slip diff being talked about for the 265hp FWD hatchback. It's only a rumour, but it would make sense when this Golf is being pitched directly against the similarly track-spec'd Megane.

[Sources: Autocar]

 

[TartanPaint]

I'm not saying they're not, but has anyone managed to verify these are test mules? Autocar didn't provide any evidence that they weren't just customer's blinged-up 'ring toys, and most of what they write is p*sh anyway... I just wondered if PH turned anything up or just regurgitated Autocar's blurb?

Was it a manufacturer-only test day, or are the plates registered to VAG? Anything at all? Fingers crossed.

[TartanPaint]

andrewparker said:

Apparently it was spotted coming out the industry pool gate where prototypes go in and out, that and someone high up at VW said it was in testing at the 'ring at the moment.

Dale Lomas said:

Industry pool, Wolfsburg plates, plus a nice close-up-personal poke around the mules while drivers were busy doing something else

Woohoo!