R GmbH, Volkswagen's wholly owned performance and accessory subsidiary, is planning a growth strategy that will see it develop new, more extreme performance and racing versions of Volkswagen's production cars. Executive Director, Ulrich Riestenpatt gt. Richter, says the R brand will be more prominent in the future, with an expanded model line-up and more accessories and customisation from its Exclusive division.
At the new Golf R launch he discussed the possibility of a new Polo R, a four-wheel drive model utilising the same EA888 TSI engine of the new Golf R and its GTI relation. In the Polo R it would ideally deliver between 240- and 250hp, giving Volkswagen's WRC racer a credible road car relation. The four-wheel drive system would mean a redesigned rear suspension system, though the company is currently assessing prototypes for production. Should it reach production Riestenpatt says no more than 5,000 of the high-end Polo would be produced.
R GmbH's staff are bullish about their new products, with Riestenpatt suggesting the Golf R is on a par with Porsche's previous generation 997 Carrera as a driving experience. Indeed Porsche's Matthias Muller has, along with other VAG heads, been assessing R GmbH's proposed new models, which may also include an R version of the Beetle. R GmbH staff also made no secret of their desire for an even more focused Golf R product, an evolution model featuring less mass - through carbon fibre body parts and removal of interior trim and equipment - allied to a slight hike in engine output and a more powerful braking package.
Anything else?
Riestenpatt likens R's place in the Volkswagen portfolio as similar to Audi's quattro GmbH, something he's familiar with, having been central to the R8 and Gallardo programs when working with both Audi and Lamborghini. He describes R as being in its fourth year of a seven-year cycle, the full spectrum of the subsidiary's plans being revealed in the next three years. A wider choice of performance parts for existing cars, as well as R-Line styling kits - much like Audi's S line trim - will be offered, while any vehicle in the Volkswagen portfolio could be in line for the R treatment. The Polo is the next obvious choice, but if R really does follow the model of Audi's quattro GmbH any model could be considered. We rather like the sound of an R version of the up! here, though with four-wheel drive central to the division's philosophy it's not very likely.