On the 5th of July, Autometrix got Volkswagen to display the R400 on the stand, next to the XL1 Sport covered >>here<<. I took a few pictures of the R400 and can share here. The beast in its glory. The 400ps/450Nm EA888 powerplant with its unique engine cover. Unique front bumper with functional vents to supply airflow to the various coolers required by the engine or HVAC as well as direct air to the brakes. For those into aero, Volkswagen has done their homework with this functional carbon fibre front splitter. 19th alloys shod in R888 rubber to displaying meatier front multi pot calipers. Carbon fibre wing mirrors as a nice compliment or expensive replacement if knocked off by a cyclist! Rear bumper is also unique to this car and ends with...you guessed it...a carbon fibre diffuser. The specs of the car and engine. As a comparison, the very fast MK2 Focus RS 500, with its 5 cylinder engine develops 460Nm (340lbft) from 2500 to 4500rpm and thereafter torque falls to achieve and maximum horsepower of 350bhp@6000rpm. The Merc AMG A45 with similar 4 cylinder powertrain technology develops 450Nm (332lbft) from 2250- 5000rpm and torque falls to the maximum power of 360bhp@6000rpm. This Golf R 400 pushes the acceleration envelope over its competitors by extending the torque of 450Nm from 2400 to 6000rpm, no doubt using the optimized lift system on the exhaust cam. Torque drops off slowly until the 397bhp (388Nm left) peaks at 7200rpm. I am not a fan of this 4 cylinder engine, but I have to admit the competition must feel like an 'Mk2 Golf 8v' compared to this car If we hear more about this car or anymore details of the R420 etc, be assured more will be posted here.
R400 and R420 power and torque plots estimated. It is believed the R400 concept will turn into a R420 production vehicle. Using the 4 cylinder EA888 engine to deliver this task should not be hard. Why you say, well Volkswagen's Audi group has already done it in... This, the TT 420 concept or 414bhp (420ps)@6700rpm. Max torque is the same as the R400 but hangs on to 6300rpm and has a slow drop as the revs climb. I have compared plots with the data reported to demonstrate where the benefit of the 420ps engine would be. This looks like a very good case of ECU tuning to tweak the boost control to run the turbo harder in the 6000-6700rpm range. Time would tell what the offical curve looks like.
Not that we have heard. They made it an R420 now and should be done 2015/2016 https://www.carthrottle.com/post/qkVmD7/
In light of the emission crisis Volkswagen finds themselves, I believe all non essential projects have been put on hold and more focus put on producing profitable products.
I like the yellow details, sets things very apart from the red or the blue. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I learned that the production of the Golf 7 400/420 R is put on hold due to the resignation of Volkswagen research-and-design boss Dr Heinz-Jakob Neusser. The wait for one, in the hands of a eager enthusiast, just got longer!
