Why the Golf R 400 Should Remain a Concept

"Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)" (thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 12:23 • Filed to: VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R 400, VOLKSWAGEN UP, VW, GOLF, UP, DRIVING SPIRIT

It's cool, isn't it? Aggressive, angular, and quite literally ready to go, this is the ultimate beefed up Volkswagen Golf, the angry new "Concept" R 400. However quick, and however cool it may be though, it isn't the concept car Volkswagen should be looking to release.

Volkswagen already have another concept car stashed in their locker and ready to go; a "warm" version of their Up city car. Rumours have been flying around since 2012 that Volkswagen were going to release a spicier version of the little Up, with the plan being to badge it as an "Up GT". Boosted by a turbo charged version of its current 1.0l 3-cylinder engine, it would comfortably produce over 100bhp. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , but it was unfortunately held back due to Volkswagen's concerns about the lack of a market for the car. If there isn't market for an Up GT, how on earth is there one for a boosted Golf with flashy yellow trim?

Allow me to cast your mind back to the car above, VAG's last crazy hatchback; !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . This was a car limited to a production run of 333 models costing £41,000. At the time there was no other hot A1 models, so this was an exciting, yet very exclusive little car. The A1 Quattro's purpose was surely to inspire the new Audi S1, and inspire it did. The Golf R 400 however is not in a position to breed a whole new car as we already have the Golf GTi and the standard Golf R. I think it's probably fair to assume the R 400 will cost around the same as the A1 Quattro did, so who and what is it actually for?

I can't claim I know the answer to that particular question, but I can say that I find it very hard to believe that there is more of a market for an R 400 than there is an Up GT. The Up is a truly fantastic car to drive in its standard form, never mind a sportier variant, and trust me when I say this; an Up GT is a new Mk.1 Golf GTi just waiting to happen. Lightweight, stylish, and imbued with an immensely positive and joyous driving spirit, I have no doubts that it would reignite that sacred but slowly dying philosophy of "slow car fast".

I fully believe that the Up GT is the concept car that Volkswagen should really be looking to release. It's a reigniting of a philosophy, and a rejuvenation of the spirit found in the original Golf GTI; the simplistic joy of driving. The R 400 will no doubt be blisteringly quick, but at the same time it will be overpriced and lacking any real character or emotion.

Many motorists are now crying out for something a little bit different, and they have what they want waiting in the wings. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and I really hope it does, because we all reminisce about those old classics, and the Up GT could bring that all back to life.

About me: I'm a writer for !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and you can follow me on twitter @Jonny___X. You can also drop me an e-mail at jonny@drivingspirit.com . Finally, t hanks for reading!

DISCUSSION (35)

Saracen > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 12:27

As an R owner, would not upgrade to an R400. There would be some serious diminishing returns in regards to how much more you're going to pay over the Golf R for the extra performance.

With my how much I drive my warranty expired in less than 18 months. I would just get a Golf R and Stage 2+ within a year, upgrade the pads, VWR springs and you're good to go. Or get a CPO'd TT-RS and enjoy five cylinder turbo noises.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 12:30

The up is smaller than a Fiesta right? More like a Smart or iQ? Also they shouldn't make it because it would be faster than my WRX (but also more $$)

Übel > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 12:30

You could have just as easily made the same claim about the original R32 being just a boosted GTI, but that's done pretty well. Considering the propensity of VW owners to drive their cars off the lot and straight to their nearest APR dealership, I think the 400 will do just fine.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/25/2014 at 12:31

Yes, the Up is a very small car indeed. Very light, but immensely good fun even though it doesn't have much output. Full of spirit!

Gamecat235 > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 12:31

...

<.<

>.>

Wut?

I can't envision a world where I would discourage an automaker from making an even more amazing version of their hot hatch, regardless of the price.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Übel
04/25/2014 at 12:32

I could, and I would have. I wasn't writing back then though.

Übel > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 12:34

I think you entirely missed the point of my post.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Gamecat235
04/25/2014 at 12:34

The current Golf R isn't amazing as it is. In terms of speed, it was even beaten by the 280bhp Seat Cupra in a track test not long ago.

Would you pay £40,000+ for a Golf? Think about it.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Übel
04/25/2014 at 12:35

I did? Please spell it out for me...

Übel > Übel
04/25/2014 at 12:36

Gamecat235 > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 12:37

Would I? No. Would many others? I'm assuming so, seeing as how the Golf R variants all seem to sell just fine. And they aren't exactly pinnacles of performance. (Which is not what they are truly designed for, they fall into a niche of hot hatch grand tourers it seems, which is a strange market, but people buy them).

dogisbadob > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 12:37

Too bad VW doesn't sell any of them over here :(

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Gamecat235
04/25/2014 at 12:40

Very strange market indeed. I can understand people buying a standard Golf R, I myself would look at one. I drive a Skoda vRS which is the new Golf GTI in a Czech dress, but when you start entering this kind of price bracket, it becomes a bit silly. It's a Golf.

I'm absolutely certain they'd sell a lot more Up GT's, purely because they hark back to the "good old days" of fun, spirited driving.

By the way, if you haven't driven an Up yet, go and do it! You'll see what I mean.

Übel > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 12:47

In your third paragraph, you're claiming that the 400 won't succeed because it's just an even faster, more expensive Golf R, which you claim there is no market for. However, a parallel situation occurred with the original R32, which was just an even faster, more expensive GTI, and yet it was still a success.

Additionally, there is already a VERY large aftermarket for people who want to spend money to make their golf faster, therefore it would stand to reason that there would be at least some market for a Volkswagen designed and built super Golf.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Übel
04/25/2014 at 12:53

Certainly, there is a very large aftermarket. Can't argue with you there. You have a valid point.

£40,000 is Cayman money. I think if you start stretching into that territory then you're going to struggle. Also, a Volkswagen Golf just isn't worth £40,000 and I'm assuming that this is going to be the price for an R 400 (although we really don't know yet) as the A1 Quattro was around that mark.

The R 400 is a step in the wrong direction for me, and I really don't think they will sell. I see your point though. It remains to be seen which of us is correct of course!

KnowsAboutCars > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 13:21

The R 400 could work as a limited production model a la Focus RS 500 but if VW is expecting that thousands of people are willing to buy + £40k Golf they will be disappointed. Also, the Up! GT will remain just a concept? Now I am disappointed.

mazdaspeed2 > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 13:27

Yay for slow car fast!! I completely agree 100%. I am currently in the (very long) process of converting my Mazda 2 into a Mazdaspeed 2! I would like to give it like 30 more hp from a turbo, but realistically my power gain mods will probably begin and end with a short ram intake. When I am done it may take a long time to get to speed, but it will go around a corner very quickly.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > KnowsAboutCars
04/25/2014 at 13:32

I think it's going to have to be limited production, because people just aren't going to walk into a Volkswagen dealership and handover £40k for a Golf. They just won't.

There's still hope for the Up GT, but we've now been waiting years for that release. It really is a Mk.1 Golf waiting to be reborn, it would be madness not to release it.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > mazdaspeed2
04/25/2014 at 13:33

Slow car fast is a much more enjoyable approach to motoring! Good luck with the conversion, you'll love it when it's done!

mazdaspeed2 > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 13:39

Thank you! It will probably be a project that is never really done, but I probably won't be able to call it a Mazdaspeed 2 for another 4 years or so. I will share with everyone here once it is mostly done.

Nibbles > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 13:49

They should call it the Up Yours

Saracen > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 15:40

I didn't pay £40,000 for mine.

I paid £18,920 for it (well, in actuality 31,800 yankee dollars)

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Saracen
04/25/2014 at 16:21

Oh yes, depending on which generation Golf R you have that sounds about right. I was estimating the price of the R 400, using the A1 Quattro as a reference point.

I'm afraid I only understand English £'s, although my girlfriend will teach me $'s in time I'm sure, and she's American!

Saracen > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 16:53

It's a MKVI Golf R, bought brand new.

Justino6969 > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 16:56

Kinja'd!!!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Justino6969
04/25/2014 at 17:17

Thank you! I'll stay focused on the excellent point bit if you don't mind...

Howdy Harrell > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/25/2014 at 20:28

I would/ will buy this car as my next car if i get the opportunity to. So yes.

Axial > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/26/2014 at 03:55

Let's say the Golf R400 costs $45,000 and I'm in the market for a $45,000 new car. That money can get me into Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Camaro, etc. However, luxury means absolutely nothing to me. I don't give a flip about how cushy the ride is when I am not ragging on the car, I don't need unnecessary motorization of simple features, I don't need mood lighting, and I certainly don't need the badge.

What I do need is a car that looks the way I want it to look. This Golf R400? Yeah, it looks like a car I would want to own; bear in mind that I generally don't like hatchbacks. What I love about this car is the highlighter yellow accents against the grey base and the carbon fibre pieces inside and out. The only way to make this better is to use the Scirocco as a base. What's more, it's a properly fast car with 400 HP. This is what I think the modern hot-hatch should be.

So yes, I did just say I would buy this car for the looks.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Howdy Harrell
04/26/2014 at 04:47

Fair play! I'm sure you'll enjoy it, full review when you get it please!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Axial
04/26/2014 at 04:57

Nothing wrong with buying a car for the looks. If you're looking at the inside of the doors , I have those "carbon fibre" parts on the inside of my Skoda vRS on the doors and dash. I'd be very surprised if they changed them all for the real thing.

I'm with you on the luxury thing, it doesn't mean as much to me as feel and that hard to define excitement you get in a car. I do like the way the R400 looks too, it's cool. I just think it's the wrong choice of concept to release. It'll have to be a limited production run I think.

I'm afraid I'll have to disagree with you on the modern hot hatchback point. A hot hatch should be great fun, practical, and affordable. The R 400 will no doubt tick the first two boxes, but if it does come in at £40k+ (which it may not, we still have to see) then it's becomes almost a new genre of car (providing its not limited production). Superhatch? We'll have to work on a name...

Antonio Pereira Dias > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/26/2014 at 05:04

johny if you think slow motoring is more fun then that alone explains why you shouldn't be writing about cars. There can be nothing more exciting than a small hot hatch 2.0 with 400bhp to disrupt even further the market. You re talking about VW's UP? Please not in this thread

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Antonio Pereira Dias
04/26/2014 at 10:37

Firstly, you don't know a lot about me. You also don't know what I've driven and what I aim for personally in a car. So to say I shouldn't be a writer on the basis of one article where I speculate about concept cars going into production is absolutely ridiculous.

Antonio, the point of this article was to say that I (my opinion) believe there is more of a market for an Up GT than there is a Golf R 400. Obviously I'm speculating about the price of the R 400, but as a writer typing out an opinion piece, I'm well within my right to do so.

For the record, I drive a Skoda Octavia vRS. That's a current Golf GTI in a Czech jacket. I'm on my local dealers list to be contacted about the current Golf R. I love hot hatches.

You also spelt my name wrong! It's Jonny. It comes from the Hebrew name 'Jonathan'.

Axial > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
04/26/2014 at 14:58

I've always been a dissenting opinion on what makes a hot-hatch. There are just so many hot-hatches running around with ~200 HP inline-4 engines today that, to me, it sort of dilutes the category. I know that these cars are still hotter than the regular versions of the platforms they are built on but still. To me, "hot" has the connotation of being barely contained and I guess that's where I really take issue; a GTI is hardly bursting at the seams in any fashion.

As for the carbon fibre, I'm just looking at all of it. Dash, doors, steering wheel, front fascia. It doesn't have to be actual carbon-fibre to me, I just like how it looks.

I'm not sure if I think the Golf R400 is the right concept to release, but I don't think it's necessarily a bad move, either. The thing with VW is that their cars are so modular that it seems like any mostly-finished concept like this that they release is not going to be too expensive to tool up for. Between you and me, though, I wouldn't mind VW dropping this in favour of the Up GT if Subaru's WRX had turned out like the concept. That car was amazing.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Axial
04/26/2014 at 16:43

I'm totally feeling you on the Subaru WRX... that was a missed opportunity by Subaru for me.

I like the look of it too, it's bloody cool. Fake or real doesn't matter to me, I actually hope VW keep it fake on the R 400 as it keeps the costs down if anything. It won't make any difference with weight after all.

Personally, I'd like to see a greater number of "hot hatches" come back down to the Fiesta ST price bracket. Affordable performance is important for car culture as a whole, and this worrying trend of £25k+ hot hatchbacks looks to be never ending. But, that's just me!

iamstucklockedout > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
05/02/2014 at 21:45

The mk4 r32 was awd purity and neither the of its successors have been as good