Volkswagen is teasing us again with the VW Golf R Wagon (or Variant in Europe) to be revealed at the 2014 LA Auto Show. Actually, VW is trying to judge interest in the United States for such a car. The company is already bringing the 2015 Golf R stateside next year. So why not bring this powerful and upscale all-wheel-drive wagon (or SportWagen) as well?
Propulsion comes from the same 2.0L turbocharged engine that is the Golf R hatch. It makes 296 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800 rpm. The 6-speed DSG automatic does the shifting and sends the power to all wheels via the latest 4Motion system.
The SportWagen is currently sold under the Jetta nameplate and is very popular in the diesel TDI version. The Golf R SportWagen would bring all the utility of a small crossover with the capability of all-wheel-drive and performance of 296 horses. Sounds like a winning equation as long as the price can be controlled and close to the Golf R hatch.
It goes on sale in Europe in the spring of 2015.
Check out this fun and informative TFLcar Brand Spankin New drive video of the 2014 VW GTI.
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, writer, reporter, and software engineer. He has been a contributor at TFL since 2011.