First pictures of the new Volkswagen Golf R 400 concept car that is slated to make its world debut at the Beijing motor show, later this week, have been revealed.

 

Volkswagen has confirmed that the Golf R 400 is an extreme version of the Golf R hatchback. The main upgrade on the new car is a significant power boost, taking power up to 395bhp. The four-wheel drive Golf R 400 will reach 100kph in just 3.9 seconds, over a second faster than the standard Golf R, and has a top speed of 280kph.

 

The car is expected to use the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as the Golf R, though with significant tuning and an electro-mechanical Haldex multi-plate clutch. VW says the Golf R 400 will get a DSG transmission.

 

VW has also added new body and bumper elements as well as flared wheel-arches – a nod to the 1988 Rallye Golf G60, says the firm – new alloy wheels and an upgraded interior which features motorsport-grade seats and head restraints.

 

The R 400 is painted with special silver metallic paint with contrasting yellow stripes, which are echoed in the interior stitching. The R 400 is the most potent version of the Mk7 Golf since the V6-powered Vision GTI concept.

 

VW insiders have told Autocar UK that the new model could weigh as little as 1400kg thanks to the use of carbon-fibre body panels and its stripped-out interior.

Volkswagen says the Golf R 400 is purely a concept car at this stage, with no plans of putting it into production.