Volkswagen Cancels Golf R400 As Budgets Tighten From Dieselgate

Volkswagen two years ago teased a 395-hp derivative of the Golf R in concept form at the Beijing auto show, and later, then-r&d chief Heinz-Jakob Neusser confirmed it was heading toward production.

He even hinted at more power to be squeezed out of the 2.0-liter four. But after Neusser was forced to step down in the wake of the diesel emissions scandal last fall, the high-horsepower Golf R400 was canceled, according to company insiders.

The sources say Audi is still working on the ultrahigh-performance version of the EA888 engine that was supposed to power the Golf R400, and it likely will be offered in future Audi models.

TomM - 4/26/2016 1:48:40 PM

+1 Boost

This makes sense. A 400hp VW - where VW is the tainted brand in the USA - would probably not sell as well as an AUDI with 400HP.

MDarringer - 4/26/2016 8:05:26 PM

+1 Boost

The durability/reliability issues would have been massive. Besides the Audi Golfs (A3/TT) can be given the powertrain for more $$.