VW to set up R Division

[Kev]

At the European driving event for the Volkswagen Golf R, company representatives confirmed that they would be setting up a new performance orientated division. Intended to compete with similar divisions at other automakers, an unnamed executive told Inside Line, "BMW has its M, Mercedes has AMG, and our sibling Audi has Quattro. This new R division will be our Quattro."

R GmbH, a limited liability company, will be set up inside the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg, Germany. In addition to representing the sportiest models in the VW range, it will be an expanded version of the VW Individual programme, which currently offers sporty add-on accessories and styling components under the R-Line brand in Europe. Some of these parts and accessories are currently available in North America through the VW GearStore, but it's only a small portion of the entire catalogue. It is not clear if the R-Line will be available worldwide.

The new company will sell the 266-horsepower Volkswagen Golf R, and the similarly-powered Volkswagen Scirocco R. The rumored Jetta R Sport would probably also be sold through the new company.

The division will be officially confirmed at the Volkswagen presentation during the Geneva Motor Show in March.

[raffoul232]

Fact the r-line (body kit and interior) is being sold here in the middle east at vw dealer. The scirocco-r on the other hand, wont be released in my country because the dealer told me : "no one will purchase it and it will be too expensive. Also why would people buy a front wheel drive car when they can get a fourwheel drive car at the same price (aka the golf r)" I got a bit pist but what can i do.....

[Kev]

Official now



Volkswagen R GmbH in the starting blocks

The Volkswagen R GmbH will be the specialist for sporty exclusive models from Volkswagen in the future. Volkswagen AG has bundled the responsibilities and competencies for development, implementations and sales of individualised vehicle offers into Volkswagen R GmbH. For example, its portfolio includes the two new top models, the Scirocco R and the Golf R as well as the dynamic R Line design packages and luxurious Volkswagen Exclusive items.

"Our vehicles contribute to the emotionalisation and growth of Volkswagen brand," explained Ulrich Riestenpatt gt. Richter, General Manager of Volkswagen R GmbH.

The company's name, Volkswagen R GmbH, responds to the increased global demand for individualised vehicles with contemporary sportiness and exclusivity. The sporty positioning will be reflected more intensely in the programme of Volkswagen R in the mid and long term. The company has its headquarters in Warmenau near Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen R GmbH employs a staff of more than 350.

[Chungster]

R Line Roc and Golf.

[stuaz]

Nice wheels me thinks.

[micke_011]

Nice wheels me thinks.

x2, only they should've offered them in 18" and perhaps 19" as well, at least they aren't an option over here.

[Luke]

So this is just a inbetween car? A GT with R engines, new wheels & a few new badges? Unless its significantly cheaper than the R I can't many people buying them. They should bring the polo into the mix & the passat surely.

[nd10]

Nice wheels me thinks.

x2, only they should've offered them in 18" and perhaps 19" as well, at least they aren't an option over here.

x3 on the wheels

[trix]

So this is just a inbetween car? A GT with R engines, new wheels & a few new badges? Unless its significantly cheaper than the R I can't many people buying them. They should bring the polo into the mix & the passat surely.

the R line is currently not available in the UK, article with specs here Passat R-line is included & as far as I can see it does not offer any power increase/different engine

the wheels are Mallory alloys & come in 18" (according to the above link)

[jammyd]

you can order the rear wing ( seen on last photo) from VW now, it is an option to spec it. thing is, it only comes primed to the dealer and you need to pay extra to get it sprayed!!!!

[b0rk]

So this is just a inbetween car? A GT with R engines, new wheels & a few new badges? Unless its significantly cheaper than the R I can't many people buying them. They should bring the polo into the mix & the passat surely.

R Line is just a trim level or option pack over in germany. The r-line option pack for a Scirocco is only 2500 euros making a Scirocco Sport 2.0 TSI (R-line) still some 5,000 euro cheaper than a proper Scirocco R.

Golf, Scirocco, Passat, Passat CC and Tiguan are available in r-line versions over in germany. The idea of offering a factory fitted "R" external bodykit / interior kit for normal models is actually quite clever and I'm suprised VWUK don't offer it, BMW after all seem to do very well selling M-SPORT packs for normal models.

[jammyd]

R Line is just a trim level or option pack over in germany. The r-line option pack for a Scirocco is only 2500 euros making a Scirocco Sport 2.0 TSI (R-line) still some 5,000 euro cheaper than a proper Scirocco R.

Golf, Scirocco, Passat, Passat CC and Tiguan are available in r-line versions over in germany. The idea of offering a factory fitted "R" external bodykit / interior kit for normal models is actually quite clever and I'm suprised VWUK don't offer it, BMW after all seem to do very well selling M-SPORT packs for normal models.

Audi Also sell the s-line packs very well