The massive success of Volkswagen’s Golf series convinced the German giants to release a new 2012 R model. This one is also a 3 or 5 door hatchback with 5 passenger seats, and it should powered by a 4 cylinder engine capable of producing 256 horsepower!

The new engine, a turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 2.0-litre 16-valve inline-4 engine with direct fuel injection delivers 256 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 243 lb-ft of torque at 2500 rpm. The engine powers an all-wheel drive system via a 6-speed manual transmission (with no option for an automatic one, sadly- Although it might be introduced in the future).

Acceleration is rated to 5.6 seconds to 60, which is pretty good, considering the BMW 535i gets it done in 5.7 seconds and costs on average 33 per cent more (Unless you buy a used car which has been used and abused with many owners). The top speed is set at 130 mph. The fuel economy will be of around 19 mpg in the city, and 27 mpg on the highway, which is not bad for the 3450 lb hatchback.

There will be 5 passenger seats available, arranged in a 2+3 system (as are all the Golfs, in our opinion all cars should follow suite!), so no change there. The exterior design is pretty much unchanged from previous models. Minor changes can be seen on the fascia and on the rear side.