We've been patiently awaiting details on the new 2014 VW Golf->ke164 R and in the process, we've caught it testing many times. While the looks of the new Golf R were really no mystery, what it would carry under its hood was still up for a little speculation, though most of us had it pegged as a 300-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-pot.

The mystery is now over, as Volkswagen->ke94 has chosen to reveal a large amount of the details on the 2014 Golf R just before its world debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Surprisingly, we are even more impressed than we thought we would be, as the new Golf R is not only more powerful and much faster, but it is also 18 percent more effective than last year's model.

This all-new Golf R is definitely well set to do battle with other hot hatches, like the 2014 Focus ST and the 2014 Mazdaspeed3.

Updated 8/20/2013: This article has been updated to include all of the recently released details on the 2014 Golf R.

Click past the jump to read about the 2014 Golf R

volkswagen-golf-r

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: volkswagen-golf-r
Pros
Cons

2014 Volkswagen Golf R

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Volkswagen Golf R
  • Engine/Motor: flat-4
  • Horsepower: 296
  • Torque: 280
  • Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

On the outside, the Golf R is basically what we expected. It is available in a two- or four-door format and features the same overall shape and size as the base Golf hatchback. Up front, the Golf R distinguishes itself via a more aggressive front bumper with large air intakes, a modified grille with an "R" logo on it, all-new daytime running lamps in a dual-"U" shape and standard bi-xenon headlights.

From the side, the R features carry on with body-color skirts, "R" emblems on the front fenders and matte chrome cap on the side-view mirrors that help set it apart from all other Golfs on the road. A flashy set of 18-inch alloy wheels also do their part to make the Golf R a sportier hatch than its base sibling.

Around back -- the view that most other hatchbacks will view this model -- the Golf R includes a set of smoked LED taillights for a more sinister look, an ominous "R" badge, an "R" diffuser to reduce lift and a quartet of chrome exhaust tips humming the four-bangers revvy tone.

Buyers can choose from a color palette that includes eight body colors, including: "Lapis Blue Metallic (exclusive to the Golf R)", "Pure White", "Tornado Red", "Night Blue", "Limestone Grey Metallic", "Reflex Silver Metallic", "Deep Black Pearl Effect" and "Oryx White."

Interior

Volkswagen didn't release any images of the new Golf R's interior, but it did let us in on some basic information. It features a set of sport seats with "Titan Black" cloth centers and "Crystal Grey" Alcantara bolsters. Also included are R-specific gauges with blue needles.

The three-spoke R steering wheel is wrapped in leather and its lower croosbar features an "R" logo.

the optional Nappa-carbon leather package covers the outer seat surfaces, inner side support panels and head restraints in "Carbon" Nappa leather, which the buyer can choose between "Anthracite" or "Modern Grey" Nappa leather on the middle seat panels.

In terms of bumps and navi, VW has you covered. The Golf R comes standard with a 5-inch touchscreen, with optional 5.8- and 8-inch screens available. The optional screens make use of proximity sensors to automatically switch between display and input modes.

Drivetrain

The drivetrain is where it's really at for the 2014 Golf R, as it features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 296 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque delivered between 1,800 and 5,500 rpm.

When you open the hood, this engine may look familiar, as it is essentially the same EA888 TSI engine found in the GTI, but to milk the extra ponies, VW had to do some modifications. These mods include modified cylinder heads, exhaust valves, valve seats, springs, pistons, injectors and turbocharger.

This powerplant comes standard with 4MOTION all-wheel drive, a six-speed manual transmission and cross differential lock that allows it to sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.3 seconds -- 0.4 seconds faster than last year's model -- in its base format. With the optional six-speed DSG gearbox, the sprint time drops to 4.9 seconds. Volkswagen electronically limited the Golf R's top speed to 155 mph.

On top of being lightning fast, the Golf R is also rather thrifty, pulling down an average combined fuel economy of 39.8 mpg in its base setup and 40.9 mpg with the DSG transmission. Helping it achieve these mpg numbers is the Haldex system that decouples the rear axle under light load or when coasting. Additionally, the Golf R turns in an emissions rating of just 159 g of CO2 per km.

Also a part of the Golf R is a Driving Profile Selector, which has four settings: "Eco," "Normal," "Individual" and "Race." The "Race" mode stiffens the dampers and changes the shift points of the optional DSG transmission for a sportier feel. The "Individual" setting allows you to fine-tune each variable to your liking. In "Eco" mode, the A/C, and other components are tweaked for maximum fuel economy.

Drivetrain Specifications:

Engine

2.0-Liter TSI Turbocharged Four-Cylinder

Drive

4MOTION AWD

Output (HP @ RPM)

296 @ TBD

Torque (Ft-Lbs @ RPM)

280 @ TBD

Acceleration (0-62 mph)

5.3 Sec. (4.9 Sec. w/ DSG transmission)

Top Speed

155 MPH (Limited)

Fuel Economy (MPG) (City/Highway/Combined)

TBD/TBD/34


Suspension and Brakes

Under the skin, the Golf R rides atop specially tuned shocks and springs that lower its ride height by 0.8 inches when compared to the standard Golf. Also included is progressive steering that allows the model to go from lock to lock in only 2.1 turns of the wheel.

Buyers can also opt for Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) to allow them to customize the ride for their driving style by selecting "Comfort," "Normal," or "Sport" mode. Effectively, this system stiffens and softens the dampers, depending on the selection. .

On the corners, the Golf R's 18-inch wheels are wrapped in 225/40R18 tires and the stopping power is courtesy of black-painted calipers that squeeze 30-by-340 mm (1.18-by-13.4-inch) ventilated discs up front and 22-by-310 mm (0.87-by-12.2-inch) vented discs out back.

Pricing

The prices are still an unknown yet, but they will be revealed soon. We do expect the new Golf R to check in above $30k and it will hit dealers in the fourth quarter of 2013. In Germany, the Golf R will come in at €38,325.

Competition

2014 Ford Focus ST

The Focus comes in underpowered -- for once -- with only 252 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque coming from its 2.0-liter engine. This puts the Ford at 5.9 seconds to 60 mph and at a top speed of 154 mph.

Though the Focus may be slower, it is no doubt cheaper than the Golf R at a base price of $24,115.

2014 Mazdaspeed3

Though there is no confirmation of a Mazdaspeed variant of the new Mazda3, we do assume that there will be one. If it does makes its way into the lineup, we expect to see the same 2.3-liter turbocharged engine, but with its power tweaked to nearly 300 horsepower. This should make the Mazdaspeed3 more competition than the Focus ST and it will still be a few thousand dollars less than the VW.

Some rumors are pointing to the Mazdaspeed3 using a 200-horsepower version of its 2.0-liter SKYACTIV engine, but we can't see Mazda tarnishing the growing Mazdaspeed name by going all "Honda Civic Si" on it...

Conclusion

The initial specifications and details sound like sweet music to our ears. We still have yet to see the U.S.pricing, but a €38,325 base price in its home market means that it'll be well over $30k in the U.S.