Trevor Ng
The Volkswagen Golf R400 is a powerful, three-door hatchback with a unique design and impressive performance capabilities. With a top speed of 174 mph and the ability to reach 62 mph in just 3.9 seconds, the Golf R400 is significantly faster than its predecessor, the Golf R. While there were initial plans for a limited production run, it is unclear how many were actually manufactured due to challenges Volkswagen faced at the time. The R400's distinct features, such as its widened fenders, carbon fibre elements, and neon yellow accents, set it apart from other Golf models. Despite its promise, the Golf R400 ultimately did not come to fruition, leaving enthusiasts with a sense of disappointment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Production | The Volkswagen Golf R400 was confirmed for production in 2021. |
| Engine | Powered-up version of the Golf R's turbocharged 2.0-liter direct injection four-cylinder gasoline engine, the EA888. |
| Horsepower | 395-400 horsepower. |
| Top speed | 173-174 mph. |
| Acceleration | 0-60 mph in 3.7-3.9 seconds. |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual gearbox. |
| Drive | 4Motion all-wheel drive. |
| Weight | 1420 kg (3130 lbs), 123 lbs lighter than the Golf R. |
| Interior | Racing bucket seats with openings for five-point harnesses and "R" embroidery. Neon yellow signature trim colour. |
| Exterior | Aggressive stance with widened fenders, carbon fibre wing spoiler, twin exhaust outlets, and yellow trim highlights. |
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What You'll Learn
Volkswagen Golf R400 production
The Volkswagen Golf R400 was initially unveiled as a concept car at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show. It was a more powerful version of the Golf R, with a turbocharged 2.0-litre direct injection four-cylinder petrol engine producing 395 bhp and 332 lb-ft of torque. This engine, known internally as the EA888, was also used in other powerful vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG and Audi's TT Quattro Sport Concept.
The Golf R400 featured aggressive styling, including widened fenders, carbon fibre exterior mirror housings, a carbon fibre wing spoiler, and vertical ducts for extracting hot air from the wheel houses. It had a top speed of 173-174 mph and could accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds. Despite the initial enthusiasm and the concept being production-ready, the R400 project was ultimately ditched due to the "Dieselgate" scandal, which led to significant cost-cutting measures at Volkswagen.
However, in 2021, Volkswagen Group head of powertrain development, Dr Heinz-Jakob Neusser, confirmed that the Golf R400 was back in development and would be produced. This announcement came six months after reports emerged suggesting a production version was being considered. The production model was rumoured to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September of that year or roll off the assembly line in early 2016.
The Volkswagen Golf R400 was expected to be a limited-run, high-performance hatchback, with a powerful 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. It was rumoured that the car's name would be changed from R400 to Golf R420, indicating an increase in horsepower to 210 hp per litre. The R400's distinct features included neon yellow trim, true racing bucket seats, and plastic air vanes on the wheels to cool its bigger brakes.
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R400 engine power
The Volkswagen Golf R400 was a concept car that was supposed to be the most powerful Golf ever made. The R400 was to be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing approximately 400 PS or 395 horsepower, hence the name R400. This would have been a significant increase in power compared to the standard Golf R, which typically produces around 200-300 horsepower.
The R400 was designed to be a high-performance version of the Golf, with a more aggressive and racy exterior design, including a wider body, larger brakes, and a more prominent rear diffuser. The interior of the R400 also featured racing bucket seats with "R" embroidery and neon yellow trim accents, differentiating it from the standard Golf R.
Unfortunately, the Golf R400 never made it to production. It was initially confirmed by Volkswagen's Research and Development chief, Heinz-Jakob Neusser, but the project was ultimately scrapped due to the diesel emissions scandal that rocked the company. Despite the R400 not coming to fruition, Volkswagen has continued to develop high-performance Golf models, with the Golf R remaining a popular choice for enthusiasts seeking a balance between performance and practicality.
While the R400 itself never became a reality, its legacy can be seen in the ongoing development of powerful Golf variants. The concept of a high-performance Golf with over 400 horsepower has intrigued both Volkswagen enthusiasts and the automotive industry. Additionally, the EA888 engine that was intended for the R400 is rumoured to be utilised in future Audi models, ensuring that the engineering efforts behind the R400 are not entirely lost.
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R400 design and features
The Volkswagen Golf R400 was a concept car that never made it to production. It was first unveiled at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show as a three-door hatchback, showcasing Volkswagen's engineering prowess and range of customization. The R400 was designed to be more powerful than its predecessor, the Golf R, with 400 horsepower and a top speed of 174 mph.
The exterior design of the R400 is more aggressive and racy-looking than the Golf R, with a deeper bumper, carbon fibre accents, and a deeper wheel offset to accommodate larger wheels. The R400's fenders flare out an extra 0.8 inches on each side, and its exhaust exits through two massive central pipes. The wheels feature plastic air vanes to channel air inward to cool its bigger brakes. The R400 is also painted in "Silver Flake", with a glossy black roof and mirror caps in genuine carbon.
The interior of the R400 features Volkswagen's signature trim colour, neon yellow, with racing bucket seats and openings for five-point harnesses. It also has carbon fibre shell seating and mirror housings, with subtle sill extensions and yellow accents within the headlamp assemblies, grille, and brake calipers.
The R400's engine is a powered-up version of the Golf R's turbocharged 2.0-liter direct injection four-cylinder gasoline engine, known internally as the EA888. It produces 395 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, a significant increase over the Golf R's 300 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. The R400 also features a six-speed manual gearbox and a 4Motion four-wheel-drive system, which constantly alters the amount of drive sent to the front and rear axles.
Overall, the Volkswagen Golf R400 was a well-designed and powerful concept car that unfortunately never made it to production. However, it served as a showcase of Volkswagen's engineering capabilities and influenced future Golf models.
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R400 performance
The Volkswagen Golf R400 was a concept car that was unveiled at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show. It was a three-door hatchback with a turbocharged 2.0-litre direct injection four-cylinder gasoline engine, known internally as the EA888. This engine produced 395 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, which is significantly more than the already-potent Golf R. The R400 was also more than 100 lbs lighter than the Golf R, which gave it a weight-to-power ratio of 7.9 pounds per hp. This combination of a powerful engine and lightweight construction allowed the R400 to accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 3.9 seconds, 1.0 seconds faster than the Golf R.
The R400 featured Volkswagen's EDS and XDS+ electronic differential locks as part of its multifunction ESP system, which included a sport function that allowed for less aggressive intervention of the electronic nannies when driving conditions permitted. It also had true racing bucket seats with openings for five-point harnesses and "R" embroidery. The exterior of the R400 was designed to look more aggressive than the Golf R, with a racy front fascia, side skirts, spoiler, and rear diffuser. The wheels of the R400 also featured plastic air vanes to channel air inward to cool its bigger brakes.
Despite the R400 being production-ready and Volkswagen executives keen to sign it off, the car never made it to production due to the Dieselgate scandal. However, some enthusiasts have since created their own versions of the R400 by modifying existing Golf R models. For example, UK tuner Mountune's M52 brand offers a tuning module and induction system that can increase the power of the EA888 engine to 355 bhp, with a torque figure of 369 lb-ft. This setup can achieve a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds.
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R400 cost
The Volkswagen Golf R400 was a concept car that never went into production. It was first revealed at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show as a more powerful version of the Golf R, with a 395 bhp output and a top speed of 173-174 mph.
The R400 was expected to cost around £38,000 if it had been produced. However, Volkswagen never released official pricing details as the project was ultimately scrapped due to the "Dieselgate" emissions scandal.
Despite the R400 never making it to market, there are options for those seeking similar performance. UK tuner Mountune's M52 brand offers a tuning package that can boost the Golf R's engine to 355 bhp, although this falls short of the R400's promised output. The power increase on its own costs £715, while adding an induction system takes the price to over £1,000. For the complete M52 package, including wheels and tyres, prices exceed £3,000.
Another alternative is offered by Revo, which provides options to achieve close to 500 bhp with some modifications. Racechip also offers similar power and torque figures to Mountune at a slightly lower cost.
While the R400 itself never became a reality, these aftermarket solutions provide Golf enthusiasts with the opportunity to experience similar performance and specifications.
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Frequently asked questions
Volkswagen has not released the official number of Golf R400 units produced. However, it has been confirmed that the Golf R400 will be produced in limited quantities.
The Golf R400 was confirmed for production in 2021, with reports of its production emerging six months prior.
The Golf R400 is a high-performance variant of the Volkswagen Golf, boasting a powerful 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 395 horsepower. It accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 174 mph. The exterior design of the Golf R400 is more aggressive, featuring widened fenders, carbon fibre elements, and yellow accents.
