Frankfurt 2009: Volkswagen Golf R

• VW Golf R unveiled
• On sale in December
• More powerful and more efficient than R32

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What is it?
Volkswagen's quickest Golf ever. The Golf R can blast from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds, or 0.2 seconds quicker when the car comes fitted with VW's DSG semi-auto gearbox.

A 268bhp 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine powers the R, which is more powerful, yet more efficient than the 3.2 V6 petrol that was in the previous-generation Golf R32. Top speed is limited to 155mph.

The four-wheel drive Golf R's other vital stats are 33.2mpg average fuel consumption (versus 26.4mpg in the R32) and CO2 emissions are 199g/km rather than 225g/km.

To set the Golf R apart from a GTI, it's fitted with new front and rear bumpers complete with LED lights. It has a new black grille and sits on 18-inch alloys, although you can specify 19-inch rims.

The suspension has been lowered, the steering tweaked and the electronic stability control revised, with two stages designed for track use.

When can I buy one?
The Golf R goes on sale in December, and although prices have yet to be announced, expect them to start at around £28,500.

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