Volkswagen Golf R Variant: First Look

Competes with: Ford Fiesta ST, Nissan Juke, Hyundai Veloster
Looks like: An amped up grocery-getter
Drivetrain: A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission making 296 horsepower and 280 pounds-feet of torque
Hits dealerships: Spring 2015 for Europe; U.S.-market release is unspecified

We recently said goodbye to Volkswagen’s Jetta SportWagen and hello to the 2015 Golf SportWagen; Volkswagen unveiled a sporty variant of the compact wagon at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. Don’t be fooled by its mild-mannered appearance. The Volkswagen Golf R Variant compact wagon may look all Clark Kent on the outside, but it’s wearing its red-and-blue Underoos beneath.

Related: More 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show Coverage

Volkswagen is positioning the Golf R Variant as “one of the sportiest compact all-arounders,” able to accommodate a family of five one moment and then take a few turns around the track the next.

Exterior

While the exterior styling might seem fairly tame at a glance, special cues abound. Unique features include a new R-design bumper, a high-gloss black diffuser, four chrome exhaust tips, “aero flaps” on the D-pillars, cherry-red taillights and LED license plate lighting. The front end also has an R-specific bumper with large air intakes, an R-badged grille, bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights with daytime running lights and U-shaped LED accents under the headlights. A side view reveals body-colored R sills, R badging on the front fenders and chrome door mirror caps, along with 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with black-painted brake calipers (19-inch wheels are optional).

Interior

Despite all of those racing cues, for those days when you have to drop the entire family off at the in-laws house before heading to the speedway, the automaker boasts that the five-seater is as practical as it is track-able. According to VW, the Golf R Variant has 21.4 cubic feet of cargo space with a full load of passengers and a max cargo space of 57.2 cubic feet. A 60/40-split folding rear bench creates a nearly flat surface.

As for the rest of the interior, the Golf R Variant’s sport seats are covered with a mix of fabric and Alcantara simulated suede with gray stitching and an “R” logo on the seatback. A Nappa Carbon Leather Package also is available, which in addition to dark or light leather with contrast stitching includes a leather-wrapped, three-spoke, badged sport steering wheel. The Carbon Race design adorns the instrument panel and door trims, while standard ambient lighting accents the door trim panels and kickplates, and the driver’s footrest and pedals have a stainless-steel look.

Under the Hood

The wagon’s direct-injected turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes a hefty 296 horsepower and 280 pounds-feet of torque, good for a zero-to-62-mph time of 5.1 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Power is sent to all four wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. In addition to ESC Sport mode, which deactivates the electronic stability control for spirited driving, the Golf R Variant offers four driver-selectable modes: Eco, Normal, Individual and Race. A fifth setting, Comfort, is available with the optional DCC adaptive damping system. VW says the wagon gets up to 34 mpg.

There’s no word yet on when the U.S. might see the Golf R Variant or how much it might cost, but it’s slated to go on sale in Europe in the spring. Check back for more coverage from the floor of the L.A. auto show.

Manufacturer images