Move Over RS3, There's An Even Hotter VW Golf R Coming

The prototype is a car that might be the first Golf R to break through 350 horsepower, and it has plenty of changes designed to make sure it can make that power – and dole it out for a long time.

Even the test driver is a high-performance option. The CarBuzz spies tell us that it is Benny Leuchter behind the wheel. Leuchter is a pro racing driver who VW has used in the past to set 'Ring records in a variety of fast Golf models.

More Powerful, Cooler Golf R

Our spies say that this could possibly be a car called the Golf R 350. As the name suggests, it would be the first Golf R to make 350 horsepower. Technically speaking, that would be 350 metric horsepower (PS). In the numbers we're used to, that would translate to 345 hp, but it's a minor point. Either way, it's an improvement over the most powerful model offered to date, the Golf R 333, which makes 333 or 328 hp depending on the measurement.

Because the changes are mechanical, VW hasn't done anything to disguise them. The intercooler in the front bumper is much more prominent than a production Golf R, but it's tough to tell if it's larger. It is missing the grille bars that normally hide it in the Golf R, along with the front-mount camera and radar pod plus the ultrasonic sensors you'll find on a road-going Golf R.

The two other obvious differences are the ducts on the hood. The large NACA-style ducts could potentially vent a whole lot of air from under the hood. The ducts appear to be for extraction, not intake, based on the shape. The driver's side vent roughly aligns with the air intake box, but the passenger side vent isn't near anything of significance on the standard car.

Behind the black-finished wheels (which look like normal Golf R wheels with a paint job) are what look like larger brakes. The rear rotors especially seem beefier than the tiny rotors on the back of a standard Golf R. They're certainly being well-used, based on the visible brake dust up front.

There is also a roll cage mounted in this R. It's not clear if that's for safety because this car is being pushed on track, or if it's because VW is going for a new record and so it needs to have the cage.

Is Golf Stepping Out Of The RS3's Shadow?

For much of its life, the Volkswagen Golf R has been limited by Audi's RS3. VW couldn't out-do the Audi, and its parents seemed to be a lot more serious about the gap than, say, Chevy used to be about Corvette versus Camaro. If VW wanted more power, Audi had to have it first. It's partly why the Golf R has always been immensely capable and quick, but never quite as fun as a GTI or RS3.

The latest Audi RS3 five-cylinder makes 401 horsepower, which gives VW plenty of room to play. Audi is also testing out an even harder RS3 GT model, giving VW even more corporate rope. Bumping from 328 to 345 isn't a huge difference, but it's certain to make the R quicker. Making that much power from a 2.0-liter four is impressive, even if it isn't up to what the Mercedes-AMG 2.0-liter four can manage.

Whatever VW is planning, we're sure it will be quick. And we'll fill you in as soon as we find out for sure.