Volkswagen launches subsidiary Volkswagen R GmbH

Volkswagen has responded to growing market demand for factory upgraded vehicles with the launch of a new wholly-owned subsidiary – Volkswagen R GmbH. Tasked with creating sporty and exclusive models, Volkswagen R GmbH’s workforce of over 350 employees meets individual customer preferences for sporty, customised versions of Volkswagen vehicles. This includes fitting sportier exteriors, exclusive interiors, and installing professional racing powertrains and running gears.

Volkswagen R GmbH produces three versions of Volkswagen vehicles; performance-enhanced and upgraded sports cars – the R models, and cars fitted with customised independent equipment – the R-Line and Exclusive models.

Volkswagen R GmbH also serves as an important conduit to Volkswagen Motorsport. Volkswagen R GmbH is the main sponsor for this year’s Scirocco R-Cup – the most eco-friendly one-make cup series in the world, with up to 80 percent lower CO2 emissions thanks to Bio-CNG as fuel.

For General Manager of Volkswagen R GmbH, Ulrich Richter, sports appeal and sustainability are two parameters that are certainly far from being mutually exclusive.

“The programme of Volkswagen R GmbH is based on automotive fascination, exclusivity and sports appeal. And at our company this is kept in harmony with the theme of sustainability. The Golf R and Scirocco R demonstrate this impressively. Despite maximum dynamic performance, we have been able to achieve very low fuel consumption and emissions values thanks to clever engine downsizing. On the Golf R, for example, fuel consumption has been reduced by over 20 percent compared to the previous model.”

One of the newest models by Volkswagen R GmbH is the Golf R (199 kW / 270 hp / all-wheel drive). Equipped with distinctly exclusive features including sport seats and bi-xenon headlights, the Golf R is visually unique and extremely responsive.

Managing Director of Volkswagen Middle East, Stefan Mecha, is distinctively enthusiastic about the new subsidiary, and the upcoming new Golf R in particular. “The Golf R32 model was extremely well received and a real tour-de-force for Volkswagen Middle East. The unique demonstration of German innovation and engineering had regional sports car enthusiasts practically lining up around the block for a chance to own and drive one.

“Volkswagen has acknowledged our customers passion for innovation, and responded with the creation of Volkswagen R GmbH to meet their needs. With this in mind, I hope our Middle East Volkswagen sports car fans have rev limiters on their hearts, as the new Golf R is really going set pulses racing when it is launched throughout our regional Volkswagen partner network later this year.”

The new Golf R sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds with a top speed of 250 km/h, with quicker sprints recorded when shifting work is handled by the optional dual-clutch gearbox, the DSG.

This performance data contrasts with fuel economy values that were, until recently, considered impossible in such powerful cars. The automatically shifted Golf R DSG’s thirst at the pumps is easily quenched, sporting an impressive 8.4 litres per 100 kilometres (195 g/km CO2).

For customers with a taste for dynamic car bodies and interior styling in the spirit of performance-enhanced R models, Volkswagen R GmbH has developed the ‘R-Line’. Four models are already available at Volkswagen partner showrooms across the GCC: Scirocco R-Line, Tiguan R-Line, CC R-Line, and the Golf R-Line.

When ‘Exclusive’ follows a Volkswagen model name, customers immediately equate this with exquisite full vehicle and equipment features. Regionally available later this year by order will be the new Touareg ‘Exclusive’, with high-end features including leather interior; as well as ‘Exclusive’ versions of the CC and the Eos.