400-hp Volkswagen Golf R Dead, Boss Says Customers "don't Want It"

View All 5 photos

Just one month shy of the five-year anniversary of the reveal of the Volkswagen Golf R 400 concept, the brand has announced there are no longer plans to build a production version of the extra fiery hot hatchback.

VW's R division head, Jost Capito, delivered the Golf R 400's death sentence in a Monday Top Gear report. The final decision came down to research, and Capito said customers "don't want" 400 horsepower with a higher price tag. "They want around 300 hp under 50,000 Euros," he said. At current exchange rates, that's about $56,000, but cars in the U.S. tend to be less-expensive than those in Europe. The current Golf R costs around $41,000 on our shores. We have to imagine the production Golf R 400 would have been a $50,000 hot hatch at a minimum.

Volkswagen Golf R 400 concept, 2014 Beijing Auto Show

The car was confirmed for production five years ago after its debut at the 2014 Beijing auto show. VW R&D chief Heinz-Jakob Neusser said we'd see a production version of the hatchback reach the market in the years to come. We even spied prototypes of the car testing in 2015.

Then Dieselgate happened in the fall of 2015. Neusser was shown the door as investigations exposed VW's diesel emissions cheating. With Capito at the helm of the R brand, he has the final say.

Motor Authority spoke with VW spokesperson Mark Gilles who said, "For this market, Volkswagen feels somewhere around the current price point makes sense."

2018 Volkswagen Golf R

Capito also told Top Gear that the Golf R will remain the "crown jewel" of performance for the Golf nameplate, confirming we'll see another generation of the car eventually. Noting Gilles' comment, the next Golf R should hover around its current price bracket. It also gives the GTI some breathing room; the 2019 model starts at $28,490. However, the current Golf GTI looks somewhat expensive compared to the 2019 Jetta GLI, which starts at $26,890 and has an identical powertrain.

The good news is we'll see another Golf R in the future, but it won't approach the kind of power the Golf R 400 concept promised.

High-Res Gallery: Volkswagen Golf R 400 concept, 2014 Beijing Auto Show

Tags:

Hot Hatch Sports Cars Volkswagen Golf News Volkswagen News

Contribute:

• Send us a tip
• Contact the editor

Show Comments

People who read this, also read:

• Lamborghini could introduce fourth model line around 2025
• 400-horsepower VW Golf R reportedly back on the table
• McLaren F1 designer joins Dendrobium electric supercar project
• 2017 Volkswagen Golf R 400 Spy Shots

Share This Article:

connect with the editor:

Sean Szymkowski - Contributor

Follow Us Today:

Most Popular This Week

< >

• Karma reveals sultry Amaris series plug-in hybrid coupe Sports Cars March 21, 2025
• 2025 VW Tiguan arrives this summer for $30,920 Auto Shows March 20, 2025
• 2028 Alpine A310 spied: French 2+2 sports car to be revived Spy Shots March 18, 2025
• 2025 Volkswagen T-Roc spied with gas engine, EV to follow Spy Shots March 14, 2025
• Toyota reportedly plans hybrid powertrain for hot GR cars Sports Cars March 14, 2025
• Longbow EV sports cars targeted to weigh under 2,200 pounds Sports Cars March 12, 2025

Motor Authority Newsletter

Sign up to get the latest performance and luxury automotive news, delivered to your inbox daily!

Top Story Daily Headlines Sign Up Today!

I agree to receive emails from Motor Authority. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy.

Follow Us on Instagram @motorauthority

Spy Shots Super Cars Videos Concept Cars SUV Hybrids First Drives Racing Muscle Cars Industry Electric Cars Luxury Cars Car Tech Features View All Chicago Detroit Frankfurt Geneva Los Angeles New York SEMA View All Motor Authority Newsletter Sign up to get the latest performance and luxury automotive news, delivered to your inbox daily! Top Story Daily Headlines Sign Up Today! I agree to receive emails from Motor Authority. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy. News Spy Shots Super Cars Videos Concept Cars SUV Hybrids First Drives Racing Muscle Cars Industry Electric Cars Luxury Cars Car Tech Features View All First Drives Auto Shows Chicago Detroit Frankfurt Geneva Los Angeles New York SEMA View All Photos Videos Spy Shots

Never Miss a Motor Authority Story Sign up to get the latest performance and luxury automotive news, delivered to your inbox daily! Top Story Daily Headlines subscribe today I agree to receive emails from Motor Authority. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy.