Reports surfaced late last year that Volkswagen executives had given the green light to a U.S. version of the Golf R, but it appears as though the German automaker may be having a change of heart. VW is said to be reconsidering the U.S.-spec Golf R due to an unfavorable dollar to euro exchange rate.
Speaking with The New York Times at the recent New York Auto Show, VW spokesman Steve Keyes revealed the U.S.-spec Golf R is “still up in the air.†Keyes added: “We’d love to have it, but it’s a question now of euros versus dollars.â€
Essentially a higher-performance version of the Golf GTI, the new Golf R would replace the former Golf R32 in the U.S. market. The golf R is currently sold in the European market, boasting all-wheel drive and 270 horsepower — making it the most powerful Golf ever.
The Golf R’s sell point could also be a concern for VW as its higher price tag could substantially limit sales here in the U.S. Although the Golf R is capable of 0-60 blasts in 5.5 seconds, it remains to be seen if U.S. buyers would be willing to shell out a significant premium over the already potent Golf GTI model.
