Volkswagen R20T: Is This The R32’s Successor?

Rumours continue to flow thick and fast about the next Golf to feature a capital R somewhere in its name.  Last week we touched on the talk of a possible GTI-R or R20, and this week those rumours are back, again, with a vengeance.

UK rag AutoExpress has a chunky dose of rumour-mania for us today, as well as some renderings of how it reckons the R20 might shape up.  Of course, without citing any evidence or sources, it’s difficult to take this as much more than audience-grabbing make-believe, but let’s talk about it anyway.

Packing a bigger turbo and a tweaked ECU, the R20’s lighter GTI-based four-cylinder engine is reckoned to develop around 201kW (270hp), or about 15kW (20hp) more than the current MkV R32’s V6.

The new power figures are expected to bring the 100kmh sprint around in about 5 seconds – about 1.5 seconds faster than its R32 predecessor.

The R20’s power will arrive at the wheels through a choice of either a six-speed manual, or Volkswagen’s famed DSG dual-clutch kit.

The one question that continues to resist an answer is whether the car will keep the R32’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system or revert to the GTI’s front-wheel-drive setup.

The talents at Beyond-Form.com – those responsible for the concept art featured here – have devised a body kit both subtle and menacing in its execution. With LED running lights in the wide open intakes to either side of the front air dam, the V10 Audi R8’s rims, and the R32’s tough rear-end, twin exhaust pipes new brake vents and a lot less chrome – it certainly looks the part.

AutoExpress reckons the R20 will make its debut at the Nurburgring 24-hour race in May, before hitting showrooms in early 2010.

[AutoExpress]