400-hp Golf on the Way?

Volkswagen AG could unveil a production version of its Golf R 400 concept car as early as next month and launch sales by year-end.

When asked about the vehicle by the Australian Web site Drive.com, VW’s product communications chief Dominik Hoeberg indicated some sort of “surprise” was in the works for May or June. Whatever it is, Hoeberg says, “will be fast.”

Modified versions of the Golf R have been spotted during testing at Germany’s famed Nurburgring track. Media reports speculate that the production R 400 would replace the concept car’s turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-banger engine with a 400-hp 2.5-liter twin-turbo 5-cylinder engine borrowed from the Audi RS 3 performance model.

The engine likely would be paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions. Performance brakes and suspension components would be required to handle the extra power.