I wonder what the pricing will be on this. With that power, it places it against the almighty WRX...

Yeah finally a competitor against the WRX/Evo crowd...

And from VW who'd thunk?

As fwd-hater i am so glad that this car comes in 4wd cuz i really like GTI styling. Is there any reports that this car would be available in asia (RHD) ?

Don't get too excited, the AWD setup VW has used in the past (Haldex?) was nortorious for being junk. I wonder if they'll price themselves out of the market with this, I know the R32 sold well for the quantity they shipped state side, but VW is already an expensive car, can't imagine this being cheaper than an WRX

Looks like a contender. Not bad.

The only thing I'm not too excited about is the bland center console, but the fit and finish look otherwise good.

I can't/wont comment on the AWD; I'm not up to date on that news.

The Haldex system is junk? What have you been smoking? The Haldex system is used by quite a few manufacturers and it is very durable. Volvo, VW, Ford, Audi, & Saab. That's all I can think of off the top of my head. AND I have personal experience. My Ford Five Hundred has the Haldex system and I've been driving it for over 4 years now and 44000 miles with no problems what so ever. There were maintenance issues with the first generation, but the system used in the VW R32 has all been the second generation (same as in my Ford) and there have been no issues.

I guess you should actually speak from experience and not what your mis-informed buddies tell you.

Depends on how the power is split. AWD could still be 98% front/2% rear and still be called "AWD."

If it's more like Subaru's AWD setup, or as long as no more than 50% of the power is sent to the front tires at any time, I'd seriously consider it.

I believe Haldex is typically FWD, except under acceleration.

From VWvortex:

New all-wheel drive on the Golf R

As standard equipment, the Golf R transfers the TSI’s power to the road via the latest generation of Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system. Compared to the version implemented in the Golf R32, the system underwent significant advanced development. Above all, power transmission between the front and rear axles – especially the all-wheel differential that operates in an oil bath – exhibits clear advances compared to the previous generation. The most important one: Activation of the all-wheel differential no longer requires a difference in speeds between the front and rear axles.

That is because, different than on the previous generation, for the first time an electric pump is used to build pressure. The electric pump supplies oil to a hydraulic reservoir whose working pressure is 30 bar. A control module computes the ideal drive torque for the rear axle and controls, via a valve, how much oil pressure is applied to the working pistons of the multi-plate clutch. The contact pressure at the clutch plates rises in proportion to the desired torque at the rear axle. The amount of torque that is transferred can be varied continuously with the magnitude of the pressure applied to the clutch plates. Compared to the previous 4MOTION generation, the system operates independent of slip, since the system’s working pressure is always available. When starting up and accelerating, this prevents spinning of the wheels at the front axle more effectively, since the control module regulates the torque distribution based on dynamic axle loads. In extreme cases, nearly 100 percent of the drive torque can be directed to the rear axle. This results in further gains in active safety and dynamic performance.

Typically it is FWD, until you get on it. Good for gas mileage, good for track, not good for showing off.

@todd

I don't have time correct all of your statements, but do the research on you own. I'll give you a hint, Audi (at least most of the higher end models) use Torsen. Haldex < Torsen, Honda, Sub....have fun being ignorant. Maybe they're upgrading in this gen so from that point I could be wrong, but from what optizac posted it sure looks like they've made many changes from your ford 500 days. What you are correct about is that I don't have personal experience in any of those vehicles, I prefer and can afford much nicer rides. Sorry you purchased a ford five-hundred, just live with your bad decision.

@thetruth
As before you are wrong again!
The current Audi models that use the Torsen system are the A4, A5, A6, A8, Q7, Q5, and the soon to be A7. The A3 and the TT both use the Haldex system and have since their inception since the chassis is based on the VW "A" series chassis. Honda and Subaru both use their own systems. The Ford Five Hundred AWD from 2005 to 2007 used the Haldex system. When the Five Hundred was renamed the Taurus for 2008 they also went to a less expensive Ford AWD system similar to the system used in the Ford Escape. The new 2010 Ford Taurus SHO returns to the Haldex system because the less expensive Ford AWD system is not capable of handling the power output from the Eco-Boost twin-turbo V6. Haldex does indeed have a more sophisticated AWD system for current generation vehicles, but manufacturers may still choose to utilize the less sophisticated system such as is used in my 2006 Five Hundred.

I do have personal experience with both Audi and Ford AND have extensive knowledge about 4WD and AWD systems used throughout the automotive industry. Besides being a 'shade tree' mechanic, I also have a degree in engineering.

As for the purchase of the Five Hundred being a 'bad decision', that is simply your poor opinion and I really don't care about it. Your statement "I prefer and can afford much nicer rides" simply illustrates to me that you are an ignorant snob who really doesn't know anything about cars. I could have bought a Volvo S60 for $10 more and had basically the same vehicle with less rear leg room, but I chose to ignore the badge on the vehicle and look at the actual features available in the vehicle.

I have driven my Five Hundred through 4 years of Minnesota blazing (100+ degree) summers and freezing (-30 degree) winters with absolutely NO problems. I take pride in maintaining my vehicles and the car still looks and drives like it just came off the showroom floor. How many sub-$30K vehicles that weigh 4000lbs do you know that are able to stop from 60mph in less than 125 feet? None.

If ignorance is bliss, you must be a very happy camper.