If you're in the market for a German hot hatch and the GTI just won't do it for you, Volkswagen offers the more potent Golf R as well. And if you live in markets that aren't the United States, you can get your hands on the Scirocco R, too. But word has it that VW is keen to expand its flagship performance line further.Australian auto news site Motoring.com.au cites VW powertrain chief Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neusser as saying that additional R models are both technically possible and under consideration. The Golf R 400 concept (pictured above) that was showcased in Beijing is one possibility, but Neusser hinted that R versions of thePolo and Passat were also under consideration. That is, at least, for the European and other markets where the Polo and Euro-spec Passat are sold. VW labels its rally machine as the Polo R WRC but has only offered a short run of roadgoing Polo Rs in Europe, and offered a similarly exclusive R32 version of the previous Passat with 300 horsepower.Although details would still evidently need to be worked out, Neusser indicated that a new longitudinal six-cylinder engine was under development, and that turbocharging that engine could end up powering new performance models (though more likely the Passat than the pint-sized Polo, naturally) – especially when paired to 4Motion all-wheel drive: something which the Golf R offers but the Scirocco R does not.Though technically feasible, Neusser says that the prospect of production additional R variants would likely come down more to commercial considerations than technical ones. In other words, VW could make more R models, if only the public would want them.
Source: autoblog.com
It was just a few weeks ago that Subaru unveiled its refreshed 2015 Impreza with refinements like a tweaked front fascia, upgraded infotainment system, standard rearview camera, slightly better fuel economy and other goodies. The Japanese automaker has finally decided to tell us what all of this new kit costs, and it actually hasn't increased too much over last year.A base model 2015 Impreza 2.0i sets back buyers $18,195 for the four-door sedan or $18,695 for the five-door hatch (*not including $795 destination and delivery on all models). All of those prices are $300 more than the 2014 model year.Moving up to the Premium trim requires $20,995 for the sedan or $21,495 for the five-door and adds 16-inch wheels, heated seats, heated mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer. The Sport Premium pack, offered exclusively on the hatch, goes further with features like body-color side sills, 17-inch wheels, foglights, and more for $20,995 with the five-speed manual or $21,995 with the CVT.Finally, the top-tier Limited trim on either the sedan or five-door and the Sport Limited on the hatch are priced at $22,295, $22,795 and $23,295, respectively. They get luxuries like leather seats, a seven-inch infotainment system, LCD display in the gauge cluster and extra chrome trim.The Limited trims are also the only place where Subaru's EyeSight system is an option. Ticking the box adds adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking and lane departure warning, and it comes packaged with navigation, a moonroof, keyless start and fog lights that respond to steering for $2,795.Power across the lineup is still provided by Subaru's 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder with 148 horsepower and a choice of either a five-speed manual or CVT, which is standard on the Premium and Limited trims. The 2015 Impreza starts hitting dealers in November.
Source: autoblog
