Volkswagen Creating "R Division" To Build Performance Models

It's about darn time! I can't wait to see what they produce.

It's a higher performance Golf but R will build something above and beyond the GTi. A car that has extensive Research and Development over and above the standard models. Subaru has STi, BMW has ///M, Mercedes has AMG, Ford has SVT, Chrysler has SRT, and the list goes on. Understand now 84skyblue?

I thought Audi's Quattro was in reference to the AWD capabilities. I thought their "S" line was the performance line.

Not to mention RS

The VW executive has conflated all-wheel-drive (quattro) and high performance. That's true for some disciplines, but not for all. Road racing? Last time I checked F1, IRL, ALMS, NASCAR, etc. all run with RWD. Drag racing? AWD increases weight and drag (more mechanical bits spinning), which overcome an initial traction advantage. Fuel economy? AWD is less fuel efficient than equivalent RWD/FWD because of additional weight and drag.

At least AWD is better in the snow and ice. Well, at least until you have to brake. Or, if the snow is deep enough and you high center.

I was about to comment on the fact that the VW exec didn't even know what Audi's performance division was called, but then I realized three others have already addressed this. Good job, people.

Quattro is the correct term here.

In addition to the quattro AWD system, quattro GmbH is the name of the performance subsidiary that builds the R8 and the RS models.

S cars are built by Audi proper, and the S-line is mainly an appearance package for the standard Audi models.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quattro_GmbH

Will we see a 2 liter Jetta Turbo R Sport Wagon, practical gear heads and cool families need to have fun to.