WILDER MODEL AXED

Volkswagen long considered an even wilder version of the new Golf R, details of which were leaked to Wheels in late 2019. Known inside as the Golf R Plus, it was to go straight up against the MercedesAMG A45, with over 295kW from Audi’s 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbopetrol – the same engine that powers the RS3. Styling models and engineering mules were pressed into service at Wolfsburg. But while the secret project did progress towards production, it was ultimately cancelled when the German car maker decided to dedicate much of its design and engineering operations towards its upcoming range of electricpowered ID-badged models.