VW Golf R Variant is wagon taken to the extreme (pictures)

This is it! The 2016 Volkswagen Golf R Variant. It's something of a cheeky name, a racier version of its Golf SportsWagen.

The extended five-door body style means this is definitely a station wagon, but a very quick one, with a 300-horsepower, 2.0-liter engine under the hood.

That engine drives all four wheels through a double-clutch, six-speed gearbox.

LED running lights and a more aggressive front bumper help to set the R Variant apart from the base Golf SportsWagen.

The interior sports plenty of embellishments, including Alcantara-wrapped seats.

Volkswagen's latest touchscreen-focused infotainment system is front-and-center.

And the company's patented, flat-bottomed steering wheel.

The interior is certainly sportier than stock, but comfortable too.

Here's the business end, just waiting for your groceries, cargo or smelly dogs.

A bit longer in profile than the Golf R, but still a compelling shape.

18-inch wheels are standard, 19-inchers are optional.