VW pushes into supercar territory with the 395-horsepower Golf R 400 Concept.

Step aside Subaru, make way Mitsubishi. If Volkswagen has any real production plans for the Golf R 400 concept debuting in Beijing this week, it could redefine the hot hatch segment.

With its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine tweaked and tuned to produce an astounding 395 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, the Golf R 400 would be able to launch from 0 to 60 in just 3.9 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 174 mph.  We’re talking supercar performance levels here.

The Golf R 400 shares the same fundamentals as the latest-generation Volkswagen hatchback that went on sale in Europe last year and which is just getting ready to roll into U.S. showrooms. It’s the latest on a long line of Golf concepts, such as the Design Vision GTI, and would be a major step up from the new Golf R hot hatch.

VW has rolled out a number of Golf performance concepts but may be thinking seriously about a production version of the R 400.

Might production be in the plans? There’d certainly be good reason to get out there with something like this.  In the mainstream market, there are offering like the latest Subaru WRX STI, as well as a growing range of luxury performance hatchbacks and compacts, from the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG to the new BMW M235i – never mind sibling brand Audi’s upcoming RS3.

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This is the latest hint of the possibilities offered by this new drivetrain – known internally within the Volkswagen Group as the EA888. It also was used to drive the even more powerful Audi TT Quattro Sport Concept unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show last month. In that package, it churned out a full 414 hp and 332 lb-ft.

Even at the only slightly less impressive 395 hp claimed for the Golf R 400, putting all that power to the pavement wouldn’t be easy, so the Volkswagen show car’s 6-speed manual transmission is paired with a Haldex-based 4Motion all-wheel-drive system that can shift up to 100% of available torque to either the front or rear wheels.  There are also a pair of electronically controlled locking differentials.

And for those willing to put balls-to-the-wall, the electronic control systems, like ESP, can be switched off entirely.

VW has been boasting about the weight it shaved off the latest-generation Golf, but it’s taking things a step further with the Golf R 400 concept which 3,130 pounds – about 123 lbs lighter than the production Golf R.

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In terms of styling, there are plenty of functional changes, many of them using light carbon fiber. That includes a large front splitter and air ducts that have been enlarged to improve both engine and brake cooling. There are also unique fenders that add about 1.6 inches to the R 400’s width, front and rear.

Add carbon fiber mirror housings, a CF wing, a rear diffuser and additional ductwork to cool the back brakes.

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There also are various yellow accents on the headlamps, grille and brake calipers to distinguish the Golf R 400 concept.

Might we see an R 400 roll out anytime soon? VW officials suggest we stay tuned. That, in itself, suggests this may be more than just another fantasy in chrome.