What was supposed to be the big reveal event for the all-new Volkswagen Golf GTI was canceled. We're talking about the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, of course, but because the GTI brand is so strong to begin with, VW will have no problem spreading the word and getting people hyped for its latest hot hatch. But already some attention has turned to the even more powerful enthusiast-focused all-wheel-drive hot hatch, the next VW Golf R.

Just like the GTI, the Golf R will be coming to the US. However, the rest of the eighth-generation Golf lineup will not, as we've known for some time. VW is still reluctant to give up exact Golf R details, but Motor Trend managed to extract one key piece of information from someone who's just dying to talk all about the car, Jost Capito, head of VW's R performance brand.

What did Capito admit? It won't have a gasoline-electric hybrid setup. This would have been appealing for many reasons other than improved fuel economy. The added electrification system could have provided an electric boost function, for example. Technically speaking, this could have been done but Capito offered why it wouldn't have been practical. "[The R brand] can't develop [its] own hybrid systems," he said, "because the volumes for [the Golf R] are too small." It simply came down to money.

Fortunately, Capito also admitted his team of ace engineers has made "a lot of small improvements" to the new model over the current one in order to make it a "real driving machine," as if it already wasn't one.

Other questions we would have loved to see Capito's answer include whether a six-speed manual will continue to be available and official power output, although the latter information previously leaked. Assuming it's accurate, expect the new Golf R to have around 328 horsepower. At present, the Golf R has a 291-hp rating.

An official debut date has yet to be announced but, assuming it will proceed as planned given the current coronavirus pandemic, the new Golf R could appear at the 2020 Goodwood Festival of Speed in July or at the 2020 Paris Motor Show in September.