It’s the news Europhiles and hot-hatch fans all across the country have been waiting for. The high-performance Volkswagen Golf R, the turbocharged successor to the all-out-insane R32, has been confirmed for sale in the U.S. in early 2012.

The information was revealed by Volkswagen’s product and technology communications manager Mark Gillies, who explained that the Golf R was always in the pipeline for the U.S. market and is now in the final stages of compliance procedures.

The news isn’t all rosy, however. U.S. delivered Golf Rs will feature a slightly detuned version of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine powering the sporty hatch sold in Europe. Though final output figures are yet to be determined, the U.S. market Golf R is expected to deliver around the 250 horsepower mark, which is slightly lower than the 256 horsepower offered overseas. You can blame our stricter EPA regulations and poorer fuel quality for the discrepancy.

Also, U.S. customers will miss out the dual clutch DSG option as only six-speed manual equipped cars will be shipped our way.

Nevertheless, a stylish hatchback packing a responsive 2.0-liter turbo four and driving all four wheels should ensure the Volkswagen Golf R remains one of the most anticipated performance vehicles of 2012.

In case you’ve forgotten, the car is good for 0-60 mph runs in less than 6.0 seconds and a combined fuel economy--for the European cycle--of around 28 mpg. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.

For full details on the Volkswagen Golf R, including its sophisticated Haldex 4Motion all-wheel drive system, click here.