To all intents and purposes, this VW looks like a
Golf GTI
with a big spoiler. Indeed, that's what many other channels are suggesting this car is, but in a stripped out 'Club Sport' specification. But what if it isn't? What if this 'GTI' is actually the
Golf R Evo
that has been confirmed for the Beijing show next month?
The badge says GTI; PH begs to differ
Here's the logic behind that train of thought. With its 7:58 'ring lap and drastic track pack, the
SEAT Leon Cupra
appears to be the ultimate as far as FWD hot hatches go in the VW Group. But the Evo will be based on the
4WD R
and occupy another performance plane altogether with 370hp. Would VW make another track-focused FWD hatch with the Leon already around?
Moreover, the images of the car on track show it running on Golf R wheels and looks to be quite low with bigger brakes too. The Evo will be lighter than the standard R's 1,476kg; this car appears to forego rear seats which would contribute to that.
Various sources have suggested to that the car sounded much louder than a regular GTI when on track. And don't be fooled by the Wiechers logo on the sides; this isn't a German tuner special as the car was accompanied by VW support vehicles. Was this a car VW particularly wanted to disguise? Whatever, it's certainly creating plenty of conjecture everywhere.
Lighter, lower, louder. Could be great
The other theory is that this could well be a GTI Club Sport, to debut at Worthersee in May, but intended only as a concept like the wild
W12
of a little while back. But then this doesn't seem quite that unfeasible as that mid-engined monster.
So plenty of possibilities right now for this Golf, with very little actually known. Whatever it becomes, it's more exciting news for hot hatch fans from VW. There's still the Polo R on its way as well!
[Sources: The Internet, including WCF, MotorAuthority, DriveAU and Carscoops]