MKV R32 'Superleggera'

[FamilyDub]

Many complain that the speed & handling of the MKV R32 (relative to it's BHP & the requisite running costs) is rather poor, but this thread got me to thinking about a little game...

Could an R32 be 'lightened' enough to improve it's handling/speed but still maintain its everyday practicality? Target: remove 100kg?

This is not a thread about creating a track car, or say 'start with a GTI/M3/whatever' instead, it's just a bit of fun.

What sensibly priced & logical suggestions do you have?
>Manual, not DSG: -20kg
>RS4 Recaros: -10kg each (?)
>Racing battery: -5kg
>Skinny driver: lose couple of kilos
>Half full fuel tank
>etc, etc

1,000 quid carbon bonnets/wings from OSIR are not sensible suggestions, as are 'remove your rear seats'. I'm 30 and have a family to lug about!

Edited by FamilyDub on Tuesday 14th August 16:25

[Cupramax]

I been thinking about something similar with mine, definitely carbon bonnet and I seem to remember the factory brakes weight about the same as a small town.

[cuprabob]

Rear seats out and take away the spacesaver which will save a few kilos

[TTwiggy]

Remove aircon system and just open a window instead.

[Kwistof]

Take the door cards out and remove the stereo system including speakers and wiring....you have a lovely engine to listen to anyway with the window open

[Podie]

Meh, just supercharge it.

[gforceg]

Maybe go for a lighter exhaust. If it's anything like the Corrado VR6 exhaust I believe it is very heavy.

Also, rotating weight is worse than static weight so, go for lighter wheels and tyres?

[cuprabob]

gforceg said:

Also, rotating weight is worse than static weight so, go for lighter wheels and tyres?

As is unsprung vs sprung

[Dr G]

TTwiggy said:

Remove aircon system and just open a window instead.

No fun for road use.

I would:
Fixed buckets (easily -20KG)
Poly side windows
Front speakers only
Bin some sound deadening
Plastic wings and bonnet
Lightweight exhaust
Light (17"?) wheels
Minimal airbags (front only)
Pushbutton AC with knobs rather than climate

R36 motor would have had much the same effect I'm sure

[aka_kerrly]

Podie said:

Meh, just supercharge it.

Or turbo.

looking at some of the suggestions of ways to lose weight I'd argue that they all help to devalue the car to most where as a turbo or supercharger would add value as well as performance.

[FamilyDub]

A list is emerging!

What sensibly priced & logical suggestions do you have?

>Manual, not DSG: -20kg (FamilyDub)
>OEM Recaros: -20kg (Dr G)
>Race battery: -5kg (FamilyDub)
>Brakes: -5kg/ea, -10kg (CupraMax)
>Miltek: -5kg (gforceg)
>Wheels: -5kg/corner, 20kg total (Dr G)
>(Some) sound deadening delete: -5kg (Dr G)
>(Some) stereo wiring delete: -1 or 2kg (Kwistof)
>Rear Wiper Assembly delete: -1 or 2kg (FamilyDub)
>Parcel Tray delete: -1 or 2kg (bloke at FD's work)
>The 'no st' delete: -1 or 2kg (bloke at FD's work)

So, without making it a plastic-windowed car with no-air con and a thousand quid carbon bonnet, I conservatively estimate those suggestions amounting to around 90kg. Mmmmmm...

[Bitzer]

Put the family on a diet?

[FamilyDub]

We're both wee enough. It'd be the car that'd have to lose a few kilos.

[Podie]

To follow the manufacturer perspective....

• Stick a K&N on it
• Fit some lighter wheels
• Replace badges with stickers
• Replace leather with alcantara
• Put some fancy stickers on the side

[the-photographer]

Here is a ready made thread for you (may have to register) seven pages of technical info;

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,...

Its going to be easy to spend £1000, probably the cheapest option is a £120 braille battery and to remove the spare wheel.

Otherwise, anything of significance is going to be big money.

[Pints]

But the DSG 'box makes the car quicker to 60mph than the manual by 0.5s.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Parcel shelf
Radio
Keep washer bottle empty
Only have 1 gallon of fuel
Throw away spare wheel & jack & the bit of cardboard that covers them
Fill cabin with helium instead of air (and tyres)
Aerial delete
Wipers off front/rear
Stick on number plates
Cling film instead of windows

[FamilyDub]

Tongue firmly in cheek there, 2SB..?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

FamilyDub said:

Tongue firmly in cheek there, 2SB..?

[TDIfurby]

removing back seats from my fabia saves around 30kg. The bits you lean back on have got a bloody sheet of metal in them. Expect yours does too. I've saved quite a lot of weight in mine:-

No back seats - minus 30kg
Plastic bonnet - minus 15kg (5kg VS 20kg)
Aircon ripped out - minus 15kg, mainly the compressor.
Battery in spare wheel well simply for redistribution reasons
16lb flywheel VS 30lb+ original dual mass flywheel

but then I have added some weight too - 323mm brembos VS original 256mm, Water/meth pump & tank in engine bay, Nitrous bottle when its fitted, and I think my mk5 GTI seats weigh more than my original ones, but they are SO good! Also got an intercooler system fitted, auxilliary oil cooler, which is extra. I also have a 6 speed box which weighs more than my original 5 speed.