We're not surprised it likes a burnout
We had to ring VW’s press office when we received the Golf GTi W12-650 study email from them. I mean, if ever there was an April 1
joke, this had to be it - even if we're now in May. But no, it’s true; the VW engineers really have taken the W12 motor from a Phaeton, added a pair of turbos and installed it into an unsuspecting Golf. Oh, and its rear wheel drive…
The concept has been created for the Wörthersee 2007 meet in Austria. Thanks to the addition of the two turbos, the engine is now good for 641bhp at 6,000rpm with 553lb ft of torque developed at 4,500rpm. In this Golf, that equates to 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed set by VW at 184mph. However, according to a VW spokesperson, it’ll run on to 201.8mph if you kept your foot in…
W12 has two turbos for 641bhp
The concept uses the six speed automatic gearbox from the Phaeton – presumably for reasons of convenience and because it can handle the outputs of the engine – and the engine itself sits in a unique aluminium structure within a heavily modified Golf platform. It doesn’t feature a large rear wing, because it has full under-floor aerodynamics.
The wheels are similar to the GTI’s optional 18in rims, but here they measure 19in with 235mm wide tyres up front and 295mm at the back. The track is 160mm wider than standard
That pumped up bodywork is made from steel and carbon fibre, and styled under VW’s head of design, Klaus Bischoff.
So it’s a bit like a Clio V6 then, only with a whole heap more attitude. What's more, it should be landing in the UK soon. We love it…