Volkswagen joined
Audi in creating a unique design study for the tuner crowd at the Worthersee show in Austria. Constructed under VW's head of design, Klaus Bischoff, the Golf W12-650 employs a W12 engine sourced from the
Phaeton (and
Bentley Continental GT) slotted behind the front seats, effectively replicating Renault's Clio V6 layout and allowing for a rear-wheel-drive application.
Heralded as the most powerful Golf ever produced by Volkswagen, the GTI W12-650 produces a mind-numbing 641bhp and its peak torque (delivered at 4500rpm) is capped at 553lb.ft. These numbers effectively make the GTI W12-650 over three times more powerful than the conventional
Golf GTI. The carmaker claims the car will complete sprints to 62mph from a standstill in just 3.7 seconds and has the potential to reach a maximum speed of 202mph.
To make all of this power attainable, engineers created a unique aluminium sub-frame to mount the twin-turbocharged 6-litre 12-cylinder powerplant within the car. The compact design of the engine - measuring only 513mm in length, 715mm in height and 710mm in breadth - enabled the fitment, but it was still a challenge to cool the unit.
Beyond the gaping honeycomb grille in the front bumper are scalloped side panels to direct air to the mid-mounted engine and the purposeful stance is emphasised by bodywork that is 160mm wider than the standard Golf, with bulging wheelarches draped over wider front and rear tracks. The roof of the car, constructed out of carbon fibre to keep weight down, features an integrated scoop to direct air into the rear-mounted radiators, further aided by 'floating' C-pillars that supplement air to the cooling system.
There is no confusing this with a common boy-racer Golf. The car rides a full 70mm lower than a conventional GTI and features extensive use of under floor aerodynamic aids including a diffuser under the rear bumper to reduce lift at speed. The 19-inch wheels, though replicating the standard GTI design, have been widened to fit 295-profile tyres to aid traction. A six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission is charged with managing power.
Though strictly a design study, the GTI W12-650 is certainly a popular attraction. But we'd be (pleasantly) surprised to ever see this car produced.
Eric Gallina - 7 Jun 2007