Quote: posted by LOFLUX on 16/01/2005 01:44:51
I spoke to a friend of my dads last week; he works for part of VW in Germany and says the new R/GOLF is still an undecided project [
]. He also read the recent Auto Express article and said it was a complete load of bolox.... "They are known in the trade as the SUN of the Motor Industry".
There was a picture of the new r34/r36 testing in the auto express (I think it was one of the september 2004 issues, with a red gti on the front). I haven't got it anymore, but if anyone has it is just at the end of the GTI roadtest.
Quote: posted by Royster on 16/01/2005 08:33:54
Auto Express may have that little nugget correct then? as they speculated that there would be a stripped out GTI
Wednesday 22nd September 2004
VW To Build GTI Light
It's lift-off for the GTI Light! Auto Express can exclusively reveal that Volkswagen is to build a stripped-out version of the new Golf, offering up to 230bhp.
We learned of the newcomer during an exclusive interview with VW boss Bernd Pischetsrieder. The car, set to go on sale in early 2006, has been created purely for keen drivers. He told us: "There are plans for variations of the Golf model, maybe with up to 230bhp and a lighter weight. Ostensibly, however, there will only be one GTI - it's a car in its own right, and not a trim level."
Losing excess weight will be the key, so the doors, bonnet and tailgate will be made from hi-tech alloy to keep the bodyshell light. Non-essential comfort features, such as the weighty components for
the air-conditioning system and electric window motors, will be ditched completely. If the firm's engineers get it right, the result should be sensational acceleration and amazing agility.
The standard version's blown FSI engine will be uprated, using a larger turbocharger and a remapped ECU to deliver in the region of 230bhp, along with a 0-60mph sprint time of around six seconds. Lightweight models aren't new; we revealed Renault's second-generation Clio Cup in last week's magazine. However, the development is a move into uncharted waters for VW.
This latest performance Golf is designed to counter the threat from the hot versions of all-new offerings in the small family hatchback market, such as the Vauxhall Astra and Ford Focus.