Report: VW to build 650bhp uber Golf?

Newswheel staff :: 07 August 2007 :: Filed under Hatchback, Mid / rear engine sportscar, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Golf

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Nippy hatchback powered by W12 powerhouse

What with the likes of the Lambo Murcielago LP640, the Bugatti Veyron and Bentley Conti GT, you might think the VW group has enough 600bhp+ monsters on offer already. Apparently not, according to a VW engineer who worked on the recent Golf GTI W12-650 concept. If the company receives enough positive feedback, it may yet build this insane 12-cylinder, 650-pony hatchback…

Conceived to liven up a festival for Golf GTI lovers in Germany back in May, the W12-650 went from drawing board to driveable reality in just eight weeks. Impressive stuff given that journalists who have been lucky enough to drive it report full functionality and polished driving dynamics.

And now in a recent video interview a VW engineer has claimed the car could be built if enough customers express an interest.

In terms of tech specs, the W12-650 is the ultimate parts bin special. Highlights include front brakes from the Audi RS4 and that 6.0-litre W12 engine in twin-turbo trim, à la Bentley Continental GT. In true mega-hatch tradition, VW has plopped the engine behind the front seats for improved weight distribution.

A dramatic body kit widens the standard Golf by around six inches and adds an army of scoops slats to aid cooling and engine breathing. Massive 19-inch rims and the obligatory quad tail pipes round out the road-racer looks.

Along with a peak 650PS (641bhp in old money) peak power, VW says the W12-650 is good for 553lb/ft of torque. However, the car is limited to around half of that in first and second gears in order to spare the tyres and drivetrain from excess abuse.

Drive is via a six-speed slushbox to the rear boots.

Claimed performance is spectacular – 62mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 202mph. With any other car company, we’d sneer at the irrelevance and preposterousness of such an outrageous road car. But if VW can make such winners of the Lambo LP640, big bad Bug and Conti GT, well, who are we to doubt them on this occasion?

Quite how much VW would need to charge to make the W12-650 remotely profitable we dare not speculate. But if the zany VW engineer interviewed by Autocar is to be believed, we may yet find out.

Hop on over to Autocar for a video of the W12-650 in action.

Linkage:
Autocar