VW GTI W12-650

Volkswagen joined Audi in creating a unique design study for the tuner crowd at the Worthersee show in Austria. Designed under VW's head of design, Klaus Bischoff, the Golf W12-650 employs a W12 engine sourced from the Phaeton and slotted behind the front seats, effectively replicating Renault's Clio V6 layout and allowing for a rear-wheel-drive application.

Beyond the gaping honeycomb grille in the front bumper - channeling air under the car to a rear diffuser under the rear bumper - are scalloped side panels to direct air to the mid-mounted engine. The purposeful stance is emphasized 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 is constructed out of carbon fiber to keep weight down and 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.

Heralded as the most powerful Golf ever produced by Volkswagen, the GTI W12-650 is claimed to sprint from 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds and achieve a maximum speed of 202mph.

Source: cardesignnews