All through eight generations, the Volkswagen Golf has spawned a large number of particular variations. Probably the most fascinating ones had six-cylinder engines in an unassuming package deal. Though the VR6 lineage ended after the fifth-gen mannequin, the staff from Wolfsburg did construct a prototype of a Golf Mk6 with the VR-6 powertrain. Had it gone into manufacturing, it nonetheless would’ve been probably the most potent Golf ever.
Motor1 chatted with VW to study extra concerning the secret six-cylinder sizzling hatch that by no means got here to be. In accordance with Enrico Beltz, Head of Content material, Basic Communication & Media Relations, the Golf Mk6 with a VR-6 was a one-off constructed again in 2009. It was a forerunner of the Golf R (Mk6) and had a 3.2-liter engine from the Rothe Motorsport racing staff. The six-cylinder mill was primarily based on the identical engine that powered the Golf R32 (Mk5).
Whereas the unique naturally aspirated engine made 247 horsepower, its evolution was massaged to develop an enormous 463 hp. Torque was significantly boosted as properly, from 236 lb-ft to 384 lb-ft. As you’ll be able to think about, the VR-6 codenamed “BUB” underwent many adjustments to extract the extra oomph. Notable upgrades included a Garret GT35 turbocharger, customized pistons, a brand new consumption manifold, completely different injectors, and aluminum hand-welded strain pipes. Right here’s the complete checklist of mods:
- Fuselage engine R32 code letter BUB
- Rothe Motorsport pistons with compression discount
- Compression ratio 8.5:1
- Crankshaft finely balanced with weight optimization
- Camshafts Schrick
- Cylinder head machining
- Rothe Motorsport exhaust valves
- Exhaust manifold Rothe Motorsport forged iron
- Consumption manifold Rothe Motorsport
- Garret GT35 turbocharger
- Suction 80mm aluminum hand-welded
- Strain pipes 60mm aluminum hand-welded
- Intercooler Rothe Motorsport hand-welded
- Trouser pipe with exhaust system Rothe Motorsport 89mm chrome steel
- Rear silencer with flap management
- Injectors Rothe Motorsport
- Rothe Motorsport air duct manufactured from GRP
There was extra to this elusive Golf Mk6 than its six-cylinder engine. VW gave it the entrance brakes of an Audi RS6 and 19-inch wheels from a Lamborghini. As well as, the punchy compact hatchback obtained a Bilstein B16 suspension equipment and a barely modified inside. The cabin was lined in Alcantara and had a leather-wrapped dashboard with contrasting ornamental stitching.
Efficiency numbers aren’t disclosed however the automotive have to be a pocket rocket given the excessive energy and a comparatively low curb weight of three,000 kilos. Add into the combination an all-wheel-drive system and a seven-speed, dual-clutch automated transmission, the Golf VR6 (Mk6) would’ve been a correct sleeper. The fifth-gen mannequin with the DSG did 0 to 60 mph in lower than six seconds when examined by magazines again within the day. VW instructed us this unknown prototype can prime out at greater than 155 mph.
As to what occurred to the automotive, it was used internally for some time earlier than changing into a everlasting member of the Volkswagen Basic fleet. The German model has determined to unearth the Golf VR6 (Mk6) as a part of the mannequin’s 50th anniversary celebrations. It will be publicly displayed on the GTI Fanfest in Wolfsburg between July 26 and 28.
In the meantime, the one-of-a-kind Golf was lately featured in a video from Halle77 starring VW boss Thomas Schäfer. The VR-6 prototype was strapped onto the dyno the place it pumped out 457 hp and 392 lb-ft, so barely much less horsepower however a bit extra torque in comparison with the manufacturing unit score.
It is value noting this wasn’t the final Golf constructed by VW with a VR-6 engine. Once we did a retrospective of the ten most fascinating ideas primarily based on the Golf, we talked about the 2013 Golf Design Imaginative and prescient GTI idea with a VR-6 packing two turbochargers for greater than 500 hp. A few years later, the 2015 Golf GTI Supersport Imaginative and prescient Gran Turismo was envisaged with a VR-6 dialed to 503 hp.
Though the Golf downsized to four- and three-cylinder engines after the Mk6, rumor has it that VW wished to cram in an inline-five within the Mk8. Nevertheless, Audi allegedly refused, deciding that the two.5-liter unit would solely energy its compact RS vehicles. That stated, the five-cylinder engine did ultimately go right into a non-Audi product because the Cupra Formentor VZ5 makes use of Ingolstadt’s punchy powertrain. It is also discovered within the lesser-known KTM X-Bow.
The VR6 manufacturing fashions and prototypes did not have the largest engine ever put by VW in a Golf. That title goes to the bonkers GTI W12-650, a daft mid-engine idea with 641 hp, primarily based on the Mk5 technology. It was unveiled in 2007 with a 6.0-liter unit from a Bentley Continental GT, full with a pair of turbos and Audi RS4-sourced entrance brakes. The rear axle and brakes had been taken from a Lamborghini Gallardo.
Because it stands, the Mk8 is the final of the Golf breed with combustion engines. VW has already introduced the Mk9 can be utterly electrical when it arrives in 2028 on the Scalable Techniques Platform (SSP).
