VW GTI W12 body kit offers all the show, none of the go
Exclusive Tuning Worldwide Mark V VW GTI "W12 650" - Click above for a gallery
At the 2007 Wörthersee show in Austria, the VAG crew brought out two concepts that had VW and Audi fanboys frothing at the mouth. The first was the Audi TT Clubsport Quattro concept and the other was the VW Golf GTI W12 650 concept. The TT roadster made the transition from concept to limited production model (between 50 and 100 are being made for the Middle East market), while the W12-powered GTI remained an engineering show-piece. Exclusive Tuning Worldwide decided that the show crowd shouldn't be left out of the fun and developed a full body kit for the Mark V GTI that apes the W12's insane exterior.
The kit consists of new side skirts, widened front and rear fenders, a reworked hatch and bumper, along with an oddly proportioned front bumper and "W12 650" badging, all used to create a close facsimile of the show car. Unfortunately, aside from a reworked suspension, the performance modifications have been kept to a minimum and there's no twin-turbocharged, Bentley-sourced W12 mounted out back. That's a bummer, but considering Clarkson's review (posted after the break), you might be better off with a hatch that's not trying to kill you.
Gallery: VW Golf GTI W12 650 Concept
[Source: ETW via Autoblog.nl]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg "2011 Audi A8: Live from Miami")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
zamafir 8:23PM (3/18/2009)
ugly. ugly. ugly. oh and slow. but yes, ugly.
Reply
superman211 11:16PM (3/18/2009)
That's not the German way! All show no go is a Japanese and American thing.
Germans cars are understated and powerful.
zamafir 11:25PM (3/18/2009)
lol. i've been in the W12 before, it's awesome and quick, and the flying buttress 599 esc c pillars do a lot for the look of the car, along with an actual attention to proportion. Anywho, this is crap, it's ugly, like MOST if not all aftermarket ground effects for the MkV (and the MkIV prior...).
chconline 12:37AM (3/19/2009)
Yeah, so they just riced it. Wow.
Where can I get one for my Honda Civic? :P
Chris 8:36AM (3/19/2009)
@ superman211
Clearly you're wrong, the Germans aren't all great. Looks to me like that's all show and no go.
Gomi 10:53AM (3/19/2009)
it reeks of prejudice in here.
G-Money 8:23PM (3/18/2009)
While it's pretty close to the original, it just doesn't look as good for whatever reason. I guess if you want a kit with the fit and finish of the concept's you'd have to spend some major money.
That said, I like the wide fenders but the front clip is uninspired in comparison to the rest of the kit. In fact, the front reminds me of the "base" '08+ STI (the one without the driving/fog lights).
Reply
G-Money 8:27PM (3/18/2009)
I forgot to add that, IMO, the new STI hatch looks much better overall.
Jon 8:59PM (3/18/2009)
From what I can tell, it's the front piece. It's different than the concept. I must be weird because I really like the W12 GTI's look. But now that I've seen the MKVI GTI (next gen. model due later this year) I could care less.
tankd0g 12:15AM (3/19/2009)
Wheels and wheel wells are too small.
Eric 8:34PM (3/18/2009)
Ugly. Would never have on on my GTI.
Reply
JayP 8:56PM (3/18/2009)
On par with the faux R8 made from a TT.
Probably sounded good on paper... crap in reality.
Reply
Edmond Dantes 8:52PM (3/18/2009)
I'd love to have the actual W12 version. This? Meh.
Reply
dwightB 8:58PM (3/18/2009)
So, did they LOOK at the concept when they made this, or did they just go from memory and hope for the best?! WTF?! Almost EVERY proportion is different!
Reply
Javanese 9:08PM (3/18/2009)
I've seen turds that came out from my ass that looks better than this.
Reply
Kattleox 9:17PM (3/18/2009)
I like it, if not just for the, "was that...no...was it?" stares you would get on the street.
Reply
Protzenegger 9:50PM (3/18/2009)
Haha, the VAG crew? Unless that was intentional, I'd stick with "VW-Audi Group" in the future.
Reply
why not the LS2LS7? 9:55PM (3/18/2009)
Except that's not what it stands for. It stands for Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft (German).
fixitfixitstop 10:10PM (3/18/2009)
Are you 12?
Chris 8:35AM (3/19/2009)
Well, it made ME laugh, anyway. :)