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All Hail Wolfsburg! VW GTI W12-650 struts its stuff for Autocar

Alex Nunez — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 11:33:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Supercars, Volkswagen

Click image for photo gallery

The fabulous VW GTI W12-650 show car that was built in just 8 weeks for the 2007 Wörthersee meet is no show pony. We knew that it was a legit runner, as was seen in a video we posted of the car rehearsing its entrance on a grandiose stage setup. What we didn't know at the time was that the GTI W12, despite being a one-off machine, was constructed to really take advantage of the massive power being pumped to its rear wheels. The UK's Autocar got to drive the damned thing on a closed course, and they laid into it pretty well. To keep the car from vaporizing its rear tires, torque is limited to just 50% of max in 1st gear and 60% of max in 2nd. In third, however, it's all there, and when he drops the hammer, the Autocar correspondent sums things up in two words: "Bloody Hell!"

Note to Volkswagen: Build it. A limited run of 650 would seem perfectly appropriate. Follow the jump top watch Autocar put it through its paces, and try not to drool all over yourselves when you hear that wicked exhaust note..

[Source: Autocar via YouTube]

Gallery: VW Golf GTI W12 650 Concept

Continue reading All Hail Wolfsburg! VW GTI W12-650 struts its stuff for Autocar

All Hail Wolfsburg! VW GTI W12-650 struts its stuff for Autocar originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It runs. It moves. The VW GTI W12 650 in motion

Alex Nunez — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:26:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Supercars, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows

Click image for high-res gallery

Now, don't get too excited. This isn't some VW-produced promo video depicting the twin-turbocharged GTI W12 650 show car pushing ludicrous speeds on the Nürburgring or anything. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Here, we see it doing a run-through for a show presentation at low speed. It definitely sounds mean, though, with an exhaust note that we'd gladly listen to all day. Those aggressive looks haven't gotten old to anyone here yet, either. Come on, VW -- put it on a track with a professional camera crew and give us some real eye candy already. Let's see how it looks and sounds at something better than parade speed (assuming it's capable).

Follow the jump for the video.

[Source: YouTube]

Gallery: VW Golf GTI W12 650 Concept

Continue reading It runs. It moves. The VW GTI W12 650 in motion

It runs. It moves. The VW GTI W12 650 in motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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W�rthersee 2007: VW shows off monster Golf GTI W12 650 concept

Alex Nunez — Thu, 17 May 2007 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Hatchback, Volkswagen

Click for high-res gallery of VW Golf GTI W12 650 concept

It would appear that the Audi TT clubsport was just an appetizer for the fans at the Wörthersee 2007 meet in Austria. Volkswagen has upped the ante by throwing down a stunner: the Golf GTI W12 650 concept. The ultimate GTI in every way, this car has a claimed top speed of 325 km/h -- 201 mph! -- and a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) of 3.7 seconds.

This is a pure show car, so don't go running to your VW dealer waving around a fistful of cash. He won't be able to help you. Too bad, though, as this super Golf dishes out a mammoth 650 horsepower and over 530 ft lbs of torque from the 6.0L biturbo W12 it's got mounted behind the front seats. All that juice flows through a 6-speed automatic to the rear wheels, which are shod in some seriously meaty rubber.

Lower and wider than a stock GTI, the body retains the production car's doors, hood and lights, but otherwise it's all new. A number of intakes and a redesigned C-pillar help feed air to the 12-cylinder behemoth supplying the go-power. To keep the car planted to the tarmac, VW didn't want to use a massive spoiler to generate downforce. As such, the car's carbon-fiber roof acts as a giant diffuser that funnels air under the small spoiler at its trailing edge. In summary, the whole thing is a big exercise in the awesome.

Translated press release after the jump.

UPDATE: Unveiling video embedded after the jump. Thanks to commenter slicecom!
UPDATE 2: Gallery updated with live shots and an interior photo

[Source: VW via Zer Customs]

Gallery: VW Golf GTI W12 650 Concept

Continue reading W�rthersee 2007: VW shows off monster Golf GTI W12 650 concept

W�rthersee 2007: VW shows off monster Golf GTI W12 650 concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 May 2007 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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