Sleepers come in many shapes and sizes, and while America has its fair share of such surprising rides, the Europeans aren't exactly shy in this segment either.
The first-generation Volkswagen Golf in the video below serves as the perfect example of this, with the retro German hatch packing a devilish punch.
Under the stock bonnet of this Vee-Dub sits a 2-liter four-cylinder unit, which works with a massive Garrett turbocharger. The 16-valve engine works with a six-speed sequencial transmission, delivering its power with the help of a 4Motion all-wheel drive system.
As you can imagine, nothing on this car is what it seems. For one thing, the engine can work at a jaw-dropping 54 psi (3.7 bar), delivering no less than 1,152 hp and lb-ft of twist (1,072 Nm). The sweet E85 setup is on the house.
Since the powerplant only has to carry around 2,380 lbs (1,080 kg), the performance will bring you into another dimension. The classic 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint? It only takes this Golf 2.6 seconds to complete that task.
As for the 62 to 124 mph run (100-200 km/h), this takes a mere 3.28 seconds. In fact, you can see the latter shenanigan in the video below.
Why does this VW pack a rollcage? With wheelspin being present up to 120 mph, the question above is probably a little silly.
The best part of it all
We've all seen tons of fast cars, but the best part of this Golf is the sleeper card it has up its sleeve. Sure, the soundtrack or the flames delivered by its 4-inch exhaust system might tip other drivers off, but nothing can prepare you for the kind of sprints this hatch can deliver.
The insane Mk I comes from a German aftermarket developer called Boba Motoring and we have to explain these guys are far from their first extreme Golf sleeper.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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