You know how fashion is bringing back all sorts of styles from the 80's? Well, let's take a look at a Golf 4 and see if we feel nostalgic.
Not just any Golf 4, though, but an R36 with custom engine mods. My god, look at those hips, that short 2-door body and those retro headlights. I want one right now!
It's been a while since the Golf R switched from V6 to 2-liter turbo, so in a way, we'd forgotten what we're missing. While the modern R is hellafast for a hatchback, it doesn't sound anywhere near as exciting.
But the last time we checked, the 6-cylinder in the Golf R was supposed to be a 3.2-liter, not a 3.6L. And supercharging was never part of the equation. The hardcore VW fan opted for a Passat motor with a result being 415 horsepower.
It also has an old DSG gearbox with software tuning for better response and a Porsche braking system for improved stopping power. We almost feel sorry or the Golf 7 R here.
As you all know, the "Phase 1" model pus out 300 HP, and with some Dutch tuning help, this one delivers 480 HP and 600 Nm of torque. Pop the hood, and you'll see everything is covered in carbon fiber. To cope with the extra torque, they also swapped out the original DSG for the DQ500, which is the RS3 gearbox.
The reviewer says the "Playstation feel" of the standard Golf R is completely go and you're left with a much more mechanical, engaging experience when changing gears. Usually, conversions like this cost at least €3,000 so it'd better be good.
And get this: the car was clocked at 0 to 100 km/h in 2.95 seconds. Wow isn't that amazing in a Golf? But if it were our money, we'd still pick that supercharged classic for our 3-car dream garage.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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