Photo: Theophilus Chin
Is there a market for an MPV that goes like stink? We hope there isn't, because we just couldn't stand the sight of GTI badges being stuck on tall, boxy machines like the Golf Sportsvan.
Don't get us wrong, VW did a great job engineering a compact MPV, even though it look a little boring when compared to the C4 Picasso. But a hot hatch version? That's something best left to the inner realms of the internet, where this photo was "spawned" by automotive graphics manipulator Theophilus Chin.
He took a photo of the Golf Sportsvan and added bits from the GTI hatch, including the LED headlights, sports suspension, body kit 18-inch Reifen 5-spoke alloy wheels. The changes are not only easy on the eye, but they would also be simple to make, since the two cars are based on the same MQB platform.
The Sportsvan is 3.3 inches (8.4 cm) longer than a regular Golf hatch, so it should ride nicely. But the tall body makes it look like a Golf that's wearing a topper hat. Currently, the most powerful engine you can get is a 2-liter diesel with 150 hp and 320 of torque (236 lb-ft), paired to either a six-speed manual or an optional twin-clutch DSG. With 0 to 100 km/h in 9 seconds, it's not what you'd call a fast ride.
A tall, boxy hot hatch sounds like a really bad idea, but it has been tried before with not-so-impressive results. Vauxhall and Opel both sold hot version of the old Zafira under their OPC and VXR respective badges. These models came with a 2-liter turbo borrowed from the Astra and producing 240 hp and 320 Nm of torque (236 lb-ft). They could reach 100 km/h from a standstill in 7.8 seconds and topped out at 231 km/h (143.5). Ford also tried a similar stunt by sticking the 2.5-liter turbo from a Focus ST into the S-Max 7-seater.
As most racing drivers will tell you, wagons are almost as good as sedan when you're trying to have fun. So the consensus among European automakers seems to be that big boots are preferable to high roofs. The Golf R Estate that Volkswagen is currently developing is thus the GTI MPV's biggest enemy, the final nail in the coffin that ensures it will never get out and terrorize the streets. It would have been cool if they'd built it for Worthersee though!
He took a photo of the Golf Sportsvan and added bits from the GTI hatch, including the LED headlights, sports suspension, body kit 18-inch Reifen 5-spoke alloy wheels. The changes are not only easy on the eye, but they would also be simple to make, since the two cars are based on the same MQB platform.
The Sportsvan is 3.3 inches (8.4 cm) longer than a regular Golf hatch, so it should ride nicely. But the tall body makes it look like a Golf that's wearing a topper hat. Currently, the most powerful engine you can get is a 2-liter diesel with 150 hp and 320 of torque (236 lb-ft), paired to either a six-speed manual or an optional twin-clutch DSG. With 0 to 100 km/h in 9 seconds, it's not what you'd call a fast ride.
A tall, boxy hot hatch sounds like a really bad idea, but it has been tried before with not-so-impressive results. Vauxhall and Opel both sold hot version of the old Zafira under their OPC and VXR respective badges. These models came with a 2-liter turbo borrowed from the Astra and producing 240 hp and 320 Nm of torque (236 lb-ft). They could reach 100 km/h from a standstill in 7.8 seconds and topped out at 231 km/h (143.5). Ford also tried a similar stunt by sticking the 2.5-liter turbo from a Focus ST into the S-Max 7-seater.
As most racing drivers will tell you, wagons are almost as good as sedan when you're trying to have fun. So the consensus among European automakers seems to be that big boots are preferable to high roofs. The Golf R Estate that Volkswagen is currently developing is thus the GTI MPV's biggest enemy, the final nail in the coffin that ensures it will never get out and terrorize the streets. It would have been cool if they'd built it for Worthersee though!
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