VW debuts 503-hp Design Vision GTI at Wörthersee

[JHF]

As is the case every year, Volkswagen engineers have built and brought a new toy to their fans at the annual Wörthersee festival in Reifnitz, Austria. Called the Design Vision GTI, this track toy is a Golf that's been widened, lowered and given an injection of twin-turbo V6 steroids.

The powerplant providing motivation is a 3.0-liter V6 paired with two turbochargers to produce 503 horsepower and up to 413 pound-feet of torque. With all-wheel drive and Volkswagen's famous DSG gearbox (the gear count is unknown), the Design Vision GTI can erase what's between you and 62 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds, as well as a reach a terminal velocity of 186 mph. Carbon ceramic brakes, 20-inch wheels and a specially tuned chassis round out the hardware upgrades, while engineers compressed the car's dimensions to be shorter, wider and lower than a stock GTI.

The exterior of the Design Vision GTI is meant to evoke the future of GTI styling, which is fine by us as we especially like how the car's iconic C-pillar is pulled away from the body and flows into the significantly flared rear fenders. It looks like the reflection of a GTI in a circus mirror with menace-making bends. The interior, meanwhile, is an exercise in editing, with switches, knobs and all manner of unnecessary controls removed, and the center console more severely oriented towards the driver. The rear seats have been replaced by an X-shaped crossbar, and red straps appear where door handles used to be (à la Porsche). There's even a camera embedded in the A-pillar that can shoot either the track ahead or the driver at work.

While not as stout in the power or performance departments as the 2007 GTI W12 Concept, the Design Vision GTI looks even more the business than that King of Golfs. For now we only have renderings, but we'll update this post with live images of the Design Vision GTI as soon as they're available.

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/vw-debuts-503-hp-design-vision-gti-at-worthersee/

 

[Deckhook]

The important information here is not the car but the engine, expect to see this in an RS Audi near you.

 

[Merc1]

How about a 400HP Golf R too!


M

 

[JHF]

The important information here is not the car but the engine, expect to see this in an RS Audi near you.

Yes, it would be amazing to see that engine in the RS Audi But I want to also see the 2.5 TFSI (same power as in the Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro - 503 hp) engine someday in the RS Audi.

 

[Levi68]

The important information here is not the car but the engine, expect to see this in an RS Audi near you.

This Golf is mid-rear powered? Like the Clio V6 and Mégane Trophy? That is a Golf that could interest me. I love the idea of mid-rear powered hatches. Sure, only two seat, but real "sleepers" by my standards.

Yes, Deckhook, the engine tells everything, that is the engine to power the Macan Turbo (S), the replace all NA V8 at Porsche, and to come in the next generation RS4/RS5.

I this admit I do worry about BMW, they are not as competitive as before. Now that all rivals go TC they need something to stand appart, the M5 engine is not really better in any way compared to the 4.0 TFSI. I'm afraid it will be the same with the new M3/M4 engine. Other than the traditional I6, I don't see what will make it a better engine. The M3/M4 has to worry. Somehow Audi lastly manages to have the last word.

 

[Deckhook]

^I don't agree that BMW need worry as an engine does not a brilliant car make, its one piece of a much bigger puzzle. In any case the inline 6 should be plenty good enough to compete as BMW are renowned for producing exceptional engines and this will be up there with the best of them.

Only time will tell how good this new VAG engine will be but those numbers are definitely promising and if does make it into a few Porsches then chances are it will be pretty special as only the finest seem to grace modern Porsches.

 

[The Pretender]

The big holes behind the front wheels say front engine.

But it will be Longitudinal IMHO.

I say Audi V6 3.0 TFSI twin turbo.

 

[Zonda]

A high power Golf is pointless, unless it's cheap!

 

[Levi68]

A high power Golf is pointless, unless it's cheap!

Because low power Golf is cheap?

 

[The Pretender]

 

[The Pretender]

Volkswagen Golf "Design Vision GTI" - YouTube

 

[martinbo]

It looks rubbish. Tired concept from VW. Interior thematic is boring. What do these guys know about GTI-DNA?

I'd rather have a KIA.

 

[JHF]

 

[JHF]

 

[Merc1]

Stunning! I really like it. Hope this translates into a production Golf R with like 300+ hp.

M

 

[martinbo]

Feck. How special is that? Love it.

 

[Deckhook]

Stunning! I really like it. Hope this translates into a production Golf R with like 300+ hp.

M

Alas I doubt it.

 

[JHF]

 

[martinbo]

Ok, so after all the idle chat, who noticed that this is a transversely-mounted, twin turbo, charge-cooled VR6 engine?

 

[Giannis]

Ok, so after all the idle chat, who noticed that this is a transversely-mounted, twin turbo, charge-cooled VR6 engine?

The transverse mount is pretty obvious. Give it a closer look and the two turbos are easy to figure out.

But what do you mean charge-cooled? Air to water or air to air heat exchanger, a la S63TU? You got me on that, I've got no clue.

As for the VR6, I'll give you a hmm. I counted six cylinders, but it's certainly no V6. Then again, VAG doesn't have any I6 history, so it must be a VR6. I bet there must be a different way to figure that out, though.

(Until somebody comes up saying he/she read the press release)