The Ultimate Machine: Turning a VW Golf Into a Mid-Engined Supercar
Forget everything you know about the Volkswagen Golf. From its days as a humble, everyday hatchback to the wildly popular GTI edition, the Golf has always held a special place in the hearts of enthusiasts. However, even the most fervent fans might not be prepared for the absolute madness dreamt up by 034Motorsport. This California-based outfit has been transforming Golfs and Audis into performance beasts since 2005, but their magnum opus is a mid-engined, turbocharged Golf GTI that blends the best of Volkswagen, Porsche, and Audi in one epic package.
From Humble Beginnings to Brutal Engineering
The story starts with a 2001 Volkswagen GTI, the quintessential compact hatchback known for its fun and practical nature. But let's face it; no one would expect to see a GTI don the kind of firepower and handling that are more akin to a high-end supercar. The folks at 034Motorsport didn’t just want to make a fast Golf; they aimed for downright outrageous. The first order of business? Transfer the engine from the front to the middle of the car.
Engineering a mid-engine setup in a car originally designed for front-engine, front-wheel drive is no small feat. It involves fabricating a custom rear tubular subframe and using suspension components from a Porsche 996 Turbo. This isn’t just a simple engine swap; it’s a monumental engineering effort with custom mounts, custom pickup points, and even a 996 Turbo rear sway bar.
The Heart of the Beast: An Audi Engine with Porsche Spirit
Given 034’s history with Audis, it’s no surprise they chose an engine with four rings on it. The chosen powerplant is a 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 from an Audi S4, fitted right where the GTI’s rear passenger seats used to be. Not just any 2.7-liter V6 would do, though—this one has been bored and stroked to a full three liters. With a fully strengthened bottom end featuring a forged crank and JE pistons, and 2.8-liter heads from a B5 A4, this engine is a monster.
But the numbers are what truly impress: 807 horsepower and 596 foot-pounds of torque. This explosive power is generated by a custom turbo setup that lets the driver choose between a Precision Turbo CEA 62mm GT35R or a Garrett GT42RS, depending on the driving mood. All that power feeds into an Audi 01E six-speed transmission with custom ratios, delivering it seamlessly to the rear wheels via a heavily modified drivetrain.
Porsche Pedigree: Suspension and Wheels
The car sits on custom-valved Öhlins three-way dampers both front and rear, with H2Sport spindles and control arms up front. Keeping with the Porsche DNA, the Golf runs on 996 Turbo 'hollow spoke' wheels with the front sees 18×8-inch while the rear stretches to 18×11-inch, all wrapped in Continental ExtremeContact DW tires. Braking prowess comes courtesy of 993 Turbo front calipers and 996 Turbo brakes at the rear, making sure this beast can stop as well as it goes.
Subtle Yet Obvious: A Sleeper's Dilemma
Upon a quick glance, you might think the body of this GTI has remained true to its origins, but look closer, and the signs of transformation are glaringly visible. Custom-built metal wide-body flares and massive vents in front of the rear wheels hint that this is no ordinary VW. Inside, the cabin retains much of its original charm with a stock dashboard, factory leather seats, and an R32 steering wheel. However, an NHRA-spec roll hoop and rear chassis reinforcement make it clear this car means business.
An Unforgettable Experience
In the end, 034Motorsport’s GTI RS isn’t just a car—it’s a statement. It’s a blending of Volkswagen's iconic hatchback framework with Audi’s engineering prowess and Porsche’s sports car spirit. This is speed-hunting at its finest—taking the mundane and transforming it into something extraordinary. When you have a Golf that can pull off track times rivaling supercars, it changes everything you thought you knew about the VW badge. Fast, ferocious, and altogether mad, 034Motorsport has outdone themselves in creating a car that’s as outrageous as it is brilliant.