I work at Starbucks and when it’s slow at the store, I start to combine ingredients to make a new drink. During this process, I can’t help but wonder the designers and engineers at car manufacturers do with their spare time? Do they just sketch random stuff? Pull pranks on one another? Race each other?
One day the designers at Volkswagen had one of those moments and they created an awesome GTI for an event that praised the curator of the 1st GTI. For this new project they decided to pull parts from their array of companies that include Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, and Audi. They took the W12 Twin-Turbo engine from a Bentley Continental, the rear axle from a Lamborghini Gallardo, and the body of a GTI. Their final product was the Volkswagen GTI W12. Yes, it is a concept car. But, the car itself was actually drivable, so it was a functional concept car like the Citroen GT.
If the W12 ever made it to production then it would need to address two main problems – proper cooling and handling. Proper cooling for the engine would be a factor because the GTI’s design was not made for a RWD, and thus lacks proper air flow into the rear. Handling would be the other problem because the typical GTI body would not be able to control that kind of horsepower during the turns. You will probably whip out the rear and end up spinning if you took a turn harder than you should. In a nutshell the GTI W12 is one brutal force to reckon with on the straights, while in the turns your image of a fast hatchback crumbles.
(Yes, I know, I’m a TopGear fanboy and I admit it, but if you’re not a TopGear fan then you’re not a true car enthusiast!)
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
How often do concept cars (and their cool) features make it into production? I always think they are cool and don't understand why we don't see more of them show up on the show room floor.
Concept cars have different purposes. Some are developed as precursors to the production model. They can give the manufacturer feedback on the design. Then again cars like VW GTI W12 are purely for the auto-maker to flex it's muscles. Others like the Citroën GT And the Audi RS Q are purely a marketing efforts.
What a great blog! It's an easy way to keep up on what's happening in the car world. One suggestion: consider expanding your coverage to cars that people love right off the showroom floor and require zero aftermarket purchases to dust nearly everything on the road or track. Hint: It's a two seater and is made in the USA
Thanks, but I believe the GTR is made in Japan.
I'm guessing you're hinting to the Z06?
Mike's just a trouble maker man.
no, he is talking about the camaro, and the ZR1 has a 30,000 dollar markeup on the MSRP price, which makes basically impractical as an “off-the-showroom” drive
no, he is talking about the camaro, and the ZR1 has a 30,000 dollar markeup on the MSRP price, which makes basically impractical as an “off-the-showroom” drive