Test report by CoMod Lotus for the Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evolution Volkswagen Golf24 No.235, 24H Nürburgring 2011 (Art.No. 30631/27422)
The first VW Golf GTi hit the market in 1976. Equipped with the 1.6-liter engine of the then-current Audi 80 GTE, the compact car was originally intended as a niche model for a few motorsport-mad VW employees. VW's then-CEO Schmücker hoped for a total of around 5,000 units; in fact, more than 20,000 units were sold in the first year of production alone.
Over the decades, the abbreviation GTi has become synonymous with an entire vehicle category: powerful sports versions of series-produced compact cars.
To mark its 35th anniversary, VW has built three very special GTis to compete in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.
The three VWs are equipped with Audi RS3 technology. A 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo engine, which currently produces 340 hp in the Audi RS3 and Audi TT RS, has been boosted by another 100 hp to 440 hp for the endurance race. This also includes thicker sides, a rear spoiler, various ventilation openings, etc., to make the car aerodynamically fit for racing. The three vehicles carry the starting numbers 35, 135, and 235.
The version produced by Carrera for our racetracks is number 235, which will be driven by Formula 1 legends Johnny Herbert and Mark Blundell, among others. Visually, the three Golfs differ only in their starting numbers and the colored stripes on the hood.
By the way, at the 24-hour race a year ago, the three VWs were equally "successful": All three had to retire early, and the 235 presented here retired with transmission failure. Let's hope the very agile and lively Carrera model is spared these problems!
Best regards,
lotus
The first VW Golf GTi hit the market in 1976. Equipped with the 1.6-liter engine of the then-current Audi 80 GTE, the compact car was originally intended as a niche model for a few motorsport-mad VW employees. VW's then-CEO Schmücker hoped for a total of around 5,000 units; in fact, more than 20,000 units were sold in the first year of production alone.
Over the decades, the abbreviation GTi has become synonymous with an entire vehicle category: powerful sports versions of series-produced compact cars.
To mark its 35th anniversary, VW has built three very special GTis to compete in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.
The three VWs are equipped with Audi RS3 technology. A 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo engine, which currently produces 340 hp in the Audi RS3 and Audi TT RS, has been boosted by another 100 hp to 440 hp for the endurance race. This also includes thicker sides, a rear spoiler, various ventilation openings, etc., to make the car aerodynamically fit for racing. The three vehicles carry the starting numbers 35, 135, and 235.
The version produced by Carrera for our racetracks is number 235, which will be driven by Formula 1 legends Johnny Herbert and Mark Blundell, among others. Visually, the three Golfs differ only in their starting numbers and the colored stripes on the hood.
By the way, at the 24-hour race a year ago, the three VWs were equally "successful": All three had to retire early, and the 235 presented here retired with transmission failure. Let's hope the very agile and lively Carrera model is spared these problems!
Best regards,
lotus
