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150 000 to see GTI race concept

Volkswagen will showcase a new Golf GTI concept for the track – the Design Vision GTI – at an annual enthusiasts’ meeting on the shore of Lake Worthersee in Reifnitz, Austria. About 150 000 fans are expected to attend the gathering from May 8-11, 2013.

Based on the seventh-generation Golf GTI which will arrive in South Africa later in 2013, the concept transfers the design and power potential of the iconic hot hatch to the world of racing. Drawn under the eye of Klaus Bischoff, VW’s head of design, the new car’s most striking features are the C pillars and sills which have been extended outwards as autonomous body elements, allowing for a wider track and larger wheels.

'MENACING' EYES

The Design Vision GTI has a long wheelbase and short front overhangs: 4.25m long (15mm less than the production GTI), only 1.385m high (57mm lower than the road car) and 1.87m wide – 71mm wider.

"Its stance," VW says, "shows this is a car which belongs on the track, and unique 20" rims and ceramic brake discs complete the racing style."

Image gallery

The car has a honeycomb grille, black, red and white colour scheme and horizontal red line details and the headlights are set further back into the bonnet, giving the car "eyes" with a somewhat menacing appearance, according to the automaker.

It's powered by a three-litre V6 TSI engine with direct injection and turbocharger and capable of 375kW at 6500rpm and 560Nm from 4000 to 6000rpm with 500Nm on call at only 2000rpm. This power is channelled through a DSG gearbox to all wheels; 0-100km/h takes 3.9 seconds.

VW claims that with this drivetrain and its sport chassis the GTI concept will be able to handle the most demanding of race tracks.

The car's cabin has, VW says, been designed according to the rules laid down by VW’s head of interior design, Tomasz Bachorski: "Pure GTI. Concentration on the truly essential, but with style."

NO REAR SEATS

The rules, the automaker says, have been followed, with the concept exhibiting the minimum number of switches, and those that survive have been orientated towards the driver for optimum use on-track. The familiar black/red/white colour scheme, touches of carbon as well as door releases in the shape of a red loop (reminiscent of that in Porsche Cup models) add to the race-car feel.

The rear seating has been removed to accommodate an X-shaped cross member, adding to the car’s overall stiffness and providing storage for two  crash helmets.

The cabin has a camera and a facility to allow the driver to network with a social community. A large display to the right of the main instruments (the prototype is left-hand drive) shows the circuit being driven as well as times achieved. The display also communicates with other vehicles on the course and calculates details about the current status of the race.
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