R GTi: the lowdown
VW has cooked up two hotter Golf GTis for the SEMA tuning show: the 225hp Thunder Bunny and 375hp R GTi. This mean hatch is the R GTi, which gets a big helping of carbonfibre to shave off weight and a huge power upgrade. The 197bhp 2.0-litre’s stock turbo makes way for a bigger blower, yielding 375hp. The Garrett turbo has twice the normal flow capacity and delivers 21 pounds per square inch of boost. Other upgrades include a new clutch to handle the extra torque and a Quaife limited slip diff to put the power down. The R GTi rides on red-rimmed 19 inch lightweight aluminium wheels.
R GTi: the makeover
The R GTi is the work of VW’s Santa Monica design studio in California. Multiple body parts have been switched for carbonfibre, from the wings and bonnet to the spoilers and mirror housings. The interior is swathed in black leather, with red R GTi logos adorning the mats, door panels and even steering wheel to tie in with the red-rimmed wheels.
VW Thunder Bunny: the lowdown
This more restrained, candy white hatch is the Thunder Bunny, which is a play on the Golf’s name Stateside, where it’s called the Rabbit. The fivepot hot hatch harks back to 1981, when Californian-based Automotive Performance Systems imported an original white Golf GTi, modded it and the original Thunder Bunny was born. Mods on the 25th anniversary car include a beefy body kit, larger central grille and a more muscular back framing the twin exhaust. Like the original hatch, the 2006 update sits on 19inch gold wheels with Brembo brakes hauling the hatch to a halt.
VW Thunder Bunny: the makeover
The Thunder Bunny runs the 2.5-litre inline five, offered in North American Jettas and Rabbits. A turbocharger boosts power from 148bhp to 225 horses, while a Qauife differential is added to manage power delivery to the front wheels. New seat upholstery, an alcantara wheel, a spherical aluminium gear knob and white carbon fibre interior trim lift the interior.