If someone in 1977 had predicted what life would be like in 2016, they might have imagined “hovercars” zooming through the sky or humans chasing rogue androids. However, if you had mentioned a Volkswagen boasting 740 horsepower, they would likely have laughed you out of the nearest fast-food joint.
The remarkable transformation of a Volkswagen into a high-performance vehicle was realized by HPA Motorsports from British Columbia. This innovation began when their technical collaborator, Germany’s HGP Leistungssteigerungen, modified the 7-speed DSG DQ500 transmission from the European Audi TTRS for VW’s 3.6L VR6 engine. This robust gearbox, combined with the highly customizable VR6—now equipped with twin turbos—enabled the Golf R to generate more power than a Dodge Hellcat.
But is it practical for daily driving? That’s where Matt Farah steps in. Let’s take a closer look.
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