The Volkswagen Golf, a legendary hatchback, has seen numerous special editions throughout its eight generations. Among the most coveted are those equipped with a potent six-cylinder engine. While the VR6 lineage concluded with the fifth-generation Golf, a clandestine prototype of a Mk6 Golf with a VR6 powertrain was developed in Wolfsburg. Had it entered production, this Vw Golf V6 Mk6 would have been the most formidable Golf to date.
In 2009, Volkswagen engineered a one-off VW Golf V6 Mk6, foreshadowing the Mk6 Golf R. This prototype housed a 3.2-liter engine sourced from the Rothe Motorsport racing team, derived from the powerplant of the Mk5 Golf R32. While the original naturally aspirated engine delivered 247 horsepower, this modified version boasted a staggering 463 hp and a torque increase from 236 lb-ft to 384 lb-ft.
To achieve this significant power boost, the VR6 engine, codenamed “BUB,” underwent extensive modifications. Key enhancements included a Garrett GT35 turbocharger, custom pistons, a redesigned intake manifold, upgraded injectors, and hand-welded aluminum pressure pipes. The comprehensive list of modifications is as follows:
- Fuselage engine R32 code letter BUB
- Rothe Motorsport pistons with compression reduction (8.5:1 compression ratio)
- Finely balanced crankshaft with weight optimization
- Schrick camshafts
- Cylinder head machining
- Rothe Motorsport exhaust valves
- Rothe Motorsport cast iron exhaust manifold
- Rothe Motorsport intake manifold
- Garrett GT35 turbocharger
- Hand-welded 80mm aluminum suction
- Hand-welded 60mm aluminum pressure pipes
- Hand-welded Rothe Motorsport intercooler
- Rothe Motorsport 89mm stainless steel trouser pipe with exhaust system
- Rear silencer with flap control
- Rothe Motorsport injectors
- Rothe Motorsport air duct made of GRP
Beyond the formidable VR6 engine, the VW Golf V6 Mk6 prototype featured enhancements such as Audi RS6 front brakes, 19-inch Lamborghini wheels, a Bilstein B16 suspension kit, and a refined interior with Alcantara upholstery and a leather-wrapped dashboard adorned with contrasting stitching.
Although official performance figures remain undisclosed, the combination of high power and a relatively low curb weight of around 3,000 pounds suggests exceptional performance. Coupled with all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the VW Golf V6 Mk6 would have been a true sleeper. Volkswagen confirms a top speed exceeding 155 mph.
After serving internal purposes, the VW Golf V6 Mk6 prototype joined the Volkswagen Classic fleet. In celebration of the Golf’s 50th anniversary, Volkswagen showcased this unique vehicle at the GTI Fanfest in Wolfsburg. A recent dyno test revealed output figures of 457 hp and 392 lb-ft, slightly below the initial factory specifications.
This wasn’t the last VW Golf V6. The 2013 Golf Design Vision GTI concept featured a twin-turbo VR6 exceeding 500 hp, and the 2015 Golf GTI Supersport Vision Gran Turismo envisioned a VR6 with 503 hp.
While subsequent Golf models adopted smaller four and three-cylinder engines, rumors suggest Volkswagen considered a five-cylinder engine for the Mk8. However, this was purportedly vetoed by Audi, reserving the 2.5-liter unit for its RS models. Ultimately, this engine found its way into the Cupra Formentor VZ5 and the KTM X-Bow GTXR.
The VW Golf V6 prototypes and production models, however, are not the largest engines ever fitted in a Golf. That distinction belongs to the extraordinary mid-engine GTI W12-650 concept, boasting 641 hp from a twin-turbo 6.0-liter Bentley Continental GT engine.
The Mk8 represents the final Golf generation with combustion engines, as Volkswagen has announced the all-electric Mk9, slated for a 2028 release on the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). The VW Golf V6 Mk6 prototype remains a tantalizing glimpse into a performance variant that never reached the market, a testament to Volkswagen’s engineering prowess and a captivating piece of Golf history.
