Now VW has enlisted the help of Neuspeed to design a concept vehicle that reflects its roots in the sport compact tuning community. Also called the called Thunder Bunny, the new car is an updated, thoroughly modern version of the original, and it debuts alongside the Concept R GTI on the Volkswagen stand at the 2006 SEMA Show.
Under the hood of the Thunder Bunny is a newly developed turbocharger system designed by Neuspeed especially for Volkswagen’s 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. The installation includes a modified intake manifold, Garrett ball-bearing turbocharger and air-to-air intercooler, plus a stainless exhaust system, which boosts power to 225hp. The white exterior includes a larger central grille and a more muscular rear valance framing a twin R32-style exhaust from Neuspeed.
The R GTI features the trademark hexagonal grille, 19in alloys and develops 400hp and 340ft-lb of torque on 100 octane racing fuel, enough to propel the R GTI to 60mph from rest in just 4.8 seconds. The performance package was developed by APR, and includes a large Garrett turbo with twice the flow capacity of the stock unit, and is pumped up to 21 PSI of boost.
Click ahead for more images.
RGTI0.jpg
RGTI1.jpg
RGTI11.jpg
RGTI12.jpg
RGTI3.jpg
RGTI4.jpg
RGTI5.jpg
RGTI71.jpg
RGTI8.jpg
RGTI9.jpg