380bhp VW Golf GTI

Volkswagen’s Golf GTI – a nice hot hatch with obscene amounts of all-round ability, but a bit lacking in the insanity that makes the Ford Focus RS and Renaultsport Megane R26.R so enthralling.  Until now. German tuning company Wimmer RS (responsible for the nuts 221mph Porsche GT2) has breathed some madness onto the GTI, upping its power to 380bhp – more than a Porsche 996 GT3 or 997 Carrera S – and its torque to 336lb ft, a better figure than the Audi TT RS. In Wimmer’s words, ‘the little sports car will definitely become a weapon’, and who are we to argue. The gains come courtesy of an optimised turbo, a tweaked intake system, modified fuel pump and a high-grade steel sports exhaust system. Don’t forget the VW TSI engine’s high propensity to tuning, too. A stronger clutch is fitted to make sure all that power doesn’t make it go pop, while the top speed’s up to 166mph, a 17mph hike. And fear not, as the suspension has been given a once-over, too. A height-adjustable HR coilover system is fitted to try and make the car more manageable. With just shy of 400bhp going through the front wheels, that’s going to be some task. The styling tweaks are remarkably subtle, the only telltale signs of Wimmer’s work being some (presumably optional) stickers and those wheels, with 18, 19 and 20in rims available. They come wrapped in Dunlop Sport Maxx GT tyres. If a loony Golf GTI floats your boat, then head to Wimmer’s website to spec yours. You better by quite fluent in German, though. If this is a bit tame, though, then that 221mph Porsche 911 is probably more your thing… Follow evo on Twitter for the latest fast car and hot hatch news