The Godzilla of Golfs

Volkswagen's Mark VI Golf GTI is yet to land on our shores, but German tuning firm Abt Sportsline has already churned out a pair of pumped-up versions -- the more extreme of which rivals a Subaru Impreza WRX STi for poke.

The basic upgrade brings a remapped ECU and new exhaust system to boost the 2.0-litre turbo engine's output from the donor car's 155kW to an altogether healthier 191kW, bringing it in line with the Madza3 MPS -- the current hot-hatch king for straight-line stonk.

It doesn't end there, though, as an even more extreme conversion that includes a new turbo ramps up power to 221kW -- lineball with a Subaru Impreza WRX STI -- trimming the 0-100km/h dash to six seconds.

The massive makeover also brings Abt sports suspension that lowers ride height by 30mm, as well as a high-po braking system to rein in the extra horses.

It doesn't exactly fall in the 'shy-and-retiring' category, as the Godzilla of Golfs is festooned with a bespoke front bumper/spoiler assembly with integrated fog lights and LED daytime running lights.

The derriere scores a new bumper diffuser, through which protrude a quartet of tailpipes.

The whole lot rides on a beefy wheel/tyre package (18- or 19-inchers, depending on the customer's preference). As per the lower extremities of the body, the wheels feature red highlights.

The pimped-out cabin also features liberal splashes of red on the instrument panel, dashboard, door trim and the steering wheel.

The aero kit costs the equivalent of $5766 in Germany, while installation and paint adds $1900 and $2060 respectively. Do the maths and you'll glean that the whole lot will leave you with only a couple of hundred bucks change from ten grand. Phew!

The base engine upgrade (ie 191kW) doesn't seem bad value at $2730, but the 221kW package costs a hefty $9330. That said, it still represents decent bang for your buck.

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