VW and Audi tuner
APR has spent over a year and a half developing the Golf RLMS show car, a
hardcore 536 HP track weapon. Unveiled at the SEMA Show, the
heavily-modified car is based on a 2018 Golf R, and as the photos can attest,
little of the stock car remained untouched. For starters, APR went about nearly
doubling the power output of the AWD hot hatch, by subjecting the 2.0-liter
turbocharged gasoline engine to its Stage III+ engine build.
Thanks to a
twin-scroll Borg Warner turbocharger, the turbo-four now generates 536 hp (up
from 292 hp in the Golf R). That’s 244 more horsepower than stock —
roughly the power of a European-spec Golf GTI Performance. Peak torque also
sees a healthy increase from 379 Nm to 642 Nm. A
beneficial side effect is that turbo lag is allegedly minimized.
Obviously, the
turbocharger system is not solely responsible for these gains. APR also fitted
the Golf RLMS with a Stage III+ ECU upgrade, upgraded injectors and fuel pump,
APR Race DP, a carbon fiber intake system, intercooler and more.
Performance stands to gain a lot from the upgrades. APR claims the Golf RLMS is
capable of covering the quarter-mile in 10 seconds and accelerating from 0 to 0-225 km/h 15 seconds quicker than a stock Golf R.
Styling-wise, the
Golf RLMS looks pretty much like a race car. It wears a touring car racing-inspired
body kit that broadens the car to accommodate the wider wheels. Meanwhile, the
custom two-piece APR rims are shod with Toyo Tires. Inspired by VW’s TCR race
cars, the Golf RLMS gains an aggressive front splitter and an adjustable rear
wing that increases downforce at high speeds.
Modifications also
include a custom APR exhaust, APR roll-control racing coil-over system, and
roll-control stabilizer bars. For increased safety during track driving, the
Golf RLMS features a custom roll cage, OMP racing harnesses, and a fire
extinguisher system. Rounding off the interior modifications are the racing
bucket seats with RLMS embroidery on their backs.
Following its SEMA
Show debut, the VW Golf RLMS will travel around the country and will be used by
APR as a demo vehicle.
