In 1992, VW looked at working on a Golf that was capable of winning the 1994 World Rally Championship. It was going to be a Mk3 Golf with 4-wheel drive and a turbocharger. Schmidt Motorsport (SMS) was roped in to develop a prototype.
This is a very rare and special VW Golf. Its called the ‘A59’ and it was built for Wörthersee, despite having an advanced turbo charger, stiff suspension and a lot of special parts installed. This Golf was developed to participate in the World Rally Championship (WRC) which VW left after the Mk2 Golf saw some success. VW motorsports wanted success in the Group A races. The VW Golf Mk2 GTI had already won two world titles (1986 & 1987).
In January 1992, VW decided to compete in the Monte Carlo Rally and so a new car was needed and it was to be based on the Golf Mk3. VW needed to get street legality to homologate the rally car and the regulation required 2,500 vehicles to be produced and so this A59 was developed.
VW motorsports invested a lot of money and effort in this project A59 with the intention that the final production showroom version would compete against the reigning segment leaders, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution & Subaru WRX STI. For WRC, the Golf A59 would have to challenge the Toyota Celica and Ford Escort.
VW GOLF 3 A59 (ROAD VERSION, 1993): TECHNICAL DATA
Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo, 4 valves per cylinder, single throttle
Power: 275hp at 6,000 rpm
Torque: 357Nm at 3,500 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual, 4-wheel drive with variable center differential
0 – 100km /h: 5 seconds (targeted)
Top speed: 234 km/h (according to the vehicle registration of the prototype, 270 km/h were targeted)
Length: 4.02 m
Width: 1.77 m
Wheelbase: 2,475 m
Weight: 1,373 kg
Tires: 225/45 R16 to 7.5 x 16
