Didn't VW build a mid engine rear wheel drive GTI? Seems like I saw it on a TV show and when they drove it, it was a beast and the results were less than spectacular. It was very loose, just couldn't get the power down in the turns.

 

GTI W12 concept — an ultra-high-performance version of its popular GTI hatchback. Featuring a 12-cylinder, 6.0 liter motor, the GTI W12 can hit 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Delivering 650 horsepower and 553 pound feet of torque. Volkswagen says the GTI W12 can hit a top speed of 202 mph. “This GTI moved the wing inward,” explains Klaus Bischoff. “The roof is part of an enormous diffuser, which provides sufficient down force on the rear axle. It is made of carbon fiber and forces air over and under the tail spoiler to obtain a perfect amount of pressure on the rear axle.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chreI...eature=related

 

there's a vw aftermarket company I think in Canada that will turn the NB or GTI into mega turbo monsters (upwards of 600 hp) and using the audi drivetrain, will make it awd. The NB was what they called a ferrari eater - I think it would do 0-60 in under 4sec ON wet pavement. Something like that just to see the face of ferrari driver would be awesome!!!

 

HPA Motorsports in Houston does that all day.....http://www.hpamotorsport.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY3zq...eature=related

The only companies for BMW that even try are Hartge and Hammann. But even they don't push the envelope with the MINI, only the 3 series...I don't get it
If HPA can make a NB an AWD, 550hp twin turbo V6 that can be a DD....why can't we work out something?

 

It's all about the demand. Have you been to any of the large VW shows and compared them to the large MINI shows? (edit: oops looked at your location. Guess this question doesn't work )

Having been to AMVIV and MOTD this year as well as Waterfest and H2O (largest VW/audi shows of the year). And having seen the cars and the owners at both events, the answer to your question becomes very apparent.

At MINI events you see cars dressed up like lady bugs or cars with vinyl checkers all over. It's really rare that anyone does any engine work beyond just some bolt ons. People stick to pullies, intakes, and exhausts and some get a little adventurous and have someone else tune their car for them.

You move on to the VW community and people are swapping their engines out in their own garages. Bigger turbo swaps are common and any car that was N/A from the factory has an SC or Turbo kit available from the aftermarket. People take it upon themselves to convert their car to the .:R AWD. They break out their welders to do custom bodywork or go to work creating their own custom suspension setup. It's just two very different demographics and perhaps it has to do with the age of the companies/communities, but I garauntee that's why none of the big companies have really taken on a big MINI project that pushes the boundaries.

The same goes for Toyotas, Hondas, BMW's, etc where the modding of the car is a little more "intense" and boundary pushing.

 

Nice Vids

 

Rally---Actually I'm from NC...I have a 01 Wolfsburg at home, I have been to Waterfest(once) and H20 in Oceancity(twice)....believe me when I say I know the VW crowd well....I am in Kuwait working for now, and I bought my MINI here. I noticed the lack of serious modding...I guess it all boils down to conformity....Thats exactly why I am talking with ABF performance about some twincharge options....I could care less what everyone else does, I'm meIf cars were meant for sheep, they wouldn't have 3 pedals....That's exactly why I like ur style bro

 

Hahah somehow I knew you had been part of the VW crowd here

 

yeah - hpa that's the company i was thinking of - i wonder if they recently relocated from the north to houston - it seems back when i had my NB (2003-2005) and i was looking into them (i say that loosely b/c i didn't have the extra $15000 lying around to play with!) they were based north of the border.

obviously, having the audi awd format to use makes it easier for them to offer awd for the vw. it would be a start from scratch kind of thing (i would imagine) for mini. however, if vw can put out the r32 every few years and sell it for $10-15k more than a gti in limited numbers, why can't mini explore something like that with an awd powerhorse to rival the likes of porsche and m-power?????

 

AUDI represent!

 

 

My Cooper can do that in my sleep....

 

in your sleep is very appropriate..lol

 

Is that what Getrag decided? thats a shame...

Not sure if it was posted but here it is 40 minutes into the video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...09701279751306

 

this is gotta be in the works somewhere behind closed doors at bmw! even if it were a special order item for the mini through the manufacturer. i wonder if gertrag would do the work aftermkt, but then again it may prove pretty costly for those of us in US after you figure shipping costs back and forth to europe. hmmmmm - doesn't Jan at RMW wanna hook up with gertrag and bring this to Irvine California????

 

....

 

I would think that the folks at m7 or RMW have considered putting together a Frankenstein RWD MINI before...

Too bad nothing's come to fruition (yet).

 

I know a company did a rwd swap on a ford focus a few years back. Stuffed a V8 in there as well. from the write up it actually handled pretty well just kept overheating on them.

 

I saw a picture of an AWD Del Sol not to long ago, so doing this isnt inconceivable, it just requires the right engineering know how.

 

I agree. A very good friend of mine has a VW Caddy w/ a VR6 in the bed and rwd. Very cool truck! Then again, you've probably already seen threads on it. He also has another VW Caddy that he previously swapped in a 2.0 16V and now a 1.8T.

 

The AWD Mini was awesome, I would give anything for one of those