What do you get when you mix the desire to build the ultimate A2 and a fairly fat billfold? The result could very well be this green A2 GTI G60.
This particular hot hatch has been an ongoing project for owner Mike Herman and New German Performance (NGP) in Aberdeen, MD. The car started life as a rather modest '92 GTI with a base eight-valve engine and few added options. Mike has been bringing it back to NGP for several years, building onto the project. As his income increased, so has his dedication to the green A2.
Under the hood, the regularly aspirated 1.8-liter 4-cylinder was traded out for a Corrado's supercharged 1.8. The G-lader was swapped with a European-spec unit and smaller stage II pulley, which allow it to reach 22lbs. of boost. A Schrick 268-degree shaft replaced the stock shaft and the chip was sourced from AMS to match the engine's modifications. The head and intake were ported, polished and big valves were installed. From Autotech, NGP installed a ceramic-coated header and cam gear. Air intake was improved via a Eurosport ITG. Several pieces, such as the supercharger and throttle body, were polished to enhance the under-hood appearance.
The component that really sets this engine ahead of other G60s has to be the VW Motorsport intercooler and air duct that was originally developed for race spec Rally Golfs in the late ‘80s. Since the piece was developed as part of the factory Motorsport program, the fitment is clean and looks as if it was there the day the car rolled off the assembly line. Air is intended to flow under the driver's side headlight and into the duct, though NGP chose to improve on that by fitting the car with a custom fiberglass hood with built-in air scoop.
Gases exit the engine via a custom exhaust setup. NGP installed a center pipe section that retains the catalytic converter. At the back, a Remus muffler with dual tip finishes it off. The final result is a system that is claimed to provide improved performance while retaining compliance. In the end it sounds like a burbling snarl, which is a real attention getter though that might get old if this were a daily driver.
Being a high-powered small displacement engine, the torque tends to be concentrated in a small area of the power band. To help exploit this to its fullest, NGP installed a Eurospec 6-speed conversion and custom gears to the transmission. They mated the new setup to a Centerforce 210mm clutch and Quaife limited slip differential to assure maximum power gets to the ground. A Eurosport short shift kit with weighted shift rod and shortened shifter stalk were further added for increased speed through the six gears.
The car's suspension has also been significantly upgraded to handle the additional power. A Sachs dual spring coilover kit has been added at all four corners. This has been complimented with Autotech 25mm hollow swaybars in the front and 28mm hollow swaybars in the rear and fitted with urethane suspension bushings. Upper strut tie bars also from Autotech can also be found at the front and rear of the car.
To assure that the car stops as well as it goes, NGP set out to improve the stock braking system on the GTI. The front brakes were replaced with seriously aggressive Wilwood 4-Piston calipers and the rear brakes were sourced from a Jetta GLI 16V. Mintex pads were fitted at all corners and braided steel brake lines help to assure immediate brake response.
Outside, the car has taken on the green theme started at the factory, and Mike has added the silver lower finish as an accent. The A2 big bumpers have been retained, though somewhat modified. Front turnsignal and foglight assemblies and plastic insets were taken from an A3 GTI and were moulded into the stock A2 big bumper, replacing the stock turnsignal in the process. Since there is no tow hook located in the A2's front bumper like there is with the A3, the stock A3 foglights and tow hook cover were replaced with a set of German ZKW A3 foglight replacements. The location for the stock foglights now provides airflow for front brake cooling and a Zender chin spoiler has been fitted. At the rear an Abt rear spoiler has been added mid-way down the hatchback.
Further bodywork was done by a local hot-rod shop that works closely with NGP. Vents and windshield washer nozzles were removed from the hood and filled. The shop also removed the second wiper, making this one of the nicer mono-wiper setups we've seen on an A2. The roof mounted antenna and rear license plate bracket were also removed and filled for an ultra-clean Euro-look. Placement for the rear license plate was frenched into the lower rear bumper and lighting was provided by a custom-mounted marine map light that gives it an OEM polish.
Aerodynamic door handles with no lock cores and clear European sidemarkers were sourced from an Audi A4 and grafted to the A2's body. Sets of R+A exterior rearview mirrors were added, though with a twist. The customer wanted to retain the original mounting plates from the A2 stock units so NGP cut the mirror arms off at their stems and grafted them onto stock mounting plates. The upper body was re-shot in the factory original green and the lower body was sprayed in silver as was the underside of the car.
Most badges have been shaved from the car to further the clean look. Pair of R+A aluminum finish G60 emblems were added to the color-matched side moldings and a vinyl "supercharged" emblem has been added at the rear.
Since there are no longer any exposed locks on the car, entry is done via a DEI alarm system with keyless entry and trunk release. Further luxuries were appointed to the car through use of an Audi 4000 power sunroof and a Spal power window kit. The window kit came complete with OEM-look window buttons, tracks and motors that are made specifically for the car and bolt right in. The rear side windows of this three-door have been modified so that they hinge open for ventilation courtesy of a kit sourced from R+A.
Inside the car has a truly impressive full Sparco-equipped interior. The Sparco suede sport seats have been mounted to some Recaro power rails from a Jetta GLI. The steering wheel, shift knob, racing harnesses and pedals are also all sourced from Sparco. NGP procured some additional suede from Sparco for additional details like a custom suede shift boot, custom suede covering for the sunroof controls, upholstering of the door panels and reskinning a Corrado-sourced back seat.
A Kirk Racing rollbar has been installed for further rigidity and safety. It allows for fairly easy access to the back seat area and has been "preloaded" or angled slightly inside the cabin of the car to allow the driver's seat to be positioned far enough away from the steering wheel so that the 6'2" owner of the car can be seated comfortably.
The dashboard has been modified for fitment of the Corrado's three-gauge instrument cluster. A set of Rapid Parts white guage faces with green lettering was added to match the car's color scheme. Additional VDO cockpit gauges were added to the stock stereo location so that the driver can monitor coolant temp, boost and oil pressure.A fuel enrichment guage has also been added in the vent to the left of the main instrument cluster for an almost OEM appearance. An NGP white-faced temperature control unit was also added, as were silver dashboard trim and the lower dashboard segment from a Jetta GL to maintain the black, gray and silver color scheme.
The stereo is now located down in the center console. It has been seriously upgraded with a mix of components that the owner specifically chose for the car. From Alpine came the in-dash CD player, CD changer, digital equalizer and amps. An Eclipse subwoofer with metal cone provides the bass and the front and rear speakers are MB Quart units.
How does it drive? NGP estimates 215hp at the wheels. Combine that with the 6-speed transmission and the lightweight nature of the A2 chassis. It quickly becomes obvious that this car definitely has some legs. The whole package is very well put together and very impressive, which can definitely be attributed to the attention to detail given by the GTI's owner and NGP.
The only downside, which some may call upside, is that this car's nature is too hardcore for daily use. The aforementioned imposing exhaust note would make a long drive somewhat tiring. The suspension handles as if it is on rails, but the drawback is a somewhat bouncy ride on backcountry roads. Nevertheless, you'll find yourself walking away from this car with a smile on your face and an appreciation for the lighter and more agile A2 chassis.
