Mid Engine Porsche 4.2L V8 VW Rabbit Mk1 – Video

Last time we checked, the Mk I Volkswagen Golf GTI was powered by either a 1.6 or a 1.8-liter four-banger. However, the owner of the GTI in the video below begs to differ, explaining that the first generation of the wacky Rabbit comes with a 4.2-liter V8.

And the man is right, since he’s referring to his Mk I GTI. While the engine, which comes from a defunct Audi S4 and delivers 340 hp, is mighty impressive, you might be wondering how this fits under that tiny hood.

Well, it doesn’t, since that space is now occupied by the fuel tank. This was one of the measures taken to eviscerate the space expanding from the front seats backwards in order for the V8 to be strapped in there.

Make no mistake, though, this isn’t one of those babied show cars. Its owner drives the hell out of this VW Group Frankenstein, so DM Motorsport, which built the car, had to ensure the rest of the vehicle can take all that oomph.

As a result, the engine is held in place by a custom rear subframe, which is integrated into the massive roll cage of the Golf.

This is where we start mentioning the Porsche hardware

The rear suspension comes straight from a 996-generation Porsche 911 GT2, while the same can be said about the brakes. Speaking of the stopping power, all four calipers come from the Porsche parts bin.

The list of Porsche parts also includes goodies such as the dashboard and the seats. And no, there are no Beetle pieces in this Golf. The 340 HP Golf may come in rear-wheel-drive form, but it uses 245-section rubber on all four corners.

Oh, and we also see a bit of Lamborghini here – notice how the rear diff sticks out from the rear of the car and you’ll understand.

Like any car fetishist, this owner has big plans for the future. You know, stuff like giving a pair of turbines a shotgun ride. And when Porsche itself is going turbo, you can’t blame this guy, can you?