By: IOL Motoring Staff
Lustenau, Austria - With the production version of the Golf R400 concept seemingly in limbo the all-wheel drive Golf VII R, which has been on the market since 2013, is starting to look a little dated with 'only' 221kW, leaving a gap in the market for tuners.
Among them is Oberscheider, which has been developing 'Intelligent Programming' performance upgrades for popular cars since 1985, and in 1992 expanded its R&D department into a full-on tuning haus, under the name OCT Tuning.
And this is the OCT upgrade of the 2013 Golf R, with its output boosted from its original 221kW and 350Nm to a kick-ass 331kW and 550Nm, thanks to revised ECU mapping, a freer-breathing airbox, a new air filter element, an intercooler kit, modified intake manifold, bigger turbo and a stainless-steel sports exhaust system with a free-flow racing-spec catalyser.
DSG versions also get reinforced clutches and upgraded transmission software, to cope with the extra torque.
OCT doesn't quote any performance figures, beyond advising owners of other hot hatches to get out of the way if they see an OCT-tuned Golf in their rear-view mirror.
Also read: VW unleashes 195kW GTI Clubsport
Actually, it's four upgrades in one, as OCT says it can install the modifications in stages, as an when the customer can afford them, starting with Stage 1 - 272kW and 460Nm.
Stage 2 gives you 278kW and 480Nm, while Stage 3 is good for 290kW and 505Nm - and Stage 4 is the full monty. OCT also offers the same upgrades for other VW Group cars with the third-generation EA888 two-litre TFSI turbopetrol four, notably the Audi S3 and TTS.
The most important thing about OCT-tuned cars, however, is that they remain completely usable as daily drivers, as well as weekend hooligan tools.