Volkswagen restores the Golf BiMotor that participated in Pikes Peak

We have already announced Volkswagen's return to Pikes Peak here. The return will be made with an electric prototype, which looks more like something out of something like Le Mans. The ID R Pikes Peak aims to win the “race to the clouds” and break the record for electric cars in the process.

But the first attempt to conquer the 4300m peak took place more than 30 years ago, in the 1980s of the last century. And it couldn't be with a more distinct I.D. R Pikes Peak. THE Golf BiMotor it's precisely what the name implies: a mechanical monster with two 1.8 16v turbo engines — one at the front, one at the back — capable of co-firing together 652 hp to just 1020 kg in weight.

Here, we have already discussed the origins and development of the Golf BiMotor. And now, on the occasion of Volkswagen's return to the legendary race, it has started a process of restoring the very special machine, presenting it alongside its successor.

At the time, the Golf BiMotor, despite having shown itself to be fast enough to be victorious, never finished the race, having given up with a few corners to go. The reason was the fracture of a swivel joint, where a hole had been drilled for lubrication.

In the restoration process, Volkswagen wanted to keep the Golf BiMotor as original as possible, so the process went mainly from making it operational again and capable of being driven.

Among the various features of the restoration, the work carried out on the engines stands out. These have to be tuned so that they work synchronously on delivering power to keep the car controllable and stable. However, the restored Golf BiMotor will not come with the original 652 hp.

The team that brought the Golf BiMotor to life again

The objective will be to reach between 240 and 260 hp per engine, with the final power around 500 hp. Jörg Rachmaul, responsible for the restoration, justifies the decision: “The Golf must be reliable and fast, but also durable. That's why we don't push the engines to their limit, that would be a crime.”

We look forward to seeing this monster again in progress.