Rare VW Golf Mk3 “Rallye” WRC Prototype Steals 2022 SEMA Spotlight

The World Rally Championship (WRC) special homologation ruling through the late 1980s and early 1990s spawned some of the most iconic ‘90s sportscars. You need not look past legendary examples such as the Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione hot-hatch to Subaru Impreza WRX P1. However, one German brand almost made the list.

Volkswagen’s exhibit in this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show sees the brand showcasing some of their latest EV concepts. However, stealing the show here for VW is its ultra-rare 1993 Volkswagen Golf Mk3 “Rallye” prototype – a ‘90s WRC homologation special hot-hatch.

Yet another rally-spec car headlining their brand’s exhibit, the Golf “Rallye”, codenamed A59, was built by Schmidt Motorsport (SMS) in 1993 to meet said homologation ruling sanctioned by the FIA. However, unlike its fellow 1990s homologation specials, the A59 Golf was shelved from production after the marque’s feasibility study to enter WRC came to a bust.

The unit displayed is a fully-functional concept car, boasting similar elements to the barren Golf Mk3s. Different to said base model is the A59 Golf’s unique bodykit, carved out of carbon fibre. This rally-style bodykit makes the A59 Golf less boxy-looking than the 3-door Golf GTI Mk3 it underpins.

The front bumper comes with additional intake for better performance, as well as its GRP-made hood. Of course, the WRC staple flared fenders give the A59 Golf a more aggressive stance. Its rear is now decorated with a roof-mounted spoiler and a sportier rear bumper that houses dual-tailpipes – with a spare slot for another pair.

Beneath the hood lies a bespoke 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbocharged all-aluminium engine that produces 271 HP and 370 NM – a far cry from the standard Golf GTI Mk3 (113 HP). Said powertrain is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and rally-grade all-wheel drive system featuring a limited-slip rear differential and a hydraulic variable centre differential.

All of this performance hardware eventually propels the A59 Golf to a top speed of 270 KM/H – making it one of the fastest Golfs ever made.

Equally impressive too is the A59 Golf’s 16-inch Speedline SL817 alloy wheels – albeit quite small by current standards. Hiding behind said alloys are Brembo brakes, providing ample stopping power. Bilstein dampers with multi-link design at the rear ensures this hot-hatch is as agile and fun to drive, just like its look.

The A59 Golf Mk3 “Rallye” didn’t go into production as Volkswagen’s performance arm, VW Motorsport, pulled the plug for its WRC project. The Wolfsburg-based marque claims only two prototypes were completely built, and only one of them being drivable.

Image credit: Carscoops