Thunder Bunny Concept at the Edmonton Motorshow

Volkswagen Canada is displaying its Thunder Bunnythe stock 2.5 L and a hefty supply of low end torque.
Concept at the Edmonton Motorshow toA performance clutch and Quaife differential were
commemorate a muscular Rabbit that was built in themated to the powertrain for durability and a more
early 1980s. The Thunder Bunny was designed inefficient delivery of power to the front wheels.
collaboration with Derek Jenkins, chief designer at theThe candy white exterior of the Thunder Bunny is the
Volkswagen Design Center California located in Santaresult of several design studio touches. The
Monica. It is an updated version of the original thatconcept’s body kit includes a larger central grille
debuted together with the Concept R GTI on lastand a bolder rear valance framing a twin R32 style
year’s 2006 SEMA Show held in Las Vegas.exhaust created by Neuspeed. And just like the R GTI,
The development of the Thunder Bunny was broughtThunder Bunny’s paint was covered with graphics
about by the frustration of Bill Neumann onJenkins calls “topographical” which is painted in
Volkswagen’s unwillingness to import the GTI topearl silver.
Canada. It should be remembered that the GTI is oneThese graphics were created to highlight the contours
of the most celebrated hatchback in Europeof the car’s geography or waves of air that flows
unfortunately it was not made available to Northover the surfaces. The pearl silver graphics make a
American buyers.unique visual statement as they appear to blink on and
And for this same reason that Neumann decided tooff under the sun.
build his rapid Rabbit that provided an amazing level ofAnd just like the original Thunder Bunny the forged
performance that even staffs at Motor Trend werealloy 19x8 inch sizing street wheels are painted with
surprised. And following reports from both Motorgold wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 235/35R19
Trend and Road and Track, Volkswagen finallytires. The same sets of multi-spoke forged alloys were
decided on bringing the GTI to Canada.ordered from Neuspeed’s RS line of wheels for
The present Thunder Bunny is a combination of subtletrack use. Both of the sets ordered are lightweight
design and tuning technology built to show how awhich are in accordance to the core GTI quality for
comfortable daily driver can also obtain an excitingdexterous handling. The front brakes of the Bunny are
motoring experience. Under the hood of the Bunny or328 millimeters, 2-piece floating cross-drilled discs
Rabbit is a newly developed turbocharger systemsourced from Brembo, gripped by bunny-adorned
which is designed by Neuspeed exclusively forBrembo four-piston brake calipers.
Volkswagen’s 2.5 liter five-cylinder engine. TheAn authentic network of Thunder Bunny logos dash
Rabbit also make use of genuine Volkswagen factoryruns across the surface of the white-painted caliper
parts like Volkswagen radiator fan and others.and at the rear are 310 mm disc brakes were fitted.
The Rabbit also features high quality installation whichThe unmatched handling ability of the Bunny is the
includes Garrett ball-bearing turbocharger, air-to-airresult of the suspension fitted with a Bilstein coil-over
intercooler, and a modified intake manifold. A stainlessshock system and APS/Neuspeed sways bars
exhaust and specially-baffled aluminum oil pan weremeasuring 25 mm front and rear. The suspension
sourced from APS for optimum cooling and flow.system is adjustable for both ride height and for shock
Boost is restricted to a maximum of 7 lbs in this Stagestiffness which gives the Thunder Bunny a dual
1 kit but still been able to produce 225 hp, 75 more thancharacter suitable for track or for street.