APR’s VW Golf RLMS SEMA Show Car Is A 536HP Track Toy

VW and Audi tuner APR has spent over a year and a half developing the Golf RLMS show car, a hardcore 536 HP (543 PS) track weapon.

Unveiled at the SEMA Show, the heavily-modified car is based on a 2018 Golf R, and as the photos can attest, little of the stock car remained untouched. For starters, APR went about nearly doubling the power output of the AWD hot hatch, by subjecting the 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine to its Stage III+ engine build.

Thanks to a twin-scroll Borg Warner turbocharger, the turbo-four now generates 536 hp (up from 292 hp in the Golf R). That’s 244 more horsepower (247 PS) than stock — roughly the power of a European-spec Golf GTI Performance. Peak torque also sees a healthy increase from 280 lb-ft (379 Nm) to 474 lb-ft (642 Nm). A beneficial side effect is that turbo lag is allegedly minimized.

Obviously, the turbocharger system is not solely responsible for these gains. APR also fitted the Golf RLMS with a Stage III+ ECU upgrade, upgraded injectors and fuel pump, APR Race DP, a carbon fiber intake system, intercooler and more.

As you can imagine, performance stands to gain a lot from the upgrades. APR claims the Golf RLMS is capable of covering the quarter-mile in 10 seconds and accelerating from 0 to 140 mph (0-225 km/h) 15 seconds quicker than a stock Golf R.

Styling-wise, the Golf RLMS looks pretty much like a race car. It wears a touring car racing-inspired body kit that broadens the car to accommodate the wider wheels. Meanwhile, the custom two-piece APR rims are shod with Toyo Tires.

Inspired by VW’s TCR race cars, the Golf RLMS gains an aggressive front splitter and an adjustable rear wing that increases downforce at high speeds.

Modifications also include a custom APR exhaust, APR roll-control racing coil-over system, and roll-control stabilizer bars. For increased safety during track driving, the Golf RLMS features a custom roll cage, OMP racing harnesses, and a fire extinguisher system. Rounding off the interior modifications are the racing bucket seats with RLMS embroidery on their backs.

Following its SEMA Show debut, the VW Golf RLMS will travel around the country and will be used by APR as a demo vehicle.