In an era dominated by crossovers and SUVs, it seems weird that Volkswagen hasn’t brought the Golf Country back from the dead. Instead of waiting for the German carmaker, the independent tuner Delta 4×4 did all the work for them, transforming the fastest of Golfs into an off-road beast.
The original Golf Country from back in 1989 was produced by Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Austria although it was an official VW product. Delta 4×4’s creation benefits from the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system and the turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI powertrain which makes between 315 hp (235 kW / 319 PS) and 329 hp (245 kW / 333 PS), depending on the variant.
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The most notable upgrade is the 80mm (3.15 inches) lift kit, resulting in a ground clearance that would put the majority of SUVs to shame. The lifted suspension would definitely compromise the handling prowess of the Golf R but also allow it to drive over any kind of terrain.
The 18-inch Hanma wheels are shod in grippy all-terrain tires, while vented fender add-ons cover the wider tracks on both axles. Delta 4×4 also added five PIAA LEDs on the bonnet and a metal roof rack that can hold all kinds of gear plus a full-size spare wheel. The rest of the bodywork including the aggressive aero is carried over from the Golf R without any changes.
The reimagined Golf Country exists only in the digital world at the moment, but Delta 4×4 said it could produce a limited number of 25 units if there is enough interest. Such a conversion would be priced around €35k ($38k) in addition to the cost of the Golf R donor vehicle, and require between 6-9 months of labor.
