German tuner Manhart has taken the wraps off its farewell package for the outgoing Volkswagen Golf 7 R, boosting the all-paw hot hatch’s peak output to 331 kW.

That, of course, sees the hatchback outgunning the likes of the 310 kW Mercedes-AMG A45 S and the 294 kW Audi RS3 Sportback. For the record, the upcoming Golf 8 R is expected to offer around 245 kW.

Dubbed the Manhart RS450, the upgrade takes the (pre-WLTP) Golf R’s EA888 turbocharged 2,0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine from its standard outputs of 228 kW and 400 N.m to 331 kW and 500 N.m. Manhart has yet to release a claimed 0-100 km/h time for the tuned Golf but does say the blast from 100 km/h to 200 km/h will take "around nine seconds".

According to the Wuppertal-based tuner, the extra oomph was unlocked thanks to the fitment of a larger turbocharger and the remapping of the engine control unit. In addition, the company says it fitted a carbon intake system from Eventuri.

Manhart has also installed an in-house-developed muffler and downpipe, which results in what the tuner describes as a “brutish sound”. Lowering springs from H&R were also added.

Visual upgrades include the addition of a spoiler lip from Rieger Tuning as well as a decal set in silver. Manhart Concave One light-alloy rims with a diamond-polished finish (and wrapped in 235/35 ZR19 rubber) are also part of the package.

Original article from Car