By Chris Tropea
May 3, 2023
Did you know that Volkswagen offered an all-wheel-drive version of the Golf before the R32? Called the Golf Country, the rare VW is, essentially, the overlanding version of the Mk2 Golf. (VW also offered the "Rallye Golf," another all-wheel-drive Mk2 built to meet homologation rules.)
Although never officially imported into the United States, we got to see one up close thanks to VW fanatic Jamie Orr while we spent time with FCP Euro at Lime Rock.
Presented by CRC Industries.
8/31/21 11:48 a.m.
I only learned about the Golf Country fairly recently, but I want one a little more each time I see one.
I guess it's not impossible to build one yourself, but that sounds like a lot of work to replicate something similar to the Synchro system used.
8/31/21 12:09 p.m.
I have a soft spot for the Fiat Panda 4x4. Cheap transport aimed at the rural market. I rented one in the French Alps years ago and it was exactly what you'd hope it was.
8/31/21 1:46 p.m.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
Oh yeah totally forgot about the Panda. I wonder how much one of those would cost to import...
8/31/21 2:15 p.m.
In reply to Colin Wood :
This recent piece suggests it's more than possible.
8/31/21 5:31 p.m.
I saw three or four of those Golfs on a business trip to Slovenia about 15 years ago. They certainly stand out in the parking lot.
8/31/21 6:20 p.m.
From memory they are a mutant offshoot of the rallye golf but without the birthing hips.
8/31/21 8:46 p.m.
9/1/21 1:37 p.m.
It's kinda like a Subaru outback version of the regular golf syncro with spacers under the subframe. My sister actually had a very rusty imported golf syncro until the swapped in AAZ blew up, I think someone still has it with a Mk4 TDI swapped in but I haven't seen it in years.
9/1/21 3:29 p.m.
The trick for replication was to use the B3 Passat 16v Synchro setup that came to the states. The issue is that there is a lot of pan that needs modifying even after you have the right guts. My buddy Kevin did it here - and it's for sale...
9/1/21 10:44 p.m.
You actually used to be able to go to the dealer and buy the rear pan section. The tunnel is the same as the one from a corrado too.
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