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Two new engines in the VW Golf demonstrate the possibilities of turbocharging – though only one will be seen on the road.

Turbocharging gives more output from less displacement, enabling an engine to become smaller without losing power. This is the tactic used with VW’s latest 1.4 litre TSI, which develops more power and torque with lower fuel consumption than the naturally aspirated 1.6 gasoline direct injection unit it replaces.

On the other hand, turbocharging can simply add output to an engine. VW is demonstrating this in a twin-turbo W12, found only in the GTI W12-650, where the back seat should be. The car is a strict one-off, built as a design study.

VW design director Klaus Bischoff said: “The main challenge was to provide the six litre mid-engine with sufficient air. We also had to make provisions for sufficient downforce on the rear axle.”

When fitted to the luxury Phaeton, the standard W12 develops a “modest” 331kW (444bhp) so VW added two turbochargers for the Golf application. The result was 477kW (640bhp) and 750Nm, fed to the rear wheels via a six speed automatic transmission.

A top speed of 325km/h (202mph) requires massive airfow for induction and cooling systems, provided by vents and scoops in the C-pillars and the carbon fibre roof. Alterations to underfloor aerodynamics and a lower ride height ensure that the car stays on the road.