Throwing down two litres of ABF thrust

ONE can only speculate what the world of “pocket rocket” hot hatches would have come to, were it not for the influence of the undoubtedly prolific Volkswagen Mk1 Golf.

The Mk1 has seen many design and mechanical permutations over its production run and so is no stranger to our local automotive culture.

Shanan Solomon Naraidu, 26, is a pool-playing, card-dealing motoring enthusiast and owner of this week’s “hot” Citi Golf Life.

Naraidu, of Phoenix, is currently between jobs and recently worked as a customer service agent for an international airline.

His Citi Life boasts a powerful retrofitted two-litre, 16-valve ABF motor, “tricked out” five-speed gearbox, Valeo clutch and a lightened flywheel.

A Dicktator engine management system was also installed, as was a cone filter and a four-into-one branch manifold, mated to a 57mm freeflow exhaust, with a Cowley centre box.

Naraidu said his “Life” churns out 134kw of power at the flywheel with 119kw on the wheels – all the more impressive considering the Citi Golf weighs significantly less than a ton.

Naraidu’s Golf has a 60mm drop all round, courtesy of lowering springs and the fitment of top and bottom stabiliser bars.

The 17-inch AMG Reps are fitted to a tetrad of radial tyres

Aesthetically, quality installations include HID lighting, LED indicators and red under-glow lighting all round. A sticker on the windscreen reads: “No enemies, just jealous friends.”

The sound system comprises a media player connected to two sets of 6-inch Pioneer mids and a pair of Audiobank super tweeters through a 3800-watt Targa amplifier.

Naraidu is a member of the HLR (Hustle Loyalty Respect) performance car club, a local collective of likeminded auto enthusiasts.

He did not disclose how much was spent on this build.

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