British tuner Superchips has a Golf GTI tuning package to rival the Golf R.

The ECU tuning being done here seems to be about more than just amping up the horsepower ratings. Superchips wants to create a more responsive engine that can make the Golf GTI improve its performance capability to a finer, measurable degree.

Peak power is boosted by 25 bhp (19 kW) and 47 lb-ft (64 Nm) of torque. But the power across the rev band is doled out to optimize flexibility, with Superchips' Bluefin ECU system adding 44 bhp (33 kW) at 4737 rpm and 53 lb-ft (72 Nm) of torque at 4450 rpm.

The Buckingham-based tuner claims that a Superchips Golf GTI weighing in at 1271 kg with a power output of 233 bhp (174 kW) and 253 lb-ft (343 Nm) comes close to matching the performance of the 1475 kg Golf R with 267 bhp (199 kW) and 258lb-ft (350 Nm). Tough to argue with that.

The Bluefin ECU remap is available for £435 (€479). The work can be done either by technicians on site or self-installed by the customer using a Bluefin handset plugged right into the ECU in the engine bay. Superchips says the process is easily done and takes only minutes.