In Corrado trim, the VR-6 pumps out 178 hp at 5,800 rpm, and 177 ft. lbs. of twist at 4,200. The bottom end is about as durable as they come with a fully-counterweighted forged steel crank riding in seven main bearings. The most interesting feature of the cooling system is the auxiliary electric water pump that aids circulation while the engine's running, and also operates along with the fan if coolant temperature exceeds 220 deg. F. after the key is switched off. This keeps air pockets from forming in the head casting's water passages and insures against other heat-soak problems.
Proper tightness is maintained by a spring-loaded tensioner.
You can release by threading a long 8mm bolt into the hole that looks right up at you. There's plenty of working space at the firewall side of the engine, even more than with the four-cylinder VWs you're used to. The front is more crowded. Two factors mitigate this impediment in the case of the VR-6. One, the injectors are mounted a decent distance from the head, so won't be exposed to an inordinate amount of heat.