Volkswagen Blog, Performance, Tuning, Motorsport, and Modification News

Introducing the AWE-Tuning Track Edition / Switchpath catback exhaust system and Performance Downpipe for the MKVI Golf R. The catback system by itself will give about 8 peak horsepower and 6 pound-feed of peak torque. A rear section exhaust is not where one will really get big power gains and that is what the downpipe is for. It provides gains of 22 horsepower and 17 pound-feet of torque on top of a car that has the rear section and software. ...

Wow! Absolutely incredible results from APR with a DSG Golf R running a "Stage 4" APR tuning package. They did not state exactly what turbo is used only that it is a Garrett GTX series. This is a street legal car that was run in Australia at an Australian National Drag Racing Association certified drag strip. This is a dual clutch transmission (DSG) car that does have upgrades including SSP clutch packs and Harding Performance DSG software. ...

Here is the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible which VW decided to debut early before the Los Angeles Auto Show in late November. The 2013 Beetle convertible gets three engine options. A naturally aspirated 2.5 liter five-cylinder with 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque with a 6 speed automatic makes up the base model. A 2.0 TSI turbo direct injected four-cylinder 200 and 207 lb-ft of torque is available as well with either a dual clutch gearbox or manual gearbox. ...

Here is a very impressive 1/4 mile run from a MKVI Volkswagen Golf R. The car has the APR Stage 3 turbo upgrade kit along with the APR intercooler and APR turbo back RSC exhaust with cats and resonators deleted. The 6-speed car managed a very impressive 12.1@117 meaning in better weather it could likely break into the 11's. The timeslip and accompanying run video are below, very impressive. ...

It's nice to see MKVI GTI's making some serious power. There are few however crossing the 500 wheel horsepower threshold. To put this power in context, the car dyno'd below with just a tune was at the 230 wheel mark. That means HSTuning took this motor from 230 to 501 wheel horsepower for a gain of 271 horsepower at the wheels. That is some serious power game coming with some serious turbo boost on the relatively small 2.0 liter four-cylinder. ...

Volkswagen has yet to reveal the new MKVII GTI but this design study shown ahead of the Paris Auto Show gives us a good idea of how the model will look. The bodywork is obviously more aggressive than the standard MKVII Golf sporting an aggressive front fascia with integrated LED lights and a rear diffuser with twin exhaust pipes. Power will come from a 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder motor with 217 horses and 258 lb-ft of torque. An optional powerkit is said to up this to 230 horses. ...

Naturally after the MKVII Golf reveal the GTI and Golf R versions will follow. The GTI will be powered by the 2.0 turbo EA888 motor with about 220 horsepower or so. In the Golf R, this same motor will be used but output is expected to rise to around the 300 horsepower mark. This increase in power combined with the lower weight, lower center of gravity, and wider track of the MKVII should make for a very sporty Golf. ...

Here is a video from MotorTrend comparing the second generation Volkswagen Scirocco versus he new third generation model. MotorTRend starts the video out by saying it is not often we do not get cars from Europe here anymore these days and that is very erroneous statement considering it happens all the time. Regardless, we obviously do not get the new Scirocco here in the United States partially due to the car cannibalizing Golf sales. ...

This is a rumor put out by Autocar who has been wrong before. They are reporting the MKVII GTI may get a limited edition lightweight variant which will cut considerable weight thanks to carbon fiber pieces. The reason for this model would be to honor the 40th birthday of the Golf and that would be a damn good way to celebrate. The bulkhead, floor panels, and surrounding panels would be made out of aluminum. ...

By now you should be aware of the Boba Motoring Golf. Yes, the world's fastest Golf. It is a MKII with all wheel drive which ran the 1/4 mile in 8.6@165. Yes, stupid fast. Well, not content to just leave it at that Boba Motoring is now going to a larger Precision turbo and a fuel system dedicated to running ethanol (E85). That is going to take some huge injectors and this is what they are using: 4x1000cc + 4x 2200cc injectors and a Aeromotive fuel pressure regulator. ...

Here is a very cool release from GIAC who just released software to tweak the 250Q DSG transmissions such as those found in the MKVI GTI and the GLI. The software is available in two stages. The first of which is obviously more mild but provides smoother clutch engagement, launch control set at 3400 rpm, and a remapped sport mode which will hold gears longer and also protects over the transmission overheating. ...

The thought was we would all have to wait a bit before we would see the three door or coupe version of the new Golf VII. Well, Volkswagen actually intentionally or accidentally leaked these images themselves on their German website through their Golf configurator. The three door version looks just as good albeit sportier than its five door sibling. Now if we could get pictures of the Golf VII GTI and the upcoming Golf R model already. ...

Well here it finally is, the new MKVII Volkswagen Golf. The exterior is not ground breaking or radical simply a nice evolution. The tailights are a bit more aggressive as well as the headlights with their edgy angles. The interior is a major upgrade with a modern and simple cabin. As reported previously, this new model is lighter, roomier, wider, and more efficient. The official reveal is set to take place shortly so more details will be coming in. ...

Volkswagen as of late has seemed to buy just about any and every automotive manufacturer in sight. The latest rumor was that they would be acquiring Lotus. All of this after finalizing the Porsche takeover, picking up Ducati, and acquiring heavy truck maker MAN. Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn stated, “We have enough to do at the moment in taking our twelve brands to where we want to be." ...

USP Motorsports just keeps squeezing more and more power out of their APR Stage 3+ Jetta GLI build. A little over two weeks ago we posted about them hitting 403 wheel horsepower on 93 octane pump gas. Now on 100 octane race gas they were able to raise this number to a very impressive 426 wheel horsepower. The vehicle does have forged rods which is the only internal upgrade to handle the power. ...

Volksagen officially confirmed that the next generation MkVII Golf will return 78 mpg from its 1.6 liter TDI motor. This would make it the most fuel efficient Golf ever produced and is an absolutely incredible number. What makes this level of efficiency possible is that the new Golf will be lighter and offer a lower coefficient of drag at .0274 improving by .024 on the previous generation. ...

Well, seems the German publication Sport Bild that stated Volkswagen was contemplating entering Formula 1 was nothing more than a rumor designed to get attention. Volkswagen reiterated the report we published in April stating that their focus is on the World Rally Championship and they have no intention to enter Formula 1. VW exec Stefan Moser stated, "Nothing has changed since our last statement. We are continuing to focus on the WRC. Entering formula one is not an issue for us right now." ...

The Golf is on of the most important models in the Volkswagen portfolio. When a new generation hits, it is a big deal. The MKVI is an excellent car but VW aims to surpass it in every way. The dimensions have grown as the car is 56mm longer, 13mm wider, yet 28mm lower which should make a for a much sleeker looking car. The wheelsbase is also 59mm longer with the track width increasing by 8mm in the front and 6mm in the back. This is going to be a much better handling car. ...

In May of this year Volkswagen Motorsport director Jost Capito stated Volkswagen would not be entering Formula 1 in 2014 and would opt to focus on WRC Rally Racing instead. Well, it seems that will hold true but they may be entering in 2015. Volkswagen is apparently in talks with the Sauber Formula 1 team to start a partnership. Volkswagen apparently intends to create their own chassis. ...