Autotech 1.8t Intake Camshaft – Power Bump Stick

Volkswagen’s 1.8-liter turbo represented a huge step for tuners and enthusiasts alike. The G60 before it had given enthusiasts a taste of the potential of forced induction. The US market only saw it in the Corrado, while the rest of the world could enjoy Golfs and even Passats powered by the little blown four. Sadly the G-Ladder supercharger proved to be unreliable and VW had moved to the larger VR6 at its performance alternative for the MK3.

With the release of the MK4, car companies started to see the fuel economy writing on the wall. Small displacement forced induction engines would have to replace the bigger displacement, thirstier engines. Not only did the 1.8t deliver better economy, but enthusiasts found levels of tuning that just weren’t possible in naturally aspirated engines.

VW Golf GTI and Polo Wörthersee 09 Design Studies

Every year in Austria the biggest VW show in the world takes place. Wörthersee Treffen 09 promises to be as good as any past year, even with the slow global economy. Volkswagen usually does its best to elevate the show every year with a special built car or two for the event. This year is no exception; both a  Golf GTI and a Polo have both received special attention to attend the show. In years past, VW has built crazy mid-engined, wide body cars that even the most optimistic enthusiast knew would never see the light at the end of the production tunnel. This year VW has doen something maybe even more exciting. They have built two cars that could very easily be built and sold, all over the world, even here in the US. Well kind of.

Wavetrac Limited Slip Differential – Install and Review in a mkIV GTI

While most people think of cars being either two or four wheel drive, the fact is, cars with open differentials are one wheel drive. Very few cars come from the factory with limited slip differentials. With power constantly on the rise, cars have quickly outgrown the outdated open diff.

Enthusiasts haven’t had too many choices in the past for aftermarket differentials. A specific car will usually only have a few different manufacturers of aftermarket diffs. Autotech Sport Tuning in Aliso Viejo California is trying to make the market a little bit bigger. We recently tested out their new Wavetrac differential in a Volkswagen GTI 337 and came away very impressed with not only it’s performance potential but use in daily driving.

Volkswagen Golf 6 Wins World Car of the Year

Apparently we aren’t the only ones impressed with the new Volkswagen Golf mk6. A group of 59 automotive journalists just named VW’s venerable hatchback World Car of the Year. 51 cars were nominated, a short list of 10 were selected to be judged. Of the top ten, three finalists were selected; the Golf, the Ford Fiesta and the Toyota IQ. Cars were judged on merit, value, safety, environmental impact and emotional appeal. The Volkswagen obviously represents the best in all these categories combined.

We drove the Golf earlier this year and were extremely impressed. We called it the best value in entry-level cars on the market. The build quality and materials used are simply unmatched. A consumer can spend a lot more on a car and not get as nice of interior as you will find in the Golf. The new mk6 isn’t remarkably different from the mk5 that it replaces. It is however more refined, stiffer, quieter and better looking by a long shot.

The People’s Car – Volkswagen Golf VI TSI

The raindrops congeal on the windshield in gel-like veins, oozing slowly over to the side and out of view. The 100 KM/H wind seems to have little effect on them. When the weather is like this everything slows down. It is just above freezing, but feels about fifty below zero. It’s the middle of December during one of the worst winter storms in recent years in Germany. We have just left Wolfsburg after spending a day and half touring The Volkswagen Autostadt, VW’s base of operations and spiritual home. The experience was amazing and makes me appreciate the Golf VI we are in, just that much more.

Save the Ponies – eurosport’s new front mount intercooler for VW 1.8t cars kills heat and saves power

Anaheim CA: Long time Volkswagen tuner eurosport Accessories has just released a new front mount intercooler for the MK4 1.8t. While the factory side mount unit is at best adequate for 180hp, eurosport’s unit will work on a Golf, Jetta or GTI with a big turbo set-up putting out around 300hp. That means K04 and even GT28 applications should be OK. The intercooler itself is all aluminum bar and plate core with cast end tanks. The included tubing is 2-inch diameter and coated with a black wrinkle coating.