SEMA 2009 – Viper SmartStart iPhone App for remote start

Heal Thyself – Can VW Dealers Fix Customer Service Issues

I have been told I have a slightly irrational love of Volkswagens. I love their cars, believe in their core values and hopefully, will be a life long customer. I am however no fan boy. I will be the first to acknowledge VW’s few faults and shortcomings. As their biggest fan, I may also be their biggest critic.

The biggest complaint I have ever had with VW isn’t directly their fault. VW dealerships are generally some of the worst in the business. Taking a car in for service quickly turns into a test of one’s patience and restraint. The problem just seems to escalate when you add in factors like performance modifications or little things like expecting them to actually fix the car correctly the first time.

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.

Frankfurt auto show 2009: the light of the charge brigade

Please make it stop. Ever since the Mercedes-Benz CLS, car makers have taken to chopping the rooflines of their sedans and calling them four-door coupes. Guys, they’re not coupes. By definition, coupes have two doors. What you’re making are sedans with varying degrees of rear head- and legroom that range from barely adequate to what’s-the-point.

At least it looks as if Americans won’t be sent into fits of pedantry by the Audi A5 Sportback, because as handsome as this four-door-plus-hatch version of Ingolstadt’s lovely A5 is, Audi of America isn’t too fired up about bringing it Stateside.

Sunday Fun-Day at Eurosport Dyno Day

Sunday 8/16/09 – Eurosport hosted Dyno Day;  an event filled with tons of people from all walks of life. Two pulls on the dyno cost you $55 which gave attendees some bragging rights at the next car meet. Most of the cars were Volkswagens, their owners wondering just how much wheel horsepower it was actually putting down to the asphalt.

Besides the VWs, Eurosport also saw all kinds of different rides at their shop from a Ford Fusion putting down a whimpie 139.0 whp to a Dodge Magnum SRT-8 which put down 344 to the wheels and last but not least a CL55 AMG which put down the most of the day, an amazing 410whp with 497lb-ft of torque. Very impressive for a car that weighs 2 tons. The day was filled with a raffle give away- H&R tee shirts, spring pencil holders and some car products. A $100 gift certificate was the much sought after grand prize.

Refreshing Performance – VW MK4 Upkeep and Upgrades

Have you noticed your car getting less responsive? Maybe it doesn’t turn-in like it used to, the engine doesn’t seem as snappy? Cars age like we do and things start to wear out. The beauty of a car, though (unlike us), is that parts are easily replaceable and upgradeable.

Our own VW MkIV was starting to feel a little rough, so we finally decided to do something. You may not have a MkIV (or even a VW, for that matter), but these repairs and improvements apply to just about any car.

First, the front suspension felt sloppy. It would vibrate at speed, wander as if the steering wasn’t properly connected and it didn’t feel “tight”. We had visions of replacing ball joints and tie-rods, but once we got it up on the lift, the prognosis wasn’t so bleak. The guys at VW Specialties in Huntington Beach helped us diagnose and remedy the problems.

Fastivus 2009 – Annual VW R32 Gathering by SOCALR32

It’s hard to believe that an event held to celebrate a car that only has two model years would actually continue to grow into its fifth year of existence. Fastivus, as it is now called, is a gathering for owners and enthusiasts of Volkswagen R32s that were sold in 2004 and 2008. The limited edition 3.2-liter V6 powered all wheel drive Golfs are the top of the VW performance food chain and have a near religious following. This year 159 cars showed up, handily beating last year’s record of 140.

The event was again organized by SocalR32 with title sponsors Volkswagen of America, HPA Motorsports out of Canada, and Southern California’s own VF-Engineering. The two day event consists of a gathering with Show & Shine judging, go-karting and vendor exhibits. The highlight of the first day is the now world famous R32 raffle which saw $33,000 worth of prizes given away to happy R32 owners.

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.

Liquid Crack T Shirts – Car Guy Couture

You generally don’t associate car guys with high fashion, at least not wearable fashion. California based clothing manufacturer Liquidcrack would like to change that. The founders of Liquicrack got tired of seeing cool car designs put onto to low grade t-shirts that were completely unbefitting someone driving a high-end car. Truth be told, hardcore car enthusiasts probably never knew the difference but they will now.

Liquidcrack offers two different cuts for men with several different designs. A fitted cut offers a more athletic fit that looks just slightly dressier, for a t-shirt, and a loose fit for those of us who want to show off our car pride, but not necessarily our physique. For now, most of the shirts have a European theme with Audis, BMWs and Volkswagens done in a simple and tasteful line art. A shirt with a turbo on each hip will appeal to the B5 S4 or 911tt owners out there, while a simple 104 octane label will appeal to car enthusiasts in general.