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LAS VEGAS, Nov. 1, 2005 -- The dream of every high-performance tuner is access to the best, most durable, precise components; intelligent and adaptable control systems; and progressive, appealing styling.

It’s the dream of every high-performance tuner to transform that excellence into the extraordinary, to create exhilarating answers to the question, “What if…?”

Volkswagen shares this drive to push the dynamic and aesthetic boundaries of its vehicles. The vast network of engineers and designers within VW’s worldwide reach never need to be urged to challenge conventional wisdom, and this philosophy is reflected not only in the unique character of VW’s production vehicles, it’s also fully displayed in a trio of stunning ultra-high-performance projects built for SEMA 2005 in combination with HPA Motorsports.

When VW began to develop plans for its first official appearance at the SEMA Show, it asked its California-based design studio and HPA to work on a number of questions:

• What if Volkswagen’s R concept of high performance, so persuasively presented in the athletic R32, could be magnified into "supercar" proportions?

• What if Volkswagen’s rich crop of technology could be distilled into a more potent mixture?

• What if its narrow-angle V6 powerplant, 4MOTION all-wheel drive and DSG dual-clutch transmission were to be blended to blow away the world’s most discerning performance enthusiasts?

• What if Volkswagen’s designers had no other goal except to turn their visions into sculptures of composites and metal?

• And what if an R GT series of vehicles were to be built, to act as dream-makers, as forerunners, perhaps, to a line of factory-bred ultra-high-performance specials?

The answers to those questions might very well be found among an intriguing trio of project vehicles built specially for the SEMA Show. The Jetta R GT, Passat R GT and Touareg R GT are not just flights of fancy branding. The badging on each of these one-offs tells a story of advanced platforms enriched with strategic applications of factory and aftermarket expertise.



The Jetta R GT began its transformation as a base 2005 model with a 150-horsepower, 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. After the combined efforts of Volkswagen Design and HPA, however, it now sports fresh-as-tomorrow bodywork and a powerful, exquisitely massaged drivetrain that’s as comfortable cruising Pacific Coast Highway as it is smoking the competition at weekend time trials.

HPA replaced the base 2.5-liter engine with a twin-turbocharged, twin-intercooled, 550-horsepower variant of VW’s 3.2-liter, 240-horsepower six-cylinder V6 that powers the R32. To ensure that every bit of the torque gets to the ground in the most entertaining way possible, HPA fit VW’s highly acclaimed DSG twin-clutch transmission and 4MOTION all-wheel drive, both systems suitably modified by HPA to complement the engine’s bravura performance. A KW FIA GT 3-way coil-over race suspension and WRC-spec Brembo brake system were also installed to help harness the forces unleashed by the twin-turbo V6.

Cloaked with a special smoke gray paint treatment in the best Q-ship tradition, the revised coachwork includes new front and rear bumper fascias, side rocker panels and bespoke rear spoiler, offset by contrasting graphics and smoked glass treatment. The Jetta R GT’s willingness to run is revealed by the huge Michelin ultra-high-performance tires mounted to the 9.5 x 19-inch custom-built, forged-aluminum, modular Avus® alloy wheels. Should the Jetta R GT hit the track, changing to a set of 9.5 x 18-inch mono-block, forged-aluminum DTM-spec Avus wheels is quick and easy with their DTM-style center locks and the AP Racing air jacks incorporated within the Jetta’s framework.

The Jetta R GT’s cockpit is inspired by the needs and desires of the weekend racer. An integrated roll cage, Recaro race buckets, Schroth® harnesses and a fuel cell provide the required safety elements for competition, while an F1-style Stack electronic gauge cluster relays operating parameters to the driver quickly and clearly. Black leather, black Alcantara and matt-black carbon fiber styling elements complete the interior’s unashamedly competitive character.



Similar technology and design was applied to create the Passat R GT, born from a European-spec 2006 Passat 3.2 V6 FSI with DSG transmission and 4MOTION all-wheel drive. A rewarding runner in its own right, the European Passat 3.2’s powerful engine, world-beating transmission and all-wheel grip provide an excellent basis for a SEMA special. The mechanical transformation by HPA resulted in dynamics that launch the Passat R GT into supercar dimensions, and its sleek, entirely modern bodywork was given the muscular look of a highly toned European high-performance sedan by Volkswagen designers.

Modifications begin with a twin-turbo conversion package that features dual exhaust manifolds, each carrying a Garrett GT25R ball-bearing turbocharger. Charge cooling is optimized by twin intercoolers, and the exhaust gases pass through a quad bypass emissions system that retains the stock catalytic converters. It boasts an extraordinary output of 575 horsepower and massive torque to match.



The Passat R GT's track-prepped chassis is suspended by a KW Variant 3-way coil-over racing setup, and the required upgraded braking is supplied by the Brembo-supplied system available on the Phaeton. The Passat R GT rides on the same high-performance Michelin radials as fitted to the Jetta R GT, as well as the forged-aluminum Avus® alloy wheels. HPA also modified the DSG gearbox for more revs between each upshift to match the engine’s increased output.

Volkswagen’s California design studio chose gleaming candy white paint to clothe the modified bodywork, consisting of new front and rear bumper fascias and side rocker panels. Contrasting black leather cloaks the interior, offset by touches of white piano lacquer trim, a white Apple iPod® module up front and a white Sony PSP® in the rear. Of course, befitting a car that can cross Europe in hours, it features VW’s highest-quality sound system and full navigation.



The Touareg R GT is nothing less than the pure essence of a high-performance luxury SUV. What was formerly a 2005 model with a V6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission is now a 500-horsepower road-carver that doubles as a luxurious limousine. Like the other R GT models on display at SEMA, the Touareg has an HPA-built twin-turbocharged V6 under the
hood, special chassis enhancements, a KW Variant 3-way coilover suspension, and a high-performance braking system supplied by Brembo.

The Touareg’s revised lines give it the look of a well-bred urban cruiser. A Volkswagen Individual body kit, gleaming silver paint, and 10 x 22-inch custom-built, forged-aluminum, mono-block Avus® wheels mounted with Michelin ultra-high-performance Diamaris tires lend it a commanding visual presence that matches the powertrain’s dominating performance. Front sport bucket seats, an integrated single roll hoop, and the safety systems required for a weekend at the track are complemented by the luxury of black leather upholstery with gray suede centers, a Bugatti spun-aluminum trim kit by Volkswagen Individual, a black Apple iPod module, and rear PSP system.



Street and track performance has not yet been measured, but with its 500 horsepower and massive torque, the Touareg R GT will certainly be an extreme expression of "Fun to Drive.". More conventional measures of its superior dynamics will soon appear in the enthusiast press.

text curtosey of VWvortex.com

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Carbon

I'll take the Jetta without the decals please.

Deutsch

I wish I could say that all three of the cars look like great ownership prospects, but of course, as always, these were built just to tease us. What a shame. I'd rather see more serious production cars than serious concepts, lame.

Deutsch

Apparently these cars are a result of marketing research conducted to find what Americans are looking for in a VW. Here are two articles...

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VW Sets New Hallmark



Volkswagen, meanwhile, made news in a variety of different ways during the opening session of Aftermarket Week. The German automaker put in its first appearance at SEMA, for one thing. That's belated, considering VWs have always been popular platforms for customizers, dating back to the days when Beetles were given Rolls-Royce grilles or transformed into dune buggies. Company officials noted that they are rapidly expanding the number of parts available from the factory. Last year saw record sales of $690 million, said aftermarket manager Charlie Lewis, "and the stage is set for another record-breaking year."



VW used its stand to roll out a trio of performance-tuned products that just might show up in the automaker's lineup in the not-too-distant future. These included a more aggressive looking version of the carmaker's SUV, dubbed the Touareg R-GT, which was lowered, given 22-inch wheels, and bumped up to 500 horsepower. Inside, it featured a Bugatti spun-aluminum trim kit and matching his-and-her iPods.



VW applied the R-GT designation to a 535-hp version of the Passat, which racer and project car specialist Townsend Bell dubbed "an M5 killer." The candy-white Passat featured an aggressively reshaped nose, with flush bumpers and a new fascia, 19-inch titanium anodized wheels and an integrated rear spoiler. Top speed? Figure something over 190 mph.















The third project car was the Jetta R-GT. This "sinister" interpretation was outlined in ghost graphics and ground effects. Track ready, it featured a full roll cage surrounding Recaro seats. Based on the new Golf R32 platform, the Jetta R-GT's track was widened for improved performance and handling - which would also be enhanced by full-time all-wheel drive, according to Townsend.



Will the R-GT models make it into production? There's a growing likelihood they will at least influence some future members of the VW lineup, suggested Adrian Hallmark, himself the third big news item at the automaker's stand. Tuesday marked the British executive's first official day as head of Volkswagen, where he replaced Len Hunt, who left for Kia. Hallmark hinted there could be significant changes coming at VW in the near future, as it moves to improve its position in the U.S. market. Critical to the turnaround will be getting a handle on quality and reliability issues. But equally important, "if you make products to suit the market, the market will accept you," he said. That means VW can no longer simply rely on models designed for European tastes and needs. It will have to start producing vehicles specifically designed for America . That is the most obvious result of the automaker's Moonraker Project. VW took a variety of designers, engineers, and marketing experts and in a move that resembled a TV reality series, moved them in together in California to meet with consumers and get a better read on the market. The 18-month Moonraker Project will wrap up at the end of this year, and it will take some months to fully digest its findings, but Hallmark stressed, " Wolfsburg (VW's corporate headquarters) is listening." How soon might new products appear? "It won't happen in a year," Hallmark cautioned, but he added that the goal is to move fast.

source: TheCarConnection.com

Hopefully this materializes into something good and something we'll truly enjoy.

zetableh

Pictures don't work for me (rocking Firefox) but finally, some VW cars I would LOVE to own! Man, I'd take any of those R-GT cars, or that new Eclipse Ralliart of superfastness.

Turbos + AWD - weight = goodness

Snake Vargas

Well, not bad with the Passat, though I still don't like the teardrop headlights.

As for the Jetta, I don't like it - at heart, it's still a tall, narrow sedan with a big boot (trunk).

I'm apprehensive about what these "products to suit the market" will be - was the Touareg a taster? Or have things changed in these days of more expensive (slightly) petrol? I thought the appeal of VW was something that is a 'taste of Europe'; if they wanted American stuff, then surely someone would buy some domestic car instead..

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