Volkswagen, under seige in the United States in the wake of the dieselgate scandal, is mounting something of a revival tour, with five specially equipped models.
The German marque has seen sales slump in the American market after the scandal but aims to revive interest with five models in its enthusiast show fleet, which it says are inspired by the diverse interests of Volkswagen enthusiasts.
The company says the cars focus on performance as well as style.
Golf 1.8T
Inspired by the famous Bali Green paint colour from the Mk 1 Volkswagen Rabbit, this 2016 Golf 1.8T show car brings this classic look to the modern day. Yellow headlight tinting mirrors the gold spokes of 19-inch BBS Super RS wheels, wrapped in a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, while the car rides 5cm closer to the ground courtesy of a set of H&R Street Performance coilovers. A black heritage stripe along the bottom of the doors finishes off the design.
Jetta GLI
VW says this GLI is a show car that’s comfortable on the street while still providing speed on the racetrack. The car will be shown in its track configuration, with BFGoodrich g-Force Rival tyres on 18-inch Neuspeed RSe52 wheels, mounted to H&R Street Performance coilovers for improved grip and handling. A jack, stands, wrenches, sockets, and wheels all fit neatly into the GLI with the rear seats folded, making this the ultimate in track car convenience.
Passat
This Passat is a nod to the large contingent of Volkswagen enthusiasts whose cars ride on air. It features a custom AccuAir E-Level TouchPad air management package installed by Boden Autohaus in California. The suspension’s lowest setting accentuates the lines of the new body styling, working with the Satin Ocean Shimmer wrap to provide the sleek look many Volkswagen owners love.
Golf GTI
The GTI show car embodies the dual qualities of speed and style, mating an unusual colour scheme to this hot hatch. This car is lowered with H&R Street Performance coilovers and rides on a set of 20-inch forged LC-103 gloss gold wheels from Vossen that carry Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres.
Golf R
Inspired by the Scirocco GT Black Edition available in the UK, this Golf R manual show car features subtle modifications. A matte-black roof wrap matches Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres fitted to VW Zubehor 19-inch black aluminum-alloy Lugano wheels. H&R Sport Springs are engineered to accommodate the Golf R’s DCC Dynamic Chassis Control and give the car a lower look without sacrificing handling. The overall package adds a touch of flair to the Golf R while preserving its modest appearance and under-the-surface performance.