APS Does it Again, Announces New Tunes for VW Golf R with up to 350HP

Now that Volkswagen has broadened the availability of the Golf R by officially confirming sales for North America, the tunes for the range-topping German hatch have just become a bit more interesting. APS of Brackley, has just announced three stages of performance tuning for the 2.0-litre TFSI, all-wheel drive Golf R, with two being available immediately and the third to be offered in a little while.

The British firm's Stage 1 kit consists only of a ECU remap, which is good enough to increase peak output from 267bhp to 308 bhp. It is priced at £445.00 including VAT (US$705 / €525).

The Stage 2 package is more comprehensive and includes a Milltek large bore turbo down pipe, high flow sports catalyst and a choice of Milltek stainless steel sports exhausts, featuring a switchable electronic exhaust valve, 2.75 inch bore tubing and dual 100mm ceramic black tailpipes.

APS said customers can choose between a Milltek non-resonated cat-back system, which emphasizes performance and "aural excitement", or a resonated Milltek cat back exhaust, which majors on refinement and also benefits from EC type approval. Depending on the exhaust choice, output is lifted to around 320-330bhp. The Stage 2 kit is priced from £1999 (US$3,165 / €2,355) fitted and including VAT.

Last but not least, APS is readying a Stage 3 package, which comes complete with a revised turbocharger boosting output to 350 bhp. The tuner said the kit is still in development but will be released onto the market soon.

In addition to the power upgrades, APS also offers a range of chassis upgrades for the VW Golf R such as a three way adjustable Haldex Gen4 four wheel drive controller, sports lowering springs, KW height and damping adjustable coilover suspension, uprated suspension bushes, Brembo GT big brake kits, plus 18 or 19 inch Sportec Mono 10 forged alloy wheels with Toyo tires.

German Take on English Tradition: Volkswagen's All-Electric London Taxi Concept

Over the decades, the London Taxi has become a British icon, just like the double-decker bus or the red telephone booth. However, this might change in the future, as stricter emissions regulations could threaten the aging diesel cabs. Volkswagen’s EV Taxi Concept, which is based on the forthcoming Up! supermini, could offer a solution to this problem, should it ever make it into production.

Motivated by a 115 hp (86 kW) electric motor that draws energy from a set of lithium-ion batteries, the Taxi Concept can reach a top speed of 74 mph (121 km/h) and has driving range of 186 miles (300 km). According to the German automaker, an 80 per cent charge of the batteries takes approximately one hour to complete.

It’s clear that, performance-wise, the EV is more than suited for taxi duty, but Volkswagen didn’t stop there. Designing a body with minimal overhangs, the automaker was able to create a roomy cabin, albeit for only two passengers at the back along with their luggage. Still, that’s pretty impressive if we take into consideration that the concept measures just 3.7 meters (146 inches) in length.

The cabin has a simple, clutter-free design with the most important functions, such as fare information, climate control and entertainment, controlled through a touchscreen display mounted next to the driver. A second display provides information for the passengers.

The Taxi Concept doesn’t fulfill current London taxi regulations, but it does offer an insight into future possibilities, which, in our opinion, are worth considering.

By Csaba Daradics

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WaterCar Gator: An Amphibious VW Beetle-Based Jeep Lookalike for the Budget Minded

In October ’09 we brought you details and pictures of WaterCar’s US$200,000 Python: a Corvette-engined sea going convertible / roadable speed boat. It wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t cheap, but some child-like part of us was enthralled with the sheer absurdity of it. Well, if you're on a tight(er) budget, the company also offers a considerably cheaper model. The Gator is essentially a kit car, albeit an impressive looking one at that.

Inspired by the Myers Manx of the 1960s (and looking like a Jeep Wrangler), the US$29,500 Gator comes with a complete fibreglass body, gear box and transmission, water jet propulsion unit, high torque drive axles, front and rear suspension parts, head lights, steering assembly and various stainless steel parts.

All an enterprising buyer has to do is bolt in the chassis and engine from a Volkswagen Beetle and e viola; you have your very own amphibious automobile. Though one has to wonder: does this make the Python, which costs almost ten times as much, redundant?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

By Tristan Hankins

Link: Watercar

What is included in the kit:

1. WaterCar Fiberglass Body and Hull Assembly

2. WaterCar Patented Gear Box and Transmission Assembly

3. Rear Water Jet Propulsion Unit

2. Hood

3. Doors

4. Deck Lid

5. All Various Stainless Hinges and Door Latches

5. Windshield

6. Left and Right High Torque Drive Axles

7. Front and Rear Suspension Components

8. Head Light Assemblies

9. Steering Assembly (Both water and road)

10. Stainless Steel Hardware

PRICE FOR KIT: $29,500.00

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Officially Confirmed: New Volkswagen Golf R to go on Sale in the USA

Hot hatches are mostly a European fad, but Volkswagen’s R- and GTI-badged products have proved successful in the North American market over the years. That said, VW loyalists will be happy to know that the new Golf R has finally received the green light for America. No specific launch date was given, but according to the official announcement, the U.S.-bound Golf R will be released in “limited numbers and for a very limited time” starting from 2012.

Already offered in Europe and other markets, the Golf R32's successor ditches the naturally aspirated V6 in favor of a turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI engine. The Euro-spec model’s four-pot is rated at 270 hp and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque, bringing it closer to the STi and EVO X. Available in both 3- and 5-door flavors, the R also features VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive with a Haldex differential.

The 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint is completed in 5.7 seconds when the Golf R is equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, and in 5.5 seconds when gears are shifted with VW's optional DSG dual clutch transmission. In both cases top speed is limited to 250km/h or 155 mph.

As for the U.S. version, detailed specifications should be available later on.

By Csaba Daradics

Key attributes:

• 2.0L turbocharged engine with significant hp increase over GTI
• 4th generation Haldex 4Motion - all wheel drive
• Increased rotor diameter translating to improved braking
• Sport tuned ESP
• Upgraded sport tuned suspension
• 2 door or 4 door
• Manual Transmission Only
• Unique 18" alloy wheels
• Unique steering wheel
• Unique interior trim
• Exterior R model badge and bodykit
• R model shift knob
• R model door sills
• R model front and rear fascia with dual, center exit, exhaust

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