By Katherine Helmetag

Atomicalex

If there was ever a sign from above, I think I got it. Within a week of arriving in Germany, I bought a car. You guessed it–another blue Passat wagon. This one is slightly less-used than my one in Detroit: it’s got 145K kilometers on it instead of 141K miles. The cool features include a 98hp TDi engine with the normal German 5sp (0.668 5th – holy overdrive, Batman!), the OEM in-dash navi headunit, Climatronic, and cloth heated seats. The WTF features include power windows up front with crank windows in the back. I think I will have to address the suspension and 15″ wheels regardless of whether I decide to keep it long term–they make for a really soft ride. My husband is already talking about exchanging parts with my wagon back at home. Does that mean he’s finally ready to mod on his own?? Yikes!

By Katherine Helmetag

Atomicalex

One of the coolest parts of my house is the ridiculously high living room ceiling. And the best part of ridiculously high ceilings is ridiculously tall Christmas trees! This one is 14 feet tall, and we didn’t have to cut it down at all. It’s not the biggest one I’ve ever brought home on the wagon–that was 16 feet tall, and we did have to take about a foot off the bottom to fit it in the house. What’s the biggest tree you’ve ever hauled home? What did you haul it with?

By Antonio Alvendia

Antonio Alvendia

I was reading Yoshi Shindo’s Passat story the other day and it really jumped off the page at me when he said he had “never been the greatest fan of VWs”. Not that there’s anything wrong with liking what you like. It just reminded me of something my boy Steve told me about the VW scene awhile back. He said (I’m paraphrasing): “There’s nothing new about aggressive offset and rolled fenders. VW guys have been doing that for over 30 years.” Continue reading and view more photos on MotorMavens!

By Antonio Alvendia

Antonio Alvendia

From compact commuter cars and SUVs, to GTs and supercars, most in our “scene” have seen just about every imaginable car “upgraded”- with the possible exception (in my case) of Zach Dunn’s 2007 Volkswagen Passat. I must admit that I had yet to see one of these cars done right. And, since I seem to be in the mood for confession, I’m not going to lie, I’ve never been the greatest fan of VWs. However, the more I see of them (especially this one), the more they’re starting to grow on me. Zach’s 2007 Passat was the first I’d seen that had been slammed and enhanced with superior fitment – and that made all the difference in the world. Continue reading and view more photos on MotorMavens!

By Katherine Helmetag

Atomicalex

My ears were at the end of their limits when Steve’s European Auto called up to tell me that my new Techtonics TuningDP had finally came in. Installation ended up being pretty difficult due to some rusty nuts and bolts – between a torch and an air chisel, the captured nuts on the cat flange are no longer captured. The TT piece is nice, shiny stainless and the welds are pretty sharp. I snapped a pic of the old piece after they wrestled it out- it took the rearward sleeve clamp out in the process. This is one of those jobs I had no problem paying someone else to do! There isn’t much change over stock due to keeping the stock main exhaust, but I can hear a little extra rumble if the ambient noise isn’t too loud.

Continue reading "Peace and Quiet: New DP Installed" »

By Katherine Helmetag

Atomicalex

After two Hondas that dropped downpipes every three years like clockwork, I’ve been wondering when the exhaust on my 9YO wagon would finally let go. Well, the time has come. That’s the hole in the completely separated flex joint on my downpipe. I’ve ordered a new Techtonics Tuning 2.5″ model to replace it with. The TT piece comes with a reducer to fit the stock 2.25″ exhaust, which I will hang onto until it finally bites the dust (not soon enough). Until the new unit arrives, my poor car sounds like every other unmuffled four-banger out there – crappily, hilariously buzzy and LOUD. My friend Cory says it sounds like a can of angry bees.

By Katherine Helmetag

Atomicalex

I finally got around to pulling the fuel injectors out of the Passat. It’s really a miracle the car was running, considering how much dirt was in the seals. I managed to lose a bolt, so no big boost until I get it replaced. I’m not sure it solved my vacuum leak problem, but at least I feel better about it.

Continue reading "Passat Gets Some Love" »

By Katherine Helmetag

AKA atomicalex

VW’s been putting out some aggressive bodykits for the past few years, and this one comes attached to a high performance Passat CC. Power comes from an APR Stage 3 turbo kit on the 2.0T engine. The kit has three tuning modes—performance, GT, and Eco—that vary in output and fuel economy. Big brakes and forged wheels put the power down. Derek Jenkins, VW’s designer, hooked up the interior with two-tone leather Recaros and black chrome trim. More pics after the jump.

Continue reading "VW CC Performance Concept" »

A guy over at VWVortex made this lamp out of an old 8v cam from his old MkIV 2.0 Jetta. He brought it to a gun-drilling place to have the inside bored out, and then to a machine shop to have it welded to the rotor from a Passat. It would go well with this table that Jen found a while back. Have you used any old car parts to build furniture?

Earlier this year, spy photographers spotted the upcoming Volkswagen four-door Passat Coupe–now simply called the Volkswagen Coupe–testing in the southwest U.S., but it appears as though the prototype is now undergoing a round of cold weather testing. Comparisons to the Mercedes-Benz CLS also seem to be confirmed, as the Coupe was joined by a CLS on its latest test run. Since it was last spotted, the VW Coupe has shed most of its camouflage. The front end is typical VW and looks to take some styling cues from the Phaeton. The Coupe’s overall size looks to be about the same as the CLS and its rear almost has the appearance of a fastback.

Recent rumors have suggest the car will arrive at the Detroit auto show in January and with this prototype looking production ready, those rumors look to be true. Slated to cost around 30,000 euros, the high-end Volkswagen will steer clear of Audi’s 44,000 euro A5. Engine output is expected to start at 160 horsepower via a 1.8 liter TSI. A 2.0 liter turbo diesel will also be offered, with 140 horsepower and a slightly higher price tag. Lastly, a range-topping FSI V6 with 300 horsepower, all-wheel-drive and a dual-clutch transmission will come in at 40,000 euros. Special order features will include a glass roof, reverse camera, and proximity sensors for parking. More photos at Left Lane News.