Every year, thousands of crazed Volkswagen fan flock to the Wörthersee VW meet in Europe. It features a slew of tricked out and tweaked up cars from across the decades as well as few sneak peeks at what the company is working on.
However, American VW fans with travel budget that doesn’t include a trans-Atlantic flight have an option: SoWo: The European Experience. The show was held last weekend in Savannah, Georgia.
More importantly, it seems VW likes a good party and rolled up with some modified versions of the Jetta, Golf, Arteon, Atlas and Tiguan. Although very impressive, it’s highly unlikely that any of them will follow in the path of the Golf TCR shown in Europe, which is likely to find its way to dealerships relatively soon.
Here’s what was on display:
2018 VW Atlas Tanner Foust SEMA Concept: A creation of former Top Gear USA host and rallycross driver Tanner Foust, the customized Atlas features huge, knobby off-road tires on black wheels, massive bolt-on fender flares and lower body panel cladding to give the vehicle an extreme off-road look. To complete the “overlander” look, the ute features a cargo rack fitted with off-road lights, a ladder on the rear hatch to get to gear on the top so there’s more room inside for passenger.Minimal changes to the interior include plaid inserts in the seats that are reminiscent of Volkswagen GTI heritage and also reflect on Tanner’s childhood in Scotland.
(VW brand bailing out of Paris Motor Show. Click Here for the story.)
2018 VW Golf R Abstract Concept: The Golf R Abstract is covered custom vinyl wrap to give it that signature look, but it’s enhanced with a lower profile and 20-inch wheels that create a unique look. That exterior styling gets interior and sound enhancements to round out the look including a new exhaust system, while inside the new look centers on a real carbon fiber steering wheel with blue stitching on black leather.
2019 VW Jetta R-Line SoCal: This model celebrates the seventh-generation Jetta with inspiration from the Mk2 Jetta, the body graphics give a nod to the past while drawing attention to the strong vehicle design. Other visual highlights include fluorescent yellow mirror caps, a gloss black roof with geodesic fluorescent yellow design, and body-color wheels with yellow accents. SoCal-based wheel and automotive design company fifteen52 developed the overall concept, giving the car clean lines but with an aggressive stance.
(A VW pickup? Click Here to see what might be in store for the Atlas Tanoak concept.)
2019 VW Arteon R-Line Highlight: The Arteon hits U.S. shores later this year and the R-Line Highlight could garner it an immediate fanbase.Vossen Wheels has clad the Arteon R-Line Highlight concept with its latest release, the Hybrid Forged HF-2, measuring 20 x 9.5 inches front and rear, while a prototype set of Ultra Low Coil Overs from H&R Springs drops the ride height by almost three inches. The Arteon concept has an ultra-fluorescent yellow wrap that accentuates its gloss black and chrome R-Line accents.
2018 VW Tiguan R-Line Aero: This model features Air Lift Performance installed its 3P Air Management System with Performance Series front and rear struts, lowering the vehicle ride height up to 4.8 inches, giving this Tiguan concept the most aggressive attitude of the show fleet line-up. Powder-coated, matte black Rotiform 20-inch Monoblock CCV wheels help balance the busy nature of the livery. A Thule Motion XT Alpine rooftop carrier, wrapped with the same design scheme, rides on a Thule AeroBlade Edge roof rack system.
(To read about our driving impressions of the 2019 VW Jetta, Click Here.)
For VW mavens who couldn’t make the trek to the most haunted city in the United States, there is good news. These vehicles will be touring the U.S. throughout the summer. They will stop in Holland, Michigan June 22–23 next followed by stops in New Jersey, Vermont, Pennsylvania, California and a final stop in early September in Oregon.