Performance VW Autumn 2021

As much as most of us love our classics, have you tried living with, say, a Mk1 Golf on a daily basis recently? It’s a lovely thought, of course, but the reality is a little bit different to that romantic idea. Whether this is because the cars themselves are just a bit old now, or we’ve all become spoilt by and accustomed to modern creature comforts, I’m not sure. Now, don’t get me wrong, a quick blast in a Mk1 GTI will still put a whopping-great smile on your face and the cult classic will certainly run rings around a lot of new-wave metal on the twisties, but I just wouldn’t want to drive one on a daily basis. The Mk5 GTI, however, is looking more and more like a modern…

Subscribe to Performance VW Magazine for great savings! Turn to p104 (for UK/ROW), alternatively head online at shop.kelsey.co.uk/pvw or call 01959 543747 CLASSIFIEDS Tel: 0906 802 0279 (premium rate line), operated by Kelsey Publishing Ltd. Calls cost 65p per minute from a BT landline; other networks and mobiles may vary. Lines open Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm Email: cars@kelseyclassifieds.co.uk Kelsey Classifieds c/o Talk Media Sales 4 Court Lodge Centre, Paxdale Green Road, Stansted, Kent, TN15 7PG Email: cars@kelseyclassifieds.co.uk Fax: 01959 541400…

Us petrolheads are a numbers obsessed bunch. Often it starts in childhood, memorising the performance figures in brochures and magazines of our favourite models. Some of us have been around the scene so long that we talk in a language of chassis and engine codes, measurements, ETs and diameters. Most car tribes typically favour certain variants. “Two doors too many” is a phrase we’ve heard being used about Golfs, yanks, old Fords…you name it, there exists a more door snobbery that probably dates back to favoured hot rod shells. Are we collectively missing a trick though? If this Mk1 is anything to go by, we would happily bet that many of you will be hitting the classifieds after reading this with renewed gusto for the less obvious, more practical five-door…

Okay, it’s safe to say the modified VW scene can be a conservative place at times. Every now and again, though, it’s refreshing to see companies pushing the boundaries and they don’t push much further (or harder - All) than the creatives at radi8 wheels. We’ve just been made aware of radi8’s latest wheel offering in the cast r8hs9, which is a totally radical design that features five, narrow split-spokes with inter-joining spokes and a motorsport-style outer lip. The r8hs9 joins the recently released and equally unique r8s5 and r8cm9 designs, all of which are available in 5x112 and 5x120 fitments and a number of dimensions, including 8.5x18”, 8.5x19”, plus 8.5x20” and 10x20” if you fancy the staggered look. All wheels are of single piece cast construction and available in Silver/Machined,…

We’re pleased to announce Air Lift Performance has joined us as official sponsor of the Performance VW Magazine paddock at TRAX in October. We’ve had a close relationship with Air Lift for many years now, so it’s great to think we can fly their flags high and proud while celebrating the magazine’s 25th anniversary at Silverstone. Want to be part of the 25th anniversary display? Well, if you own a past or present feature car, then we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line (pvw.ed@kelsey.co.uk) with details of your car and we’ll be in touch. Alternatively, we’re hoping to have an additional PVW Readers’ Rides display, too. So, if you’re proud of your car, have taken inspiration from the modified VWs within this magazine and you’d like to show…

I don’t know about you, but at the tender age of 18 I was not driving a Mk7 Golf R or anything near as cool. Anyway, we’re not jealous in the slightest that Ad Manager Sarah’s 18 year-old son, Kai, recently bought a Lapiz blue Mk7 Golf R. We are, however, more than a little envious that he just got to spend the day up at the Auto Finesse Academy recently giving the slightly tired-looking car a full going over to make it look as good as new. Branded as ‘Detail What You Bring’ this service from AF allows you to learn the art of detailing as the AF team and vehicle owner tackle said car together. For just £395.00, this course gives you the chance to dive in and…