Just like all good stories, this one has its own share of trials and tribulations, but there’s another happy ending. And unlike most project car builds, that tend to meet adversity once inside the workshop, this car was almost derailed just days after the concept was created. You wouldn’t believe what we’ve been through using this type of build, said Gil Plasencia from FMS Automotive in Cerritos, CA. It’s advanced significantly in a short time and yes it was a fierce battle at times, but the blood, sweat and tears were worthwhile once the completed car rolled into the light of day.
Just what exactly happened? Parts didn’t arrive on time, pierced a finger with a screwdriver, dropped a hammer with a toe? This car isn’t the one we started with. It was called into action when our first Jetta, a beloved example, was destroyed by a hailstorm while being transported through the horrible August storms in Colorado, he explained. When we finally laid eyes on her, it was devastating. She was destroyed. There was about $13000 in hail damage as well as the car was really a total loss. It was a huge setback with a project that wasfor lots of aftermarket parts and was well loved by everybody concerned. It had a rich history but now it was finished.
Suddenly the search began for a second SEMA project car. And with little more than several months to spare, an utterly stock 2014 Jetta SE 2.0T was dropped into the capable hands of Eurocode Tuning in Torrance, CA the location where the crew made quick work of eliminating the APR-fortified powertrain from the deceased Jetta and transferring it into the new white car.
2014 VW jetta widebody jetta badge 22
2014 VW jetta widebody TSW jerez wheel 12
2014 VW jetta widebody FMS exhaust tip 09
Engine
The reason the very first car was on a trailer at all was because within the hood was an APR stage 3 built motor with a big turbo kit, which was rated at over 450hp at the wheels (500hp on the crank) on 93-octane pump gas. It had been returning to APR’s HQ in Alabama to FMS in California if the storm happened.
Inside the block you’ll find APR forged rods and pistons affixed to your stock crank. It’s topped by a ported cylinder head. The centerpiece is the Garrett/Honeywell GT3071R turbo anchored by an APR exhaust manifold and backed up by a software upgrade, bigger injectors, front-mount intercooler and a carbon fiber cold-air intake. Furthermore, it has massive downpipes and full exhaust, which was later swapped to get aWith all the heart transplant completed, the newest Jett returned to FMS where it underwent most of its modifications: We wanted something that was bold but sophisticated. Decided the additional horsepower justified wider fenders, though we try to use as many OEM parts as possible, and then we started using a Golf R front bumper and custom splitter. These would let us make room for wider tires to assist get the power down, Plasencia said.
And they didn’t keep back. Not blatantly so, though the car is widened nearly 2 at every corner, resulting in a car that’s aggressive. The custom fenders were augmented by fabrication work on the Golf R front side and bumper skirts as well as a GLI rear bumper to ensure all the panels were aligned. It took considerable time to get the body lines to match. We wanted it to search like it was aFurthermore, it received smoked LED tail lights in the 2014 GLI for good measure. Once FMS had made a custom roof spoiler and its particular own door trims, the car was painted in its original white though with a satin top coat. The roof, however, was finished in gloss black for contrast and also to tie in the Golf R and Jetta Hybrid grille pieces.
To ensure the swollen arches were filled, TSW Jerez wheels were specified in 19×8.5 front and 19×9.5 rear sizes, covered withneeded to provide clearance for a Brembo four-piston front brake kit that uses 14 slotted rotors. these were accompanied by a Golf R rear brake upgrade.
Moving inward, you’ll also find H&R Street Performance coilovers and its Sport sway bars to provide stability a the car’s intended track days, and they’d get the Jetta low for your SEMA crowds.
2014 VW jetta widebody TSW jerez wheels 21
2014 VW jetta widebody GLI controls 20
2014 VW jetta widebody recaro sportster CS front seats 18
Interior
Life internally is as good as the party on the outside, as a result of custom-trimmed Recaro Sportster CS front seats wrapped in black and beige hide.
Exactly the same leather treatment was bestowed on the rear seats, door panels, GLI steering wheel, e-brake handle, shifter and center console. A pair of Corinthian Textiles floormats keep the carpet clean, while FMS created a rack in the trunk that houses two Shoei helmets along with theControls 19
However, not as easily spotted, the infotainment was upgraded using the Volkswagen RNS315 Nav system that includes a backup camera. Furthermore, it utilizes the Volkswagen Accessories’ custom sound box and digital sound processor, which can be hidden inside the spare wheel well. It was actually rolled in to the daylight for the first time and to our photo shoot, just hours before this 450hp Jetta widebody was slated to leave LA for the bright lights of Vegas. We wanted to focus on the details, to exhibit enthusiasts the Jetta is an excellent alternative to the Golf/GTI platform. In some cases, I think it’s a lot more versatile because of the sedan design, which can suit families better. I think this high-powered approach shows people just how great the Jetta really is, Gil said.
So, be sure to drop through the FMS Automotive booth and check out this Jetta widebody and also the Jetta Helios Tribute Car we covered in another posting. if you’re headed to SEMA 2013.
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