It Came from eBay Hell: ‘80s VW Golf Stretch Limo with Mercedes Nose

So you want your own limousine? Sure, I can dig that. Who hasn’t thought of trading in their daily commute for something that’s chauffer driven? And what better place to start your search than on eBay, where you’re sure to find something both unique and affordable, if not exactly well built or driveable.

Here’s one such find, based on a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit (Golf for the rest of the world) with a Mercedes-Benz nose piece. The seller’s description reveals that this vehicle has new brakes, struts, a new exhaust, new wheels and tires, new windshield and gas tank. And it still has its original motor and transmission, with a twin barrel carburettor with aluminium intake and header which the seller assures us makes it, “Fast for what it is.”

Inside there are two bench seats facing each other, and an electrically operated tinted glass partition that can separate the passengers from the driver. Classy.

The interior is in need of a lot of attention, though. There’s no headliner, no carpet and the custom interior panels have yet to be fitted. The air conditioning’s not hooked up and there’s no sound system, either. The car’s also missing a, “Few other odds and ends.”

On the upside, it has a clear title and the car comes with a fixer upper GTI engine and a white rabbit plush toy that has been stretched and has a VW hat on its head. Sadly there are no pictures of the latter. The starting price is a low, low US$4,999.00 (€3,676). Price for a first generation Rabbit, but not bad for something with such...uh...”unique qualities.”

The strange this is, this car has been on sale before, almost two years ago. And it was in the exact same state it’s in now. We don’t know what this means, except maybe that the owner grew tired of working on it. Take that however you want, and leave your comments below.

By Tristan Hankins

Link: eBay

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Volkswagen Golf Mk7 Set to Debut at the End of 2012 or Early 2013

The Volkswagen Golf Mk7, based on the cost-saving modular transverse architecture known as MQB, is scheduled to debut at the “end of 2012 or early 2013”, according to a Reuters report citing a company spokesman.

The German automaker plans to eventually build some 3 million MQB-based vehicles annually across the group and expects savings in the double-digit percentage range thanks to a new production process. Unlike previous strategies that offered synergies across brands using the same underpinnings, the new manufacturing method delivers synergies across both brands and models.

As for the Mk7, buyers can expect conventional models to be powered by a range of turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines, while eco-friendly variants will get all-electric or hybrid (gasoline-electric or diesel electric) powertrains.

The design is a mystery at this point as scoop photos have only revealed test mules and not actual Mk7 prototypes, but it’s a pretty safe bet to say that the new Golf will borrow some styling cues from the current Jetta and Passat.

The first non-Volkswagen model to use the MQB platform will be the new Audi A3 due in the summer of 2012.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Reuters

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VIDEO: "Buying a Volkswagen from an Old Lady" Dutch Ad is Epic

In what could very well be one of the most amusing automotive-related ads we've seen this year, this Volkswagen commercial from The Netherlands puts a surprisingly wild twist on the belief that old ladies take good care of their cars. The 50 second-long clip finishes with the tagline "Not every old lady is reliable as a Golf". Watch the video after the break.

Via: Autoblog.nl

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Wimmer RS Turns VW Golf R into 478HP Red Devil

Red Devil is the name German tuning firm 'Wimmer RS' chose for its latest take on the Volkswagen Golf R. 'Red' because of the color chosen for the car, and 'Devil' because this Golf R packs a sinister punch under the hood...

In stock form, the all-wheel drive Golf R rolls out of VW's factory with a 2.0-liter TFSI producing 270-hp and 350Nm / 258 lbs-ft of maximum torque. After Wimmer RS's engineers perform their magic, those numbers increase to a whopping 478-hp and 610Nm or 450 lbs-ft.

The extra power comes from a variety of mods including -but not limited to- changes to the turbocharger, ECU, air intake, injection nozzles and exhaust system.

According to the tuning house, the upgraded Golf R can reach an electronically limited top speed of 291 km/h or 181 mph.

Additional performance enhancements include a coil-over suspension set and more potent braking system.

The German tuner did not release info on pricing.

VW Golf R Powered Up to 330HP by Sport-Wheels

The all-wheel drive Volkswagen Golf R is by no means a slow car, but the folks over at German tuning firm "Sport-Wheels" have decided to further enhance the performance credentials of Wolfsburg's hot hatch.

The tuning shop brings output from the standard 270-horsepower and 350Nm of peak torque to 330HP and 450Nm. The power boost comes from a recalibrated ECU as well as a custom sport exhaust system for the car's 2.0-liter TSI engine.

A sport suspension and lightweight 20-inch alloy wheels from O.Z. that are shod in 235/30 R20 tires are also part of the package. For those with bolder tastes, 'Sport-Wheels' also offers an optional decal set.