Volkswagen USA brought a comprehensive lineup of modified vehicles for the 2019 SoWo (Southern Wörthersee) event that took place this past weekend. All seven of them were based on production models, and featured an assortment of goodies created with the help of tuners in a bid to spice up familiar models like the Golf GTI and Golf R along with the Jetta GLI sporty saloon. The newcomer in VW’s lineup, the Arteon, also attended the event and was joined on stage by a customised Tiguan and Atlas SUVs.

2019 VW Golf Alltrack Combi Concept
2019 VW Golf Alltrack Combi Concept

Our favourite of the lot would have to be the Golf Alltrack Combi Concept, which started off as a 2019MY before getting the front bumper from the Golf GTE and the rear spoiler from the Golf GTI Rabbit Edition. It also boasts the Golf GTD’s short shifter and has received an LED light bar together with a cargo box. Rounding off the changes are the lowering springs and purple body graphics sending out a 90s vibe.

2019 VW Golf GTI Rabbit Confetti Concept
2019 VW Golf GTI Rabbit Confetti Concept

Speaking of the Golf GTI Rabbit, it has spawned a “Confetti” concept with a body covered in a wrap carrying lots and lots of rabbit logos. It sits on 19-inch wheels with custom covers and has lowering springs along with a roof-mounted cargo basket from Thule.

2019 VW Golf R Spektrum Concept
2019 VW Golf R Spektrum Concept

The lineup also includes a Golf R Spektrum Concept dressed in one of the 40 custom-order colours introduced for the 2019 model year. It’s called Ginster Yellow and has been combined with black lower rocker panel accents. Beyond its special paint, the all-wheel-drive hot hatch also has 20-inch Vossen wheels, adjustable lowering springs, and tinted windows.

2019 VW Arteon R-Line SEMA Concept
2019 VW Jetta GLI Super Touring Concept

Saloons are represented in the fleet by the Arteon R-Line SEMA Concept and Jetta GLI Super Touring Concept, which both have aftermarket wheels and have been brought closer to the road. The former has an upgraded brake kit as well as aluminium floor mats while the latter received a modified exhaust and a prominent spoiler at the back.

2019 VW Atlas Basecamp Concept
2019 VW Tiguan Adventure Concept

In the SUV department, the Atlas Basecamp Concept and the Tiguan Adventure Concept have both been envisioned for outdoorsy people. The larger of the two SUVs adopts an endurance mountain biking theme and rides on bespoke 17-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tyres. The Atlas wears a custom body kit and has an increased ground clearance, plus minor tweaks like the LED light bars and a roof rack. As for the Tiguan, it received a topographic-themed wrap and a variety of upgrades ranging from a kayak carrier to aluminium side steps.

If you weren’t able to attend the SoWo: The European Experience held on Hutchinson Island in Georgia, you’ll be happy to hear VW will ship these cars to other regions across the United States in the following months:

  • ARX Round #2-3 | Madison, IL | July 13-14
  • Waterfest| Atco, NJ | July 21-22
  • Wolfsgart | Essex Junction, VT | Aug. 4-5
  • VAG Fair | York, PA | Aug. 4-5
  • SoCal Big Euro | San Diego, CA | Sept. 1
  • Pacific Waterlandr | Woodburn, OR | Sept. 9
  • ARX Round #5 | Austin, TX | Sep. 28

For those more interested in attending the Euro edition of Wörthersee, it’ll take place between May 29 and June 1 at the Lake Wörth in Austria where we’re expecting to see a large number of modified cars from the Volkswagen Group. The lakeside town of Reifnitz has been the venue for the Wörthersee GTi-Treffen every year since 1981.

Gallery: VW lineup at the 2019 SOWO: The European Experience

Hide press release Show press release

VOLKSWAGEN DEBUTS 2019 ENTHUSIAST FLEET AT SOWO: THE EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE

  • Seven concept vehicles sport performance add-ons and visual enhancements

Herndon, VA (May 17, 2019) — With the summer enthusiast season just around the corner, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is unveiling its enthusiast concept vehicle fleet for 2019 at SOWO: The European Experience on Hutchinson Island, Savannah, Georgia, on May 18th and 19th. Based on seven models from the brand lineup, these specially-prepared concepts sport performance add-ons and visual enhancements, and will travel to various events around the country.

Golf Alltrack Combi Concept

Golf models from around the globe combine to form this unique wagon. The Combi Concept is a 2019 Golf Alltrack SEL featuring a front bumper from the Golf GTE, a Golf GTD short shifter, and a rear spoiler from the Golf GTI Rabbit Edition. Other components include a set of H&R® VTF adjustable lowering springs, custom 90’s-themed graphics, tinted windows, Volkswagen Accessories base carrier bars with an integrated LED light bar, and a Thule® Motion XT L cargo box. This concept was created at the Volkswagen Technical Service Center in Auburn Hills, MI.

Golf GTI Rabbit Confetti Concept

Inspired by the iconic Golf GTI Rabbit logo, the Confetti Concept starts with a limited-run 2019 GTI Rabbit Edition. The GTI is covered in a wrap decorated with Rabbit logos, plus a few hidden surprises, arranged in a confetti-like pattern. This concept is fitted with 19-inch Rotiform RSE wheels, complete with customized Rotiform Aerodisk wheel covers; H&R® VTF adjustable lowering springs; tinted windows; and Volkswagen Accessories base carrier bars with a Thule® Canyon XT Cargo Basket.

Jetta GLI Super Touring Concept

Volkswagen has collaborated with Fifteen52 in the creation of the Super Touring Concept.  Based on a 2019 Jetta GLI Autobahn, the concept is the reveal vehicle for a set of brand-new Fifteen52 wheels.  Additional equipment includes K&W Variant 3 DDC coil overs, sport spoiler, brake kit, extended exhaust, and tinted windows. 

Arteon R-Line SEMA Concept

This concept was developed in collaboration with Vossen Wheels and was first shown in the Vossen Gallery during the 2019 SEMA show. It features a Pure White coating covered by XPEL STEALTH satin paint protection film and is lowered nearly three inches by H&R® Ultra Low coil overs and riding on a set of 21-inch Vossen Forged M-X4T wheels. After SEMA, this concept was fitted with a custom valence kit and aluminum floor mats by Luft Technik, and a 380mm front big brake kit by Forge Motorsport.

Tiguan Adventure Concept

The Adventure Concept was created in collaboration with H&R® Springs. Based on a 2019 Tiguan SEL Premium 4Motion, this overland concept features a topographic-themed wrap, H&R® Adventure Raising Springs, and 18-inch Rotiform WGR wheels fitted with all-terrain tires. Volkswagen Accessories increase functionality inside and out: Monster Mats®, Bumperdillo® protection plate, rear spoiler, aluminum side steps, base carrier bars, and a Thule® Hull-a-Port kayak carrier securing a white water kayak.

Atlas Basecamp Concept

The Basecamp Concept—designed with endurance mountain biking in mind—is the brainchild of Alex Earle, Exterior Design Manager at the Volkswagen Design Center California and avid cyclist. Using a Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium as the canvas, the Basecamp Concept is painted Platinum Gray and Black Uni with a matte finish and orange accents. Wrapped in 265/70R17 all-terrain tires, a set of fifteen52 Traverse MX Concept wheels made their debut along with the Basecamp Concept at the 2019 New York International Auto Show. Additional accessories on the Atlas Basecamp Concept include a custom body kit by Air Design, an H&R® lift kit with coil over suspension that raises the ride height approximately 1.5 inches, a Front Runner® Slimline II roof rack system with bike holders, off-road LED light bars on the front and rear, as well as protective interior add-ons from Volkswagen Accessories.

Golf R Spektrum Concept

Available for model year 2019 Golf R, the Spektrum program offers 40 custom-order colors—many of which are heritage colors from Volkswagen enthusiast models.  The Spektrum Concept starts with a 2019 Golf R w/ DCC & Navigation and is dressed in the available Spektrum color Ginster Yellow. The concept is customized with H&R® VTF adjustable lowering springs, 20-inch Vossen Hybrid Forged HF-1 wheels, tinted windows, and black lower rocker panel accents. 

The Volkswagen enthusiast concept vehicle fleet is scheduled to appear at the following events in 2019. Car appearances are subject to vehicle availability.

  • SOWO: The European Experience | Savannah, GA | May 18-19
  • ARX Round #2-3 | Madison, IL | July 13-14
  • Waterfest | Atco, NJ | July 21-22
  • Wolfsgart | Essex Junction, VT | Aug. 4-5
  • VAG Fair | York, PA | Aug. 4-5
  • SoCal Big Euro | San Diego, CA | Sept. 1
  • Pacific Waterland | Woodburn, OR | Sept. 9
  • ARX Round #5 | Austin, TX | Sep. 28