Tag Archive for 'volkswagen'

Volkswagen presents the “Temporary Auto Pilot”

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Leohold: “An important milestone on the path towards fully automatic and accident-free driving.”

(anyone else thinking iRobot here? -Elaine)

Wolfsburg/Borås, 23 June 2011 – At the final presentation of the EU research project HAVEit (Highly Automated Vehicles for Intelligent Transport), Prof. Dr. Jürgen Leohold, Executive Director Volkswagen Group Research, has presented the “Temporary Auto Pilot” by Volkswagen: Monitored by the driver, the car can drive semi-automatically up to a speed of 130 kilometres per hour on motorways. It represents a link between today’s assistance systems and the vision of fully automatic driving. Continue reading ‘Volkswagen presents the “Temporary Auto Pilot”’

Beetle Retrospective: From 1949 to the 21st Century, we celebrate the Beetle in America

The Beetle is not just another car.

No sir: the Beetle – old, new or otherwise is a cultural icon, a creator of strange rock star rumors, a maker of film history and a racing champion on the track and in the sand. It’s our first car, our fathers’ first car, our grandfather’s first car, and, soon, it will be our next car. So to start the celebration, we thought we’d take a look at a few of the miles we’ve traveled since 1949, when the Beetle was new to America and so, for that matter, were we. Continue reading ‘Beetle Retrospective: From 1949 to the 21st Century, we celebrate the Beetle in America’

John Jones: If it ain’t Volkswagen, forget about it

source: GJSentinel.com | By Allen Gemaehlich

John Jones loves his 1957 Volkswagen Bus so much he would rather drive it than his wife’s comfortable Suburban. Ever since he owned his first one, he’s had a fascination with Volkswagens. That fascination has turned into an obsession.

“It’s character,” Jones said. “I hate new cars. They have no soul. My wife has a big, ol’ Suburban with heated seats and leather. I hate driving it. I would rather freeze to death and drive up to Powderhorn in my VW bus. Everyone sees me in my Volkswagen Bus.”

Continue reading ‘John Jones: If it ain’t Volkswagen, forget about it’

Volkswagen starts production in Osnabrück

German President Wulff opens Golf Cabriolet assembly line

Wolfsburg / Osnabrück, 17 March 2011 – Volkswagen officially started production at the new facility in Osnabrück today (Thursday) on the occasion of a fact-finding visit by German President Christian Wulff. The President, Lower Saxony’s Premier David McAllister, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Dr. Horst Neumann, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft responsible for Human Resources, and Bernd Wehlauer, Deputy Chairman of the Volkswagen Group Works Council, were at the plant to open production of the new-generation Golf Cabriolet. Continue reading ‘Volkswagen starts production in Osnabrück’

INA Engineering Serpentine Kit

I recently ran into some car trouble with Project GTi, as I was in dyer need of a Serpentine Converison kit for my 2.0L 16v. Luckily, I was put in contact with Issam over at INA Engineering. He helped me sort out some of the kinks out and was very helpful about any questions I had about the kit. After a nail biting two week wait, my package finally arrived as I was anxious to hear my engine come to life again and couldn’t wait till it was installed. Thanks to the very good people at AAA insurance they covered my tow over to my good friend Ron at VW Specialities in Huntington Beach,CA. Ron was able to get my car running in no time at all, and before I could say Indiana Jones, the GTI was back on the road after many months tucked away in the garage.

What is the ABF alternator conversion?

As seen in the image above it is an adjustable serpentine belt set up that eliminates the need to use tensioners and positions the alternator low enough to clear ITB’s (Individual throttle bodies) on an 8V,16V or even 20V set up!

INA Engineering is currently working on 06A/06B applications as well using this amazing set up and now kits just became easier.We also have the means to source any serpentine set up from the ABA A/C & the uber rare non-A/C.

The ABF Adjustable alternator set up has been sought after by many individuals. With some fervent searching and development work, sourcing the parts for the 16v enthusiast just became a lot easier and now with lightened pulleys to really accentuate your engine bay.

Heres a little bit on how INA Engineering came about;  words from Issam at INA Engineering Inc.

“I first started piecing together the kit after i stumpled upon an online auction for this super cool bracket (ebay.de). At the time I didnt know much about the ABF motor and this was probably 9 or 10 years ago. I sourced the bracket and took a photo of it , shortly after I managed to find a used ABF alternator and made a kit. Someone on vortex offered me a premium for it and with the money I sourced 2 more brackets and 2 more alternators….then it went from there.”

“When I first started out, customers would source there own belts, pulleys and crankshaft pulley. At the time the only affordable crankshaft pulley was sourcing an ABA pulley and machining it down. This was alright, except the fact that most of the ABA pulleys I sourced used were pretty managled and people had a hard time paying for used goods which wasn’t fair.  I later found out that the 06A 1.8T pulleys were more affordable and readily available. I was able to source them for a good price. By now I had sold probably 140 kits and it was time to make a move….I made a big buy of 150 brand new 1.8T 06A crank pulleys and the rest was history. We now had complete kits ready to rock and role.”

Heres a clear shot of the Contitech 6PK894 belt that is included in the kit.

The Serpentine kit fits nice and snug in the 16v engine bay. The added bonus  going with the INA Engineering kit, now sits much lower then the stock unit, which will allow me to add (ITB’S) individual throttle bodies in the future. Yippy

The Bracket (shown above) are sourced directly from Germany, the alternator (also shown) is sourced from  Belgium as for the remainder of the components they are sourced individually and/or made directly from INA Eng.

Heres a closer view of the overall set up .. what do you think Dubworld readers?

Photographer Oliver took this shot of the pulleys, you can tell that INA has put a lot of thought in sourcing/making these parts; high quality with factory precision. All the billet parts(shown above) are designed and machined  by Issam.. pretty talented if you ask me. Everything is done in house by INA ENgineering Inc.

Tornado Red VW GTI

Issam future plans for INA is to establish his himself as an engineering company designing components. He wants to create another business that will sell the stuff  Isaam designs and have a one stop shop for all your Volkswagen and Euro needs.

“On the road again, I can’t wait till I’m on the road again… err.. I’m Back DubWorld readers.. follow me on my build as parts soon find its way on the car.

Photo Credit : Oliver Peteliver, Max Chao, and Big Thanks to Issam at INA Engineering for everything.

:: Tamer Omran

Found out your True Life Cost with Volkswagen

Volkswagen's True Life Cost

Volkswagen has launched the latest stage in its ‘Unbelievable Value’ campaign with a new microsite designed to illustrate the true cost of everyday living over a lifetime and how looking beyond the initial price tag and making small changes can lead to dramatic financial gains over the long-term. Continue reading ‘Found out your True Life Cost with Volkswagen’

Volkswagen celebrates opening of new dealership in Alhambra, California

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today the grand opening of the Volkswagen Alhambra Dealership in Alhambra, California. Executives from Volkswagen and City of Alhambra Mayor Stephen Sham attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the dealership. Continue reading ‘Volkswagen celebrates opening of new dealership in Alhambra, California’

The California Style’d VWs

The California style is often imitated, but never duplicated. People all around the world have been recreating their cars after ours for years. It might be because of our simple approach in adding unique detailed parts to our cars that help us stand out in a sea of mundane cars or maybe its just our laid back attitude. Lets face it, California, especially Southern California, is nothing but highways and by ways, 4 lane roads of heaven; the weather here is great all year round with no hazardous conditions such as sleet Continue reading ‘The California Style’d VWs’

Mk6 Jetta All new and Improved

Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced the world debut of its   all-new 2011 Jetta, delivering style, precision German engineering and Carefree Maintenance, all at an extremely accessible price.  At a starting price point of around $16,000, the all-new 2011 Jetta offers best in class rear legroom, a premium interior and Volkswagen essentials. Unveiled for the first time today at an unexpected urban oasis in Times Square, New York, the all-new 2011 Jetta features clean lines, refined side architecture and premium style combined with Volkswagen’s trademark precision German engineering.  The all-new 2011 Jetta sets a new standard in its class and will be available in the U.S. this October.

“Today marks the beginning of a new era for Volkswagen and for Jetta,” said Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “The all-new 2011 Jetta is a class-up driving experience with the kind of styling, design and power under the hood normally found in more expensive luxury cars. At an extremely attractive price, this car is sophisticated, fun to drive and practical.” Continue reading ‘Mk6 Jetta All new and Improved’