Show-Stopping
As an investor in and partner of Oettinger Germany, APR was able to acquire their first Mk5 body kit in the country, with a special dual exhaust rear valance. The aerodynamics were molded in. APR applauded VW's decision to resurrect the white GTI but had artistic plans for the exterior. "We didn't want to abandon the white," Chris stated, "but we wanted an eye-catching, streamlined look. So we looked at several different schemes from graphic artists until it came down to a time issue where we could only paint it once. We didn't want to make it too complicated to preserve the lines of the car. So we pulled a black stripe off the front grilles and took it into the door mirrors. We then tinted the windows to break it up on the sides. We also wanted the GTI crest on the side but it would have been be too much, so it was ghosted in."
On the rear, red accents highlight the emblem and a red stripe flows between the tail lights up to the front fenders.
APR's relationship with Hella meant the GTI had prototype headlights with an illuminated bar not even available in Europe. They made such a great impression at SEMA, VW plans to offer them through its dealerships.
The clean exterior warranted a special interior, so APR replaced the factory cloth with leather and alcantara. The seats were also replaced with OEM leather Recaros from a European Mk5 R32 thanks to APR's ties with Oettinger. All four seat inserts were then torn apart and reupholstered in alcantara, along with the headliner, armrest, door panels and trunk. The sides of the trunk received new leather to complete the upholstery. Afterwards, APR color-matched the trim pieces for more impact.
The key to the interior is the new technology featured with the help of StreetDeck. The infotainment system works as an in-car computer, offering real-time data-logging through a 7.5" touchscreen. The system is also connected to wireless internet through a Verizon PC card. And if that's not enough, it also incorporates XM Radio, iPod integration, voice activation, a navigation unit and a backup camera.
An Apple Mac Mini with Intel duo core processor controls the system. Finally, a compact 8" sub in the trunk provides bass for audio applications.
It's interesting to note APR didn't attempt to lighten the car yet earned the fastest lap in the GTI Challenge. This proves the tuner's achievement in building an excellent engine upgrade and balanced chassis.
Apr Background
Audi Performance Racing (APR) was formed in '99 by Stephen Hooks, Brett Augsberger and Chris George. Before the company started, they worked on a '97 Audi A4, one of the first with the 1.8T. Once developed, the engineers began prototyping a '99 Beetle, the first transverse 1.8T, in anticipation of the Mk4 Golf and Jetta. So when the Mk4 hit in '00, the newly-formed company had a selection of parts available from software to turbo upgrades.
The key to APR's initial upgrades was ultimately the manifold design, which utilized a larger MAF housing. This allowed the turbo to spool at low rpm without lag to improve daily drivability.
APR continued to build and improve parts, taking 150hp A4s to 280hp with the first redesign. It continued to upgrade its turbo kit, eventually reaching 340hp.
Today, its first 2.0T kit is expected to reach 400hp - a truly phenomenal improvement, doubling horsepower in its first iteration.
APR's goal is to continue exceeding expectations. The company has updated its equipment and technology through the years and has recently invested in a larger R&D facility with its own test track. Stay tuned for more innovative European tuning from these performance engineers.