Evolve C30
US Volvo tuner, Evolve has partnered with Volvo on several occasions to create show cars, most notably its stunning widebody S40 (et 2/05). The company uses these show cars to give enthusiasts a different view of Volvo, and many of the products developed for the concepts are brought to market to satisfy owner demands.
At this year's SEMA show, Volvo is focusing on the all-new Volvo C30 hatch, which boasts a 220hp five cylinder turbo motor. And Evolve has been invited to create another concept car for the event. While details are being held for the unveiling at SEMA (which has yet to happen as we went to press), Don Nicholson from Evolve did reveal that the car has a strong emphasis on design and motorsport technology. He's hoping the aesthetics and performance will reate the ultimate modified Volvo. Check out www.evolvecars.com for more info.
WRD GTI
Despite a slow start on its SEMA Time Attack car, WRD is catching up. The latest additions include a puck-style Spec stage 3 clutch and aluminum flywheel. There's also a Eurospec Sport 13" brake kit with two-piece rotors. This kit apparently has a 25mm clearance between the hub face and caliper, allowing it to fit under stock 17" GTI wheels. The brake pad size is said to be bigger than similar kits, while the caliper bracket and rotor hats are machined from 7075 T6 billet and then hard anodized, making them nice and strong.
Nitrous Express supplied a Halo Kit to chill the intercooler at the track and help maintain consistent power.
For the transmission, WRD had Kraftswerk install its own ring and pinion set to lower the gearing for better acceleration. They also fitted a Quaife differential to improve acceleration out of the corners. A B&M short shifter was also incorporated once they'd relocated the shifter and box from the exhaust tunnel into the driver compartment, placing it closer to the driver.
Read about the completed car in next month's issue.
Tein GTI
Since we showed you the car last month, work is complete on the body kit for Tein's project GTI and the panels are being molded. In the photo you can see an early version of the front bumper, which is apparently "less Darth Vader now," according to Tein's Sales and Marketing Manager, Philip Chase.
With the kit complete, the chassis was sent to the fabricator for its bolt-in rollcage and reinforcement braces.
The Japanese suspension manufacturer finally received the Carrillo rods and JE pistons they'd been waiting for. These were dispatched directly to Cosworth for balancing and WPC for treatment.
Despite being a Time Attack car, the GTI is getting a dose of Rockford Fosgate audio equipment. It consists of 6.5" speakers, a four-channel amp and a wiring kit. According to Philip, the aim is to keep the weight down while still providing a crisp sound.
Volvospeed S60R
We introduced this ambitious project last month: Volvospeed is attempting to build a GT racecar for the road. To allow larger tires and a larger rear differential, the rear subframe was replaced with a tubular frame, complete with stainless steel Heim joints and oversized hubs. In fact, the hubs allow wheel studs to be used instead of bolts, which are better able to handle the stress. The front subframe was also reworked.
With the interior removed, At Speed Motorsports built a rollcage that dominates the cabin. Massive braces and tubes intertwine through the car to make it rigid. The body can now deal with the stresses imposed by the Ohlins coilovers.
All the modifications are clothed beneath the custom widebody - even the doors were replaced to accommodate the fender flares. These were built from carbon and weigh just 15 lb. The total body width has been pushed to almost 80" with the widebody fabricated from carbon to further reduce weight. Stay tuned for more updates, or visit volvospeed.com
Carbon GTI
Since we showed an illustration of Fausto Merida's carbon widebody GTI project last month, a great deal has happened. We can report a front-mount intercooler was custom-built and installed by Evolution Racewerks prior to it being dispatched to the bodyshop. Since that time, the team has been hard at work designing an impressive and menacing widebody that will be manufactured in carbon fiber.
The owner hopes to have the car built for SEMA and there's rumors of a Hot Wheels spin-off, so we hope to have details of its development in next month's issue.