We Check In With Tein To See How Work Is Progressing On Its Widebody 2006 Volkswagen GTI.
The build continues, BRS widebody is taking shape.
Last month we exclusively revealed Tein's newest project: a widebody Mk5b GTI being built for Time Attack and SEMA '06. As we explained, the company is a Japanese suspension specialist and this is its first foray into the European market with a project car.
Last month the car had been stripped, the engine pulled and the car had gone to BRS for the bodywork. This month we can see that work is progressing nicely. The widebody is still under development but is taking shape. The new panels will give the car more grip in the corners, and have the added effect of looking great on the show floor.
The kit is being developed by BRS Auto Design at its premises in City Of Industry, CA. From the photo you can see the front flare starts at the top of the fender and blends all the way down the wheel arch. The rear fender is smaller but equally as wide. They add another 2" or more to the width of the car, so we're expecting some fast lap times when it turns up at Time Attack in November.
It's always interesting to get a glimpse into the craftsman's art, and looking closely at the open end of the side skirt we noticed a wooden block, several wood sheets and a length of gas pipe. All are used to form the desired shapes and contours of the skirts that meet up with the wider fenders. Once the correct shape has been formed, the panels will be molded so that the kit can be fitted to the car and subsequently sold to the public - that's you and us. So we could be witnessing the early stages of one of the first widebody GTI kits available on the aftermarket.
As you can see from the other photos, the engine is in the disassembly stages. Eurocode is stripping it in preparation for the rebuild. The pistons and rods you see here are the stock parts that have since been sent to JE and Carrillo, respectively. These two pre-eminent companies will manufacture stronger, high performance replacements for the motor to ensure the GTI runs hard and fast.
The turbo kit you also see here is APR's new K04 upgrade for the 2.0T. In fact, it's so new Tein was awaiting delivery of the new APR downpipe, which was being completed as we write. This VW is on the cutting edge of aftermarket development and will be receiving a range of 'firsts' - first widebody, first JE/Carrillo motor, first APR big turbo, etc. Once the motor is reassembled and the turbo kit installed, Tein hopes to see 350hp to the wheels to make the car competitive for Time Attack. Obviously we'll keep you apprised of its progress and bring you exclusive photos of the finished car.
Engine out and being disassembled in preparation for new, stronger internals | 
Stock pistons and rods have barely been used but are off to JE Pistons and Carrillo to be transformed into stronger replacement parts | 
APR's K04 turbo upgrade and cast exhaust manifold. Installation can begin once the new downpipe is available |