Volkswagen debuts tuned Jettas for SEMA

It's easy to get the impression that SEMA is all about unattainable and outlandish show cars, ones that will never see the street, but in reality there is plenty of iron (or carbon fiber really) from all sides of all ponds that we could see people driving on the street. And just to reinforce that point, Volkswagen has brought a couple of tuned Jettas to SEMA that could almost pass for stock cars. This being SEMA, all that really means is that you're not looking hard enough -- the subtle cars you see are probably sleepers. In that vein, Volkswagen has decided to showcase their all-new 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder EA888 TSI engines, letting a tuning house build two show cars using the engines.

FMS Automotive created "Racer's Dream in Black and White," using the 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injected engine, bringing its 210-hp output up to an eye-watering 425 hp. This was accomplished via the installation of a Stage 3+ Turbo Kit from APR, and the addition of special rods, wrist pins, and performance pistons. A cold air intake system with an intercooler was also installed. "Racer's Dream in Black and White" wears 19-inch TSW Jerez wheels with Nitto NT-05 tires for optimum grip, and it's going to need as much grip as it can get with those horsepower figures. To help it all come to a stop, FMS fitted the car with Brembo performance four-piston calipers and cross-drilled rotors. And on the outside, if the car's face looks a little different from the stock Jettas, that's because FMS used a combination of a Jetta Hybrid grille a Golf R front fascia in designing the car, in addition to widening all fenders by about two inches.

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The Helios Special Edition Jetta GLI Tribute was also tuned by FMS Automotive.

FMS Automotive also tuned another Mk6 Volkswagen Jetta for SEMA. Dubbed the Helios Special Edition Jetta GLI Tribute, it is a nod to the 1989 Helios Special Edition Jetta GLI. This one has been designed to showcase the all-new 1.8-liter turbo engine. The exterior has received a number of modifications that include a body kit, custom body side moldings, painted rear spoiler and side mirrors, and a blue-and-black paint scheme from the late 1980s to top it all off. The interior upholstery has also been reworked to match the Helios theme throughout, with Recaro seats being added as well.

About the SEMA Show

SEMA — short for Specialty Equipment Marketing Association — is the biggest aftermarket auto event in the world, held in Las Vegas each fall. The show fills multiple convention halls and shows off everything from high-performance OEM specials to custom wheels and graphics from local shops. Get the full rundown on what automakers and suppliers are up to at the industry's biggest trade show at our SEMA Show home page.

By Jay Ramey