New (and actually quite interesting) VW showcars

VW USA has prepped five cars for the SOWO show, and done rather a good job...

What with all the attention focused on Volkswagen at present, that its concept cars are rather more worthy than they used to be probably shouldn't come as much of a surprise. The Cedric now looks more of a production reality than a Golf R400 in a post-Dieselgate world. Maybe it's for the best, maybe it's not...

Whatever the case, it means that when Volkswagen exhibits some interesting concept cars - as it has done for the upcoming SOWO: The European Experience show in Savannah, Georgia - then it certainly grabs the attention. Because you don't know how many more VW will be allowed to do.

Now, we appreciate that this has limited applicability in the UK, with 40 per cent of the models here not even sold on this side of the Atlantic, but cool cars are cool cars, so we'll run with it. There are five models created by VW - the Atlas, Arteon, Golf R, Jetta and Tiguan - said to be "inspired by the diverse design tastes of Volkswagen enthusiasts." Curiously four of the cars share a fluorescent yellow colour theme, and not all five.

Let's begin with that odd one out, the Atlas Tanner Foust SEMA concept. Yep, that's Tanner Foust the rallycross driver and sometime Top Gear USA presenter. Doesn't it look fantastic? Jacked up to deal with proper off-road missions and festooned with lights, it has been designed with overlanding in mind - just like that Nissan concept from last week. Kudos to VW though for perhaps the best 4x4 wheel, tyre and arch extension combo we've ever seen...

Further down the VW SUV chain is the Tiguan, modified here in a more traditional VW sense by, er, slamming it on its ass. The wrap here is inspired by the VW R-Line motif, the 20-inch wheels are from Rotiform and the roofbox is from Thule. Sick. Or rad, or something. Again, it looks pretty cool.

Saloons are still big business in the US for VW, so there's both an Arteon and a Jetta created for the show, the latter of course no longer on sale here. The Arteon isn't even on sale in the US yet, but carries the fluorescent yellow theme most strongly. Again it's lowered, this time on H&R coilovers, with Vossen 20-inch wheels. Can we admit to liking this one, too? The Jetta 'SoCal' concept is said to be inspired by the Mk2 model, a "heritage-based design with modern accents." This time the yellow is toned down a tad, the coilovers are by KW and the 19-inch wheels are by fifteen52. We're told to expect additional design elements for the Jetta later in the year.

To the Golf R, finally, the tuners' favourite. For this car ABT has been involved, adding more aggressive side skirts, the 20-inch wheels and a new exhaust for "an even more dynamic sound." Interestingly the wrap is inspired by the street art found in Miami's Wynwood Art District, where ABT North America is based. This particular VW is only lowered by an inch, thanks to some H&R springs, with the regular DCC dampers retained.

The VW concepts will be touring the Euro-themed US shows throughout the summer, finishing up at Pacific Waterland in Oregon in September. And if all this has you in the mood for a modified VW but you aren't in America, might we suggest this Lupo? No fluorescent yellow, granted, but it does have 175hp...

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Turbobanana

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