In 1974, Volkswagen introduced the three and five-door hatchback oddly named the Golf as a modern replacement for the already five-decade-old Type 1 Beetle. Now, forty-five years later, we are eagerly awaiting the US-release of the new MK8 that continues the legacy of the staple hot-hatchback. Before the refresh makes it to our shores, though, [...]
Some years ago right before I started working here at ECS, I had always associated our products with typical performance platforms. The rest of the models offered by European automakers just didn’t have that ‘enthusiast’ owner base that others do, like the GTI, M3, or S4. However, we offer more than just support for those [...]
The VW MK7 R has been in our hands long enough now that some of its weak points have become clear to owners and enthusiasts. If you’re looking for a second-hand MK7 R, chances are, these issues have already been addressed, but it’s certainly something to look out for and check the service history. Whether [...]
The MK7 Golf R is VW’s best-performing out of the box hot hatchback solution. It draws enthusiasts to its 292hp turbocharged version of the MQB Gen3 engine, all-wheel-drive system, available manual transmission, and practical 5-door hatchback layout. While it is still new, the MK7 R has not posed too many reliability concerns in the first [...]
We’re cranking out the hits lately. First, the MK5/6 2.0T FSI/TSI fabricated aluminum intake manifold drew tons of attention from big turbo builds. Now, we’re helping you reach those goals to reduce weight and increase efficiency. The new in-house designed MK5, MK6, and MK7 GTI/Golf R OEM Intercooler Delete Brackets are the best way to [...]
The Volkswagen MK4 GTI with the 1.8T engine is one of the most commonly modified platforms available. Thanks to its availability, affordability, and the aftermarket support offered for this engine, it’s more of a question of where to start rather than what to do. Everyone knows bolt-on upgrades paired with a software tune are the [...]
The MK4 platform is one of the best-selling VW models of all time, especially if you include all the possible variants. The Jetta, Beetle, and Golf all shared the MK4 platform from 1998-2005 (give or take, some versions started later, others ended later). With several engine options, layouts, and even models to choose between, it's [...]
Winter is quickly approaching and that means shorter days, colder temperatures, and fewer weekends to spend in the garage preparing for it. Right now is the time we put our fun cars, bikes, and other toys away and go back to driving our beaters. That, or preparing our daily driver for the changing weather. Be [...]
The 2.0T FSI/TSI engine has the potential for substantial power. Despite its small displacement, the power ceiling is fairly high for even simple bolt-ons. An intake, turbo-back exhaust, coil packs, software upgrade, and a K04 turbo make the 2.0T an absolute weapon. However, in the process, weak points that would otherwise not be an issue [...]
So, I have a confession to make. Despite spending the past three years writing nearly every day about Volkswagens and Audis, I’ve never quite seen the appeal some do to own them. I’m into BMW, Porsche, Subaru, Mazda (the rotary stuff), and Nissan, but have not been able to find an attraction towards Audi/VW. That [...]