Looking back on it, it’s really difficult to sum up the GTI RS build in anything other than “an experience”. The MK7 GTI RS was my first major car build, after spending the past decade traveling worldwide and photographing hundreds of other amazing cars. Countless details were picked up and stored into the archives of my brain along the way, and when the time came to bring my Mk7 VW GTI to the next level, it was a pure cranial chaos trying to create a vision.

Once the Pandem/Rocket Bunny Widebody kit was en route to Miami, back in early 2016, it was time to find a fabricator to help with the installation. The most important aspect of the car was by far going to be execution, given the haphazard and subpar installations of various widebody kits and flares that have plagued the aftermarket scene in recent years. There were to be no corners cut and no expenses spared, and I called up an old friend from New York, Swoops, to handle the fabrication.

A full metal widebody was added to the original GTI panels, following the inner contour of the Rocket Bunny flares. To create sufficient wheel clearance for the 19×11 Vossen Forged VPS-317 wheels that we originally made for the car, a lot of open wounds were made, some opening up to the cabin of the car, and it was of paramount importance to me that those openings be properly sealed. In addition to resealing the factory body, these metal flares also created a rigid, metal contact point for a tire to rub against when cornering, an inevitable circumstance for the car’s eventual track day use.

A maiden voyage to Waterfest in Englishtown, New Jersey revealed the in-progress GTI RS project, in a drivable state but still very raw, and despite a little bit of rain we had a great time sharing the little details with everyone. Once finished, however, the clock to H2O International was ticking and a mountain of details left to complete. With the body mocked up and functioning, AP Racing Brake Kit stopping things, the roll bar welded in and finalized, and bespoke diffuser and exhaust fitted, it was time to tackle the look and feel of things.

The brown wrap was removed, revealing the original Pure White paint and the flares were sent out to be color matched. The rear vents were shaved, gaskets scrapped and fasteners replaced with fancy stainless bits, and the focus was on the interior. With the roll bar complete and Status Racing seats on order, it was time to focus on my favorite aspect of the car—the interior.

With Swoops’ fabrication shop at our disposal, the opportunity to make custom components wherever we could was paramount, and seat brackets, floor pans, rear seat delete and a false floor with tool storage compartment came together. Dimple dies started with the roll bar and quickly flooded any other exposed alloy panel we could stamped them on. Our friends at Black Forest Industries, Status Racing, Rennline, and Renown came together to create an ensemble of flowing pieces, following the track-inspired look and feel but providing full functionality as well.

Under the hood saw some new changes too, including bespoke bottles and intake by Swoops, Forge Motorsport intercooler and silicon piping, Southbend Clutch Kit, Wavetrac limited slip differential, Leyo catch can, BFI motor mounts and the AWE Tuning downpipe and exhaust remained. At the time I was considering an E85 tune for the car, though the hardware wasn’t quite developed or proven yet, and APR’s Stage 1 tune remained, putting down an unbelievable amount of power for just a tune and bolt-ons, and more than enough to get in a lot of trouble and have a ton of fun on the track—even though it was just for the initial cover shoot for Performance VW Magazine!

After spending 2017 on the road with Volkswagen of America, as part of their enthusiast fleet and traveling to a wide variety of events around the USA, the GTI RS made its way to SEMA 2017 and represented our friends at Thule with their new Motion Alpine cargo box and Vossen Forged ML-R1 wheels before the second annual cross-country trek back to Miami.

Click here to visit WWW.GTI-RS.COM and learn more!

WIDEBODY ///// Pandem Rocket Bunny • @pancrossllc • @rocketbunnyusa
WHEELS ///// Vossen Forged LC-106 (19×11 F+R) • @vossen
TIRES ///// Nitto INVO 285-30-19 (F+R) • @nittotire
BRAKES ///// AP Racing Radical by Stillen • @ap_racing_by_stillen • @stillen
SUSPENSION ///// BC Racing Coilovers • @bcracingna
SEATS ///// Statüs Racing ICON GTX Carbon Seats • @thestatusracing
STEERING WHEEL ///// Renown USA Motorsports 100 Rosso Wheel • @renownusa
ROOF RACK ///// Thule Aeroblades and Motion XT Box • @thule
CHASSIS ///// Tyrolsport Deadset Kits F+R • @tyrolsport1
ENGINE ACC ///// Forge Motorsports Intercooler & Silicon Hoses • @forgemotorsport
MOTOR MOUNTS ///// Black Forest Industries • @blackforestindustries
CLUTCH ///// Sound Bend Clutch Stage 3 Daily • @southbendclutchkits
DIFFERENTIAL ///// Wavetrac Limited Slip • @wavetrac_differentials
EXHAUST ///// AWE Tuning Touring Suite with Downpipe •  @awetuningofficial
PAINT ///// PPG Refinish • @ppgrefinish
PAINT PROTECTION ///// XPEL Paint Protection Film • @xpeltech & @detailingdynamics
ACCESSORIES ///// Rennline Quick Release Hub, Fire Extinguisher & Tow Hooks • @rennline
GRAPHICS ///// Sign Factory • @signfactory • @signfactoryadam
FABRICATION ///// SwoopsBUILT • @theswoops

The post The VW Mk7 GTI RS Rocket Bunny Widebody Build Process appeared first on Vossen Wheels.

Fitted with Vossen Forged LC Series wheels to fill out the new, wider lines of the Rocket Bunny Mk7 GTI Widebody kit, the pair of hot hatches soaked up the afternoon sun while we shot around in the eerily lonesome motorsports park. With the sounds of the Optima racing event in the background, on the road course, we snapped away while the two GTIs sat still for a moment.

These two Rocket Bunny Mk7 GTI Widebody builds might share some key features, such as matching fender flares and Vossen Forged LC Series wheels, but the ethos behind each car couldn’t differ more. From suspension to interior, livery to roof accessories, the pair of GTIs provide a good blend of track and show inspiration, demonstrating the best of both worlds.

Autrey’s Rocket Bunny Mk7 GTI Widebody is outfitted with staggered 20-inch Vossen Forged LC-109T wheels finished in Imperial Gold. The 20×10.5 and 20×12 forged wheels fill out the widened arches entirely, while Air Lift Performance’s air suspension kit brings the body closer to the pavement on command. Forge Motorsport’s bolt-on offering fills out the engine bay, including a carbon intake, silicon hoses and Twintercooler, while Sony’s latest and greatest car audio components decorate the boot.

An Autoflex Coating on the body replicates a glossy paint surface whilst being easily removable, allowing Autrey to change the color of the car much more effortlessly than traditional paint.

Across the lot was the track-focused Rocket Bunny Mk7 GTI Widebody, dubbed the GTI RS. With a 4-point custom roll bar, fixed back seats carbon seats from Status Racing, and a wide array of performance-oriented bits, the GTI RS looked right at home with the stands of Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the background.

Fitted with Vossen Forged LC-106 wheels measuring 19×11 per corner and wrapped with 285-30-19 Nitto INVO tires, the GTI RS was ready to make the 2400-mile trek from Vegas back to Daytona, Florida, for Simply Clean the following weekend.

The Porsche RS-inspired livery of the GTI RS is indeed reversed on the right side of the car—a result of both subtle obsessive tendencies and to pay homage to the flare kit’s Japanese roots.

While there are still only two Rocket Bunny Mk7 GTI Widebody cars in the USA, it will only be a matter of time before another pops up or they cross paths once again, but in the meantime we leave you with this short feature video and photoshoot of the duo while we begin planning our return to Las Vegas next November.

Words & Photos: Sam Dobbins (@sdobbins_vossen) ///// Video: Anthony De La Paz (@dela_vossen)

OWNER ///// Autrey McVicker (@dwsparts)

WIDEBODY ///// Pandem Rocket Bunny • @pancrossllc • @rocketbunnyusa
WHEELS ///// Vossen Forged LC-109T (20×10.5/20×12) @vossen
BRAKES ///// Audi TT RS Front Brakes
AUDIO ///// Sony • @sony
SEATS ///// Sparco R333 • @sparcofficial
SUSPENSION ///// Air Lift Performance w/ 3H Mgmt • @air_lift_performance
TURBO ///// CTS Turbo FMIC, BOV, Short Shift Kit, Downpipe • @ctsturbo
EXHAUST ///// Kustomz Unlimited • @kustomzunltd
TUNE ///// Unitronic Stage 2 • @unitronic
ENGINE ACC ///// Forge Motorsports Carbon Intake & Silicon Hoses • @forgemotorsport
PAINT ///// AutoFlex Coatings • @autoflexcoatings

OWNER ///// Sam Dobbins (@sdobbins_vossen)

WIDEBODY ///// Pandem Rocket Bunny • @pancrossllc • @rocketbunnyusa
FABRICATION ///// SwoopsBUILT • @theswoops
WHEELS ///// Vossen Forged LC-106 (19×11 F+R) @vossen
TIRES ///// Nitto INVO 285-30-19 (F+R) • @nittotire
BRAKES ///// AP Racing Radical by Stillen • @ap_racing_by_stillen • @stillen
SUSPENSION ///// H&R Coilovers • @hrspringslp
SEATS ///// Statüs Racing ICON GTX Carbon Seats • @thestatusracing
STEERING WHEEL ///// Renown USA Motorsports 100 Rosso Wheel @renownusa
ROOF RACK ///// Thule Aeroblades and Sonic M Box • @thule
TUNE ///// United Motorsports E85 Flex Fuel @united_motorsport
CHASSIS ///// Tyrolsport Deadset Kits F+R @tyrolsport1
ENGINE ACC ///// Forge Motorsports Intercooler & Silicon Hoses • @forgemotorsport
MOTOR MOUNTS ///// Black Forest Industries • @blackforestindustries
CLUTCH ///// Sound Bend Clutch Stage 3 Daily • @southbendclutchkits
DIFFERENTIAL ///// Wavetrac Limited Slip Differential @wavetrac_differentials
EXHAUST ///// AWE Tuning Touring Exhaust Suite & Downpipe @awetuningofficial
PAINT ///// PPG Refinish • @ppgrefinish
PAINT PROTECTION ///// XPEL Paint Protection Film • @xpeltech & @detailingdynamics
ACCESSORIES ///// Rennline Quick Release Hub & Tow Hooks • @rennline
GRAPHICS ///// Sign Factory • @signfactory • @signfactoryadam

The post Rocket Bunny Mk7 GTI Widebody Duo appeared first on Vossen Wheels.

We love Toronto. Every year one of the most anticipated shows we attend is the famous “Importfest” show, heralded as the “biggest and baddest” in Canada. For this year we decided to not just document this amazing show but our entire sleepless trip. This is Vossen x Importfest….

If you watch the near 15 minute documentary you can get pretty much the feel of our five days in Toronto. Absolutely amazing weather, people, scenery and food all mixed in with a non-stop schedule with hardly any sleep! After meeting up at Miami International, we arrived in Toronto and went straight to work.

Our hotel at the Sheraton (does anything beat SPG’s rewards program?) had amazing views of the city. In addition it was across from Nathan Phillips square.

After leaving the hotel we met our good friends at Lexus Downtown. They were again nice enough to lend us a loaded GX 470 for our trip.

With room for 7 and cargo space for all our camera gear the GX was perfect for us. That cooled box for our water should be standard in every car!

We immediately rushed to the Toronto Convention Center to not just setup for Importfest but to start shooting vehicles immedately! There we caught up with the gang at Importfest for some quick laughs and planning before getting to work.

First up was this Skipper Design Nissan GT-R on new Vossen x Work Wheels. Look for it’s individual feature later this week!

We then had to rush to Dudas Square (think Time Square but in Toronto). An Importfest x Vossen video was playing on the giant TV screen for all of Toronto to see. We wanted to capture it and it was a good feeling for Dela and the crew to see his work up there!

Our second shoot didn’t map out since it got dark. So we wrapped things up and met the rest of the crew back at the Sheraton for drinks and later for dinner. Big thanks to Primus (@primustien on IG) for helping us out big time with dinner, awesome recommendation!

With little sleep we had to get energized quickly for the full day of Importfest! Held in downtown Toronto inside the Metro Convention Center, the line was long early. The first 100 people who entered got a free limited edition Vossen x Importfest T-Shirt!

We had two booth this year, one was our Vossen Store! There people could get some of the latest gear from Vossen from Kat (@kat_vossen on IG)  and her team!

Before you know it the convention center is packed to capacity. There is so much energy here at this show that you can just feel!

All the vendors and car show participants put their best foot forward and it shows. Walking around the show something new always catches your eye.

Obviously TiannaG caught our eye! We have always kept in contact with one another hoping to work together and Importfest made it the perfect time. She was the headline model of the show and spoke to hundreds of fans in attendance!

In addition she also had merchandise she brought to sign for fans who lined up to meet her!

As for the cars in the Vossen Booth, well you know we had to bring the heat!

@itsWhitenoise was in the house with their SLS Black Series on Vossen Forged! We also had a sick matte yas marina blue M3 on Vossen x Work wheels and a sinister Dodge Viper!

Of course Basit’s Rocket Bunny Lexus RC 350 F-Sport was the headliner! You might remember our media production on it last year, this year it was updated with our new 19″ Vossen x Work Wheels!

Next thing you know it was time for the infamous Imporfest Bikini contest! This year the winner was the amazing Steph Mi (@stephmi on IG). Let’s just say she has a future behind her!

After over 12 hours it was finally time to go. Amazingly it never felt long or drawn out, that is how much fun this show it. The quality of cars, amazing people and atmosphere makes Importfest a true winner.

By this time it was after 1am, where some of us recapped the day over drinks and some of us went out. Some like myself went upstairs and passed out as we had another long day ahead.

The post ImportFest 2016 x Toronto x Vossen Behind the Scenes appeared first on Vossen Wheels.

Waterfest 22 was just that, a festival of watercooled VWs and Audis, with an emphasis on the water. Although my previous experiences with the event have always been subject to both torrential downpours and unbearably hot sun, everything was better this time thanks to the Vossen x Thule stand and the sneak peek of the #MK7GTIRS project I’ve been secretly working on at Swoopsbuilt (@theswoops)!

After getting everything set up on Saturday morning, joining the Vossen and Thule tents and getting the cars placed around and fitted with Thule‘s rack systems, it seemed like everything was going swimmingly. My GTI made the 2am trek down to NJ from Long Island without any issues, the weather was clear, and all of the cars in the booth were immaculately clean…and then it hit.

In the blink of an eye everything was flooding and we were scrambling to fix a broken zipper on the tent, while dozens of show-goers pick the Vossen x Thule booth as their cover. Already wet from the chaos, there wasn’t much left to lose by staying out in the mess, so I made my way around, snapping photos where I could.

Nick’s 2.7T-converted Audi S6 outfitted with Vossen Forged LC-101s held down one side while Mike’s Audi Allroad on VFS-5s the other, with Brett’s A3 on Vossen x Work VWS-2s right in the middle—man, what a trio!

On the other side, running our new Vossen x Work VWS-3s, was Sam’s VW Tiguan R-Line (@samseuroshop) and my GTI, withstanding the temporary flooding just fine.

Across the showgrounds we found AWE Tuning’s (@awetuningofficial) new Mercedes-Benz C63s on Vossen Forged VPS-307s, complimenting the white, black, and red scheme wonderfully.

As quick as it came, the rain moved along, and by the next morning everything was dry and hot once again. After detailing the cars again and getting the ItsWhiteNoise (@itswhitenoise) SLS on Vossen Forged VPS-302Ts parked up in the booth, it was time to relax, teaching passersby about the new Vossen Forged and Vossen x Work lineups.

Across the way hid one of our favorite cars, VW of America’s Passat R-Line, which was on LC-106Ts the first day of the show, then VWS-2s the second. Riding on Accuair Suspension (@accuair) installed by our friends at Boden Autohaus (@boden_autohaus), the Passat has traveled around the country with VW this year, attending enthusiast and Global Rally Cross events throughout.

Hidden behind the Passat is our other project with VW, this Mk7 GTI sporting Vossen Forged LC-103s in Heritage Gold. Stay tuned for a video of Volkswagen’s Vossen-equipped cars.

After a late night shakedown voyage to Englishtown, the GTI held up spectacularly—and before anyone asks, yes it is getting painted, no it’s not done. Fitted with Vossen Forged VPS-317 wheels, measuring 19×11 front and rear, the Rocket Bunny kit (by @pancrossllc) really means business. Hiding AP Racing’s Radi-CAL big brake kit (@ap_racing-by-stillen) up front and wrapped in Nitto (@nittotire) INVO tires, measuring 285-30-19, the three-spoke forged wheels definitely attracted as much attention as the widebody kit.

Once we removed one of the Rocket Bunny flares to reveal the massive amount of fabrication that Swoopsbuilt has done underneath the flares, it was no longer a question of “are you going to paint it?”, as the new metal of the inner fenders made things clear.

A handcrafted (and fully functional!) rear diffuser and roll cage peeking through the rear windows suggests that the car is for more than just show, but you’ll have to wait to see once it’s finished—at H2O International.

Many thanks are in order for our team of car owners and Thule’s staff, for enduring two days of rain and heat and helping with the setup, tear down, and function of the Vossen x Thule booth at Waterfest 22!

Audi Allroad // Vossen VFS-5 // Mike Callaghan (@upstate_mike)
VW TIguan // Vossen x Work VWS-3 // Sam Desmarais (@samseuroshop)
Audi A3 Sedan // Vossen x Work VWS-2 & LV-106T // Brett Sloan (@sloancars)
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG // Vossen Forged VPS-302T // ItsWhiteNoise (@itswhitenoise)
Audi S6 2.7T // Vossen Forged LC-101 // Nick Hoover (@lazerface_rictus)
VW GTI RS Rocket Bunny // Vossen Forged VPS-317 // Sam Dobbins (@sdobbins_vossen)

Words & Photos: Sam Dobbins (@sdobbins_vossen) ///// Video: Anthony Purcell (@halcyonphoto) ///// Video Edit: Anthony Delapaz (@dela_vossen)

The post Vossen x Thule at Waterfest 22 appeared first on Vossen Wheels.

If there’s one thing that the past year of traveling to shows has taught us, it’s that bolt-on aero kits are here to stay. While there are a variety of designers pumping out new kits for different makes and models, it’s Greddy x Rocket Bunny that are opening up the new Lexus RC platform to the bolt-on aero kit goodness. Debuted at Importfest, this Rocket Bunny Lexus RC Duo stopped the show.

Basit Mirza (@ifestrc350), organizer of Importfest and owner of the Infrared Lexus RC 350, and Paul Samuel (@ofcrplz), owner of the seafoam green-wrapped Lexus RC F were kind enough to join us the Sunday after Importfest on the outskirts of Toronto’s Distillery District for a little photo and video shoot. In no time, we fired off some rolling shots along the way, and settled into a scenic view of the Toronto’s skyline for an evening of photo/video goodness.

Basit’s Lexus RC 350 is outfitted with Rocket Bunny’s full aero kit and finished in the original Infrared paint by Auto Matrix. Air Runner (@airrunner_systems) and Accuair (@accuair) management work in conjunction allowing Basit to maneuver the battlefield that is Toronto’s roads while laying the car out when parked.

To best suit the elegance of Basit’s RC, the Vossen Forged: Precision Series VPS-310 was chosen, in a full-polish with brushed face finish, revealing beautiful reflections of the red brakes that hide behind the wheels. Measuring 20×9 in the front and 20×12.5 in the rear, our forged wheels, manufactured right here in our Miami-based, TUV-Verified factory made for the perfect fit, complimenting the extended width of the Rocket Bunny aero kit wonderfully.

On the flipside, Paul’s sea foam green Lexus RC F brought full track-inspired goodness to the table. Fitted with coilover suspension and the matching Rocket Bunny rear wing, Paul’s company, Premier Wraps, skinned the entire car, aero kit and all, in the gloss sea foam green finish you see before you, and even upon the most scrutinous inspection, one would think it was painted.

There’s no point in trying to improve something that’s already a perfect fit, so Paul’s Rocket Bunny Lexus RC F was fitted with matching Vossen Forged: Precision Series VPS-310 wheels in 20×9 front and 20×12.5 rear fitment, but instead in a smoke brushed finish to better compliment the seafoam hue of the car. We’ll be the first to admit, though, that we can’t help but wonder what the two cars would look like if they swapped wheels!

In typical Vossen-shoot-fashion, as quick as we came we were also on our way, chasing the sun for one last chance at some rolling shots with Toronto’s skyline playing the support role.

Thanks again to Basit and Paul, and everyone from Team Importfest that came out to make this Rocket Bunny Lexus RC Duo shoot happen, we’re already counting the days until next year!

Words & Photos: Sam Dobbins (@sdobbins_vossen) ///// Video: Anthony De La Paz (@dela_vossen)

The post ROCKET BUNNY LEXUS RC DUO appeared first on Vossen Wheels.