
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/11/volkswagen-cooking-up-lightweight-carbon-gti/
Autocar reports Volkswagen may be working on a lightweight version of the GTI as a tribute to the model's bare-bones ancestry. Dubbed "Carbon GTI," the model is said to make use of a range of new manufacturing techniques to incorporate a heap of carbon fiber and aluminum wherever possible. Pieces like the bulkhead, windshield frame and floor panels are all expected to be hammered from lightweight alloy while the hood and roof will be stitched from the composite. All told, the changes should shave around 440 pounds from the chassis, resulting in a curb weight in the neighborhood of 2,480 pounds.
Word has it VW will leave the drivetrain untouched from the upcoming Mark VII GTI, which means buyers can expect to find the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood good for around 222 horsepower (the 2012 model makes do with an even 200 horses). Even so, the Weight Watchers treatment should help the Carbon GTI slim its 0-60 dash to below six seconds.
The model may be a test platform for manufacturing techniques that Volkswagen plans to employ on the next-generation Audi MLB platform. The German automaker will likely spread the cost of developing the machine across greener Golf iterations, including a hybrid and an electric model.
Read More
http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2012/06/27/infiniti/

Full Story Below.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/volkswagen-golf-alltrack-planned


Hey everyone!
Below is the itenerary for this year's Goofball Rally. Magnets and T-shirts are already available from the TNEuros store. There will be T-shirts, gift certificates, and other prizes that will be given away at the different legs of the cruise. Many of the rally materials and prizes are being furnished by Forge, please be sure to pay them a visit at the show. If anyone would like to organize a let from Clarksville to Nashville, please PM me and I can add the information here. It's always a good idea to bring two-way radios with good batteries. We will maintain a good pace while not drawing unwanted attention to ourselves--please do your best to respect the pace in order to remain a group.
-Mike
A special thanks to Forge, Wolfsburg Automotive, S&P Customs, German Performance Options, MFVW, APR, OEMsquared, SR83design, Offishal Nostalgia Hallmark VW of Cool Springs for their contributions to make the cruise more enjoyable and affordable for everyone!
Forge Motorsport - http://forgemotorsport.com/
APR Tuned - http://www.goapr.com/
German Performance Options - www.gpotuning.com
S&P Automotive - www.s-pautomotive.com
Wolfsburg Auto - www.wolfsburgauto.com
MF Auto - www.mfauto.com
OEMSquared.com
Hallmark VW Nashville
Offishal Nostalgia www.offishalnostalgia.com
sr83 media - www.sr83.com
----------------------------------------------------
Friday, May 18, 2012
Memphis
Contact: silvr rcr or Memphis Representin'
Meeting location: BP on south east corner of Whitten & I40 - Exit 14.
Time: Arrive at 5:30am, gas up, get snacks and be ready to roll out at 6 SHARP!
You'll want to make sure your in Nashville in time for the prize give-aways, starting at 9am!!!
Route: I40 east to I24 east exit 81A
Knoxville
Contact: Razorride
Meeting location: MF AUTOMOTIVE 5611 Washington Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918 (may change to a gas station)
Time: 9:30am, be gassed up, have snacks and be ready to roll out at 10am SHARP!
You'll want to make sure your in Chattanooga in time for the prize give-aways, starting at NOON!!!
Depart: 10AM SHARP!
Nashville
Contact: Harpstar
Meeting location: PILOT on the south east corner of Church St & I24 - Exit 81a
Time: 9am or earlier to get gassed up, get snacks, get magnets and WIN PRIZES
from Forge, APR, OEMSquared, Offishal Nostalgia, TnEuros, sr83 and more!
Depart: 9:30 - Gotta make it to Chattanooga on time for MORE GIVE-AWAYS!!!
Route: I24 East to I75N exit 20 - head east to Food Lion
Chattanooga/Cleveland
Contact: DieselDoc
Meeting location: Take exit 20 SOUTH, off of i75, Food Lion on left side of road.
Time: 12:30pm, gas up, get snacks, get magnets and WIN PRIZES from Forge,
APR, OEMSquared, Offishal Nostalgia, TnEuros, sr83 and more!
Depart: 1:00PM for HELEN!!!!!

Porsche confirms F.A.'s death.
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/ferdinand-alexander-porsche-designer-of-the-911-dies-at-age/
SJT