---
title: "Volkswagen’s New ‘Enthusiast Fleet’ Concept Cars Bring the Custom Cool"
description: "A car to please every flavor of rabid Volkswagen fan."
date: "2017-05-22"
modified: "2017-05-23"
authors:
  - name: "Kyle Cheromcha"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kyle-cheromcha"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/10509/volkswagens-new-enthusiast-fleet-concept-cars-bring-the-custom-cool"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Volkswagen News"
tags:
  - "Beetle"
  - "concept car"
  - "Concept Cars"
  - "golf"
  - "jetta"
  - "Volkswagen"
  - "VW"
---

# Volkswagen’s New ‘Enthusiast Fleet’ Concept Cars Bring the Custom Cool

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/05/golf_gti_rs_concept_7201.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Did you hear? [Diesel is on the way out at Volkswagen,](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/9970/volkswagen-fights-to-regain-diesel-market-in-us>) and baby, fun is back in. Perhaps still smarting from all the public relations blows it has taken (and continues to take) over Dieselgate, Volkswagen is bringing back a new version of its "enthusiast vehicle fleet" concept car quintet for a summer-long tour across America. This year, it's three Golfs, a Jetta, and a Beetle that have gone under the knife for a joy transplant, to represent several of the various fiefdoms in the VW-fan kingdom. Which one's your pick?

## Golf GTI RS Concept

![message-editor%2F1495487915314-1golf\_gti\_rs\_concept\_7197.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1495487915314-1golf_gti_rs_concept_7197.jpg>)
*Volkswagen*

![message-editor%2F1495487919593-2golf\_gti\_rs\_concept\_7199.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1495487919593-2golf_gti_rs_concept_7199.jpg>)
*Volkswagen*

Rocking a widebody kit, design details from the [Porsche 911 GT3 RS,](<https://www.thedrive.com/porsche/7121/here-is-why-a-porsche-gt3-rs-isnt-a-normal-911>) and a custom stripped interior, the first of the triplets Golf is certainly the fastest-looking. To create this fat little track monster, Volkswagen teamed up with Vossen Wheels creative director Sam Dobbins, who wants everyone to know he put a lot of work into making sure the wheels *don't* rub on the new sheetmetal.

Other touches include the Thule roof carrier and a roll cage to accompany those race-inspired front seats. Speaking seats, there's only two—the back seats have been tossed to save weight.

## Golf R Heritage Concept

![message-editor%2F1495488107341-golf\_r\_heritage\_concept\_7192.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1495488107341-golf_r_heritage_concept_7192.jpg>)
*Volkswagen*

![message-editor%2F1495488111568-golf\_r\_heritage\_concept\_7195.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1495488111568-golf_r_heritage_concept_7195.jpg>)
*Volkswagen*

If the Golf GTI RS is the older brother into tasteful modifications, the Golf R Heritage Concept is the bookish middle child obsessed with historical re-enactments. The black paint job with orange, red, and yellow accents recall the German flag, while the big ol' No. 7 on the doors and the white pinstripes along the bottom give it a nice retro flair.

Vossen wheels and lowered H&R Springs complete the package, which honestly isn't much of a departure from stock for a so-called "concept." Then again, VW claims most R owners prefer not to tinker with the factory setup.

## Golf Alltrack Country Concept

![message-editor%2F1495488247210-golf\_alltrack\_country\_concept\_7172.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1495488247210-golf_alltrack_country_concept_7172.jpg>)
*Volkswagen*

![message-editor%2F1495488251317-golf\_alltrack\_country\_concept\_7177.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1495488251317-golf_alltrack_country_concept_7177.jpg>)
*Volkswagen*

Rounding out the Golfs is the Alltrack Country Concept, the sports-loving youngest child in the family. Designed to recall the awesome third-generation Golf Country (sold only in Europe, sadly), the Alltrack Country gives the regular Golf Alltrack a boost with a two-inch lift, 15-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, bumper-integrated fog lights, a roof-mounted tent, and extra solar-powered batteries for all the devices a connected adventurer could want.

Honestly, the two-inch lift is how the Golf Alltrack should have been sold in the first place, but the rest of it is pretty nifty. There aren't enough cars sold with [integrated tents](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/9866/bmw-autohome-partnership-lets-you-go-camping-atop-a-mini-countryman>) these days.

## Beetle Post Concept

![message-editor%2F1495488385195-beetle\_post\_concept\_7185.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1495488385195-beetle_post_concept_7185.jpg>)
*Volkswagen*

![message-editor%2F1495488388940-beetle\_post\_concept\_7186.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1495488388940-beetle_post_concept_7186.jpg>)
*Volkswagen*

In making what could be the [Beetle's swan song,](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/9997/volkswagen-beetle-scirocco-likely-axed-due-to-dieselgate-costs>) VW partnered with BMX rider Alise Post, who elected to give it a Habanero Orange paint job, custom 19-inch "Mr. Drama Queen" gold wheels from Radi8, an upgraded coilover suspension kit from H&R Springs, and of course, the custom roof-mounted bike rack that appears to be attached with suction cups. Some "vintage" lettering along the base of the doors rounds things out nicely.

## Jetta GLI Nardo Concept

![message-editor%2F1495488513760-jetta\_gli\_nardo\_concept\_7190.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1495488513760-jetta_gli_nardo_concept_7190.jpg>)
*Volkswagen*

![message-editor%2F1495488522928-jetta\_gli\_nardo\_concept\_7191.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1495488522928-jetta_gli_nardo_concept_7191.jpg>)
*Volkswagen*

Sedans may be also dying, but Volkswagen's doing their best to keep you interested with the Jetta GLI Nardo concept. Like Reese's, or a monkey in a tuxedo, it combines two great things for an even better result—in this case, VW's long-running GLI sport package and Audi's stunning Nardo Grey paint job. Add in another set of H&R coilovers and some high-performance tires, and you've got yourself a pretty decent sleeper.

## Author
Overseeing an expert staff of writers and editors from his lair in Los Angeles, Kyle shapes The Drive’s singular approach to covering the automotive industry and car culture. He’s been with the site as a writer since 2017, taking over as editor in 2019. On a daily basis, Kyle is responsible for directing The Drive's editorial news and car review content strategies, setting special coverage priorities, managing complex reporting projects, and ensuring what you read on the page meets our high internal standards for quality and trustworthiness. He is also the executive producer of The Drive's YouTube channel, which was relaunched in February 2024 to great acclaim and has accumulated over 14M new views in its first year back on the scene. He hosts a biweekly series on the channel where he breaks down fascinating and complicated stories from the automotive world.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/kylecheromcha.bsky.social>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/kylecheromcha>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-cheromcha-1550248a/>)