Our Projects
From time to time at Performance Driven, we take on a new project to tune-up a car using the latest performance parts and software that we provide. We make the most of the latest performance technology from top brands, and we get some amazing results!
2023 – VW T6 TRANSPORTER
From Stock Van to Adventure Machine, our project for 2023 was to completely transform our VW T6 Transporter. We tuned the van and added some modifications to turn this ordinary van into an extraordinary one.
Built for Comfort, Tuned for Performance:
• Soundproofing and Insulation: Dodo’s Deadning Duo and insulation layers create a haven of peace.
• KW V1 Coilover Suspension: Hugs the road like a dream, offering a smooth, controlled ride for long journeys.
• SuperMetal Vane Wheels and Vredestein tyres: Look sharp, grip tight, and help to conquer any terrain in style.
Tech and Convenience:
• Genuine Roof Rails: This means the van is ready for any adventure!
• Sound System Upgrade: Audison Prima components and soundproofed doors
• Thinkware Dashcam: This allows front and rear protection for peace of mind.
• VANSHADES Window Shades: Offer privacy and sun protection on demand.
We also added some aesthetic touches to the van, Gloss Black Badges give the van a touch of class and the Leighton Vans Aero Package adds a sleek rear spoiler, front splitter, and sidebars.
It’s now ready to hit the road and explore new horizons!
Full Specifications
Specification of Van from Factory:
- Volkswagen Transporter 204 DSG T32 Highline Kombi
- Deep Pearl Black
- Discover Media Navigation
- Rear Camera
- 2+1 Split Folding Rear Seat
- Power Latching Tailgate
- Heated Seats
- Cab Carpet
- LED Headlights with High Beam Assist
- Twin Electric Sliding Doors
Work carried out:
- Fitted a Witter Detachable Towbar with single electrics.
- Van stripped and sound proofed/insulated on the roof, sides and floor with Dodo Mat DEADN Pro Black, Dodo Super Liner 6mm, Dodo Thermo Liner Pro 5mm, Dodo Mat DEADN Duo Roll and Dodo Thermo Fleece 50mm. Then covered in 4 Way Stretch Van Lining (Audi Grey).
- KW V1 Coilover Suspension fitted.
- SuperMetal Vane 20’’ Gloss Black Wheels with 275/40 R20 106Y XL Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+ Tyres.
- USB & USB C sockets fitted to side pillars and rear panels.
- Fitted genuine Roof Rails.
- Fitted Leighton Vans Rear Spoiler, Front Chin & Splitter and Gloss Black Trapezoid Side Bars. Spoiler and Splitter painted and installed by Precision Paint (Wellington).
- Front speakers upgraded with Audison Prima Woofer and Tweeter Set; front doors sound proofed with SKINZ EXPERT.
- Side door windows and tailgate window fitted with VANSHADES.
- Ovano Switch XL fitted to the van behind the second row of seats.
- Thinkware front and rear dashcam (F790).
- Badges changed to gloss black front and rear.
- Thule VeloCompact bike carrier.
- EcoFlow DELTA 2 Portable Power Pack.
- Yeti LoadOut GoBox 30 Gear Case and LoadOut 5-Gallon Bucket.
- THQ Alpicool TWW35 Fridge Freezer.
2017 – VW AMAROK HIGHLINE 2.0 TDI
Our project for 2017 was to work on our 2013 model VW Amarok Highline 2.0 TDI. The Amarok pickup has been another success story for Volkswagen; not a total game-changer in terms of dominating the commercial vehicles market, but carving itself a new niche. Our tuning efforts were once again documented by our friends at VW Driver, and you can find an excerpt of the article below, where we are fitting a SuperPro suspension upgrade to the Amarok. Be sure to follow the link at the bottom and read the full article!
“Arriving bright and early at the workshops, the guys at Performance Driven had already made a good start by removing most of the original suspension and it was a perfect opportunity to examine the basic layout.
Just like the vehicle itself, with its modern powertrain and comfortable well-appointed cab up front and a farmyard-functional pickup bed and tailgate at the back, the suspension set-up is a similar marriage of new and old tech. Up front, it has a double control arm (aka wishbone) set-up, with coil spring MacPherson struts and a hefty transverse anti-roll bar. Cleaned and polished up, it wouldn’t look at all out of place on a high-performance saloon.”
Virtually all of the OEM rubber bushes on the original control arms are replaced with these superior SuperPro polyurethane bushes, which are claimed to offer a longer service life, greater precision and much more positive handling at speed.
Compared with the original equipment rubber bushes, the general advantages of polyurethane bushes are fairly well known by now, but let’s just say that there are some wide variations in composition and performance – polyurethane bushes are not all created equal…
To read the full story of the tuning of our Amarok Highline 2.0 TDI, see our January 2017 article featured in Volkswagen Driver!
Full Specifications
Body and trim:
- Two-tone front bumper trim
- Side bars with steps
- Rear styling bars
- Roll and lock bed cover
- Tow barRoof bars
Engine:
- Stage 1 ECU software upgrade to 208 PS / 328 lb.ft.
- Performance panel filter
- Milltek Sport cat-back exhaust with twin oval tailpipes
Suspension:
- SuperPro rear leaf spring bush kit
- SuperPro front upper control arm bush kit
- SuperPro front lower control arm bush kit with caster increase
- SuperPro 30 mm 2-position front anti-roll bar
- SuperPro 24 mm 3-position rear anti-roll bar
Wheels & Tyres:
- 19-inch VW Cantera alloy wheels
- Vredestein Wintrac 4 Extreme 255/55 R19 111V XL
Infotainment:
- Alpine X801D-U Advanced Navigation and 8-inch capacitive touchscreen.
- Alpine 6.6-inch component 2-way speakers (x4)
2016 – MK5 GOLF GTI
We set about transforming a recently-acquired Golf Mk 5 GTI into a fully competent road and track performance car. Our first task was to fit a new suspension kit, produced by well-known suspension specialist, SuperPro. The kit comprises a full set of polyurethane suspension bushes as well as uprated and adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars, lightweight alloy front control arms with increased caster and a pair of replacement ball-joints with camber adjustment and roll centre correction.
As well as the handling kit, we opted for a V-Maxx height-adjustable coilover suspension kit. The V-Maxx height-adjustable kit provides a good balance between handling and ride quality. After stripping the standard suspension of the car, we assembled the new coilover kit, using brand-new top mounts. A major advantage when assembling coilover struts is that you don’t have to mess around with coil- spring compressors – just wind the threaded adjusters down to their lowest setting on the strut body, slide on the coil spring, install the top mounts and then wind the threaded adjusters back up half way to take up any slack in the spring
Next job was the brake upgrade and although tempted with a full four-pot calliper and big brake conversion, for the time being the Performance Driven team elected to use the simpler Sportline disc and pad upgrade from Brembo. This is a standard-sized replacement disc, dimpled rather than fully cross-drilled, claimed by Brembo to be the ‘best street discs, with superior performance suitable for moderate track use’. Always good practice when installing any brake replacement or conversion, is to spend some time carefully cleaning up the hub mounting face to make sure it is smooth and true, to avoid any possible problems with run-out and disc warping, before bolting on the new brakes.
To read the full story of the tuning of our MK5 Golf GTI, see our August and September 2016 articles featured in Volkswagen Driver!
Full Specifications
Engine:
- Stage 1 software – 260 PS / 285 lb.ft.
- TFSI air intake system
- Scorpion resonated cat-back exhaust system
- GFB Diverter valve
Suspension:
- SuperPro Mk 5 Golf handling kit comprising
- Supaloy alloy front control arms with caster increase
- Roll centre correcting and camber adjustment ball-ioints
- Rear multi-link SuperPro bush kit
- Uprated adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars
- Torque arm lower insert bush kit
- V-Maxx xed damping coilover suspension kit
Brakes:
- Brembo Sport pads and discs
Wheels & Tyres:
- Revo RVO19 8.5 x 19 inch in high gloss black, fitted with Vredestein Ultrac Vorti 235/35 R19 91Y
Infotainment:
- Alpine X801D-U Advanced Navigation and 8-inch capacitive touchscreen
- Alpine 8-inch ampli ed subwoofer box, Alpine 4-channel amplifier
- Alpine 6.6-inch component 2-way speakers ( x 4 )
