23 Apr 2016

WÖRTHERSEE 2016 – THAT PETROL STATION…

by Giuseppe Basile | posted in: AIRLIFT | 0

It’s not easy trying to explain an event like Wörthersee to those who have never been. You drive 1000+ miles to a small Austrian lake weeks before the actual show, only to then spend each day driving around parts of the town hoping to meet up with other VAG enthusiasts. Sounds like a lot of effort, right? The rewards make it all worthwhile though…

Austria is centrally-located in Europe, and as such attracts VAG fans from countries including the UK, Germany, Italy and even Russia. Everyone has their own little road trip to get down there, so while 1000-miles is a long drive for an event, everyone’s in the same boat.

One of the must visit places in Wörthersee is the ENI Mischkulnig petrol station (formerly Shell). It doesn’t sound like a typical meeting location given all the highly-explosive petrol around, but this ENI is unlike just about any other fuel station on the planet – they 100% embrace the modified VAG takeover and welcome as many enthusiasts as possible along!

Need fuel? Not a problem – use one of the 12-pumps on site. Car looking dirty? Pull up to the right and use one of the 5 cleaning bays specifically opened for car fans over the Wörthersee period. There’s even pizza and beers available from a small refreshments hut next to the main shop. It’s become such an attraction the ENI staff have even installed a series of webcams so you can see just how busy it is at any time.

As day turns to night the action really begins to kick off. Thousands of VAG fans line the streets, some taking deck chairs to get the best possible view as Wörthersee descends into darkness. A parade of awesome cars constantly swarm the petrol station, showing off the latest mods and styles from across the whole of Europe. Got yourself a lairy, tuned motor under the bonnet? It’s pretty much a given that you’ll have to rev it when driving past.

This sort of gathering probably wouldn’t work in other countries or car scenes. Despite the thousands of cars constantly driving around, everyone remains respectful and plays by the rules to keep things fun. Police keep an eye to make sure everyone’s staying safe, and when a car’s full with fuel it’s moved into the car parking to keep the station busy. It really is the most bizarre, awesome, and exciting petrol station on the planet. What’s not to love!

24 Dec 2015

AIR LIFT PERFORMANCE IOS APP FOR 3H / 3P

by Giuseppe Basile | posted in: AIRLIFT | 0

Air Lift Performance has taken air management technology to the next level with the introduction the new Air Lift Performance 3H/3P air management systems. These powerful, reliable height and pressure systems are the most advanced products ever created by Air Lift Performance.

As a result of three years of development and testing, the new 3H system combines pressure-based control with ride height sensing technology to factor both height and pressure together. This design ensures desired ride height can be achieved without radical differences in pressure. With up to five customizable presets, the system quickly adjusts to and maintains height and/or pressure with the push of a button.

Air Lift Performance 3P uses pressure based sensing technology only, so it doesn’t include the height components that come with 3H, but can be easily upgraded at a later date.

These incredibly accurate air management systems come with full color display and an integrated control pad, but can also be controlled through the Air Lift Performance iOS mobile app.

There is no need for additional parts to utilize the Air Lift Performance iOS app. Both 3H and 3P control systems include built in Bluetooth wireless connectivity, just simply download from the App Store and connect, it’s that easy! Users can also benefit from the latest Air Lift Performance 3H and 3P firmware updates available through the app by downloading updates and new features to the system.

To download the Air Lift Performance iOS app simply head to the App Store on your mobile device.

Then search for Air Lift Performance 3, or Air Lift Company.

You will then be able to download the app directly to your device.

Once installed, you will be able to wirelessly connect to your vehicle via Bluetooth and within minutes, able to adjust and view the air ride status remotely.

Air Lift Performance 3H and 3P are designed to improve the way consumers interact with their vehicles. The user-friendly controller layout is mimicked by the Air Lift Performance iOS app and features the same full-color display with at-a-glance status of height and pressure conditions, tank pressure displays, and four corner height or pressure readings for individual air springs.

The Air Lift Performance app can be used in portrait or landscape orientations at the turn of the wrist and with wireless Bluetooth connectivity, also allows you to change the ride height from outside the car.

The app is currently only available for Apple devices running iOS 7.0 or later such as iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. An Android version is in development and will be available soon.

24 Feb 2015

KURKLAND RICHARDSON’S 2012 CAMARO

by Paola | posted in: AIRLIFT | 1

“Since I was about seven years old, I was always seeing low cars and I said, ‘I want to lower my own.’”

Kurkland Richardson got his chance when he got his 2012 Camaro and set out to make it his own.

“I got the Camaro for a really good deal. I’d never seen one lowered, and I wanted to lower it,” Kurk explains, and goes on, “…not like, to change the game or anything. I just wanted to.”

“I started off with springs, and it was just too high. Then, I wanted to change the springs to make it lower, but they couldn’t do it. I was beyond new with air suspension,” Kurk confessed, describing his decision to choose air suspension. “I never really paid attention, though. I’d never really heard of Air Lift Performance but I saw those eight [control system] presets and that’s what sold me.”

Kurk continues on to explain how the Air Lift Performance control systems were the real sell for him. The display was a big part of it.

“If it [the controller display] doesn’t show me what’s going on, I feel like it’s not safe.” The Air Lift Performance display features all the information Kurk hoped for in order to ride with real peace of mind.

“You have to get the whole Air Lift V2, all that. If you’re getting Air Lift Performance struts, you gotta get the management too.”

It’s not only about the control system, though.

“The thing that’s amazed me with the struts was the stiffness…like real racing struts,” Kurk describes, “It’s such a smooth ride, it actually feels like you’re on air. No bounce at all. I ride it lowered, and it rides better.”

Kurk has done shows like Nurotag, Wekfest, and Simply Clean. When discussing shows, however, he is quick to add that the car scene isn’t about impressing anyone, but simply about the love he has for cars.

“It’s my personal thing,” he says resolutely, “and I respect every other ride.”

20 Jan 2015

VW Beetle AIRLIFT Performance Kenwood Electronics

by Giuseppe Basile | posted in: AIRLIFT | 3

In December 2012 Kenwood took delivery of a brand new VW Beetle. A strange choice, perhaps, but with a little imagination and some Air Lift know-how, it became one of the most recognizable cars on the show circuit.

The project was aimed at providing a showcase for Kenwood’s fantastic line of OEM-quality multimedia head units, but also had to have the right look. For the guys at Kenwood, it was no contest in the suspension department, and a newly developed Air Lift threaded body air ride kit was incorporated into the build.

The first choice of wheels was Rota’s huge 19″ grid wheel. Measuring 10.5″ out back, a MK5 Golf GTi IRS rear end was fitted to allow the wheels to camber in as the car was dropped. This resulted in a perfect stance.

Not content with squeezing the 19’s under the Beetles arches, Kenwood then swapped to the 20″ Rotiform SNA wheels pictured above. This is probably the look most people will associate with the car, and the red-on-red scheme is pretty hard to beat!

AIRRIDE