VW Jetta Helios Tribute Car Build for SEMA 2013 - Eurotuner Magazine

Additional Photos by FMS Automotive

Available for only one year, the 1989 Helios blue Jetta GLI is still held in high regard by the VW community, even to this day. Even though its exterior color and interior trim were the only real defining features, its exclusivity comes from it being limited to 1500 examples produced, forever inking it a spot in watercooled VW history.

So it should come as no surprise that when FMS Automotive decided to create a pair of 2014 Jettas for the 2013 SEMA show, a Helios tribute car would be part of the proposal.

"I used to own an original Mk2 Helios and still regret selling it," said Gil Plasencia from FMS in Cerritos, CA. "So when we were discussing options for a SEMA project car, I naturally raised the idea of a Helios tribute. Fortunately, everybody liked the idea and so we turned the idea into reality."

In a few short weeks, the crew at FMS transformed two stock 2014 Jettas into SEMA project using plenty of parts VW Accessories and key aftermarket suppliers.

Yes, there are two cars. The other is a Jetta widebody, which you can also read about, with its exclusive build up story (click HERE) and finished car feature (click HERE).

We will also have a feature on the completed Helios Tribute car (click HERE).

These two cars represent the mild and a wild side of the VW tuning scene. In this case, the Helios car obviously represents a milder, achievable build, while the widebody is a wilder, over-the-top car that was built more to inspire than to be duplicated.

The 2014 Jetta SE chosen for the Helios build came equipped with the new 1.8T motor, a six-speed manual transmission and puny stock wheels. It was finished in the new Tempest Blue Metallic, which is very close to the original Helios color.

FMS Automotive wasted little time getting to work. First up was the VW Accessories body kit. It was painted gloss black to add contrast, just as the original Mk2 Helios had its black body moldings.

Thankfully, the OEM VW Accessories body kits fit perfectly. The kit included these skirts as well as a front lip and rear valance to create a sportier look.

Pulling parts from the deepest recesses of the VW parts catalog, there are components on this car that only the keenest enthusiast might recognize. They include parts like the Jetta Hybrid grille, which was painted gloss black and given a distinctive blue stripe.

Out back are more OEM touches, like the Jetta Hybrid trunk spoiler and smoked tail lights from the 2014 GLI. Both are subtle yet effective mods straight from the VW parts bin and easily ordered from any VW dealer in the country. As we said, the car was designed to be easily replicated...

The front of the sedan features not only the VW Accessories lip, but also lower grilles painted gloss black with the blue striping repeated. FMS also installed LED foglights and Jetta Hybrid headlights for an OEM+ look that's clean and concise.

No build is complete without top-rate suspension, and the H&R Street Performance coilovers will not only improve the handling characteristics, but also dropped the ride height.

The 19x9.5" VW Motorsport wheels from the VW Accessories catalog were given a tough custom ceramic coating and wrapped in 235/35 R19 Nitto Invo tires. Again, the multi-spoke design and dark hue harks back to the original Helios cars on their mesh wheels.

Ride height is everything, especially when sitting pretty at SEMA, and the tape measure was used to verify the Jetta was down from the clouds. Thankfully the H&R coilovers made ride height adjustment easy.

Big brakes are another staple of any SEMA build. But instead of turning to the aftermarket, VW Golf R stoppers were sourced. Along with the new calipers, the R-spec rotors measure a generous 13.6" front and 12.2" rear.

Of course, the Golf R brakes couldn't remain stock, so the calipers were color-matched to the body and custom inserts fabricated as a finishing touch.

As you can see, the rear brakes were also swapped for Golf R units. And although rear braking only contributes a percentage of the braking forces, the team wanted things done properly.

Here's a close look at the VW Motorsport wheels and their ceramic coating.

The new 1.8T motor was so new at the start of the build that APR was still developing its software package. Nevertheless, APR came through with a software upgrade and Carbonio air intake, while FMS added the multi-colored engine cover and some reservoir covers from VW Accessories.

The FMS crew put in many late nights to complete the SEMA builds. In the end, the hard work paid off with two cars completed. Here we see the APR/Carbonio carbon fiber cold-air intake being installed. At the time it was hot off the production line and the first anybody had ever seen.

Every project car needs to be heard, and the 1.8T found its lungs thanks to an custom 2.5" FMS exhaust that uses a Magnaflow muffler. The dual tips look great in the OEM rear valance.

One source of inspiration from the original Helios car was its interior that used the Recaro seats from the Mk2 Jetta GLI 16v. These had unique blue patterned cloth inlays and were very distinctive. In order to honor the original concept, FMS had a pair of Recaro Specialist seats wrapped in black leather with custom blue inserts.

The factory rear seats were also trimmed to match the Recaro fronts, completing the retrim

The interior received more upgrades, such as the GLI steering wheel that was leather wrapped and finished with blue stitching. The center console, shift boot, golf-ball shift knob and door panels also received black hide with blue stitching, while Corinthian Textiles mats and a trunk liner were embroidered with the Helios name.

Only the sharpest eyes would catch the backup camera mated to the upgraded Volkswagen Accessories RNS315 Nav sound system with custom sound box with digital sound processor.

A glimpse of the original rendering produced by FMS to guide the build

For the full story on the completed Helios Tribute Car click HERE