Brian Alvarado was in the market for something AWD, turbocharged, and most importantly, fun to drive. He had seen so many people going with the Subaru STI or the Mitsubishi Evo, and he wanted to do something a little different. Enter the 2012 Volkswagen Golf R. After trading in his 2005 Golf R32 for the 2012 Golf R, Alvarado began the process of modifying his new VW to stand out and perform. "Working on my car helps to relax me from all my health problems, stress, and from being deployed overseas," he tells us. "It's my therapy."

Owner: Brian Alvarado
Location: Long Beach, CA
Vehicle: 2012 Volkswagen Golf R
Horsepower: 340 whp
Club: N/A

SOCIAL:
Facebook: Alvarado Brian
Instagram: fuckbrians_r

Photography by Caliphotography, Jordan Alatorre.

ENGINE & PERFORMANCE:
APR HPFP
VWR short shifter kit
Nuespeed carbon fiber engine cover
Nuespeed lightweight pulley
Nuespeed FMIC
AWE CCB intake
Amsoil
034 motormounts
CTS oil catch can
Hydrodipped battery/fuse cover

EXHAUST:
AWE 3-inch downpipe
Corsa performance cat-back

PERFORMANCE ELECTRONICS:
P3 gauge
APR stage 2+ with 100 mapping

DRIVELINE:
Southbend stage 3 endurace clutch

WHEELS & TIRES:
OZ Ultraleggera wheels - 18x8 +45 (f/r)
GT Radial Chimpiro tires - 235/45/18 (f/r)

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION:
Nuespeed front/rear sway bars
FX Street X coilover

BRAKES:
R1 blue BBK - 6-piston (f), 4-piston (r)
356mm slotted and cross-drilled rotors

EXTERIOR:
VIS carbon fiber vented hood
ECS tuning carbon fiber lip
Hydrodipped mirror caps
ED carbon fiber wing
ED side skirt
ED rear vented bumper
Black/inner white VW emblem front/rear
Euro LED tail lights w/ rear fog

INTERIOR:
N/A

AUDIO & MULTIMEDIA:
Soumatrix Xtase speakers

COMPETITION EVENTS, CLASSES & AWARDS:
42 race wars 2015 - 1st VW
Speed Shop Tour - Top 25
Autocon 2015 - VW Runner Up
AWDsome - Best VW  

FAVORITE MODIFICATION:
Southbend stage 3 endurance clutch

FUTURE MODIFICATIONS:
Recaro Sportster CS suede seats (heated)
IE 450T turbo upgrade with rods and pistons
Roll cage
Rocket Bunny wide body kit  

SPONSORS:
742 Marketing
R1 Concepts
Extreme Dimension
GT Radial
Amsoil

SHOPS/MECHANICS:
AU Tuning
Long Beach Auto Tech