Automotive Reviews
Posts tagged Volkswagen
North American International Auto Show 2012
Jan 16th
It’s practically a tradition that the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is accompanied by the worst weather of the season. The second week in January in Detroit is rarely a pleasant place, but this year’s show was preceded by unseasonably warm and sunny weather. All thoughts of global warming aside, it seemed to indicate a subtle change in the climate of the automotive industry as well. No-shows included Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Jaguar/Land Rover, but all of the major industry players were present.
Several years of economic hardship (and more than a few casualties) have left the auto industry cautious; the wild abandon that characterized auto shows past is long gone. In its place, there’s a pragmatic realism–but for 2012, that realistic outlook is also optimistic. In addition to the upcoming products that are useful refinements of existing vehicles, Detroit also saw the debut of some honest-to-goodness concept cars, showing that the industry may have scaled back on the wildest flights of fancy, but it hasn’t forgotten how to dream. More >
2005.5 Volkswagen Jetta
Oct 31st
Volkswagens have a way of becoming your friend, with their sporty reflexes and spirited driving dynamics. Add reasonable pricing to that equation and it’s not hard to see why many young (and young-at heart) buyers are drawn to the brand. VW’s compact Jetta sedan has found its way into a large number of first-time buyers’ hands, but as time marches on and these customers mature, the old Jetta is beginning to seem a bit…juvenile.
Considering the changing needs and desires of its young and young-at-heart customers, VW’s all-new fifth-generation Jetta’s mission in life is to grow with the its current customers, rather than to urge them into another model. The new Jetta is larger, more luxurious and better-built, but an effort has been made to retain its playful spirit. The new car should appeal to old Jetta owners as well as a whole new demographic. More >
2005 Volkswagen Touareg TDI V10
Oct 31st
Volkswagen’s fantastic Touareg has garnered its fair share of awards and attention since its introduction last year. This summer the Touareg added a new trick to its impressive resume: torquey, efficient diesel power.
The Touareg diesel was available in Europe from the beginning, but VW brought it to the U.S. to show its commitment to diesel. The five-valve per cylinder 5.0 liter V10 is a direct-injection turbodiesel. The simplified injection system reduces the amount of clatter and soot produced, and the Touareg TDI is quiet on the road. It’s also powerful; it’s hard to argue with 310 horsepower and 553 foot-pounds of torque. Fuel economy is improved by about twenty percent over the V8 Touareg. Volkswagen’s 4XMOTION four-wheel drive system provides power to all four wheels. The Touareg TDI can tow up to 7700 pounds. More >