VW Golf R Unveiled, gets 270HP 2.0 Turbo and All-Wheel Drive, 0-100km/h in 5.5 sec

No more hiding for the hottest Golf VI that receives the 'R' badge as the first official photos of the car have made their way on the net ahead of Frankfurt Show grand opening. Set to replace the fifth-generation Golf R32, the new Golf R ditches the latter's 250HP 3.2-liter V6 for the Scirocco R's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit, slightly tweaked to produce 270 horsepower and 320Nm or 236 lb-ft of torque.

However, unlike the Scirocco R that keeps the standard model's front-wheel drive layout, the hot Golf is fitted with a new hydraulic four-wheel drive system similar to the one found on the Audi S3. A six-speed manual gearbox will be offered standard, while a six-speed, twin-clutch DSG transmission will be optional.

From what we have been told (we'll update the story as soon as VW comes out with an official release), with the manual gearbox the Golf R speeds up to 100km/h (62mph) from standstill in 5.7 seconds, while the DSG model is a tad faster completing the same sprint in 5.5 seconds. In both cases, top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h or 155mph.

By comparison, the FWD 210HP Golf GTI with a DSG gearbox hits the 100km/h mark in 7.2 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 239 km/h or 148 mph. Classically, the Golf R's chassis has been significantly upgraded with a lowered suspension, new dampers and springs as well as a beefed up braking system.

On the outside, the hot Golf features similar -some could say, even subtle- revisions to the Scirocco R with new bumpers, side skirts, darkened headlamps and tail lights, glossy exterior mirrors, a roof spoiler, a rear diffuser that houses twin exhaust pipes in the center and five-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in chunkier rubber. Likewise, the R's interior has been lightly enhanced with a pair of front bucket sport seats, a flat bottomed steering wheel and sportier trim.

The newest addition in the Golf family that will be offered in both three and five door bodystyles is expected to go on sale in Europe towards the end of the year, while the model is also slated for a U.S. market debut in early 2010.

VW Golf R


VW Golf R


VW Golf R


VW Golf R


VW Golf R

VW Passat R36 CAR review

This is Volkswagen’s most powerful production Passat yet - the new R36, a car that trumps the last generation’s unloved W8 in the power stakes. Big deal, you might think, but bear with us. For £30,990 you get a 3.6-litre V6 churning out 295bhp and 258lb ft, four-wheel drive versatility and subtly imposing styling.
What sets the VW Passat R36 apart visually?

It’s restrained stuff, the distinguishing marks comprising 18-inch wheels; a new bumper and integrated chrome grille that stresses the family link to the Golf R32 and Touareg R50; twin exhausts; and bi-xenon headlights. You might also spot that the R36 is lowered by 20mm and has – wait for it – blue brake calipers. The new Passat is a handsome car already, but these tweaks are very effective.

Inside the changes are more dramatic, forming a key part of the R36’s appeal. There are some of the very best seats in the business. The fabric/leather mix looks good, grips well, feels quality and is pleasingly tactile. And the range of adjustment is fantastic, with inflatable pockets – a push of a button increases or decreases their stiffness – offering extra lower and upper back support. The aggressive side bolsters use the same system. You always feel incredibly comfortable, but you’re gripped like in a bucket seat.
What’s the rest of the interior like?

A slightly mixed bag. Overall the sense is of high quality, with brushed aluminium brightening up the centre console and instrument binnacle, part-leather door cards and simple, classy instruments. But the switchgear – shared with the Golf – looks a bit cheap here, and the extravagantly stylish swoop of the doors only emphasises that the upper half of the trim is made of soft-touch plastics, while the lower half makes do with harder, cheaper-feeling material.

In the back there’s plenty of leg- and headroom for six-footers sitting behind six-footers and the boot is large and an almost exact match for the BMW 3-series' at 461 litres – though the four-wheel drive system does cost you 24 litres.

VW Routan Minivan Spokesmother Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields who, at age 12, rose to stardom as a child prostitute in the 1978 movie Pretty Baby then became a teen heart throb in The Blue Lagoon and went on to more movie and TV hits like Suddenly Susan will be the spokesperson for Volkswagen's Routan minivan.

She's a wonderful person who I first met in 1984 when she had a summer internship at the San Diego Zoo and I was a TV sportscaster on KGTV. Brooke introduced me to her current husband Chris Henchy in 2001 on her birthday flying to San Francisco when she was heading to be a celebrity spokesperson at a national fund raiser for ALS or Lou Gehring's disease.

VW Routan Minivan Spokesmother Brooke Shields


Now with two small children ages 5 and 2, the former Calvin Klein's jeans model, promotes the Routan minivanin "The Routan Boom" campaign whose theme is "people of are having babies simply for German engineering". The advertising and marketing campaign that rolled out yesterday is part of the global brand platform Das Auto and includes TV, radio, print and online components featuring Brooke Shields as spokesperson.

VW Routan Minivan Spokesmother Brooke Shields


Routan spokesperson Brooke Shields says "Volkswagen gave me quite a fun character to play, doing the Baby Beat on the streets and encouraging parents to have babies for love, not German engineering." The Routancampaign just broke yesterday with radio, online and 30 second TV spots. Print ads with Shields continuing to urge people to have babies for love will follow in October titles such as Everyday with Rachael Ray, Health and Cookie, on newsstands mid September.

The new Routan which trades on the Car Stock Exchange , starts at $24,700 with the standard 197 horsepower 3.8-liter V6. There's also an optional 251 horsepower 4.0-liter V6 engine. The Routan also offers remote engine start system, power second row windows, towing preparation package with automatic load-leveling rear suspension, power sliding doors, Conversation Mirror, rear seat entertainment system with two 9-inch screens for second and third rows, wireless headphones and remote control, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and SIRIUS Traffic data, dual power sliding doors with power windows, touch screen JoyBox TM DVD-navigation entertainment system with 30GB hard drive, remote-operated power lift gate with flood lamp, seating for 7 and up to 21 different seating configurations.

VW Routan Minivan Spokesmother Brooke Shields


VW Routan Minivan Spokesmother Brooke Shields


VW Routan Minivan Spokesmother Brooke Shields


VW Routan Minivan Spokesmother Brooke Shields



Car News, Car Review, Future, Auto, New Cars, Car Quote, Price

Volkswagen Rabbit

The original early 1980s Thunder Bunny was created by an enthusiast, Bill Neumann, in an attempt to demonstrate that, with the right accessories, the VW Rabbit could easily generate stunning performance numbers. The little Rabbit put Bill's products, sold under the brand name Neuspeed, on the map. To this day, Neuspeed remains a one of the country's best-respected tuning companies, and for SEMA 2006, Neuspeed and the Volkswagen Design Center California have teamed up to create a new Thunder Bunny.

This Thunder Bunny features a larger central grille and more muscular rear valance featuring a R32-style center exhaust. It has nineteen-inch, gold-painted wheels with oversized Brembo four-piston calipers. A Bilstein coil-over system and Neuspeed sway bars keep it from leaning in the corners.


VW Rabbit


VW Rabbit


VW Rabbit


VW Rabbit


VW Rabbit

Volkswagen New Beetle Review

The little guy had no way of knowing that this New Beetle has virtually nothing more in common with Herbie or the original Beetle than the overall shape and having the engine over the drive wheels. This New Beetle is much larger, way more sturdy, has a water-cooled, inline 5-cylinder engine in the front driving the front wheels, and is a good step up from inexpensive, entry-level position that characterized the original Beetle.

Our test car this week, the 2008 New Beetle S with five-speed manual transmission, has a suggested retail price of $17,365. Only one cost notation shows up on the Monrony sticker – a $375 “delete” for the Satellite radio which brings it just under 17-grand. The $640 destination charge brings it to $17,630.

For that price the New Beetle is well equipped. AC, power heated exterior mirrors, cruise control, adjustable steering wheel, power locks, power windows with pinch protection, height-adjustable manual front seats, remote releases for hatch and gas filler door, 16-inch alloy wheels, in-dash single CD player with MP3 auxiliary input jack and of course the traditional bud vase all come standard.

Volkswagen Amarok

Volkswagen will be launching a new pickup name, Amarok, which means wolf in Inuit language. As you see it is a double cab from all the pictures. A single-cab version will be introduced later.

It will be powered by Volkswagen’s next-generation common rail turbo diesel injection (TDI) engines. This will first launch in South America early 2010 then follow by Central America in Spring 2010.

Volkswagen Presents The Novo Fox, not Headed for Europe Anymore

Normally, emerging country citizens are the ones that had a sort of envy of European and North American customers that manage to buy modern and affordable cars while old projects are produced and sold in Latin America, Africa and Asia. The new VW Novo Fox, just presented in Brazil, may be the first example of the opposite: European customers willing to buy a car that, at least for now, will not be exported to the Old World, as the current version is.

VW Novo Fox


VW Novo Fox


VW Novo Fox


VW Novo Fox


VW Novo Fox

Volkswagen Beetle Recalls 2010

Auto manufacturers have been issuing more and more recalls over the past few years. The regularity of recall notices may be a sign that the 2010 Volkswagen Beetle is or is not as reliable as similar vehicles. At this point in time there has not been any recall notices issued for the 2010 Volkswagen Beetle which could be a positive indication of its reliablity. Each official NHTSA 2010 Volkswagen Beetle recall report, includes details of the problematic component, units affected, solutions and more.

Volkswagen Beetle Recalls 2010


Volkswagen Beetle Recalls 2010


Volkswagen Beetle Recalls 2010


Volkswagen Beetle Recalls 2010


Volkswagen Beetle Recalls 2010

Volkswagen Passat Recalls 2010

Auto manufacturers have been issuing more and more recalls over the past few years. The regularity of recall notices may be a sign that the 2010 Volkswagen Passat is or is not as reliable as similar vehicles. At this point in time there has not been any recall notices issued for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat which could be a positive indication of its reliablity. Each official NHTSA 2010 Volkswagen Passat recall report, includes details of the problematic component, units affected, solutions and more.

Volkswagen Passat Recalls 2010


Volkswagen Passat Recalls 2010


Volkswagen Passat Recalls 2010


Volkswagen Passat Recalls 2010


Volkswagen Passat Recalls 2010