Thanks to positive feedback the concept version received at the 2008 SEMA show as well as at TDI Cup races, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup "Street" Edition will become a reality. This race series-inspired version of the turbodiesel Jetta will have some substance under the obligatory body kit (revised front and rear fascias, lower body skirting). A sport-tuned suspension (similar to that found on the Jetta GLI), 18-inch alloy wheels, and bigger brakes with red calipers give the "Street" some, umm, street cred. The cabin will have some upgrades as well, including sport seats and a leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel with (for DSG-equipped versions) paddle shifters.
Pricing is slated to come in around $25,000, however thanks to this clean diesel's efficiency, you'd also quality for a $1,300 Federal Tax Credit. Those who were wishing VW would have a sport version of the TDI can look forward to this belated Christmas present come this January, when the Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition is due to hit showrooms.
If you're a VW GTI enthusiast and an iPhone or iPod Touch owner, consider yourself doubly blessed. Volkswagen recently announced that they will be debuting the redesigned for 2010 GTI via a free App Store racing game app. The game exclusively features new GTIs as the race cars and "spares no detail, allowing players to experience every thrilling aspect of the all-new 2010 GTI right in the palms of their hands."
In addition to enjoying the free racing game, users also get a chance to win one of six customized GTIs as the company will be giving away one per week. The more you play the game, the greater your chances of winning one of those custom GTIs.
It is not often that style and substance can be found in the same package. The VW CC is one exception to this axiom. Looking much more sleek and stylish than the Passat architecture it is based on, the CC is not only more expressive, but its starting price is actually lower than the Passat (that is the substance part of this equation, just in case you needed a hint.).
In exchange for the look and the price, however, you do lose that generally unused middle rear seating position and a bit of rear headroom. However, most consumers don't seem to mind as the CC has been outselling the Passat as of late. In the case of August sales, VW sold 1,980 CC's to the Passat sedan's 1,233 sales.
But with the 2010 model year right around the corner, VW would like to move out the remaining CC's that are on dealer lots. Find out what incentives VW is offering to consumers as a way of enticing you to see a CC in your driveway, after the jump.
Somewhere Elmer Fudd is rejoicing -- the Rabbit is no more. For 2010, North America gets the sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf that was introduced last year in Europe and this time it will keep its name, ditching the retro Rabbit moniker applied to the fifth-generation Golf.
A base, two-door Golf with the 2.5-liter five-cylinder will start at $17,490, while the four-door begins at $19,190. Unlike the 09 Rabbit, the 2010 Golf will be available in TDI diesel form, starting at $21,990 for the two-door and $22,590 for the four-door. Like the Jetta, the TDI will have a higher level of equipment than the base, gasoline version. The GTI has also been overhauled for 2010 and will start at $23,290.
As our sister site InsideLinehas reported, VW and its uptown cousin Audi have issued a voluntary joint recall for some vehicles equipped with the DSG automated-clutch manual transmission ("S-Tronic" in Audi-speak). Both carmakers have stated that a faulty temperature sensor could light up a warning light in the instrument panel, and in rare cases, the transmission could shift into neutral. About 13,500 VWs and 2,500 Audis have been affected.
Though a recall notice has yet to be posted by NHTSA (safercar.gov), both carmakers have said that they will contact owners of the affected vehicles in the coming weeks to have their vehicles inspected and repaired. Owners of these models may also call Volkswagen at (800) 444-8982 or Audi at (800) 253-2834 if they have any questions.
Affected Vehicles: VW: 2009-2010 Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GTI and Eos. Audi: 2009 A3, TT and TT Roadster
Though the CARS program (aka Cash for Clunkers) still has about half of its funding available, a number of news outlets are reporting that some dealers have suspended clunker sales due to lack of payment from the government. The popularity of the program along with a few clerical errors has caused a backlog in clunkers applications, which is delaying the payout process. Numerous dealers are claiming that they are owed credits deep into the six figures.The Obama administration is expected to announce a wind-down strategy in the next few days to ensure that dealers will receive their funds.
This may make it slightly harder for consumers to find participating dealers, but savvy shoppers can take advantage of new incentives that utilize the cash for clunkers credit.
In the past few weeks I've had the privilege of driving not one, not two, but all three of the Cayennereg7 siblings, culminating with a romp in the preposterous Cayenne Turbo S yesterday. And it really has been a privilege. These are three of the most luxurious and capable SUVs on the planet. It's a testament to how good their shared platform is that it still feels remarkably tight and robust by current standards despite having debuted way back in 2004.
But it's time to play favorites. If I had $150,000 in my car account and this particular trio of SUVs to choose from -- Audi Q7 TDI, Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, Volkswagen Touareg 2 V6 TDI -- here's the top three ways I'd spend it.
As all you diehard Weekly Top 3 fans will recall (come on, I know you're out there, you silent majority you!), I was pretty smitten with the new Volkswagen Touareg 2 V6 TDI after driving it to San Francisco and back. But the Touareg's theoretically the runt of this litter, upstaged by its Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne platform-mates. Now, there's no Cayenne diesel, so I'll spare you my "OMG I <3 this car!" paean to the Porsche.
There is a Q7 TDI, though, and it just so happens to share the Vee-Dub's powertrain. And I just so happened to snag the keys to one last weekend for my sojourn in California's ancient bristlecone pine forest.
Three reasons why I'd buy the Touareg TDI instead, coming right up.
The Best from the West. The Battle of the Atlantic. World War II Part 2. Whatever you call it, this Western Division final should be good. The European rival is the hot hatch that arguably started it all, while the American upstart produces numbers that'll have you double-checking that "Cobalt" didn't somehow get mixed up with "Camaro." Heck, it even has launch control - in a front-wheel-drive car!
In the red, white and blue corner resides Automotive Editor John DiPietro and the Chevrolet Cobalt SS, a car so good the dodgy Dodge Caliber SRT4 couldn't put up a fight (by failing to yield a defender who supported it). But even if we could've resurrected Johnnie Cochran, it wouldn't have mattered. In the black, red and yellow corner is Automotive Editor James Riswick and the Volkswagen GTI, a hot hatch that emerged victorious from our tightest and most contentious voting round to date.
Remember, your votes determine which hot hatch (or in the Cobalt's case, hot coupe) meets the winner of the Eastern Division (voting is still open
). The two final cars will meet in the Face-Off Tournament Final on Monday July 6.
Volvo has issued a recall for 17,614 S80, V70 and XC70 vehicles produced in model years 2008 and 2009, due to a potential cooling fan problem. The cooling fans in these vehicles may stop working; this malfunction is the result of a software programming error. Possible consequences include compromised air conditioning performance, a rapid increase in engine coolant temperature and engine failure.
The fan control modules will be replaced by dealers free of charge, and the recall is expected to begin in July 2009. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. They may also visit safercar.gov for more details, referencing NHSTA Campaign Number 09V218000.
Okay, so I didn't have a chance to do that. But I did get to know the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg 2 TDI pretty well when I drove one to the Bay Area and back last weekend. "TDI" is VW-speak for "turbodiesel," and the '09 Touareg 2's got a great one. It's the latest lesson the Germans have given us anti-diesel Americans on why diesel's dope.
But the diesel thing isn't the only reason why I think the Touareg 2 TDI is almost the perfect SUV. In point of fact, it's just one of three.
Hot hatches originated in Europe and continue to dominate the car enthusiast culture over there. Sadly, we only get a tiny sample (pun intended) of Europe's many hot hatch contenders, so this tournament is devoid of such hotties as the Ford Focus ST and RS, Renault Clio 197 and Twingo RS and Fiat 500 Abarth. Yet, we still get two of the best. One is credited with starting the hot hatch category back in 1984, but the other is a descendant of the original front-wheel-drive, fun-to-drive, tiny hatchback. Who gets more credit? We'll leave that up to you.
Hailing from Germany is the Volkswagen GTI, which shall be defended here by Automotive Editor James Riswick. It is about to be replaced by a sort-of-new sixth-generation model, but the current car has lost little of its appeal. Hailing from England with help from Germany is the Mini Cooper S, whose Union Jack shall be carried by Associate Editor Josh Sadlier. Its appeal transcends the typical car enthusiast demographic arguably more than any other contender in this tournament. You don't have to be a car nut to know what a Mini is.
Remember, you decide who wins. The car with the most votes goes on to meet the Chevrolet Cobalt SS in the Western Division final.
Proving that recalls aren't just a home team occurrence, recalls were recently issued for VW and Nissan products.
Nearly 26,000 2006 to 2009 Jettas (equipped with the 2.0T engine) were tagged for potentially faulty driveshaft screws, which could loosen up and cause the driveshaft to detach from the gearbox.
Over at the Nissan camp, it's a bit more involved -- nearly 363,000 2003 to 2007 Muranos are being summoned for potential separation of the intake ducting, which could cause the engine to stall out. The cause is described as "separation due to the premature aging of the material...which causes excessive shrinking." The latter effect is enough to give George Costanza nightmares.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogsphere.
Auto Observer Saturn Blazed Ahead of its Time, Then Faded Into Oblivion It may come as a surprise to many that Saturn is on the verge of being sold off- as a part of General Motors restructuring process. But a closer look reveals that Saturn may have been doomed before the first car rolled off the assembly line. Auto Observer takes a True Hollywood Story-like retrospective on the rise and fall of the "no hassle, no haggle" car brand with the plastic body panels.
Green Car Advisor GM Says 2010 Equinox Crossover Will Win 32 MPG EPA Rating for Highway Driving Hoping to quiet critics that accuse domestic automakers of not building fuel efficient vehicles, the redesigned Chevrolet Equinox will get 22mpg city and 32 mpg highway. This mid-sized crossover SUV will get better combined fuel economy its closest competitors- the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4, and even a few mid-size sedans.
Straightline Volkswagen Launches Blog To Tell You Why Diesel is Our Savior Europeans love diesels. But in the U.S., many people have a hard time forgetting the image of those old- noisy, smelly, dirty, engines. Volkswagen has launched a blog to redeem the diesel's image and show you how far clean diesel engines have come.
Wednesday is Earth Day, and in recognition, Edmunds Inc. takes today off. That isn't a joke. We think it has something to do with the fact we burn 1.3 million gallons of gasoline per year in the pursuit of vehicle testing. Yet, Face-Off rests for no one. Instead, we'll be arguing the virtues of two green vehicles that burn completely different types of alternative fuels.
Taking time away from their eco-themed respites, Senior Consumer Advice Editor Phil Reed takes up the mantle of the natural-gas-powered Honda Civic GX, while Automotive Editor James Riswick defends the honor of the clean-diesel-burning Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Donning hemp-sewn T-shirts and chained to a redwood, their thoughts were dictated to Associate Editor Mark Takahashi who uncomfortably sat on a nearby log fending off squirrels.
Thanks to lower gas prices, fuel economy isn't the be-all and end-all that it once was with car shoppers. Still, those with any kind of foresight know that change is the only constant. Fuel prices might be agreeable enough today, but historically, they've shown themselves to be as unpredictable as hormonal teens.
Shoppers taking a longer-term view when it comes to gas prices will want to check out our list of the 10 most fuel-efficient sedans.
Volkswagen issued a recall today for the 2008 R32
and the 2009 CC
. Up to 5,000 vehicles of each model are estimated to have been affected. The R32 is being recalled
due to a faulty fuel tank ventilation valve. In some instances, this fuel leak can seep into other systems, and can potentially lead to a vehicle fire. The Volkswagen CC is being recalled
due to a faulty front seat belt buckle assembly. According to Volkswagen, some of the wires in the buckle assembly were not properly routed, and if damaged, can potentially deactivate the passenger's front airbag.
Dealers will fix the problems free of charge. Owners looking for more information can contact Volkswagen at (800) 822-8987 or call the National Highway Traffic Administration's safety hotline at (888) 327-4236.
Despite the recent popularity of SUV's, nothing can carry people and stuff better than a minivan, and when it comes to minivans, nobody has sold more than Chrysler. They have essentially owned this market ever since they introduced the modern minivan 25 years ago. While they may not be at the top of class (Inside Line's long-term Caravan has taken a beating), the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country are still competitive and popular. VW even thought highly enough of the Chrysler product to put its name on their Routan version. For this week's deal, there are some nice incentives on all three models. heos
So you've got about $40 grand to play with, and...wait a minute. Actually, these days you probably don't. For that matter, neither do I or my cohorts in this comparative venture, Automotive Editor John DiPietro and Associate Editor Mark Takahashi. Nonetheless, what would you do if a 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD, a 2009 Infiniti G37 Journey and a 2009 Volkswagen CC VR6 4Motion magically appeared in your garage?
You'd grab the keys and head for the hills, that's what. And that's exactly what the three of us did. We mapped out a 22-mile driving loop through the Santa Monica mountains and hot-lapped it three times, switching cars after each circuit. Then we sat down with our ratings sheets, ordered up some bloody burgers and debated the virtues and vices of each ride.
Truth be told, there wasn't much disagreement. In fact, the final rankings were unanimous. Read on to find out how these midsize sport sedans stack up -- and don't be afraid to tell us what you think.
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