Volkswagen
Quick Drive: 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible Limited
The retractable hard top was a nice touch. When I went to put some groceries in the trunk, though, I could hardly lift the lid with one hand. I was ashamed at my own weakness, so I went home, had a sandwich, and tried again. It wasn’t a fluke; that sucker is heavy.
List: The 15 Most Involving Cars Per Dollar
We came across an interesting statistic while working on the Quick Drive of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X SE last week. By cross referencing the Evo’s score on the Involvement Index, we discovered that each point of involvement would cost about $411. Compare that to our Index-topping Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sports, which with a $2.58-million price tag will cost approximately $26,000 per point, and you see the bargain that the Evo represents.
Winding Road Issue 71 Is Now Available!
In this issue of Winding Road, we get behind the wheel and see what a difference forced induction can make in the supercharged Lotus Evora S.
Driven: 2012 Volkswagen Passat
Regardless of engine, the Passat was quite simply one of the best mid-sizers in terms of ride and handling that we’d experienced in some time. The damping walked a perfect line between sportiness and comfort, with very little lateral movement, even under hard cornering. Aggressive brake and throttle inputs didn’t do much to disturb the car either. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the most communicative of vehicles. It was difficult to feel out things like grip levels and cornering loads due to the lack of movement through the suspension.
Volkswagen Unveils Golf R Cabriolet Concept
At this year’s GTI Meet in Wörthersee, Austria, Volkswagen has unveiled its Golf R Cabriolet concept. After displaying the Golf Cabriolet in Geneva, it has decided to go a step further and explore the concept of a droptop version of its sporty Golf R.
Driven: 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid
Imagine the saucer-eyed wonder when we pulled over following the first 56-mile “mpg challenge” section of our Porsche Panamera S Hybrid drive and discovered a miles-per-US-gallon average efficiency of 31.8. We were smooth and watchful of our typical Porsche enthusiasm, yes, but the landscape around Salzburg in Austria is not exactly board-flat. We were honestly expecting to be impressed by anything over about a 23 mpg city/highway average.
Friday Video: Old Volkswagen Beetle With Unique Camper
Today’s video is a test of a camper attached to a 1974 Volkswagen Beetle (which we came across while searching for ways to live in a car—don’t judge). The trailer attaches to a ball on the car’s roof, and the Beetle can maneuver 360 degrees underneath it. Look at it go!
Driven: 2012 Toyota Prius V
If you want to save yourself the time of reading our entire well-considered first drive review of the all new Prius V, let us sum it up for you right here in the opening paragraph. The only thing truly surprising about the new Prius wagon is that it has taken Toyota this long to offer it for sale.
Third Look: Turning The Corner With The Volvo S60
Frankly, we like the 2011 Volvo S60. It’s easily powerful, with its 300 horsepower and 325 pound feet of torque supplying ample amount of remarkably smooth thrust. We like the design, and the car’s interior is a particularly comfortable and aesthetically pleasing space for the driver and passengers. We appreciate all Volvo’s technology that keeps us, our loved ones, and nearby strangers safe. From a driver’s standpoint, this is a rewarding car. But from that same standpoint, one part of the driving dynamics of the S60 stands out as an area that could stand some improvement: turning. And with our most recent loan of the stylish Swede, we took the time to sort out the ways in which the act of steering falls short of perfect.
New York And Shanghai Auto Show Wrap-Up
With two major auto shows in the history books, we look back on all the new and improved models, as well as the concept cars, that debuted at the New York and Shanghai shows.
First Look: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen unveiled the long-awaited update to the iconic Beetle today. The new Bug ditches (most) of the bubbly cuteness of the original, and replaces it with a muscular-looking design that borrows heavily from the Beetle’s heritage.
Friday Videos: Jet-Powered Cars
Happy Friday, folks. We were going to show you a video of an attempt to jump a jet-powered Lincoln Continental from Canada over the St. Lawrence River into the US, but embedding was disabled. Instead, we bring you some other jet cars.
Quick Drive: 2011 Toyota Venza
The Venza is kind of a jack-of-all-trades. Its driving nature is completely inoffensive. The six-speed auto swaps cogs smoothly and somewhat quickly, and the 3.5-liter V-6 can haul this fairly large vehicle around pretty quickly. It’s plenty versatile; thanks to a large trunk and a second row that folds completely flat. It’s even got the security of all-wheel drive. So what’s wrong with it? The answer is the Mazda CX-7.
Driven: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid
Readers of Editorial Director Tom Martin’s monthly column should be familiar with the concept of greenformance. The idea is that a vehicle can be ecologically friendly, while still being an involving, driver-oriented experience. Generally speaking, 5100-pound SUVs don’t really fit that description. Volkswagen’s latest Touareg could be set to challenge that a bit, but does the oil-burning TDI version offer a better alternative for a greenformance SUV?
Geneva 2011: Volkswagen Bulli Concept
In Geneva, Volkswagen has unveiled an electric concept vehicle, called Bulli, which will surely garner the attention of those who loved the iconic VW Microbus.
First Look: 2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet
Volkswagen will show a new convertible at the Geneva Motor Show, the 2012 Golf Cabriolet.
First Look: 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Volkswagen has unveiled a more potent version its Jetta sedan. The latest iteration of the GLI badge, which debuted in the US way back in 1984, is powered by Volkswagen’s familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which it borrows from the Golf-based GTI. Power figures remain the same, with 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque sent to the front wheels. Gearbox choices mirror the GTI, with a standard six-speed manual and the optional (and awesome) six-speed DSG.
Volkswagen’s Super Bowl Ad Features Tiny Darth Vader
Including cars and Star Wars, Volkswagen’s Super Bowl commercial for the new Passat is relevant to our interests. Well, done, ad guys.
Detroit 2011: New, Larger Volkswagen Passat Takes A Bow
Our team of photographers (okay, it’s just one guy and John Beltz) has returned to the media center of Cobo, loaded to the brim with fresh, live images of the all-new 2012 Volkswagen Passat.
First Look: 2012 Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen has pulled the sheet off of its all-new 2012 Passat here at the Detroit auto show, revealing a car that the company is touting as the largest version of the model ever.
List: Ten Best Modern Day Bootlegging Vehicles
The illicit alcohol production and distribution industry of the 1930s and 1940s, coupled with the, let’s call it “irreverent,” spirit of some enterprising Southerners, helped to invent the concept of the moonshine-running car. Traditionally these vehicles were modified to offer the maximum amount of performance without changing the stock exterior appearance. A big trunk came in handy for loading in all the booze, too.
Categories
Most Popular
