2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI

We often hear that diesel cars are slower, much more noisy and annoying especially more than cars with gasoline. On this occasion, I find myself driving the Volkswagen Golf TDi 2011, and I can tell you that I approach with some prejudice, because the only other point of comparison I have in the world is an old diesel Jetta non-turbo, I drove a few times in 1998, and I must admit it was slow, noisy and smelled of diesel that still haunts my nose so far.

After being nostalgic for a few years and have raised the Rabbit name once again, the smallest car in Volkswagen in America appoints new Golf. Although she returned to her sixth generation, we can say that the general outline of the Golf has not changed since the mid-'80s. She has always remained faithful to the tailgate even if the modes are sometimes forgotten. And she received a promotion this year! Indeed, the Golf is no longer the entry-level model as the basic model of the Jetta is cheaper.

Volkswagen lifts the top off the new Golf Cabriolet Mk6

After an almost decade-long hiatus, the return of the Cabriolet nameplate to the Golf range, will be marked at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. One of the main features of the two-door four-seater includes a soft top with an electro-hydraulic drive that can be lowered or raised in only 9.5 seconds and the underpinnings of the latest generation Golf hatchback inspired the car model. The driver is also able to perform this process while driving at speeds of up to 30 km/h. As far as the exterior styling is concerned, there are a lot of similarities with the Golf Mk6, but the Cabriolet incorporates a unique rear section, more swept-back angle of its front windscreen frame, together with lower profile roof line. As compared to the previous Golf Cabriolets, the newcomer features a pop-up rollover protection system, which appears to be similar to the one found on its sister Audi model, the A3 convertible. The interior of the Cabriolet is identical to that of the hatchback, except for the four-seat layout. It is also 208 mm shorter than the Eos hardtop convertible and measures 4,215 mm in length, 1,424 mm in height and 1,779 mm in width. A 2,578 mm wheelbase is shared by both models, which results in the same interior space for all four passengers. Volkswagen's reports inform that 250 litres of boot space are offered by the Cabriolet with the roof down. Regarding the powertrain, a choice of six turbocharged direct-injection engines will be available in Europe for the convertible version of the Golf. Their power outputs range from 105HP to 210HP and they include two diesels, 1.6-liter TDI 105HP and 2.0-liter TDI 140HP, and four petrols, 1.2-liter TSI 105HP, 1.4-liter TSI 122HP, 1.4-liter TSI 160HP and 2.0-liter TSI 210HP. The 1.6-liter TDI with 105 PS and BlueMotion technology, which emits 117 g/km of CO2 and consumes 4.4 lt/100 km, is considered to be the most fuel efficient version. Volkswagen did not release any details concerning the launch of the new Golf Cabriolet in North America and its pricing starts at EUR23.625 in Germany.

Recall alert: 2010 New Beetle

Volkswagen is recalling 27 New Beetles from the 2010 model year because they do not comply with federal standards for crash protection, according to theNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The affected vehicles, which do not meet barrier test requirements that took effect Sept. 1, were built between Sept. 1 and Sept. 22, 2010. You can check your vehicle's build date on a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb.

Volkswagen will offer to replace affected owners' vehicles with comparable vehicles that were built before Sept. 1 and thus meet federal standards before the new standards took effect. The recall is expected to begin Tuesday. For more info, owners can call Volkswagen at 800-822-8987 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Volkswagen Golf, Polo Still Kings of Europe

2010 was, just like 2009, a very difficult year for the whole industry but, with the help of scrappage schemes and government incentives, a large 

part of the industry managed to  survive. The end of the year brought the first signs of recovery and 2011 was expected to bring bigger sales in all segments of the industry. Unfortunately, the end of incentive programs brought lower sales all around, including in Europe.

On the Old Continent, the automotive industry registered a decrease of 0.9 points in January, selling a total of 1,070,231 cars, down from 1,079,839 posted in the same month of the previous year. Germany remains the biggest European car market with 211,056 sold units last month, an increase of 16.5 percent versus January 2010, followed by France with 185,521 versus 171,478 (up 8.2 percent).

In case you're wondering, Volkswagen is the company that sold the best in January, delivering a total of 127,885 units and posting an increase of 5 percent. But the biggest increase was registered by none other than GM's Opel which sold 72,902 units, up from 68,286 units in January 2010 (+6.8 percent).

Volkswagen Golf is still the best selling model in Europe, with 38,860 units delivered last month, a drop of 1.9 percent versus January 2010. The Polo comes second with 28,882 units (down 9 percent from the same month of 2010), followed closely by Ford Fiesta with 27,012 units (down 31.3 percent). Only two models sold in Europe managed to post sales increases: Opel Astra - up 6.7 points and Ford Focus - up 0.9 points.

2011 Volkswagen CC

While basically a restyled version of Volkswagen's conservative Passat sedan (no longer offered for 2011 while an all-new version waits in the wings), the CC hits an entirely different aesthetic realm--and to many, looks like a more expensive car than it is.
If you feel that the 2011 Volkswagen CC feels a little bit like an auto-show concept, or a much more expensive vehicle, you're not alone. The CC takes after the Mercedes-Benz CLS with its stunning, coupe-like silhouette, frameless windows, and long, flowing design--including nice rear styling that tucks neatly down. The Volkswagen CC's interior still stands out several years after introduction; it includes details like contrast stitching, contrast color themes for the upholstery, and pleasing, upscale trims that aren't typical in a car that starts well under the $30k mark.
While the strong, sleek appearance of the 2011 Volkswagen CC might suggest sport sedan, it's not quite that. All of the CC models are quick on the straight line, though they don't handle with the verve of a sport sedan, clearly trading off some crispness for comfort. The engine that powers most of the CC line is the excellent 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder, making 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, and we much prefer it to the 3.6-liter VR6 engine that's available (only in 4Motion all-wheel-drive guise). VW's excellent DSG automatic is now offered in the CC, and we like it or the standard manual. The VR6, which has to be revved a bit, simply doesn't move the CC that much quicker to justify its fuel economy figures, of just 17 mpg city.
The VW CC handles well, but that's not its forte. Most of the lineup--especially the four-cylinder models--ride quite well, and lavish interior trims feel luxury-car caliber; the interior is tight and serene, too.
But take even a brief look at the rather odd seating arrangement and slightly cramped backseat, and it's abundantly clear that the Volkswagen CC is a vehicle that was designed for form over function. Backseat space isn't passable for adults, for head room reasons, while the front-seat position is, for lack of terse terms, a bit odd.

2010 Volkswagen GTI vs 2012 Volkswagen Golf R: What Do You Want to Know?

Right, so the cleverest amongst us will notice that that blue thing there with the gaping grille and cool, not-phone-dialey wheels, is not our 2010 Volkswagen GTI, but rather a 2012 Volkswagen Golf R. You know the deal: all-wheel-drive and 266-horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter, six-speed manual ONLY.

Volkswagen Jetta GLI goes turbo for 2012

The potent 200-hp Volkswagen Jetta GLI is finally here, breaking cover on Tuesday at the Chicago auto show.  More-basic trim levels have been shown, but this model adds the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-banger that also serves up 207 lb-ft of torque low in the rev band.
This new GLI starts at $24,265. The Autobahn package adds 18-inch alloy wheels, sunroof and interior upgrades, including a Fender sound system, pushing the sticker to $26,315. An electronics package with navigation and push-button start is $27,215.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard and teams with the engine to get an estimated 31 mpg on the highway. A DSG gearbox is expected to add 1 mpg on the highway to the final figures. In keeping with the sporting theme, the GLI gets four-wheel disc brakes punched up by red calipers. There's also the cross-differential system found on the GTI.

Volkswagen unwraps new Golf convertible

Volkswagen has revealed a new convertible version of the Golf. The car will make its public debut at the Geneva motor show next week before going on sale across Europe in May.

North American sales are rumored, but no official time frame for an introduction has been announced.

The new Golf convertible retains the familiar front-end styling of the existing hatchback version of Europe's perennial best seller, albeit with a slightly more heavily raked windshield.

In keeping with Golf tradition, the car uses a fabric roof. The fully automatic structure, developed in partnership with Karmann, is claimed to open in less than 10 seconds. It folds and stows in an exposed position above the trunk and can be operated with the car moving at speeds of up to 19 mph.

To preserve the Golf's familiar lines, the upper section of the roof forms part of the bodywork when stowed, giving the rear of the car a clean and cohesive look despite the lack of a hard tonneau cover.

Departing from the earlier Golf convertibles, the new model does away with the large fixed roll hoop over the middle of the cabin.

VW says the Golf convertible uses a variety of safety systems. Included as standard are automatically deploying rollover hoops behind the rear seats and front, side and knee airbags.

Volkswagen also upgraded the Golf's body structure and floorpan to compensate for the structural rigidity lost by losing the steel roof. Changes include a beefed-up windshield frame, along with aluminum and steel strengthening elements in the engine bay, bulkheads, side sills and doors. Torsional rigidity is claimed to better than that of the Beetle convertible and the Eos--a factor Wolfsburg insiders also suggest makes it a more engaging drive than either of its open-top stablemates.

Dimensionally, the Golf convertible is close to the Eos; length is put at 167 inches, width at 70.1 inches and height at 55.9 inches with the top closed. The cabin provides seating for four.

The Golf convertible shares its platform with the Audi A3 convertible.

The engine lineup includes a familiar range of four-cylinder engines in Europe. Among the direct-injection gasoline engines is a base 1.2-liter with 105 hp, a pair of 1.4-liter units developing 122 hp and 160 hp, and a range-topping 2.0-liter with 210 hp.

The powertrain lineup in Europe also includes two common-rail diesel engines--a 1.6-liter unit with 105 hp and a 2.0-liter unit producing 140 hp.