Auto News & New car review

Volkswagen Golf VI 2008 review.

Following the internet’s unofficial, unscheduled and probably unwanted (at least by Volkswagen) reveal of the sixth-generation Golf this week, VW has thrown its cards on the table and revealed its hand. Along with high-res images, VW has revealed that the new Golf will launch this October in Europe and then find its way to markets in Africa, Asia, Australia and North America. (more…)

Volkswagen SportWagen SE 2009 review.

A while back, my wife and I decided we would become parents. As soon as I saw the little wand TURN blue, I knew we’d need a bigger car. That was almost three years ago. We still need a bigger car. The problem with knowing a little bit about cars is the dizzying plethora of choices and the rumored promises of what’s on the horizon. We didn’t want the soccer-mom stigma of a minivan, or an SUV that (more…)

Volkswagen Rabbit 2009 review.

No sooner did Volkswagen roll out a redesigned Golf at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show than it decided to rename the car before it arrives in showrooms this summer. Instead of getting a new Golf, Americans will find that a Rabbit has bounded into the U.S., complete with significant powertrain and interior improvements. The 2006 Rabbit is a new car to us, but has been on sale in Europe for several years, where consumer interest has begun to sway toward newer competitors. That’s why VW chief Wolfgang Bernhard is fast-tracking a major update for the Golf/Rabbit to arrive for the 2009 model year. (more…)

Volkswagen Ragster concept review.

With retro rides – from the Fiat 500 to the Dodge Challenger – popping up left, right and center, it would be all to easy to forget the vehicle that started the trend: Volkswagen’s New Beetle. Now with ten years on the road since introduction in 1998, the New Beetle is getting a little long in the tooth, but VW is preparing to launch its successor. However, while the current version is available only in two versions (coupe and cabrio), the next iteration may come with a few new twists in the lineup, mirroring the steadily-evolving range of variants of the MINI. That is, if the latest reports are to be believed. (more…)

Subaru Exiga 2008 review.

If you want a seven-passenger vehicle in the States, your choices are few. Those of you shopping for just such a vehicle can longingly gaze at the Subaru Exiga. It goes on sale today in Japan, but in the latest press release from Subaru, there are no plans for U.S. export mentioned. (more…)

VOLKSWAGEN R32 2008 review.

If you like the concept of the original GTI and you’ve grown up a bit to appreciate some of the finer things of life you might be just the ideal customer for the R32. This limited edition funster one-ups the GTI as a fast little Golf/Rabbit with enough extra content to make me drool. (more…)

Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Review.

What do you get if you take an award-winning van, stretch it a bit and add two extra rows of seats? The answer is a Caddy Maxi Life.

Volkswagen’s second-generation Caddy was launched in 2004. It’s main new feature over the old one was that it was larger, but not content with that, the company decided that something was needed that fitted into the commercial line-up, in between the Caddy and the Transporter. (more…)

Volkswagen Scirocco 2009 review.

It doesn’t take long to realize that the new 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco is a better drive than the highly praised Golf GTI. The two might share much of their underpinnings, but the adoption of wider tracks ensures the former is more sure-footed around the Nürburgring.

And we know this because we’re driving the 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco on the Nürburgring, part of a final-check ride of VW’s newest performance vehicle before it goes on sale in Europe this summer. (more…)

Volkswagen Eos 2008 Review.

Like a little brother wanting so much to emulate his bigger bro, Volkswagen wants its image to be more like that of its upscale sibling — Audi. It’s certainly not a bad aspiration, but when the company goes hog wild, as it did with the super nice but super expensive Phaeton luxury sedan, VW loses touch with the populace. The 2008 Volkswagen Eos, however, strikes a happy medium between being just the “people’s car” and a true luxury vehicle with a luxury price tag. (more…)

Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen 2009 review.

While we were in Virginia attending the inaugural race of the Jetta TDI cup series, Volkswagen provided us hacks with a some new Jetta Sportwagens with which to make the 45 minute morning and evening commute between the Berry Hill Inn and the race track. Like the last generation Jetta Wagon, the new Sportwagen is branded as a Jetta in North America because Jetta is Volkswagen’s top-selling model here. (more…)