Passat TDI gets 45 mpg in Edmunds.com challenge

 

"As phrases go, “true shocker” just begs for additional context. If it’s a reference to your kid’s report card or the latest reading on your bathroom scale, the news could go either way. So when the automotive experts at Edmunds.com referred to the 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI as a “true shocker,” we just had to find out more.

The shock, as it turns out, was that the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, the largest car in Edmund.com’s 40-MPG Challenge, outperformed smaller competition like the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Turbo and the 2012 Hyundai Veloster. In fact, the American-made Passat took top honors, managing an “incredible” 45 mpg average between city and highway. Even in city driving, it averaged an impressive 43 mpg, while on the interstate portion of the test, it scored a whopping 51.7 mpg. That’s the kind of shock we can get used to." [Read more]

Volkswagen Golf R vs. Speed Rubik's Cuber

Volkswagen attends Wuste 2012 in Las Vegas

Jetta named one of 10 Coolest New Cars under $18,000

 

"When Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com posted its 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000, we scanned the names faster than a Volkswagen Turbo on the Autobahn. Imagine our joy when we saw that the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta made the cut for the second year in a row.

On Wednesday, June 20, 2012, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com released its annual picks for 2012. Their expert editors shared these kind words: “Priced and sized for American tastes, the Jetta is also wrapped in clean, tasteful styling that will look sharp for years to come.”

We’ll admit that we’re somewhat biased, but we think the Jetta is cool in lots of ways." [Read more]

2012 Passat Commercial: Crash

Putting the “R” in “sporty”: Volkswagen unveils the CC R-Line

 

"When we unveiled the all-new Volkswagen CC at the LA Auto Show last November, it turned a lot of heads—and with good reason. By combining the sleek spirit of a sports coupe with the practicality of a four-door sedan, the 2013 CC appeals to a wide audience. And now, we’re making a great thing even better by introducing the CC R-Line.

On June 1st at the Leipzig International Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled the R-Line version of the CC. What makes it so sporty? That’d be its 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter, turbocharged TSI® engine, which can be mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

But there’s so much more: the R-Line upgrades continue inside and out. Its newly redesigned front bumper boasts a more aggressive stance than the one found on the Sport, Lux, and Executive models. It also features a large lower air intake and projector-style fog lights as well as side skirts, shaded taillights, an R-Line logo on the grille, and 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. Once inside, there are stainless steel R-Line scuff plates and, for the DSG-equipped model, paddle shifters on the steering wheel." [Read more]

What to do if Your Engine Overheats

Volkswagen Passat named Best Family Car

 

"What makes a car the ultimate family car? Some would say it’s a backseat barrier that prevents inter-sibling warfare, while others would say it’s a special device that blocks all “Are we there yet?” sound frequencies. Until those features are invented, we’re flattered to defer to the expert editorial staff at Parents magazine and Edmunds.com, who recently named the Volkswagen Passat as a Best Family Car of 2012.

Every year, Parents and Edmunds.com test-drive, analyze, and compare prices and features on a variety of vehicles. And because mother and father know best, they also consult parents who own said vehicles. Each one was judged on performance, interior, exterior, and family-friendly features. The Passat got high marks in all categories, thanks in part to standard features like Bluetooth® connectivity, dual-zone climate control, and class-leading rear seat legroom." [Read more]

Volkswagen aims to double its U.S. sales in six years

"Volkswagen will step up its presence in the crossover-SUV market in a big way as the automaker elbows its way into the mainstream of the U.S. car market.

VW is in the early stages of an ambitious plan to boost its American car sales from 324,400 last year to 800,000 by 2018.

"We need a core of products to drive our volume," VW of America CEO Jonathan Browning says.

A couple of years ago, the goal looked like a pipe dream. A couple of strong new cars changed that. Sales of the Jetta compact sedan soared 54.5% last year to 150,513. After just a few months in production, the new Passat midsize sedan is selling so well that VW hired 1,000 people at its new U.S. assembly plant, a move that will raise its capacity to 170,000-180,000 cars a year. Further refinements at the plant are expected to increase its output to 250,000 Passats annually.

After decades of trying to convince Americans to buy cars engineered and priced for European tastes, VW aimed those cars at the heart of the American car market. It reduced Jetta prices to compete with popular models like the Honda Civic. The new Passat's size and price pit it squarely against favorites like the Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry." [Read more]

Exploring San Francisco's Active Side in a 2012 Touareg

You never forget your 100,000th: Chattanooga rolls out a milestone Passat

 

"Joanne Benante was in the market for a new car, and she knew she wanted something special. She went to Jim Ellis, a dealer in her hometown of Atlanta, and placed an order for a Volkswagen Passat TDI SEL Premium, complete with six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission, Night Blue exterior and Moonrock leather interior. Pretty special, right? We sure thought so. She drove from Atlanta to our state-of-the-art facility in Chattanooga to pick up her new Passat. What made it even more special, though, is that Joanne’s car was the 100,000th Passat produced in Chattanooga. Clearly, that called for a celebration.

Volkswagen employees drove Joanne’s milestone Passat off the production line to the facility’s Conference Center, where an all-employee meeting was being held. Volkswagen Chattanooga CEO and Chair Frank Fischer personally handed the keys over to Joanne, who received a hearty round of applause from hundreds of Volkswagen employees as she drove her new car through the front doors back to its new home in Atlanta." [Read more]