Autoblog

Autoblog Podcast #156

Dan Roth — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:40:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Podcasts, Etc., Aston Martin, Audi, Chrysler, Dodge, Volkswagen

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Editor Chris Paukert has apparently been bitten by the podcasting bug, and he once again joins Shunk and Roth for Episode #156 of the Autoblog Podcast. We dive right in to reminiscence about the recently finished Los Angeles Auto Show. Moving on from there, we talk about Audi's new A7 Sportback and its extreme gorgeousness, as well as the new A8 and all its massive awesomeness. Speaking of awesomeness, Shunk thinks that the $199,950 Aston Martin Rapide is one very attractive four-place supercar. Going to the other end of the spectrum, rumors about Volkswagen's upcoming Jetta replacement gets some head scratches from us before we moved on to prognosticating about a unibody Dodge Dakota replacement. We wrap up a chewy hour-and-forty-five minutes by addressing some of your questions and calling it a night.

Don't forget to check out our colleagues at Joystiq and Engadget, and let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #156

Autoblog Podcast #156 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: VW confirms Jetta name for small sedan, upcoming coupe concept could enter production

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:47:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Sedan, Volkswagen, Rumormill

It seems that we'll be getting a new Jetta sedan next June, and it apparently won't be a slightly restyled Golf with a trunk grafted to the rear end. According to Car and Driver, VW's so-called New Compact Sedan, which will be built at the same Mexican plant that assembles the current Jetta, will indeed retain the Jetta nameplate.

Following its June debut here in the States, Volkswagen will prep the car for its European launch later in the year, and it may or may not be called Jetta overseas. A sportier GLI variant will continue to be offered on the new model. Looking farther down the model-range totem pole, there's a decent chance that VW will bring the Polo to the U.S. market to rival the new Ford Fiesta, possibly as both a sedan and a hatchback.

Lastly, we're told that we should expect to see a new U.S.market-tailored two-door notchback coupe concept on the show circuit in short order. If public reaction to it is positive, there's a good chance VW will greenlight the car for series production.

[Source: Car and Driver]

REPORT: VW confirms Jetta name for small sedan, upcoming coupe concept could enter production originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street edition arrives in January

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:20:00 EST

2010 VW Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

When we were in Germany last month for the launch of the 2010 Golf, VW product planner Andres Valbuena told us that a special street replica of the Jetta TDI Cup race car would be launching in January 2010. We just got the first photo of the new limited edition model along with further details. The TDI Cup "Street" edition gets the same deeper front fascia, rocker panel and rear bumper extensions used on the race cars. Unfortunately, the replica keeps the standard 140-horsepower engine rather the uprated 170-hp diesel used in the track cars... but it does get some functional upgrades.

The replica won't be any quicker off the line, but it will stop and turn better than standard TDI models. The brake calipers are larger than standard and painted red to let observers know they are special. The suspension gets thicker sway bars and the retuned springs and dampers from the Jetta GLI along with 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Cup car gets a paddle shift steering wheel to go with the 6-speed DSG gearbox. The Cup Jetta starts at $25,000 and will be available in January.

Gallery: Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street edition arrives in January

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street edition arrives in January originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta gets a facelift

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Volkswagen

For 2010, Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagens in North America will get a new face courtesy of the MK VI Golf that will also debut here in a few weeks. The sedans, on the other hand, will keep the MK V-style oversize chrome grille for another year. Not everyone is enamored with the older and more audacious grille, and one reader at VWVortex broke out the Photoshop and went to work. Based on recent spy shots, next year's Jetta sedan will get the face and fanny lift and this image provides a hint as to what it might look like.

Overall, the front fascia is a no-brainer based on what we've seen of the Golf and Sportwagen. Where the sedan image is likely to be in error is the character line across the front fenders. As seen on the previous images of the wagon, the crease actually blends into the wheel arch lip at the top rather cutting so high across it. Either way, we'd guess many will think it's an improvement over the current style. Thanks to Kent for the tip!

[Source: VWVortex]

Rendered Speculation: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta gets a facelift originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing mall builds its own Transformer out of VW Jetta

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: China, Marketing/Advertising, Volkswagen

The Jettabot -- Click above for high-res image gallery

We know the Chinese love their Transformers - or perhaps it's just Bumblebee. To promote its new movie theater, a mall in China created its own Transformer out of a Volkswagen Jetta. The best part about the sculpture is that it hasn't been painted to look like Bumblebee, and it's been posed in a way that makes it look like it's either speed skating, or finishing up a dance number, or doing aerobics. Oh, and it has no head. But it's still cool, and you can check it out in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Chinese Jettabot

[Source: China Car Times]

Beijing mall builds its own Transformer out of VW Jetta originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jetta TDI buyers to get $1,300 back from the IRS

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Government/Legal, Green

Now that Toyota has sold so many Priuses that the popular hybrid no longer qhalifies for federal tax credits, and they are essentially sold out until the new generation cars show up next year, people might be wondering where to go for a high mileage vehicle. Volkswagen's new 50-state legal Jetta TDI is going on sale around about Labor day and our good friends at the IRS have decreed that people who purchase one will be able to get a check back from the feds for $1,300. The clean diesel Jetta qualifies under the Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle income tax credit. That would bring the price premium for the diesel to only $700 over a comparable Jetta with a gas engine. The EPA has rated the Jetta at 29/40mpg city highway with a 6-speed DSG gearbox. Real world numbers are likely to be closer to the low 40s for most drivers, but we'll be finding out for ourselves soon. At the first drive of Mercedes new BlueTec diesels last month, company officials expressed hope that those vehicles would also qualify for the credit. Thanks for the tip, Conner!

[Source: VWvortex]

Jetta TDI buyers to get $1,300 back from the IRS originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official EPA numbers posted for the '09 Jetta TDI - 30/41mpg

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 21 May 2008 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Green, Volkswagen

When we got our first chance to sample the new Volkswagen Jetta TDI last summer, VW of America CEO Stefan Jacoby indicated that the new compact diesel would achieve mileage in the 40mpg range. More recently, VW has been indicating that the Jetta TDI is capable of up to 60mpg on the highway. The first of the new 50-state legal Jettas were recently spotted on their way to dealerships and now the EPA has published official mileage numbers. Unfortunately,wrong those numbers don't quite match up with what VW has been claiming.

According to the official listing at FuelEconomy.gov, the 6-speed manual 2009 VW Jetta TDI managed 30mpg on the city cycle and 41mpg on the highway cycle, making its combined number 34mpg. Now those numbers are certainly respectable and nothing to sneeze at, but they fall well short of VW's predictions. Nonetheless, the TDI rates 41.7-percent better than the 2.5L five cylinder and 36-percent better than the 2.0 TFSI four cylinder. The big question is what will a diesel Jetta do in the real world? According to VW spokesman Keith Price, Volkswagen's diesels typically do better in real world mileage than the EPA sticker values. VW, you know where to find our garage so we can judge for ourselves. Thanks for the tip, Conner and Jason!

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 VW Jetta Sportwagen

[Source: FuelEconomy.gov]

Official EPA numbers posted for the '09 Jetta TDI - 30/41mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 May 2008 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 04 May 2008 13:03:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Volkswagen, First Drive

2009 VW Jetta Sportwagen - Click above for high-res gallery

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. The rest of the world, however, knows this estate-bodied Volkswagen as the Golf Variant. No matter, because the Golf/Rabbit and Jetta share all their important hardware and are, for all intents and purposes, the same car.

In typical fashion, the new Sportwagen has grown since the previous model was retired and is now nearly as big as the last-gen Passat wagon. My first impression upon climbing into the Sportwagen was how it felt nearly as roomy as the 2000 Passat wagon that resides in half of my garage at home. VW provided an assortment of cars with both 5-speed three-pedal and 6-speed two-pedal transmission arrangements. Unfortunately, all were paired with the base 2.5L inline five-cylinder engine. Check out my impressions of the new Jetta Sportwagen after the jump.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 VW Jetta Sportwagen

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen

First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 May 2008 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the Autoblog Garage: Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 SE

Chris Tutor — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Sedan, Volkswagen

Click above to view high-res gallery of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 SE

"I think we're gonna have to buy a Volkswagen," I told me wife just hours after signing for the keys to a 2008 Jetta 2.5 SE. I had only done about four miles in the car and, already, the near-luxury interior and throaty exhaust had won me over.

But my wife was skeptical of a sedan's ability to handle the needs of our pack-rat family even if it did have 170 horses. So I drove the handsome little VW a couple of days more before turning it over to her for toddler-toting duty. I felt sure she'd see the positives of German engineering by week's end.

Gallery: 2008 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 Special Editon

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 SE

In the Autoblog Garage: Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 SE originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York Preview: Jetta Sportwagen set for NYC debut

Chris Tutor — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 09:38:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Wagon, Volkswagen

As expected, Volkswagen will introduce its Jetta Sportwagen in New York this week and we say it's about time, guys. Two years is too long. VW says to look for this sporty 2008 5-door in dealers this August with a 170-hp, 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine at first. The Germans will then offer the 2.0T 4-cylinder pumping out 200 hp. In January, VW promises a 2.0-liter diesel variation, as well.

The SportWagen's 32 cu. ft. of cargo space is fairly spacious compared to the competition. It can carry 5.4 cubic feet more of stuff than the Volvo V50 and 15.7 more than the Mazda 3 wagon. Lay the VW's back seats down and the space more than doubles to 66.9 cubic feet, which is getting on up into Passat Wagon territory. Continuing with the whole little is big theme, an optional 12.7 square foot panoramic roof is available.

Pricing has yet to be made official, but VW Vortex is guessing about $1,000 over Jetta sedans, so somewhere in the upper teens, lower 20s.

Click through to the jump for the official press release, and be sure to check out the gallery for more photos.

[Source: VW Vortex]

Gallery: VW Jetta Sportwagen

Continue reading New York Preview: Jetta Sportwagen set for NYC debut

New York Preview: Jetta Sportwagen set for NYC debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Apr 2007 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW unveils next-gen TDI engine

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 11:13:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Technology, Volkswagen

Part of the consortium of German auto manufacturers developing the Bluetec diesel technology, Volkswagen just announced that its new TDI will the cleanest diesel on the planet. To be used in the 2008 VW Jetta (and other smaller VWs), the new 2.0 liter common rail diesel engine differs from the urea injection systems used in other Bluetec vehicles, in that a nitrogen oxide reservoir in the catalytic converter is used to help it meet even Californian's most stringent emission standards, the Tier 2 / Bin 5 levels. A filter of sorts in the catalytic converter absorbs NOx like a sponge and constantly cleans itself by alternating modes for a few seconds periodically. We're told to expect this VeeDub to achieve a 90% reduction in NOx levels. Pretty impressive. Curiously, however, there's no mention of either projected fuel economy or power figures.

For larger cars, like the Passat, VW will use the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalytic converter. That's the one with the ~~piss~~ urea tank. The urea is sprayed through a mesh screen into the exhaust system. When it mixes with the hot exhaust gases it turns into ammonia, which breaks the NOx down into nitrogen and water. The goal is to make the tank large enough to last for one service cycle, at which point the service tech will refill it.

Check out the press release in full after the jump.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading VW unveils next-gen TDI engine

VW unveils next-gen TDI engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jan 2007 11:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Transcontinental with a little help from Daryl Hannah, cow patties and corn whiskey

Chris Paukert — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Hybrid, Etc., Green, Technology

Cable network Outdoor Life Network (OLN) is set to debut a 13-part television series featuring actress Daryl Hannah, a modified Chevrolet S-10, hemp oil, and an AstroTurf-covered 1982 Volkswagen Jetta that runs on bio diesel. Coolfuel: Roadtrip charts the journey of Australian Shaun Murphy (and his Jack Russell terrier, Sparky) as he traverses 30 states on 30 unique vehicles, running solely on alternative fuels.

Highlights include a bio diesel Hummer limousine, an Electra Cruiser electric Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and a BMW Z3 that runs on corn whiskey.

Coolfuel: Roadtrip premieres Tuesday on OLN at 8 pm Eastern.

Check out the link for the show's website, which includes video clips, images, and alternative fuel educational resources.

Transcontinental with a little help from Daryl Hannah, cow patties and corn whiskey originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Apr 2006 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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