Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
2012 Volkswagen beetle
The 2012 Beetle will be built on a new chassis with wider tracks and a longer wheelbase and will feature MacPherson struts suspensions at the front and a torsion beam at the rear. Engine line-up will include a 105bhp 1.2, a 160bhp 1.4 and a 210bhp 2.0 liter. The US market will also get a 170bhp 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. Diesel line-up will include the new 105bhp 1.6 and a 140bhp 2.0 liter.
In an interview with AutoCar, a Volkswagen insider said: "It is more contoured, with additional structuring and defined feature lines used to help to break up the simple surfacing and unadorned character of the current model. The screen angles are less extreme and the roof structure is less rounded than it is at the moment.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Volkswagen GTI refined for 2010
With leisure suits now just a bad dream, the new sixth-generation VW Golf GTI that hits our shores in October as a 2010 model, is just as hot. That makes it pretty cool.
The new GTI , which will make its formal U.S. debut at the New York Auto Show in a couple of weeks, is no longer the power player in the segment if all you’re counting is horsepower. No, the MazdaSpeed3 cranks out 273 hp, while the new GTI makes 200 hp from its 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder.
You’re correct if you say that this car has the same power as the outgoing model. What makes this new GTI worth talking about is the refinement VW engineers have worked into the car’s handling, not to mention the updates to the interior and exterior.
Unfortunately, U.S. buyers will not be able to get several features available on European-spec cars, like Dynamic Chassis Control that allows for three settings– comfort, normal and sport–of the car’s shock absorbers. Other items like dynamic cruise control will also not make it to the States. HID headlights, standard on the outgoing model, will be optional on the new car.
The U.S. VW folks say they kept the standard equipment list limited in order to keep down the cost of the three- or five-door hatch (the five-door is a $500 option). But the standard feature list is quite high, so don’t think all the models we get will be strippers. Official prices were not released at our initial test drive, but expect the car to start around $24,000, making it relative bargain in the front-drive sporty market.
So while this new GTI looks much like the fifth-generation car, every body panel (save for the roof) is different. The interior, likewise, is further refined with a better-looking center stack and chrome-trimmed gauge cluster. And yes, the plaid cloth seats are still part of the package. Some things from the ’70s just never go out of fashion.
The base transmission is a six-speed automatic with a six-speed dual-clutch tranny as an option. VW says a seventh gear, available on other VW models, is not necessary here because of the engine’s 207 lb-ft of torque. We sampled them and like both for different reasons. But if we’re headed to our garage, we’d save the $1,200 (approximately) on the DSG and spend it elsewhere…the six-speed manual is damn good.
On our initial test drive of the car, we found it to be quick and fun to drive, which has long been the GTI’s trademark. A decent rumble is emitted from the twin tailpipes, and while 200 horsepower may seem anemic amidst all the 500-horsepower ground beaters available today–the car doesn’t lack for oomph.
The sixth-generation car features subtle changes from its immediate predecessor but can easily trace its lineage back several decades, and is a worthy successor to the hallowed GTI badge.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
VW Passat Tuning
VW introduced the Passat back in 1973 which were initially offered as two and four door sedans as well as versions with three- and five-doors. These versions shared a common style care of Giorgetto Giugiaro, an Italian designer. From that time on, the VW Passat continues to earn raves as well as criticisms from automobile raters and users.
Facelift for Passat
Some mechanical changes and alterations on style can be made to give the VW Passat a fresher look. Give this a new set of car projector-optic headlights, tail lights, bumpers and the car would look much better than when you first bought it. Owners may also opt for front suspension with four links which take out torque steering. To help avoid traction loss when driving on slick surfaces, a Torsen AWD system can be utilized for this purpose. Power can be improved and turbo charged with diesel with a TDI engine which produces 135 PS. Best part about this engine is that it utilizes diesel for fuel economy and its ability to operate with biofuels, an inexpensive alternative to gas. This Torsen AWD system usually comes with the four wheel drive version..
Upgrade to Safety and Function
From the Torsen system, one may now opt for Haldex multi-plated clutch which is available when using a 4-wheel drive version. What this upgrade does to your car is improved fuel economy with spacious interior that allows for more room. Haldex helps you direct your power by letting your car act as any four-wheel drive until it starts detecting slippage. In which case, half of your power will be diverted to the axle which is opposite that of the transmission or engine. There are a lot of things you can do to make the VW Passat a class of its own. Who says a family car can’t look like a sports car?
http://www.cartuningcentral.com/vw-passat-tuning
























