VW to Offer R-Line Trim on 2014 Beetle Convertible

Volkswagen announced ahead of today's 2013 Chicago Auto Show media preview that the 2014 Beetle convertible would become the fifth member of the VW family to offer the sporty styling of its performance-inspired R-Line trim package.

The convertible R-Line's exterior enhancements include 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels on lower-profile all-season tires, a combination that the automaker said "gives more dynamic driving characteristics." The package will also include an R-Line badge on the front grille and bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights with LED running lights. Interior flourishes include metallic-finish dash and door trim; a flat-bottom, multifunction leather steering wheel; stainless-steel scuff plates; aluminum sport pedals; and leather sport seating surfaces.

VW said it would announce pricing closer to the Beetle convertible's launch date later this year. The Beetle convertible joins other R-Line offerings: the CC "four-door coupe," Beetle coupe, Tiguan compact SUV and Touareg SUV.

Related
2013 Volkswagen Beetle R-Line at the L.A. Auto Show
2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible: Up Close
2013 Volkswagen CC R-Line Starts at $33,020

Volkswagen 'Snowareg' is Ultimate Winter Attack Vehicle

As the Northeast continues to be pounded by a severe blast of winter weather, including as much as a foot of snow in some places, many motorists might find that their all-wheel-drive SUV just isn’t tough enough. If only there were an SUV … with tank tracks.

The snow-savvy Swedes have just the thing: The Volkswagen Snowareg. While little information is available on the Snowareg beyond some photos on Volkswagen Sweden's Facebook page, what you're looking at is a Touareg V-8 TDI that VW outfitted with caterpillar tracks more commonly found on, say, a bulldozer or a Panzer.

According to Autoblog.com, the Snowareg sends 340 horsepower and 590 pounds-feet of torque to a modified set of treads at each wheel. Judging by the photos, Autoblog stated, the Snowareg "appears to come with the full bevy of VW options, including Dynaudio stereo, panoramic moonroof, dual-zone climate control and (of course) heated seats."

No word on fuel economy, but think of the Fix-A-Flat savings alone.

Related
Volkswagen Sweden builds a Touareg tank to tackle winter (Autoblog)
Research the Volkswagen Touareg
Tips for Safe Winter Driving

VW's Next SUV Aims at U.S. Market

Volkswagen has seen huge sales successes with Americanized versions of its latest Jetta and Passat sedans. The company now plans to do the same with its next SUV.

VW executives told reporters earlier this week that the next SUV would be built in the U.S. and tailored to American shoppers much like the Jetta and Passat.

What does that mean? This unnamed SUV will be larger than the current Tiguan but smaller than the Touareg SUV. There’s also word that it will cost less than the Tiguan, which starts at $23,820 including an $825 destination charge. Both SUVs have seen sluggish sales in the U.S.

Final decisions around the SUV have not been made, so we don’t expect to see it take shape until after 2013.

Related
Volkswagen plans to build new SUV in U.S. (DetroitNews)
Volkswagen Reveals its Taigun Concept
Research More SUVs

It's Time To Buy 2011s, But Incentives Are Hard To Find

Around this time every year, dealers are hard at work trying to sell the remaining cars on their lots as new-model-year vehicles start to roll in. This year is no different, and while some 2012s haven’t arrived yet, it’s still the best time to buy a 2011 … as long as you know what to look for. That’s where we come in.

We diligently report on even the slightest changes between model years as soon as possible. Sometimes this means a car will look the same but get an all-new engine and transmission like the upcoming 2012 Mazda3 sedan that’s expected to get 40 mpg highway. Other times, nothing significant has changed between model years, and then there are the all-new cars that have been redesigned from the ground up.

You’ll find the best deals in that second group of vehicles that go from 2011 to 2012 without much change. It’s been a challenge this year to find bargains because manufacturers are making more significant model-year changes and incentives for these older models just aren’t that alluring.

Here are some of the best deals we could find:

Limited Supplies Force VW to Cancel Backup Cameras on Some Models

Volkswagen will no longer offer a backup camera option on the 2012 Touareg, Tiguan and Passat CC sedan because of supply shortages caused by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, according to the New York Times.

The 2012 CC with Lux Plus, Lux Limited and 4motion Sedan VR6 Executive trims have standard backup cameras. The 2012 Tiguan has an available backup camera with its touch-screen navigation system. All 2012 Touareg models come equipped with the feature, according to Autoblog.com.

Some 2012 models already have a backup camera in them, according to VW, but the feature is no longer being installed in newly produced models. VW doesn’t know when the cameras will be available again.

Shortage Forces VW to Cancel Back-Up Cameras (New York Times, via Autoblog)

The Worst Hybrids for the Money

Every year, we determine which hybrids are the best for the money, based on body style. This year, we also take a look at the worst hybrids for the money.

What we mean by worst is this: hybrids that end up with a very low score after you divide the car’s combined EPA mileage estimate by its MSRP and multiply that number by 1,000. Our best finisher was the Honda Insight. Who was at the other end?

To be fair, many of the cars on this list are luxury cars, and you’re paying for that as much as you’re paying for the hybrid drivetrain. And some of these perform, percentage-wise, far better than their gas counterparts. (Take the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, for example.) And some shoppers, of course, want and/or need a large SUV but would like to make some kind of statement. Still, my 2003 Honda Pilot scores better (0.58) than all the cars on this list, and it’s not even a hybrid.

Here’s the bottom 10:

Cars.com Reviews the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg

The Volkswagen Touareg was redesigned for the 2011 model year and now includes more features and a hybrid option. While the Jetta and Passat are now more affordable and attainable to most car shoppers, the Touareg still has an aurora of near-luxury to it, according to Cars.com senior editor David Thomas. Some of the model’s chief attributes include an extremely comfortable ride, a powerful baseline V-6 and an Audi-esque interior. So, how does the Touareg stack up against SUVs like the Lincoln MKX, Acura MDX and BMW X5? Continue reading to find out.

2011 Volkswagen Touareg Review

Recall Alert: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid

Volkswagen is recalling 256 2011 Touareg Hybrids over incorrect tire pressure labeling, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The labels on the affected vehicles display the incorrect tire pressure information — it’s 2 pounds per square inch too low for the front tires and 1 psi too low for the rear tires. The incorrect info could cause an owner to improperly follow vehicle loading specifications and increase the risk of a crash.

The recall will begin on or before April 29. Dealers will install a new sticker that displays the correct tire pressure information, free of charge. For more information, owners can call Volkswagen at 800-822-8987 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Cars.com Podcast: 2011 Dodge Durango, 2011 VW Touareg, 2011 Audi A8

One big luxury sedan, two big SUVs, three editors and 30 minutes of podcast gold are waiting for you via the links below. Editors Mike Hanley, Kelsey Mays and senior editor David Thomas discuss three radically revised — in the case of the Dodge Durango, reintroduced — models that have recently come through the Cars.com offices.

Download via iTunes
Download MP3

Volkswagen Offers March Lease Deals

Like Honda, Volkswagen doesn’t typically offer big cash-back incentives to move cars off dealer lots; it instead relies on special lease rates. For March, the German automaker is offering attractive leasing and financing incentives on most of its lineup with its “Going, Going, Gone Event.”

Financing incentives include zero-percent financing for 72 months on vehicles like 2010 New Beetle and 2011 Routan minivan.

Newer vehicles like the redesigned 2011 Touareg (including hybrid and TDI diesel variants) also get attractive financing rates.

If you’re looking to get a deal on the fast-selling 2011 Jetta, the automaker is offering a $179 a month lease, though we’ve seen better rates from competitors like the Chevrolet Cruze and Toyota Corolla.

If you’re looking for a used Volkswagen, the company is also offering 1.99% APR financing on its entire certified pre-owned inventory for 48 months or 2.99% financing for 60 months.

The deals below are VW’s national deals. There are some regional and dealership incentives that might be more advantageous for people who are looking to finance or pay with cash rather than lease.

Most of the deals highlighted below expire at the end of March.