VW to Retrofit Late-Model Diesel Vehicles to Prevent Misfueling

Pumping gasoline into the tank of a diesel vehicle can be a costly mistake. To prevent that from happening, Volkswagen of America has issued a service action and will refit 209,500 diesel vehicles in the U.S., according to Automotive News. Affected models are TDI versions of the 2009-12 Jetta, the 2010-12 Golf and the 2009-12 Jetta SportWagen.

"As diesel engine passenger vehicles become more popular, auto manufacturers have seen an increase in the number of misfueling cases where diesel engine vehicles are mistakenly fueled with gasoline," VW said in the notice to dealers. "The resulting fuel system contamination can lead to costly repairs that are not covered under warranty."

Which Cars Fit Three Car Seats?

UPDATE: Parents are often searching for the automotive holy grail: a car that's not a minivan and can fit three child-safety seats across the backseat. It's a short list.

In the more than three years that Cars.com editors have been installing car seats into test vehicles, we've come across only a handful of cars that can hold three car seats across a backseat.

For 2014, the Jeep Grand Cherokee received interior and exterior revisions, but that didn’t affect this two-row crossover’s ability to fit three child-safety seats across its backseat.

As we come across more cars that fit three child-safety seats, we'll add to this list. For now, here are the cars from our Car Seat Checks that can fit three car seats in the second row:

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Video

Coupe and convertible body styles plus three engine choices make the redesigned-for-2012 VW Beetle a versatile vehicle. If you pick the convertible, however, you'll be opting for style over practicality and even driving fun, says Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays. The power soft-top is quick, but visibility is bad; the cabin is full of ergonomic comfort issues, and a clumsy ride takes the fun out of any drive, Mays says.

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VW Beetle Turbo, Jetta GLI Get Power Boost

Volkswagen has a midyear upgrade planned for its Jetta GLI and Turbo models of its Beetle coupe and convertible. The cars' 200-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is now rated at 210-hp; Volkswagen says the revised engine is quicker and more efficient thanks to reduced weight and other mechanical updates.  

As equipped, the 2013 Beetle Turbo coupe goes from zero to 60 in 6.6 seconds, a hair faster than the previous model. The GLI boasts similar performance figures. Volkswagen expects fuel economy to go up too; it estimates that Beetle Turbo models should see a 4% to 9% increase in efficiency. 

There's also a few exterior changes to both cars. All Beetle Turbos will now get grained black R-Line-model bumpers and more exterior chrome trim. Model-year 2013 GLIs with the more powerful engine get LED taillights on all three trims.

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

Although Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays grudgingly admits the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle is cute, he cautions shoppers that its beauty is only skin deep. Its good looks can't make up for the convertible model's sloppy handling, clumsy ride and severely limited visibility — just to name a few issues.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Review

VW Passat Lineup Gets Wolfsburg Edition

Hoping to shore up weak Passat sales, Volkswagen is adding a new model to the sedan's lineup. VW says the Passat Wolfsburg Edition "offers a number of additional convenience features for a competitive price."

The Wolfsburg Edition will slot between the base S ($21,640) and the midlevel SE ($24,740) trims and go on sale in mid-2013 starting at $24,290; all prices include a $795 destination fee. To the S model — which comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission, Bluetooth connectivity, a steering wheel with audio and phone controls, automatic headlights, power exterior mirrors and driver's seat lumbar support — the Wolfsburg Edition adds 16-inch alloy wheels, perforated V-Tex leatherette seats, a power driver's seat, heated front seats, satellite radio and a Media Device-Interface with iPod cable.

Sales of VW's midsize sedan, which is built in its Chattanooga, Tenn., plant, were down 5% in March compared to last March, and the automaker recently announced plans to lay off 500 workers at the facility.

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Concept Cars Make Big Splash at Shanghai Motor Show

On April 20, the 2013 Shanghai motor show kicked off. As The Detroit Free Press puts it, the event served up a high-decibel dosage of fashion, sports and music (oh, and cars) to some 10,000 journalists. More than 100 automakers vied for attention in the world's largest car market, where 94% of consumers don't own a vehicle — and young people dominate the ranks of those who do.

Automakers introduced plenty of concept cars, including Ford's Escort reboot and two small SUV concepts: Mercedes-Benz's GLA-Class (pictured above) and BMW's X4. Check out some others that caught our eye:

2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI Video

When the 2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI make their way to the U.S. early next year, they'll look familiar to visiting Europeans, whose continent already has enjoyed both for a while. Then again, they'll also look familiar to anyone stateside who's seen the previous versions of both compact hatchbacks. Getting an up-close peek at the Golf and GTI performance variants at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays was disappointed VW didn't do more to differentiate the new models from their predecessors' appearance.

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That's not to say nothing's changed, of course. Both cars are lighter, longer, wider and more fuel efficient while preserving the interior quality, comfort and technological advancement that's made them so well-regarded overseas. Watch the video below for more of Mays' on-the-scene critique.

2015 Volkswagen GTI: Photo Gallery

We're not likely to see it at the dealership in calendar year 2013, but when the 2015 Volkswagen GTI does arrive, we expect the hot hatch to deliver high performance at a lower cost. That's thanks to production of both it and the 2015 Golf — debuting this week at the 2013 New York International Auto Show — heading to Mexico; production thousands of miles closer should mean thousands of dollars in savings.

More 2013 New York Auto Show Coverage

The GTI offers the highest of three revised Golf engines, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, good for 210 horsepower and mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Sport seats with a plaid cloth pattern, a black headliner and red ambient lighting, along with stainless-steel pedals, trim and shift knob, punctuate the sporty point.

Check out the gallery below. Cars.com photos by Evan Sears.

2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI: Up Close

There are plenty of significant changes under the all-new Golf's sheet metal, including new powertrains that get 8% to 15% better fuel economy, but you wouldn't know it from the conservative exterior styling. VW fans will be able to spot the new subtle creases and lighting details, but they'll go unnoticed by most people. It might not be the flashiest hatchback in the segment, but if VW's history is anything to go by, it won't look dated anytime soon, either.

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The performance-oriented GTI shares the Golf's new platform but gets slightly more aggressive styling. Many of the design cues, like the honeycomb grille and front air dam strakes, mirror those of the current GTI. The grille's red accent line now carries through the headlights, which is a nice touch, and there's a new badge on the front fenders.