VW to Give $1,500 for College With New Routan Minivan

We’ve seen some innovative incentive offers before. Recently, car companies have jumped on the exploding gas-price craze, offering to help pay for fuel. Well, college costs are growing rapidly, too, which is why VW is targeting families with an incentive to save for future education funding.

With every sale of a new Routan minivan, VW will pay $1,500 into a UPromise account supplied by the buyer. The college-saving website then allows users to put the money into a 529 plan.

It’s not a bad idea, especially to tout a new model hitting the market for the first time, but VW says the Routan won’t hit dealerships until September. That’s a long time to wait after generating buzz with this college-cash announcement. The Routan is based on Chrysler’s Town & Country minivan and will have a starting price of $24,700. 

More VW Routan News

VW Adding Free Maintenance in 2009

Volkswagen is really going all-out to buoy its flagging U.S. sales. Starting with its entire 2009 lineup, the company will add a Carefree Maintenance Program at no charge that will pay for all scheduled maintenance for the life of the new-car warranty: three years or 36,000 miles.

Interestingly enough, this includes just three services at 10,000, 20,000 and 30,000 miles. The new Routan minivan will have more maintenance intervals — at 6,000, 12,000, 18,000, 24,000, 30,000 and 36,000 miles — all of which will also be covered.

VW is also adding a new “courtesy vehicle check” that allows owners to bring their new car back to the dealer within 90 days or 6,000 miles for a review of the car’s features and to have it checked for any mechanical issues.

Many luxury automakers offer similar programs, but with just three services included for most models, VW might have found a winning formula. It won’t cost the automaker much to perform three services, and the program will sound great in commercials.

Update: VW has confirmed that it will reduce its comprehensive new-car warranty to three years or 36,000 miles for the 2009 model year compared to the current four-year or 50,000 mile warranty for 2008 models.

Recall Alert: 1999-2005 VW Passat

Volkswagen is voluntarily recalling Passat sedans and wagons from the 1999-2005 model years due to three problems. All told, 410,000 cars are affected.

All models with gasoline engines and automatic transmissions will have their heat shields inspected because they’re subject to incurring damage, leading to damage to the exhaust system.

In a separate issue, models equipped with the 1.8-liter engine will have their fuel line inspected – and replaced if necessary – because of potential damage. The third problem involves models equipped with 4Motion all-wheel drive. Those vehicles will have their fuel tank ventilation valves inspected for potential damage. 

Owners can go to their local VW dealer as of today if they notice the smell of fuel, but official notices won’t be sent out until May 30. The company says no accidents of injuries have been reported.

VW to Make Stability Control Standard for 2009

Volkswagen announced that it would join other automakers, including Ford, in making electronic stability control standard on all its vehicles in the 2009 model year. This puts it well ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2012 deadline for all vehicles to be equipped with stability control standard.

NHTSA estimated that making stability control standard could save as many as 10,000 lives each year on the road.

Stability control goes by many names, depending on automaker, but Volkswagen calls its version Electronic Stabilization Program. Like other stability control systems, it helps drivers maintain control of their vehicle in abruptly changing driving situations.

Tanking Dollar Will Keep VW Scirocco Out of U.S.

If the resurrected Volkswagen Scirocco excited your hatchback-loving heart, we'll try to let you down easy: The Scirocco will not be coming to the U.S.

In an interview with Bloomberg News, VW sales and marketing chief Detlef Witig did not mince words when he said the reason the company will keep the vehicle out of U.S. showrooms is the weakness of the dollar, which keeps breaking records for its all-time low against the Euro.

"The exchange rate is the only reason for not selling it in the U.S.," Witig said of the Scirocco. He even granted that the vehicle would fit well into the U.S. market, but there was simply no way to make money shipping it from a plant in Portugal.

Does that mean there's no way we'll ever see the Scirocco? Not necessarily. VW is scouting locations in the U.S. for a new North American factory, and one would hope that someday the dollar will rebound (so maybe our grandchildren can buy one).

VW Won't Sell Scirocco in U.S. Due to Dollar's Drop (Bloomberg via Autoblog)

2008 Geneva Motor Show: 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco

• Competes with: Mini Cooper S, Volvo C30
• Looks like: A low-riding GTI with a chopped roof
• Drivetrain: 120-horsepower, 1.4-liter four-cylinder; 158-hp, 1.4-liter four-cylinder; or 197-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder with six-speed manual or DSG automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: Late summer 2008 for Europe, not planned for U.S.

Scirocco is one of Volkswagen's more recognizable nameplates, and it's been resurrected in the form of a two-door hatchback that has room for up to four people. Volkswagen says the Scirocco will be offered with an adaptive suspension and both diesel and gas engines.

The Scirocco's profile is reminiscent of Volvo's new C30 hatchback, with its sloping roofline and long side windows. Rather than a version of VW's corporate chrome grille, the Scirocco has black upper and lower sections that are separated by a molded bumper. A small rear spoiler finishes off the liftgate.

Inside, the dashboard layout closely resembles the GTI's, and occupants in both the front and back get sculpted bucket seats. Let us know in the comments what you think of its looks.

Honda Still on Top in U.S., Says Consumer Reports

For the second year in a row, Consumer Reports has named Honda the automaker selling the best vehicles in the U.S., based on factors ranging from reliability to vehicle comfort.

Toyota and Subaru ranked second and third, followed by BMW, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen. No domestic nameplate appeared on the list.

VW Plans Diesel-Electric Hybrid

Volkswagen’s plans to build a diesel-electric hybrid version of its European Golf hatchback — known here as the Rabbit — are all but official. The Golf TDI Hybrid, set to arrive at next week’s Geneva auto show, will likely sport a 2.0-liter diesel engine coupled with an electric motor to the tune of 83 mpg, the UK’s Auto Express News reports. Wired magazine puts the mileage figure at around 70 mpg — still nothing to sneeze at — and says the car’s CO2 emissions will be less than that of a Toyota Prius or Honda Civic Hybrid.

All the goings-on of a typical hybrid should be present: aerodynamic enhancements to cut wind resistance, regenerative brakes to charge the battery and a drivetrain capable of puttering around at low speeds in electric-only mode. Volkswagen of America spokesman Clark Campbell wouldn’t share any official details, but he did say there are no current plans to bring the car stateside.

Autoblog reports that the transmission will likely be Volkswagen’s DSG double-clutch gearbox, of which we’re big fans. We’re also intrigued by the combination of a torque-rich diesel engine and a torque-rich electric motor — meaning this thing might really move from a stoplight. Naturally, we’ll start the drumbeat for Volkswagen to think about bringing it here.

Coming Soon from VW: A 69.9 MPG Diesel Hybrid (Autopia)
Diesel Hybrid Golf on Way (Auto Express)
Geneva '08 Preview: Volkswagen Golf Hybrid concept (Autoblog Green)

Video: VW Routan vs. Chrysler Town & Country

Volkswagen's minibus is perhaps the most iconic van of all time. Now the automaker is getting back into the van game, but with a model — the Routan — that is completely different from its old minibus; it’s based on Chrysler's minivans. In this video, we compare the new Routan with a Chrysler Town & Country to see where they're the same and where they differ. You can share this video via YouTube.

Up Close: 2009 Volkswagen Routan

I didn't understand this car when I first heard about it, and now that I've seen it I still don't understand it. Espousing the brand's newfound access to a "high-volume market segment" — perhaps the horde of minivan buyers heading for the exits? — Volkswagen CEO Stefan Jacoby introduced the Routan (ROO-tan) to journalists. It's no secret that this is a rebadged version of the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, so I set out to find exactly how the Routan bucks those routines.

2008 Chicago Auto Show: 2009 Volkswagen Routan

• Competes with: Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Town & Country
• Looks like: Volkswagen missed the “minivans are out” memo
• Drivetrain: 197-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 with six-speed automatic, or 251-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 with six-speed automatic
• Hits dealerships: Summer 2008

Volkswagen famously got into a game it didn’t know how to play a few years ago when it debuted the Phaeton luxury sedan with a big price tag, putting it into a segment it didn’t have a place in. Minivans are actually a VW trademark, with the iconic Microbus and even the Eurovan in the 21st century. The Routan hopes to reclaim the minivan mantle for the company, but it looks to be not much more than a Chrysler underneath the skin.

Now, that’s not to say the new Dodge and Chrysler minivans aren’t good. They have a lot of value, but it looks like VW skimped on revamping the Routan interior with its trademark high-quality materials. The company says the Routan will start under $25,000, though, which might sway someone looking at a similarly equipped Town & Country or Dodge Caravan, which start at $27,895 and $27,000, respectively, when equipped with the same 3.8-liter engine.

Stability control and power sliding doors will also come standard.

How much of a Chrysler is the minivan? Both engines are from Chrysler, as is the optional touch-screen navigation unit with hard drive, which Chrysler calls MyGig. Not borrowed is the popular Stow N’ Go seating feature or the new Swivel N’ Go setup; that could be a deal-breaker for buyers. The Routan will be built in the same assembly plant as the Dodge and Chrysler products, too. More photos are below. Let us know if you think the price is right for this VW version of the minivan.

Hyundai, VW Look To Move Upmarket With New Models

Would you pay $40,000 for a sedan from Volkswagen — or from Hyundai? Both automakers are betting that at least some consumers will part with Lexus- or BMW-type money for their latest creations. Aside from each having four doors, the cars are seemingly disparate: The Volkswagen Passat CC is a four-seater with coupe-like styling, while the Hyundai Genesis is a bigger, full-blown luxury sedan. For their respective brands, though, each car represents a gamble by going upmarket.

At Volkswagen’s straight-laced confines in Detroit’s Cobo Center, head spokesman Steve Keyes seemed upbeat about the Passat CC’s chances. It won’t be another Phaeton, he assured us, referring to a $65,000-plus juggernaut Volkswagen unleashed earlier this decade that was a resounding sales failure.

“This maybe should have been the car we had before the Phaeton,” Keyes said, adding that the Passat CC will start “in the mid- to high 20s.” The two examples at Volkswagen’s display were loaded to the gills with massive sunroofs and button-strewn dashboards, while press materials detailed high-tech features like lane-departure prevention systems, dynamically adjustable suspensions and even a self-parking feature. Keyes said the cost of a fully loaded Passat CC hasn’t yet been determined, but it will likely be much more than the regular Passat, which tops out around $40,000.

Volkswagen does sell one model in this price range — the Touareg — but it’s an SUV, not a premium sedan. This is definitely new territory for VW, Keyes said.

New VW Minivan On the Way

The Detroit News is reporting that Volkswagen will debut an all-new minivan at the Chicago Auto Show next month. We know, we’re not even done writing about the Detroit auto show and here’s something about Chicago. Sorry — news happens.

The VW van will be called Routan, a reference to the word "route." The big surprise is that it will be based on the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans. The Routan will be built in Canada.

We’d like to think the van will look like the classic Microbuses of old or the cool concept shown here, but that’s doubtful. Still, a VW interior in a minivan might be quite welcome.

VW Routan: Missing the Minivan Crest? (Detroit News)

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: 2009 VW Passat CC

One of the stranger introductions in Detroit was the Volkswagen Passat CC. It was strange not for its looks — it was quite attractive — but for the fact that it’s so similar to the regular Passat sedan we’re not sure how the company can sell the two on the same lot. That conundrum didn’t stop Cars.com’s Kelsey Mays from checking out the upscale CC in the video here.

2009 Passat CC Will Park Itself

The four-door coupe body style isn't the only new aspect of the just-debuted Passat CC. The VW will feature a park assist system — as part of an option package — that will steer the car into a parking spot using cameras, sensors and software much like the new Lexus LS.

Drivers will control the braking and acceleration during the maneuver, but the car will turn the steering wheel to fit into a tough spot.

Pricing hasn't been finalized for the CC, but we know it will start in the mid- to high-$20,000 range and could easily top $40,000 when well-equipped with features like park assist. That's still roughly $20,000 less than the Lexus LS460 that parks itself. We wonder how long it'll take for this technology to get to a $20,000 car.

More info and photos of the 2009 Volkswagen Passat CC

2008 Detroit Auto Show: 2009 Volkswagen Passat CC

• Competes with: Infiniti G35, Lexus GS, Audi A6, BMW 5 Series
• Looks like: A sportier Passat
• Drivetrain: 200-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with six-speed manual or automatic, or 295-hp, 3.6-liter six-cylinder with six-speed automatic
• Hits dealerships: Fall/winter 2008

Volkswagen tried to compete with luxury automakers when it debuted the ill-received Phaeton a few years ago. This year, the company is at it again with the Passat CC. Volkswagen is calling the four-door a coupe, and it has a sloping roofline much like that of the Mercedes CLS. The CC is about 1.5 inches longer than a regular Passat and just slightly wider.

We’re not sure where VW is going with the Passat CC. The company says the driving dynamics will offer a more sporting ride, but there isn’t much talk in the voluminous press kit about much that’s been done to the car to make it perform better than a standard Passat. Engine choices are the same as the regular sedan, with the six-cylinder gaining roughly 15 hp. The minimally wider stance won’t help handling that dramatically, nor will the more aerodynamic shape.

There are a lot more technological gadgets added to the CC, though, including an adjustable suspension system called Dynamic Drive Control, which will probably be an option in the U.S. We usually find systems like this neither dynamic nor interesting in real-world driving.

A Lane Assist program sounds similar to Infiniti’s setup, correcting the Passat CC if it strays into a lane it shouldn’t. All-wheel drive will also be available.

Update: VW says pricing will start in the mid-$20,000 range up to around $40,000.

2007 L.A. Auto Show Winners and Losers: Concepts

There weren’t a lot of new concept cars at this year’s L.A. auto show, but Cars.com’s David Thomas, Joe Wiesenfelder and Mike Hanley take some time to dissect the four that were rolled out on the L.A. floor. The show ends Sunday, so hurry down to check these cars out, along with the many more new production cars.

Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro

DT: Winner
I personally wouldn’t want a convertible riding at SUV height, but maybe Audi's on to something here. Research shows that female drivers like the height of SUVs; maybe this is the convertible for them. Whatever the demographic, the Audi was a stunner in person, especially the golden color scheme and great overall proportions.

JW: Winner
I’ve been a fan of the deep grilles Audi has begun to use, but even I think this one is over the top. I’m not wild about the slablike rear end, either. But it’s becoming hard to stand out in this market, and Audi has done it with this high-riding, large-wheeled convertible. Also, to Dave’s point, the height should be a benefit in collisions, in which topless cars are usually at a significant disadvantage.

MH: Winner
Even though Audi says this concept is supposed to hint at an upcoming small crossover SUV, when you take it for what it is — a convertible — the Cross Cabriolet Quattro is a compact droptop in the vein of VW's now-discontinued Cabrio, though obviously more upscale. With assertive looks and that pumpkin paintjob, it gets the nod.

Volkswagen Tiguan Starts at $22,490

Volkswagen announced today that when the Tiguan arrives stateside next summer, it will start at $22,490. That puts the compact SUV smack dab in Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 territory. VW wouldn't elaborate on the price range or what specific options cost, but it appears from the Tiguan's introduction at the L.A. auto show that it will come standard with VW's turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and a six-speed manual transmission. That combination seems sure to make it a blast to drive — though we'll have to get some seat time before we declare it the "GTI of the crossover utility segment," as one VW executive suggested.

We'll admit we love to shift our own gears, especially with VW's excellent turbo four-cylinder. But will regular SUV drivers want to pay extra for an automatic? Both the $20,700 CR-V and $21,100 RAV4 come standard with autos. If the Tiguan's automatic costs as much as it does in other Volkswagens — it's a steep $1,075 in the Jetta — expect the effective starting price for most SUV buyers to be somewhere around $23,500.

Related
More on the 2007 LA Auto Show
More Tiguan News

VW to Add Touch-Screens to All Models in 2009

We recently reported on the fact that navigation system users preferred touch-screen units to any other type of controls. It seems Volkswagen is following this insight to an extreme, adding touch-screen controls to all its models after the 2008 model year.

The touch-screen system will control environmental, entertainment, trip-computer and navigation features, and it sounds like it will even be in models not equipped with navigation. The company says the reduction of knobs, buttons and switches will simplify the manufacturing process. We say it takes this whole iPod Touch to a new level. What do you think? Is this a good move or will it backfire on VW?

All VWs Will Get Touch-Screen Systems (Automotive News Via Autoblog)

VW Delays Release of Clean-Diesel Jetta

With diesel engines virtually extinct in the U.S. market, we’ve been looking forward to the debut of Volkswagen’s clean-diesel Jetta TDI, slated for the spring of 2008. It now looks like we’ll have to wait a little longer.

Volkswagen pushed back the release of the TDI due to a “technical issue that was found in the late stages of durability testing,” according to a recently released memo acquired by Brandweek. The TDI now appears poised for its debut in late summer 2008.

Part of Volkswagen’s trouble lies in the 50-state test. The U.S. has some of the strictest emissions standards for diesel vehicles, and in order for automakers to sell their cars in all 50 states, it must meet emissions standards set forth in every state, including California and its stringent Air Resources Board.

With a number of automakers hoping to re-introduce diesel engines to the American market in more-environmentally-friendly form, all eyes are on Volkswagen and its new Jetta. Consumer interest certainly seems piqued, though. We’ve already written about the enthusiasm for VW’s diesel vehicles, and Brandweek reported the claims of one VW dealer who says three out of every five calls he receives are inquiries about the clean-diesel Jetta.

VW Launch of New Diesel Delayed (Brandweek via Autoblog)

Cars.com Reviews Volkswagen Touareg 2

If you’re unsure why VW named the slightly revised SUV the Touareg 2, you won’t find the answer in our review. You will discover — through the written word and a video — its pros and cons and whether or not there’s any anticipation for a Touareg 3. 

2008 VW Touareg 2 Expert Review (Cars.com)

2007 Tokyo Motor Show: Volkswagen Space Up! Concept

• Looks like: A boring answer to the Mazda5
• Defining characteristics: Suicide doors, lots of rear glass
• Ridiculous features: All four seats swivel to face each other … while parked
• Chance of being mass-produced: VW is looking at new small cars for the globe; it’s doubtful they’ll reach the U.S.

At just 144 inches long, the space up! concept isn’t as big as it looks. An inch shy of a Mini Cooper, we’d be shocked if VW could pull off this much space in a real production version. VW says because the engine is in the back of the vehicle — think Beetle — it’s able to open up a lot of interior volume.

While this is a novel idea for European consumers, we’re left wondering why the company hasn’t delivered an updated version of its popular bus from the 1960s and 1970s instead. More images of the concept below.

Cars.com Reviews 2007 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Fahrenheit

The Jetta GLI Fahrenheit is a limited-edition version of the highest-performance Jetta in Volkswagen’s stable, but that doesn’t mean a review of the car is limited. Anyone interested in a GLI can glean something from Kelsey Mays’ review of our bright yellow test car. The differences truly are skin deep. On all other levels, the Fahrenheit treatment doesn’t impact the car’s overall appeal. There’s also a handy video if you want to check out the yellow GLI in motion. 

2007 Volkswagen GLI Fahrenheit Expert Review

Volkswagen Recalls 340,000 Jettas, GTIs, Rabbits

On Friday, Volkswagen announced it was recalling 340,000 cars due to faulty headlights. Jetta, Rabbit, GTI and R32 cars from the 2005-2008 model years are included in the recall. As of today, any owner can bring their car in to get the problem fixed.

Faulty headlights can be a hazard in night or daytime driving. No injuries have been reported, and concerned owners can call 1-800-822-8987 for more information.

Volkswagen Recalls 340,000 Cars (CNNMoney)

VW Goes Diesel Happy: Jetta TDI Coming in '08

One of the surprising things about this job is hearing about cars people love with a passion you wouldn’t necessarily anticipate. Possibly the top car on that list is the Jetta TDI -- or any diesel VW, for that matter. Readers have commented that they go to extreme lengths to keep these machines running, even after they would have otherwise traded it in, simply because there is no new replacement.

Come the spring of 2008, there will be. Volkswagen is bringing its new clean-diesel 2009 Jetta TDI to the U.S., and we’re anxious to hear what KickingTires readers think about it.

The news comes in conjunction with VW’s new promotion called The Dieselution Tour, aimed at informing American consumers about clean diesel … and, presumably, to put their butts in VWs. Currently, the only VW diesel on sale in the U.S. is the Touareg 2 V-10 TDI, at a cost of $68,320. Think no one would buy it? We saw one in our parking garage this morning. As for the Jetta, we haven’t gotten full specs on the 2009 TDI yet, but we’ll keep you posted.

Entire VW Lineup to Go Hybrid

Over in Germany, the higher-ups at Volkswagen are discussing hybrids. The latest word is that the company will not only pursue its current diesel offerings worldwide but also add hybrid power plants to every model in its lineup. Of course, there’s no timetable for when this will happen, and the first VW model to get a hybrid powertrain — the Touareg SUV — hasn’t gotten a release date yet. So maybe we’ll file this away under the “wishful thinking” category of the blog. Oh wait, we don’t have one of those. Regardless, VW always seemed like the right brand to go hybrid, and we wonder why a hybrid Jetta or Rabbit hasn’t already gone on sale.

In the Future, All Volkswagen Models to Have Hybrid Option (Jalopnik)

Related
VW Aims at 200-mpg Car, Again (KickingTires)
VW Plans Hybrid Touareg, Not Jetta (KickingTires)

2007 Frankfurt Auto Show: 2008 Volkswagen Tiguan

• Competes with: Honda CR-V, Acura RDX
• Looks like: A mini-Touareg
• Drivetrain: Unknown turbocharged four-cylinder.
• Hits dealerships: Some time in 2008

We’ve already seen full production images of the upcoming compact SUV from Volkswagen, but the company released more information in Frankfurt yesterday, much of which applies to the versions coming to the States. The most interesting news is that there will be three subtle variations of the Tiguan, depending on a buyer’s off-road desires.

We don’t know how well it will sell, but if you need a larger entry angle you can buy the Tiguan Track & Field. The model has a 28 degree entry angle and a driver-selectable off-road mode. For those who just want the utility of the Tiguan for the daily commute and the weekend run to Ikea, there will be a Trend & Fun and Sport & Style trim. Of course, VW says even these street-friendly Tiguans can take less-extreme trails. 

There’s no final word on which engine will make it to the U.S., but we’ll bet on some variation of the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine that is found in many other VW models. There are also plans for a diesel version to come Stateside but don’t expect more news on that until the first major U.S. auto show in Los Angeles this November. For now, check out more photos below.

2007 Frankfurt Auto Show: Volkswagen up! Concept

• Looks like: A baby Rabbit
• Defining characteristics: A tiny car with the engine in the wrong place
• Ridiculous features: Light-up VW logo in back
• Chance of being mass-produced: For Europe, this could be a future city car; for the U.S. … VW will probably wait to see how the Smart ForTwo sells

Like in a Volkswagen Beetle, the engine sits behind the driver in this new concept from Volkswagen. The up! is a look at the future of city cars from VW, and we expect a real-life version could be under development. We’re a bit surprised the up! doesn’t feature VW’s now-trademark large black grille. The up! comes in at just 135 inches long — roughly the size of a Smart ForTwo — and can seat four people.

The three passenger seats can be removed, folded up and stored in the front trunk. There’s also an onboard computer that uses a touch-screen to control all climate control and entertainment functions. There’s a second display for the front passenger as well, in case he doesn’t agree with your current iPod selection.

The up! is a classic concept car — it’s not close to production-ready, but it’s a reasonable look for a VW city car that the company will need to develop. Take a look at more photos below and let us know if you’d give the up! a chance.

Cars.com Faceoff: Retractable-Hardtop Convertibles

Summer is almost over, and that usually means putting the convertible away for the winter. That’s why many automakers have added retractable-hardtop versions to their lineups. This design allows for all-season driving, and it also makes for a good Faceoff. This year we tackled three cars with vastly different demographics: the Volkswagen Eos, Chrysler Sebring and Mazda MX-5 Miata. It was a tough call because all three cars have such different characteristics, but a clear winner did arise.

Cars.comparison: Retractable-Hardtop Convertibles

VW iCar on the Way?

Some people in the Cars.com offices went out and bought an iPhone the day it was released. They love their shiny little phones, and now it seems they may have reason to run out and get a new VW if rumors about an Apple/Volkswagen marriage are true. According to various gadget sites, Steve Jobs and VW head honcho Martin Winterkorn met a few days ago to "plan an intensive cooperation with the building of vehicles."

We won’t go so far as to say there will be an iCar, as some have suggested, but we bet it’ll be along the line of Microsoft’s Sync system with Ford, where the computer-maker tries to integrate phone, navigation and entertainment into the car. We can see the “I’m a Ford, and I’m a VW” commercials already.

Steve Jobs and VW Chairman Talk iCar (Gizmodo, image by Gizmodo)

Ch-Ch-Changes: 2008 Touareg 2

Here at the Cars.com offices we’re busy sifting through pages of information from automakers as the full 2008 lineups are slowly being unveiled. One model that gets some slight changes for 2008 is Volkswagen’s Touareg SUV, which is now called the Touareg 2. VW is playing up the fact that there are 2,200 new parts on the Touareg 2, including exterior changes, but to the average Joe there’s not much that looks different.

The engines are more advanced and now use direct injection. The base VR6 gets a 280-hp V-6, and there’s also a 350-hp V-8 and a twin-turbo diesel V-10 with 310 hp and 553 pounds-feet of torque. There’s also an entirely new option package assortment and naming convention to confuse buyers: They’re called the Lux, Lux Plus and Technologie packages.

The Touareg is on sale now, starting at $39,320 not including a $680 destination charge. That’s roughly a $1,000 price bump over the VR6. The V-8 version sees a nearly $5,000 increase, and the V-10 gets a nearly $10,000 increase. A power liftgate and Sirius Satellite Radio are now standard, but most might have trouble wrapping their heads around the price hike.

For full prices and more information, you can research the Touareg 2 here. 

Related
2007 New York Auto Show: 2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 (Cars.com)
Unnecessary Sequel: The 2008 Touareg 2 (KickingTires)

2008 Jetta and Rabbit: More Power, New Trims

We always like it when the base trim level for a car gets an upgrade — it’s often the model more people buy. Such is the case for Volkswagen, whose 2.5-liter five-cylinder has been retooled for 2008. Output jumps from 150 to 170 hp in the Rabbit and Jetta, while the New Beetle keeps the old 150-hp version.

The extra power should give the Jetta some much-needed oomph, as the current base model is a bit underwhelming. The lighter Rabbit, in contrast, is already something of an unlikely athlete. But hey, we won’t argue with extra power — especially when it comes with better gas mileage. With the EPA’s revised ratings system, Volkswagen reports that both the 2008 Jetta and Rabbit get 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with an automatic, versus 19/28 for automatic-equipped 2007 models (using 2008 EPA calculations). The EPA reports slightly different mileage figures for the Jetta, as well as that it now uses premium fuel. Volkswagen says it can run on regular gasoline.

There’s one more amusing detail: Both cars shed their old trim levels for new ones — the Rabbit is now the Rabbit S, and the Jetta dons S, SE and SEL badging. In the alphabet soup of trim levels, even this phenomenon is rare — the Blue Oval uses nearly identical delineations for the Fusion, Focus and Edge. A Fordian slip, so to speak? Weigh in below.

2007 VW Rabbit Shown

VW Tiguan SUV Officially Unveiled

It will debut to the public this September at the Frankfurt auto show, but American shoppers won’t be able to get their hands on Volkswagen’s new compact SUV until closer to 2008. It looks pretty complete in the photo above and those in the gallery below, but VW has a knack for making us wait for new models.

The Tiguan will have a number of diesel and gasoline engine choices available in Europe, but we’ll most likely get just the top-of-the-line 2-liter turbo engine — used in a variety of VW and Audi engines — that produces 200 hp at launch. However, VW owners do buy more diesels than the national average, and VW has said we will get a diesel option, we're just not sure which of the three European diesel engines we might get.

Specs and prices haven’t been released, but the Tiguan looks like a solid, if a bit conservative, competitor to the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. 

Volkswagen Tiguan Photo Gallery

Related
VW Tiguan Coming to Market in Fall 2007
2006 L.A. Auto Show: VW Tiguan Concept

Meet Junior: VW's Automated Passat Wagon

In 2004 and 2005, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency held a contest to see who could bridge the large divide between man and machine in the form of a race called the Grand Challenge. Teams field automated cars, trucks, SUVs and vehicles that defy convention to tackle various terrain. This year, teams will have to navigate 60 miles of urban environment, as opposed to the offroad circuits used in past challenges. 

Volkswagen fielded the last challenge winner: Stanley, an affectionately named Touareg SUV, and hopes to repeat this year with a Passat wagon named Junior. VW actually provides the vehicle to a team from Stanford University, and they work together on the heavy dose of robotics being paired to the car. Stanford’s biggest rival is Carnegie Melon. We’ll see which of the two collegiate geek squads prevails.

The prize is $2 million, so expect the competition to be fierce. The event takes place Nov. 3 at a still undisclosed location.

Volkswagen Taps Wilco for New Commercials

Well-respected alternative rock band Wilco has gotten in some hot water from fans for lending songs from its latest album to Volkswagen for a new ad campaign. VW has always used interesting soundtracks for commercials, so it’s no surprise they’re not using Chris Daughtry for their next campaign. We really don’t see why Wilco fans are complaining about the commercial; they should complain about how dull the new record is instead.

On a side note: What’s everyone’s favorite song from a car commercial?

Wilco Like Volkswagen Cars And Cash (Chartattack.com)

Volvo C70 and Saab 9-3 Earn First-Ever Top Safety Pick Designation for Convertibles

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released its first crash tests of convertible models. Two of the 10 cars tested earned the organization’s Top Safety Pick designation: the Volvo C70 and the Saab 9-3. What was on the opposite side of the spectrum? The Pontiac G6 convertible scored only an Acceptable grade in frontal crashes and Marginal in side- and rear-impact tests.

Most surprising were the low side-impact scores registered by the all-new BMW 3 Series convertible and the Audi A4 Cabriolet (convertible). Both cars received marginal side-impact scores even though they’re both equipped with seat-mounted head and torso airbags. They also received poor grades in rear crash tests. For a full chart of the results, click below. 

Cars.com Faceoff: Cheap Speed, the Sequel

Last year, the all-new Volkswagen GTI bested the then-aging Mini Cooper and the new Honda Civic Si in one of our most popular faceoffs to date. Today, Mike Hanley, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder took last year’s champ and put it against a redesigned Mini Cooper and a newcomer, the Mazdaspeed3. Which affordable, accelerator-friendly hatchback won out? Click below. 

Cars.comparison: Small and Fast, Take II

Volkswagen Looks to Lower Prices

Volkswagen knows its higher price tag compared to manufacturers like Toyota isn’t helping its cause on the sales front. In a recent interview, a VW VP said the company is looking to lower its premium pricing from a high of 20 - 25% in the past to between 5% and 10%, depending on the vehicle’s niche.

What does that mean? A 2007 V-6 Passat costs 7.8% more than a comparably equipped V-6 Toyota Camry XLE (see the comparison here). In a popular segment like this, VW wants to be in the 5% range, which would translate to $1,400 more for the Passat than the Camry, rather than the current $2,160.

VW recently lowered prices on its Jetta, Rabbit and New Beetle cars to boost sales at the expense of profit, but these new margins would have to be built into the price of the vehicles before the models were designed and produced, so expect to see these changes develop over time, probably through the end of the decade.

[Lower Premium, AutoWeek]

VW Aims at 200-mpg Car, Again

If you thought the media hysteria surrounding high-efficiency autos was something new, you’re mistaken. Five years ago, Volkswagen took the wraps off its “1-Liter Car” concept that could get 222 mpg out of a meager 8.5-hp diesel engine. Now the company is rethinking the frugal concept, as the cost of parts now looks to be substantially less than it was in 2002. We won’t hold our breath that a new “1-Gallon-Car” is arriving anytime soon, but it’s still something to think about. 

[Volkswagen Revives 200-mpg Car Project, Jalopnik]

Unnecessary Sequel: The 2008 Touareg 2

Another automaker seemingly wasting our time is Volkswagen. The company’s big news this morning is that the slightly updated 2008 Touareg will be called