TIGUAN

TIGUAN

The Volkswagen Tiguan is a late arrival to the compact crossover SUV market. While many competitors already have established small SUV models in their lineups, VW is hoping the Tiguan will lure customers away from a range of other options that have traditionally been somewhat bland.

The volkswagen comes in both front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive versions and is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.The Tiguan's name will certainly attract attention. A figment of the VW marketing department's imagination, we're told it's a marriage of "tiger" and "iguana." This mammalian reptile is built on the same chassis as the Jetta and Golf. To keep the small SUV from looking like a hopped-up version of the latter, the Tiguan uses styling elements similar to VW's larger SUV, the Touareg, which gives the Tiguan a look that's both more aggressive and more upscale than its competitors. The downside, however, is that the volkswagen comes with slightly less space -- and a higher price tag.

TIGUAN

The Volkswagen  is a four-door, five-passenger compact crossover. It's powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that generates 200 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. The base front-wheel-drive version comes with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, but all others are automatic-only. All-wheel drive can be specified on all but the base Tiguan.Three trim levels are available: base S, SE and SEL. All come standard with a generous number of features, including full power accessories, an auxiliary audio jack, a CD player, cruise control and a 60/40-split-folding rear seat. Standard safety features include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags and full-length head curtain airbags. Options include rear side airbags, a towing package, a panoramic sunroof and a navigation system.

TIGUAN

In reviews, we've noted that the Volkswagen  stands apart thanks to its sleek European design and high-quality interior. Controls are large and well-placed, and the cabin is adorned with genuine aluminum trim. These virtues are matched with equally solid driving dynamics. Unfortunately, the Tiguan lacks the cargo space of some of its competitors. With 16.6 cubic feet in the rear, the Tiguan offers about the same amount of space as a large family sedan. With the second row folded down, maximum capacity measures 56.1 cubic feet, which is well shy of class leaders such as the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. The Tiguan can also command a hefty price premium over other compact utes.
The Volkswagen Tiguan was introduced for 2009 and hasn't changed much since. For 2010 only, VW offered a Wolfsburg Edition, which added unique 17-inch alloy wheels, special badges and leatherette vinyl upholstery.

courtesy by http://www.edmunds.com/volkswagen/tiguan/

Volkswagen GTI refined for 2010

When Volkswagen hopped up a Golf back in 1976, it invented a niche that came to be known as the Hot Hatchback segment. With just 100 horsepower, it’s difficult now to think that was hot…but it was. Hey, it was 1976 and polyester, John Travolta and the BeeGees were cool, too.

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.

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

turbochaerged

Volkswagen’s latest track challenger, a supercharged and turbocharged Jetta saloon, has been unveiled.

The Jetta TSI Sport made its debut at the Autosport International racing car show at Birmingham’s NEC, taking centre stage on the British Racing and Sports Car Club stand.

The new machine will take to the track for the first time on Easter Monday (24 March) in the opening round of the Hankook-backed Volkswagen Racing Cup, at Oulton Park.

In road-going form the Jetta’s 1.4-litre, 16-valve engine produces 169bhp but the engineers at Volkswagen Racing UK, with the help of their technology partners at Superchips, Milltek Sport and Turbo Dynamics, have boosted this to 228bhp!

The TSI features an engine-driven supercharger and an exhaust gas powered turbocharger, arranged in series; the supercharger operates at lower engine speeds and the turbo cuts in as revs rise.

The result is excellent driveability and performance throughout the rev range, with no turbo lag and high maximum torque.

The power unit was named Best New Engine of 2006 in the International Engine of the Year Awards.