When news sprung of Volkswagen announcing a new minivan, at the Chicago Auto Show, we were stoked. With the announcement and images, we were a bit disappointed. Now don’t get us wrong, it is a decent offering BUT IT IS NOT A VOLKSWAGEN! The Volkswagen Routan is basically a re-skinned Chrysler Town & Country. It offers nothing in the way of VW but some design aesthetics and badges. It doesn’t even come with the “Swivel ‘n Go seats” which would be reminiscent of the past Volkswagen vans. *VW opted for space savings over the swivel feature.
Being fans of the Touran and Multivan models across the pond, we wanted to compare/contrast them to the Routan and show why we think VW should have brought them over. It will be simple and void of anything economical thinking. We are sure VW is engaging in this partnership for a reason. We hope it’s the right one.
The Touran and Multivan you ask? Das right! BTW, did you see that Routan is spelled similar to Touran. 
*All pictures are clickable for larger viewing. This is a long review so please read on after the jump.
Volkswagen stopped bringing the Eurovan T4, to America, in 2003. The T5 is still made and sold across the pond and it has developed into quite a ride. The Eurovan is a love/hate model in America. If you have a history with Volkswagen (Type2, Westfalia, Vanagon , etc.) you are probably a fan of the Eurovan. For America, it was to bland and box-ish and without all the “stuff,” like 13 cup holders… There are numerous models out there as well, like the California with great outdoor/camping features, Pan American, which can cruise across terrain and other pop-top types. This is great for heading to Petit Le Mans!
Continue reading ‘Volkswagen Routan vs. Volkswagen Touran vs. Volkswagen Multivan’
Talk about some coverage these days… Jeff Sabatini of the WSJ.com, just launched a nice review on the Audi S5. Head on over to read the full review! You wont be disappointed!
So let’s say you’re as smitten as I am with the Audi R8, that midengine exotic that arrived from Germany last fall. But like me, you can’t quite afford its six-figure price, relative bargain that it may be. You don’t have the juice with your dealer to get on the waiting list anyway, plus you’re kind of afraid of attracting too much attention from the local constabulary. Not to mention that you need a back seat. In other words, the R8 is about the last car you’re likely to park in your driveway, so you’ve already banished it from your mind, and here I am needlessly taunting you.
Well, someone at parent-company Volkswagen must have realized that there are a whole lot of us who fit this description. Rather than squander the halo image of its supercar on a lineup consisting mostly of sedans — hot as some Audi sedans may be — the company decided to produce something to better monetize our fanboy-ism: a junior version, a subtly beautiful sports coupe with a back seat but sans midengine configuration and rakish aluminum body. It delivers most of the rest of the R8 package, though, including the engine and interior, yet it sells for about half the price. So where do we sign?
The Driver’s Seat - WSJ.com
Technorati Tags: 2008 Audi S5, Audi
Man this color is awesome. Not sure why we like but we do! The 400bhp isn’t to bad either.
New 400bhp version of popular super-SUV claims to be the sportiest yet
How do you make a Porsche Cayenne more ugly? Bit of a poser isn’t it? Might even get Stephen Fry scratching his head. But those talented chaps in Stuttgart have succeeded – by painting it metallic ginger.
Fortunately for Porsche, challenging looks don’t seem to be a barrier to sales success, and the Cayenne remains a valuable cash cow (their words, not mine). It is also apparently a good way into new markets where sitting in the back of the cars you own, rather than driving them, is the thing to do.
Read the full review at
evo Car Reviews
Technorati Tags:
Porsche, Porsche Cayenne GTS
Well everyone and their grandmother has jumped on the “leaked Audi TT-S images” but we didn’t. Motor Trend has a great read on the new Audi TT-S that will debut in Detroit. This will be an amazing car even if it doesn’t smoke the Boxster S!
From all angles this thing is HOT! Again, make our white and hardtop!
Click image for Gallery!
The Audi TT gets serious, but is it enough to threaten Porsche?
Audi has deemed the Detroit auto show just the place to unveil its latest sporting creation — or should we say ‘modification?’ See, the Audi TTS isn’t an entirely new car, but rather the creme de la creme of the TT sport coupe and convertible line. Yes, it will be available in both coupe and roadster forms, and to put things simply, transforms the already-willing TT into something even more fun to drive.
Audi’s philosophy is ‘advancement through technology’ and that’s not something found lacking in the TTS. The engine is based on the highly-revered 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged TSFI unit. Featuring direct injection, the powerplant contains a host of modifications over the standard motor (as installed the Volkswagen GTI, among other vehicles), including a beefier engine block, cylinder heads, and connecting rods. The turbocharger is new too - able to produce up to 1.2 bar of air pressure — and intake and exhaust systems have been optimized for both increased performance and increased aural delight. A revised intercooler lowers the temperature of the intake charge to maximize the amount of air flowing into the engine.
Continue reading ‘2009 Audi TTS - First Look’
