On again, off again. Such has been the status of the Volkswagen BlueSport Concept. Last month the project was said to be on hold . Volkswagen engineering head Uli Hackenberg spoke to Autocar about this. He said the engineering work was all done, but the problem was finding sales numbers. He said sales volumes weren’t adding up. To make the project work, the car would reportedly need to sell 50,000 units a year. It isn’t clear if this is a global figure or not. We always thought the BlueSport would work business wise due to parts sharing with one, possibly two platform mates. Those two models are the Audi R4 and a new small Porsche. The Porsche is rumored to be on ice, but today Hackenberg has clarified those comments to Evo . An inability to reach 50,000 units was based on forecasts from Volkswagen dealers. He said “dealers are always looking backwards, not forwards….this is particularly the case when a new model is being considered as they don’t have any reference point to guide them, so they look around at the current market and give an estimate based on that.” The problem with looking around at the current market is that Hackenberg says it is depressed at the moment due to lack of product. When the Toyota GT 86, Subaru BR-Z and next-generation Mazda MX-5 arrive he says the situation will be a different story. In order to get the project approved, Volkswagen has asked dealers to reappraise their forecasts in hopes of getting it to the 50,000 mark. From day one we thought the BlueSport would get approved. We will say this though; if 50,000 sales is needed in just the U.S alone, we doubt the car will actually hit that. Hackenberg is confident the program will be approved, and he says if the BlueSport does get the go ahead the car will appear within the next three years. Related posts: Production of the Volkswagen BlueSport Hits a Snag Volkswagen BlueSport On Hold VW BlueSport, 57 MPG Roadster Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Read the original post:  Volkswagen BlueSport Approval Awaiting New Dealer Forecasts

Who are the Huet Brothers? We’ll forgive you if you haven’t heard of them before; it’s the same situation here. They are a company based in the Netherlands (two brothers, as their name implies) that is making a splash with their just-announced Coupe model. They’ve made a throwback (and we mean really throwback, no retro to be found here) open top “HB Special” for a few years and now are setting their sights on something more ambitious. As with the Special, the coupe aims to be a car that harks back to a time when “courtesy was a common good, when men held doors open for their female counterparts, (and) when TV was still an amazement and not a necessity.” They list more than that on their website, but you get the idea. The Coupe is a car that aims to retain that design feel, while having all the advantages of a modern car. That includes safety, reliability, performance and comfort. Unfortunately, there are few images available – and no angle shots. What’s up with only the direct side and front views? In their release, the Huet Brothers made a straightforward list of their “wants” for the new Coupe. They are as follows: • I want a sports car that is fuel efficient • I want space for my bags and golf kit • It needs to be comfortable with climate control • I don’t need to hear the engine all the time • I want heated seats and surround sound • I sometimes get stuck in traffic • I promise not to crash but if I do I want to walk away Other places in the release they mention wanting a race car for the road, one that is usable in all weather situations and that doesn’t rust. Doesn’t rust? Most modern cars don’t rust at all, but the Coupe won’t be able to since it will have carbon fiber body. The Huet Brothers Coupe will weigh in at about 2,400 pounds, powered by a 3.0-liter BMW inline six-cylinder making 306 horsepower. A less expensive 2.0-liter diesel four is said to be available later as well, making 204 horsepower. The company estimates a 0-62 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph for the six, with a 5.6-second run to 62 mph for the four-cylinder. The Huet Brothers haven’t given any expected arrival date for the Coupe, but...

The Fiat-Chrysler partnership has opened up all kinds of interesting possibilities. Chrysler and Lancia are now paired together, Dodge and Alfa Romeo are sharing platforms and Fiats are making their way to the United States. For those not attuned to the automotive industry it can be confusing. Unthinkable a few years ago would have been the thought that Jeep and Ferrari are under the same roof. No way right? Jeep (excuse me, SRT) is making use of the connection in creating awareness for the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8. Two models have been delivered to Ferrari’s Formula One drivers, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. They aren’t just any Grand Cherokee SRT-8s though – they have been specially-outfitted “Ferrari style.” Alonso and Massa will be given all the cars they ever need at this rate – Fiat gave them both Abarth 650 Tributos in 2010. Beth Peretta, marketing director for the SRT brand says: “We are excited and proud to be able to hand over the exclusively personalised “Ferrari-style” versions of the most powerful and fastest Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 of all time to two of the most talented drivers in the world….we are sure Fernando and Felipe will feel perfectly at home at the wheel of these cars that take styling cues from Ferrari with Rosso Corsa bodywork and that represent the pinnacle in terms of performance for the Jeep brand” Ferrari-style means a finish in the brand’s signature Rosso Corsa red (what else?) with black and silver contrast racing stripes, along with a matte black grille, alloy wheels and roof. It makes for a special Grand Cherokee unlike any other – and we’re glad to see there aren’t any Ferrari logos anywhere to be found. Both models are matching, and under the skin powered by the same 4.6-liter V-8 making 465 horsepower and 465 pound feet of torque. That is enough to send Alonso and Felipe to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. Related posts: Extreme: Hennessey Tunes Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 Jeep Ascends with 2011 Grand Cherokee Overland Summit Grand Cherokee-Based SUV Coming to Maserati Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts View original post here: Jeep Delivers Special Grand Cherokee SRT-8s to Ferrari Scuderia Racing Drivers

  A common consensus among automotive analysts (and most importantly customers) is Honda’s recent styling direction have been seen as too conservative. Still regarded as a builder of mechanically sound and liveable vehicles, Honda is being affected by the same pattern that Ford Motor Company encountered in the late 1920s with the Model T. An automobile must project a distinct character in order to be noticed in an active marketplace. While underwhelming in the styling department, the 2012 Honda CR-V crossover utility vehicle will have to benefit of a slick TV commercial officially making its debut during the 2012 Super Bowl. One of the most coveted television advertising spots of the year, the championship game of the National Football League has only grown as marketing venue for major companies. With some ad spots costing up to 3.5 million dollars this year, these brief interruptions from the game action requires a strategic, memorable advertisement to grab viewer attention. When Honda purchased a 2012 Super Bowl spot for to show off the all-new Honda CR-V, the automaker’s dull image will be livened-up by the theme of the 1986 comedy “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”. For the Honda commercial, Matthew Broderick reprises the adventure without necessarily continuing his famous movie character. Instead of playing the devilishly cunning Ferris Bueller, Broderick‘s “Day Off” with the Honda CR-V revolves around the actor playing hooky from a film executive. Though the Honda commercial relives many scenes from the original 1986 movie, the entire 2-minute, 25-second spot is a fresh piece of entertainment. Thanks to the direction of Todd Phillips (director/producer of Old School and the Hangover movies), Broderick and the Honda CR-V have wonderful comedic chemistry through this leaked Super Bowl commercial.     Beyond reviving the “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” adventure, the Honda advertisement presses the auto company’s new “Leap List”. The Leap List campaign is Honda’s attempt to encourage the Generation Y buyers to follow through with their aspiration. Of course, Honda intends for that the CR-V crossover vehicle will fill the criteria needed for extraordinary personal adventures. In risk of giving away too much of this clever advertisement,...

In the muddled order of the Chrysler Group’s brands, Dodge’s stated future mission is to be a performance brand. This ambition has led to a few different conundrums. What about the Journey, Grand Caravan or just released Dart? These are all as mainstream as they come, and in reality that is right where Dodge should be placed. Mainstream, with a bit of bolder performance twist. Despite the lofty talk, that is exactly where Dodge is right now. Alfa Romeo can focus on European performance and handling. Where Dodge has shone though is with SRT models. If the dreadful Neon had one redeeming model, it was no doubt the SRT-4. Same thing for the Caliber. The Dart looks to be a far more competitive model than either of those. That gives the performance trim level a much better basis to start off from. According to Motor Trend , Dodge and the team at Street Racing Technology has a Dart SRT-4 waiting in the wings. The high watermark of small car performance at Dodge was the Caliber SRT-4 with 285 horsepower. MT says the Dart SRT-4 will seek to surpass that. That will make for screaming performance – and if left as is with front wheel drive, probably some incredible torque steer too! With that much power we think the car would be better suited to having an all-wheel drive system. AWD in general is much better suited to performance applications. With AWD, the Dart SRT-4 would be a head-on competitor to the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. As for the Focus ST, it would be in the rearview mirror. That is if the Dart SRT-4 really gets close to the 300 hp though – we could see it coming in at less than that. For instance, 250 hp would still make for sprightly performance. To get to that figure, Dodge would have to either use the new Alfa Romeo 1.8-liter coming up or turbocharge the existing Tigershark engine. Adding turbocharging to the Tigershark is the most likely option, as the Alfa Romeo engine is considerably more expensive. Expect the Dart SRT-4 to land as a 2014 model. Hopefully by then more of the competition will want to get in on the performance action too. Related posts: Dodge Returns To Compacts With 2013 Dart 2013 Dodge Dart To Get 9-Speed (!) ZF Gearbox, “Tigershark” Engines Detroit: 2013 Dodge Dart Automoblog.net –...

Last we heard about the Shelby SuperCars Tuatara, it was finding new buyers in Dubai – 10 in fact. When you’re selling a $1.3-million super car, that is a blow out showing. The Tuatara, as its name implies, is nothing like anything out there. In the rarefied company of exotics, that isn’t an easy feat. The Tuatara looks futuristic, like a concept car. The company brought on Jason Castriota, a big time designer, to pen the car’s design. The Tuatara is a replacement for the much cruder Aero and Ultimate Aero. Those Ultimate Aero gave the Bugatti Veyron a run for its money, capturing the title of world’s fastest road going car for a time. For the most part, those in the automotive world came to refer to the Aero by the SSC tag. We all equate Shelby with Carroll Shelby and the Ford Mustangs right? Well most of us. But the fact is that Shelby SuperCars has nothing to do with either of those. Instead, Shelby comes from the last name of the company’s founder – Jerod Shelby. Despite that, Inside Line reports that Carroll Shelby Licensing wasn’t too keen with this confusion going on in the marketplace. A settlement between the two entities was reached and the result is that the company has changed its name to SSC. That is what most of us have called them anyway, but it’s official now at least. It’d be interesting to know what was involved with the suit though. Its a sketchy legal area given that the founders name is indeed Shelby too. If it wasn’t he wouldn’t have any grounds to continue use of the name. For both companies, settlement is the best decision. SSC has gotten a lot of attention for its products. The famous name might have helped get them on the map, but they are past that point. Now the focus can be on the 1,350 horsepower Tuatara. Related posts: Shelby SuperCars Introduces New Supercar, Names it Tuatara SSC Tuatara Finds 10 Buyers In Dubai The Only Shelby Mustang GT-H Sold for $250,000 Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts See the original post: Shelby Who? Shelby SuperCars Changes Its Name

Exotic car manufacturers have a lot easier time surviving when they are under a huge corporate umbrella. Bugatti is such a manufacturer, owned by the Volkswagen Group, which also happens to own Lamborghini (and is adding Porsche to the mix). No expense was spared in developing the Veyron – it was designed to be the world’s fastest car, bar none. It hasn’t exactly been a huge profit maker either – more like a gigantic corporate ego trip. The Veyron had an allotment of 300 units, the last of which was sold in September 2011. Bugatti pulled a clever hat trick by introducing the convertible Grand Sport though. That car was considered as a separate run of 150 units, enabling Bugatti to continue having a model to sell. As the Veyron neared its September end run, that was a looming issue. The 16C Galibier isn’t ready yet, and it would be highly unusual for the brand to not have any cars on the market until it goes on sale. Interestingly enough, Ricardo has released information about a large purchase of transmissions by Bugatti. The amount of transmissions isn’t documented, but Ricardo notes that it is for “two years worth.” The units are the same seven-speed dual-clutch unit from the Veyron. Two years? The Grand Sport’s run should be out before then, unless it sells extremely slowly. There a few different reasons that have been speculated about – a high failure rate on the trannies (which we probably would have heard about by now) and the the desire to have more parts on hand, but the purchase seems highly unusual. Especially since it was announced in a press release. Mark Barge, director at Ricardo, had this to say: “We look forward to two further very successful years in the story of this truly great automobile with its advanced Ricardo transmission.” When Bugatti released yet another special edition Veyron at the Qatar Auto Show earlier this week, we speculated that Bugatti may pull out a Veyron shooting brake or something to extend the run yet again. While it was a joke, maybe it isn’t too far from reality……we’ll have to wait and see. Related posts: 2009 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport – Yep, It’s Official: the Bugatti Veyron Goes Topless Too Much: Bugatti...

A while back we reported on the status of the Saab car collection from the Trollhattan museum. The company in charge of overseeing Saab’s bankruptcy announced that it would be auctioning off cars at the Trollhattan museum. While it horrified Saab enthusiasts, to the liquidators it was a source of cash. They don’t care for the historical value of things – unless it brings in money. That’s the whole point. The collection includes the very first Ur-Saab and countless other milestone production models, prototypes and concept cars. Vehicles like the Aero X Concept and the stillborn prototype Subaru Tribeca-based 9-7X crossover SUV. Fan site Saabs United organized an effort to try to purchase these vehicles if they indeed did head to auction, in order to preserve them in a private museum. It would have been a shame if these cars were spread all over the world rather than displayed in a single collection that the public would be able to view. Thankfully, Autocar reports that end has been avoided. The City of Trollhattan (who wants the tourism dollars), SAAB AB (the airplane manufacturer that bears the Saab name) as well as The Wallenberg Foundation came up a sum of over $4 million (at current exchange rates) to take ownership of the entire collection. There are 120 vehicles all in all. There isn’t much information available on the purchase other than that. This is a big victory for Saab fans though. What isn’t clear is the state of the Saab museum grounds – if the collection will be moved or what the deal with that is. We assume The City of Trollhattan will work to make sure it is open to the public and able to attract tourists. As for the Saab brand, there is still reports going on that some well-heeled buyers are interested. Call us when something serious materializes! No related posts. Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Read the original post: City of Trollhattan, SAAB AB Save Saab Museum Collection

What is this, the 50 millionth special edition variant of the Bugatti Veyron? Every time we turn around Bugatti pops out a new one. The open top Grand Sport is the latest and greatest Veyron, and here comes another special edition variant. The 2012 Qatar Motor Show begins tomorrow, and this car was designed specifically for that show. Given the excess of Middle East oil magnates, it isn’t surprising. Bugatti didn’t give this special edition car a name, but it is being referred to as the “Bumblebee” so we’ll go with that. That name should tell you all you need to know about the Veyron’s color scheme. The car is finished in a yellow and black paint combination that extends into the interior. Bugatti says it was founder Etorre Bugatti’s favorite color combination. On the outside, yellow is the dominant color (even down to the door handles) with a black carbon fiber lower pieces and black tinted wheels with….yellow calipers. Inside the seats are all yellow as well, with black stitching. Who ever thought this was a good idea, we want to have a talk to. There is far too much yellow – its everywhere. It probably would have worked a lot better if the interior was all black. Swing and a miss on this one. If you thought the Veyron was supposed to have ended production already, you aren’t alone. The coupe version did in fact reach the end of the line, with the last sale for that car completed in September 2011. But, Bugatti came up with a clever way to extend production beyond the original 300. And that is the convertible Grand Sport, which is treated by the company as a separate production run. Out of a new allotment of 150 Grand Sports, Bugatti says there is 105 slots left. Then it will be the end of the road for the Grand Sport, and time for the Veyron run to be extended again. Just kidding (we think) – there is no plans in the works to do that. Hopefully by then Bugatti will have announced a true second model, like the 16C Galibier super sedan. No related posts. Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts More here: Too Much: Bugatti Introduces Special Edition Veyron In Qatar

Ford just released the 2013 Fusion NASCAR racer today, and at the other end of the racing spectrum is Nissan with the Nismo GT-R GT3. In addition to being a video game favorite, the GT-R has a history in motorsports. There has been a few different versions of the car tailored for different racing series around the world. Japan has a racing series called Super GT that the car competes in. Worldwide, there is the FIA World Championship which we all know of. These series are manufacturer-sponsored and they feature modified vehicles that aren’t available to the public. Until now that is. Private teams and track-day racers, you have your car. Just be prepared to shell out some serious dough. The Nissan Nismo GT-R GT3 (what a name!) was developed by Nismo (hence the name) and JR Motorsports, who runs Nissan’s program in GT1. The Nismo GT-R is developed to meet GT3 specifications. Under the hood is the production car’s twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter six-cylinder, making 523 horsepower. That is down slightly on the 2012 production model’s 530 hp. The real changes don’t have anything to do with the power train though. Visually the aerodynamics package is the most noticeable – such as that protruding font splitter. Added scoops, vents flares and the like are all designed specifically to help aid downforce. The huge rear wing also reminds us a bit of the outrageous ones we see thrown on little Hondas and Nissans. This one actually has purpose though! Weight on the Nismo GT-R is is down significantly, to just 2,866 pounds. That is a huge figure, and responsible for the much better figures this car will post. By comparison, the production GT-R weighs in at 3829 pounds. The interior has been entirely decontented, with a roll-cage, racing seats, harnesses and the like taking the place of convenience items. An adjustable suspension and extra ventilation round out race-ready changes. Remember what we said about serious dough? The Nismo GT-R GT3 will set you back about $390,000 dollars at current exchange rates. No related posts. Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts More: Nissan Nismo GT-R GT3 Is Race-Ready

Stock cars in NASCAR share nothing with their road-going counterparts save for a traditionally cartoonish front-end design. Manufacturers pick a name and slap it on their race cars. Chevrolet fields the Impala, Ford the Fusion, Dodge the Charger and Toyota its best-selling Camry. Earlier this month, Ford introduced the redesigned 2013 Fusion at the North American International Auto Show. You know what that means – time for a new stock car design. Mid-size sedans have traditionally been one of the biggest segments, so Ford has used the Fusion since 2006. Prior to that it was the Taurus. The new 2013 Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup car was introduced today at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Ford says it is a product of a years worth of design and aerodynamics work. The company put a particular emphasis on making it look closer to the standard car then it ever has before. In that respect, we’ve really got to hand it to them. The Fusion race car looks closer to the road-going Fusion than anything we’ve seen out of NASCAR in a long time. The car includes pretty realistic proportions up front, with replicated headlights and Ford’s gaping maw grille. The Ford logo also features very prominently on the front and sides of the vehicle – it is part of an effort to boost the brand. Jamie Allison, director of Ford racing, talked about the project: “We wanted Fusion to be the car that helped return ‘stock car’ to NASCAR…..I think fans, when they see the car, are just going to smile and cheer. It is going to reengage them with the sport and make the sport better because there is just something natural about seeing race cars that look like cars in their driveways.” Many design hours were put in to do just that. It’s an attention to detail and effort that just hasn’t been put into these cars by other manufacturers. You can check the 2013 Ford Fusion race car in our gallery below. The car is set to make its racing debut next January for the 2013 race campaign. Related posts: Detroit: Ford Fusion Isn’t a Traditional Mid-Size Sedan 2013 Ford Fusion To Press Technology Envelope in Mid-Size Segment 2013 Ford Escape Innovations Tease Ahead of Debut Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Here...

Revenge of the electric car! We know it’s a documentary name, but it’s crazy to see it really happening. Electric cars are making a comeback, in terms of model introductions. Sales haven’t too great though, and there is a few reasons for that. Cost has got to get down to levels of internal combustion cars, as well as range moving higher up. Range anxiety is a real issue when it is your main car. Now for a second car or city runabout, the dynamics change. That is why many of the EVs being developed are exactly that; compact cars aimed at city dwellers. Tesla is the one taking a different tack with the Model S. A few years ago there was no pure electric vehicles on the market period. Now, Nissan has the LEAF, Mitsubishi the MiEV, Chevrolet is introducing the Spark EV and the i3 is under development at BMW. Honda joined the party at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November with the Fit EV. The Fit EV is going sale in a few select EV-friendly markets this summer. Prior to its launch, Honda is delivering it to a few municipalities and buyers to get early feedback. It is a similar situation to BMW with the 1-Series ActiveE Pilot Program. The first is being delivered to the city of Torrance, California. That is where Honda’s United States headquarters are located. Honda and the City of Torrance have a good working relationship on projects like this. Other partners Google and Stanford University are also part of the early demonstration program. Honda says each of these participants will provide usage data and info on personal, fleet and car-sharing. The Fit EV has a range of about 76 miles in combined city and highway driving. Initially the Fit EV will only be available in two U.S-states – California and Oregon. Lease pricing checks in at $399 a month, putting it at the lower end of the price range for these types of programs. No related posts. Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts See more here: First Honda Fit EV Is Delivered to City of Torrance

Lately, automakers have been trying to provide more customization options. In particular this has been part of an effort to reach out to the youth market. In a sea of boring cars in the same old colors, personalization touches can help your car stand out a bit. The Dodge Dart is an example of an effort to do this. One problem Rolls Royces have never had though is needing to stand out. You can always pick one out in a crowd. That said, that fact isn’t stopping well-heeled buyers from wanting to take things a step further. Rolls has always had bespoke operations that enabled buyers to tailor vehicles just the way they wanted them. According to new information from the company numbers for that program are on the rise, with some 56 percent of buyers are customizing the Ghost. And that is the more “volume” Rolls Royce. The Phantom is seeing even higher numbers. Why Rolls-Royce would want to show off a pink Ghost beats us…..we think it looks horrible. But back to the point, with customization taste isn’t necessary – only your checkbook! You can pick any color you’d like, along with a myriad of other things like changes to the interior, unique leather, wood and the like. Take rates for Phantom are even higher. In 2005 75% of Phantoms in the Middle East were customized – in 2011 it was at 99 percent. In North America it was at just 40 percent, while it stands at 84 percent today. Worldwide, 8 out of 10 Phantoms are personalized by owners. With all this business, Rolls-Royce has had to expand its bespoke operations. Late last year, it increased workers to 50, and an expansion of its factory is in the works. Overall Rolls-Royce sales are up significantly. The Ghost is powering these gains. It is more modern and affordable, while really sacrificing nothing versus its Phantom counterpart. More models are said to be in the works for the Ghost range, including a convertible and coupe. No related posts. Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts See the rest here:  Rolls-Royce Sees Rising Levels of Customization For Phantom, Ghost

The primarily competitors in the luxury segment are all on a sales rampage. Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have posted record sales in 2011. BMW took the top spot in the United States and globally. Growth at Mercedes-Benz has trailed both Audi and BMW though. Sales and profits are still on the increase, just not as rapidly. The business is thriving, but Mercedes isn’t content to leave it at that – they want to be on top in the global sales race. Audi wants to achieve this goal too. At this juncture, Audi looks like they have a better chance of succeeding in that pursuit. Chief Executive Officer Dieter Zetsche recently wrote a letter to employees about this, saying: “We can’t be content to be in a solid second or even third place. We are Daimler – we should be far ahead of the pack…..if it requires something we don’t have, we’ll identify and develop it…some of our competitors are now growing faster and more profitably than we are. Granted, those are just snapshots in time and should not be overestimated. After all, many of our best new products are yet to come.” Some of those products he is referring to are apparently the new small front-wheel drive platform that will include the A- and B-Class as well as a new four-door sedan. German magazine Manager Magzin states that Zetsche plans to increase Mercedes sales to 2.7 million units by 2020, with profit margins reaching 10 percent. These are all ambitious goals to be sure. What’s more is 2.7 million sales doesn’t sound all that “premium” to us! Increasing sales by these margins is going to require added production. The approach to doing that is two-pronged. Daimler is spending over $2 billion on an upgrade of its Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant. There Mercedes produces the M-Class, but it is expanding to include the C-Class and next-generation R and GL-Class SUVs. The big news though is yet another factory, located in the United States or Mexico. The plant would produce the next-generation of the A-Class and front-wheel drive cars, coming online in 2017 or 2018. Related posts: The New Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class Mercedes-Benz Planning New FWD Models for the US Mercedes-Benz Can’t Quit The R-Class Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts See...

Volkswagen has always been known as “The People’s Car.” As in, affordable and ubiquitous. VW’s Das Auto advertising campaign has been highly effective – that slogan has permeated the public consciousness in a big way. While the company strayed from its roots in the past (VW Phaeton, anyone?) with upmarket intentions, VW has returned to its original mission. The Up! Concepts over the past few years have illustrated this. The production three-door was released a while back, but the five-door is making an appearance today. The Up! is the smallest VW, coming in below the Polo. It aims to be the Beetle of the 21st Century, with its small size appealing to buyers in packed urban centers. The Beetle was highly successful all around the world for many years because of those reasons. For modern times, VW aims to do it by offering a supermini that isn’t like a penalty box. We don’t know about that (it’s not exactly sumptuous in there) but it is better than a lot of alternatives. And, reviews coming in have been good. The new five-door sticks to the same formula as the three-door – retaining the same dimensions and engine options. It hasn’t been stretched to provide more legroom for rear seat passengers. Weirdly enough, the rear windows don’t roll down either. What is Up! with that? One engine is available – a 1.0-liter three-cylinder in two power guises: 60 and 75 horsepower. For the two added doors, VW will charge you a bit north of $600 extra. The Up! five-door starts at about $13,300 at current exchange rates. The Up! will first go on sale in Germany beginning in March. Availability will spread across the rest of Europe by summer time. VW doesn’t have any plans to bring the Up! over to the United States as of yet. Across most of the country it probably wouldn’t sell too well, but a limited availability program could work. New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and other cities like that could be potential markets. Related posts: When Does a Coupe Have Four Doors? 2012 Volkswagen Passat Reveal with US Pizazz Volkswagen Shows off Golf GTI Edition 35 Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Read the original here:  Volkswagen Up! Adds Two Doors