vLane Blog

Articles Matching “Volkswagen”

• The secret world of cars and tents

  Banovsky on October 16, 2009

  It started with the photo you see below. A Sunday morning browse of Chrysler's press photo archive turned up a photo of the "Magic Camper" package, available on the 1985 Plymouth Voyager. "Hmm…" I wondered, "How many car companies offer tents for their vehicles?" The results may surprise you.

  

  1985 Plymouth Voyager "Magic Camper" package

  If I'm honest, I gave up searching for OEM tent packages. There are simply too many. From laughing at the Chervrolet Nova 6 "Hutch" package (that turns an open hatchback into a three-sided cheese slice tent), to marvelling at the ingenuity of the Honda Element's available "curtains" — it seems outdoorsy people work at nearly every car company.

  So without further adieu, click through for a gallery of my favourites.

  Read full article | Comments (6) | Filed under Classic, Feature, WTF, Saab, Misc, Toyota, Ford, Ford, Nissan, Volkswagen, Chevrolet, Dodge, LOL, GMC, From the web, Original, Camping, outdoors, Weird

• 2010 Volkswagen GTI pricing announced

  Banovsky on October 6, 2009

  Packing the same horsepower (200) and torque (207 lb.-ft) as the 2009 model, the better-looking 2010 GTI rings in at $23,990.

  

  2010 Volkswagen GTI

  That's for the two-door. If you want the top-line four-door with the DSG, prepare to save up $25,690 — barely changed from the current model.

  A GTI equipped with the dual-clutch DSG gearbox will return 32 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg in the city — not too shabby for a high-performance hatchback.

  Two packages stand out: the "Dynaudio Advanced Sound" package for $476, and the "Autobahn" package for $2,795 — that includes partial leather seats, sunroof, and front sport seats.

  Click through to our search engine to find a good deal on one of the last 2009 GTI models!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Pricing, Hatchback, News, Volkswagen, Turbo, Turbo, 2010, GTI

• 2010 Seat Bocanegra: Zorro's car has arrived!

  Banovsky on July 1, 2009

  I used to watch Zorro on Sunday mornings, and absolutely loved the two Zorro movies. But what if his horse, Tornado, died and the masked hero needed a faster way to get around?

  

  En garde! (Ok, we know that's a French saying…)

  I think Zorro would love the Seat Ibiza Bocanegra, which is not sold in the US. (Yes, Europeans get cool cars. Get over it.) The Ibiza is based off the small Volkswagen Polo hatchback, which is about the same size as our Honda Fit.

  Powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged — and — supercharged motor with either 150 or 180 horsepower, Zorro may be in for a fun ride. Named after an old Seat model from the 70s, the modern update features a Zorro-like front "mask" painted black, with partially-black roof and black mirrors to complete the look.

  More photos and info after the fold.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Hatchback, Future, News, Europe, Volkswagen, 2010, Seat

• What's cooler than self-sealing tires?

  AshleyW on May 5, 2009

  Technology has advanced many elements of cars, especially safety. When it comes to assisting drivers there are many different options that are built into cars to meet safety standards. But what about tires?

  

  The Continental ContiSeal tire

  They've come a long way: technology has advanced safety measures in tires so that they can be driven for longer periods of time — even do things like seal holes.

  It's true, self-sealing tires do exist. The way a self-sealing tire works is that there is an extra layer beneath the tread that is covered with sealant. Anything that is 0.20 in. (5 millimeters) or smaller that happens to puncture these tires will be automatically sealed. Once the object is removed from the tire, the tread will also seal. You many not notice anything at all — which is why drivers with these kinds of tires should monitor them in case they've picked up an object.

  Goodyear, Uniroyal and Continental are a few brands that feature tires with this technology.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under drivers, News, Technology, Safety, Volkswagen, tires, sealing, self-sealing, CC, uniroyal, continental, Goodyear

• Airbags for your…knees?

  AshleyW on May 5, 2009

  Airbags have come a long way, and play a significant role in reducing injuries among occupants in vehicles. The knee airbag isn't a new idea but can be found standard in some vehicles — as opposed to the luxury option it used to be.

  Knee airbags aren't a new concept, but are popping up as standard safety features. The purpose of this airbag is to keep the driver from moving around during a collision. Sometimes, a driver may slide or move a certain way that can cause further injury. The knee airbag keeps an occupant in place and also reduces injuries that could occur above the knee.

  The coming-soon Volkswagen Golf GTi features a drivers side knee airbag for the first time. Some Toyota models, such as the Avalon, Camry, Venza and Highlander come equipped with driver's side knee airbags. The Audi TT has standard driver and passenger knee airbags.

  Other vehicles with knee airbags include.

  • Mitsubishi Lancer
  • Dodge Caliber
  • Dodge Caravan
  • Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  • Ford Fiesta
  • Lexus RX350

  Click through to see a video of a crash that activates the knee airbags.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Luxury, Lexus, safety, features, features, Mitsubishi, AMG, Technology, airbag, dodge, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Safety, Volkswagen, kids, knee, highlander, avalon, camry, venza, knee airbag, collision

• Feature: 6 great interior features

  AshleyW on April 19, 2009

  These days, automakers are adding more and more features to their products. Some make life a little easier, too. Here are my picks for some really cool interior features that you may not have known about.

  

  Click through to see what automakers have cookin'…

  Read full article | Comments (3) | Filed under GM, features, interior, convenience, features, Feature, Sedan, Truck, Toyota, Ford, Ford, Volvo, Volkswagen, lifestyle, family

• Feature: Best of the 2009 New York Auto Show

  AshleyW on April 10, 2009

  These cars from the 2009 New York Auto Show peaked my interest a lot! Take a look at what consumers can expect soon or in the near furture.

  

  There weren't just luxury cars in New York, like this Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid. Click through for more.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, New York, auto show, Industry, Future, SUV, Feature, Wagon, Concept, Mitsubishi, Crossover, Technology, Mercedes-Benz, Convertible, Coupe, Kia, Nissan, Kia, Volkswagen, Subaru, SUV

• Beat the recession #3: The Volkswagen Harlequin Golf

  Banovsky on March 20, 2009

  Ok, stay with me here… Volkswagen had a "Design" series of cars in the 90s in Europe. The Polo Design was just like the Golf you see here: bodypanels all painted different colours. Volkswagen of America thought it'd be cool to do the same with the Golf, and produced four Harlequin Golfs to tour the auto show circuit.

  

  It may look like a rattlecan spray paint job, the low number produced (at least 260, no more than 275) means this car is already a classic. [Credit: wikipedia.org]

  In all, they stopped at 264 Harlequins…or 275, depending on who you ask. While the original MSRP of $13,000 wasn't too much coin, not many people wanted to stand out, and a few of the last Harlequins were actually re-painted before final sale.

  How were they made? They were built as one solid colour (green, blue, yellow, or red), then technicians swapped fenders between cars, keeping colour symmetry on each side of the car. Click through for a short video on the car, and a link to the best Harlequin resource on the web.

  Read full article | Comments (1) | Filed under Hatchback, Classic, Feature, History, Misc, Volkswagen