Jerry Seinfeld working on a car show?

Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, Adam Carolla, Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld. These are just a few of the names of big time Hollywood car guys. Rumors are swirling that Jerry Seinfeld is working on a new show revolving around cars and some of his comedic friends. Details are scarce, but this photo of Seinfeld and Larry David with one of Jerry's cars, a vintage split window Volkswagen Beetle have started flying around the net. 

Volkswagen setting records again.

Volkswagen is no stranger to setting records. Be it sales volume records or having a car swim across the English channel or the Panama Canal. Here's a new world record notch for the belt. An American built 2012 Passat TDI has set the world record for longest distance on one tank of gas. The trip started by mileage guru's John and Helen Taylor left Houston, TX on May 3rd and arrived in Sterling, VA on May 5th. A typical three day trip, simulating a typical trip. The Passat was bone stock, and carried over 120 pounds of luggage and drove only during daylight hours. What was the world record distance? 1,626 miles beating the previous record of 1,526.6 set by a BlueMotion Passat in Europe. Over the course of the trip, the Taylor's averaged just over 84 miles per gallon. Who says you need a hybrid?

Source: Volkswagen of America

Press release:

05.08.2012

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SETS WORLD RECORD FOR LONGEST DISTANCE ON ONE TANK OF CLEAN DIESEL FUEL

Mileage experts John and Helen Taylor complete 1626-mile drive in Chattanooga-built Volkswagen Passat TDI®—without stopping for fuel!

• Record set using a stock 2012 Passat TDI SE with six-speed manual transmission
• Average of 84.1 miles per gallon during three-day trip
• Shows mileage benefits of VW Clean Diesel technology

Herndon, VA -  The world’s most fuel-efficient couple has done it again. John and Helen Taylor were determined to break the record for the farthest distance traveled on a single tank of fuel. They decided to attempt the record in the U.S. with a stock 2012 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI Clean Diesel vehicle equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. The previous record for the most miles covered on a single tank of diesel was 1526.6 miles, achieved with a VW Passat 1.6 BlueMotion® diesel in Europe.

The result? A new record of 1626.1 miles, achieved on one tank of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel under real world driving conditions. That’s an incredible 99.5 miles better than the old mark. Over the course of three days and driving through nine states, the couple averaged 84.1 miles per gallon, spending only 4.65 cents per mile. The three-day drive commenced on May 3, 2012 in Houston, TX and ended on May 5, 2012 in Sterling, Virginia. To make the drive as realistic as possible, the couple included 120 pounds of luggage and drove during daylight hours to experience normal traffic situations. Additionally, the couple took turns driving and didn’t travel more than 14 hours per day.

“We’re excited to have broken the record for the longest distance driven on one-tank of fuel,” said John Taylor. “The Passat TDI was the perfect car for the trip. It offers plenty of interior and cargo space, yet is frugal enough to help us achieve this record.”

The Passat’s 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel inline four-cylinder engine produces 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque and with a manual transmission delivers an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 43 mpg on the highway. The TDI engine is equipped with a Selective Catalytic Reduction System (SCR) that fulfills emissions requirements in all 50 states. The Passat—built at the world’s only LEED Platinum certified automotive factory in Chattanooga, TN—was named Motor Trend’s 2012 Car of the Year.

“The Passat was engineered and designed to be a comfortable yet fun to drive alternative in the midsize segment. The TDI Clean Diesel version unites driving dynamics and fuel efficiency that isn’t found in the competitive set,” said Rainer Michel, Vice President of Product Strategy, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We’re honored that the Taylors chose the 2012 Passat TDI as the vehicle to set this outstanding distance record. Their record shows just how economical the Passat TDI can be in the right hands.”

Prior to the drive, the speedometer and odometer were calibrated by a state certified testing station in Houston, Texas. Law enforcement officers from the city of Houston, Texas oversaw validation of mileage, fuel fill-up, and gas tank sealing at the beginning of the drive. A Loudoun County, Virginia Sheriff’s Deputy verified completion of the drive and mileage prior to removing the fuel tank seal.

The Taylors have made a career out of driving efficiently and conducting workshops globally on fuel-efficient driving techniques. They have collected more than 90 world fuel economy and vehicle-related records from drives around the globe.

2013 Volkswagen Lavida Review

The 2013 Volkswagen Lavida has quickly taken charge in the A-class car market. Cumulative sales volume of the Lavida topped 700,000 units in January 2012. After four years, the New Lavida is making its appearance as a new member of the VW Lavida family. The face of the New Lavida has clean styling, and its body lines are sharp. Its overall styling fully embodies powerful, contemporary and sporty design principles.

The Volkswagen Lavida is offered in three engine versions and four equipment lines. The base version already comes equipped with such standard safety features as ABS, ESP and front airbags. The VW Lavida is systematically designed to meet the needs of Chinese consumers, and it brings together the most advanced technologies, a timeless design, a good amount of space and the high manufacturing quality and excellent price-to-performance ratio that people have come to know from Volkswagen, The New Lavida, like the previous model, is designed to extend its position at the top of the highest volume segment of the Chinese market - the hard-fought A-segment - and to further solidify Volkswagen's successful position there.

2014 Volkswagen Golf Blue E-Motion Review

Volkswagen is one of the manufacturers are developing electric cars  VW Golf Blue E-Motion, followed by Nissan and Chevrolet.

As CNET's review of VW Golf Blue E-Motion equipped with lithium-ion battery with a 26.5 kilowatt-hours of power. It is estimated, with a capacity of battery charge, the car can drive up to 93 miles or so, or about 150 km. From the test results conducted CNET drive, the VW Golf Blue E-Motionfeels lighter than its competitors, Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt.

VW-powered electric motor to install the maximum 85 kW (power constant struggle to 50 kW) in charge of moving the two front wheels. Like other electric cars, Golf Blue Motion E-spewing big torque, 270 Nm.

The Volkswagen Golf Blue E-Motion has three driving modes to allow owners to customize their driving experience. One of these modes enhances comfort, another optimizes range, and the third mode maximizes the car's dynamics. The car also allows the driver to pre-set the braking energy recovery strategy via a gearshift attached to the steering wheel.

Volkswagen will test further for Golf Blue E-Motion and planned, and began tomass production in late 2014.

2012 ABT Volkswagen Up Review

Volkswagen Up is a forthcoming version of VW in India. German rooted, one of the globally popular car makers Volkswagen is setting up to launch VW Up in the beginning of 2012. It was first unleashed at Frankfurt Motor Auto Showcase, which was held in 2007. It is a tiny car which is ready to debut; it is particularly made for Indian small families with an astonishing price. The price tag of this car will falls at 3-5 lakhs in domestic market, so it will be a least-priced car in the Volkswagen wing. Volkswagen Up, Skoda India will decide the future of the Citigo in India.

Exterior

The fact that the engine of the up! runs in the rear has a decisive inf luence on its exterior design. That is because the up! has no classic radiator grille. It forges links to the Beetle. This fact alone gives it a great deal of independence. Dominant design characteristics are the headlamps that take an inward and diagonal line, between them the horizontally arranged air vents, the VW logo (as one of the few details kept in chrome), the tailgate that extends far forward and the smooth bumper with a circumferential black stripe as a detail of the “happy face” that is typical of Volkswagen.

Interior

Mounting the engine in the rear opened up entirely new interior concepts. Relative to its exterior size, the space offering is exceptionally forward-thinking. The same is true of its variability: Except for the driver’s seat, all other seats can be folded and removed. Since they are designed as light shells, they can be quickly stowed in one of the cargo areas – besides the front trunk there is also one in the rear – to free up space. Afterwards, the entire passenger compartment length can be utilized as a storage area for especially bulky objects.

TheVolkswagen Up engine

VW plans to offer a choice of three different three-cylinder engines for its NSF models. It is not quite clear whether there will be a bespoke 1.0-litre unit or whether the Up will adopt the existing 1.2-litre 16-valve version from current small VWs.

In either case, the maximum power output is 60bhp and top torque 80lb ft. Next rung up the pecking order is a turbocharged edition rated at 86bhp and 120lb ft. The only diesel earmarked for the new small VW is a 1.2-litre common-rail engine which develops 75bhp and 135lb ft.

A five-speed manual is standard on the production Up, but the stronger petrol unit can alternatively be combined with a dual-clutch gearbox. Target fuel consumption figures are 65.8mpg for the petrol-engined model (95g/km of CO2) and 94.7mpg for the TDI (75g/km).

2012 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack

The Volkswagen Passat Alltrack is offered in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (4MOTION) and has an off-road mode. However, in both cases the vehicle is designed to tow large trailer loads and drive through extremely rough terrain. That is why torque-strong turbocharged engines are used exclusively in the latest Volkswagen – two petrol (TSI) and two diesel (TDI) engines. Volkswagen is now getting in on the action with this, the 2012 Passat Alltrack – a more capable version of the Passat Estate that isn't offered Stateside. 

140 to 210 PS. The two petrol engines of the Volkswagen produce 118 kW / 160 PS (1.8 litre displacement) and 155 kW / 210 PS (2.0 litre displacement); the two turbodiesels, each with 2.0 litre displacement, produce 103 kW / 140 PS and 125 kW / 170 PS. Both TDIs are delivered as BlueMotion Technology versions (BMT) as standard – i.e. with Stop/Start system and battery regeneration mode for recovering braking energy. The models with a petrol engine also have a battery regeneration mode.

170 and 210 PS versions have 4MOTION as standard. The most powerful Alltrack versions, the 170 PS TDI and the 210 PS TSI, are always equipped with permanent all-wheel drive (4MOTION) and a dual clutch gearbox (DSG). For the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack with 140 PS (TDI), Volkswagen offers all-wheel drive as an option. The VW Passat Alltrack – like all other Passats – is built in the Volkswagen factory in the north German city of Emden.

Under six litres fuel per 100 km. Just how efficiently the VW Passat Alltrack engines work together with the intelligently controlled 4MOTION all-wheel drive is illustrated by the two TDIs: the 140 PS version’s combined fuel consumption is a low 5.7 l/100 km (equivalent to 150 g/km CO2), while the 170 PS version attains a value of 5.9 l/100 km (155 g/km CO2). And yet, the petrol engines – which like the diesels are equipped with direct fuel injection – are equally efficient engines. The combined fuel consumption of the 160 PS TSI is 7.7 l/100 km, while the 210 PS TSI attains 8.5 l/100 km.

Driving America: Love Bug

I was honored to recently have a story published by The Henry Ford museum in Dearborn Michigan honoring car fans and their memories of their first car. The stories are being collected as part of their "Driving America" exhibit. My story is not unlike millions of others memories of their first car. But few can say that they still have their first car. Not only do I still have my 1972 Super Beetle that was purchased in 1992, I also still have my first new car. A 1999 VW New Beetle. Please read my story here. Driving America. Leave some feed back here. Let me know about your first car memories.

Source: the author, The Henry Ford

Picks from the Pittsburgh World of Wheels: Round 2

Fritz Holzer from RPM Hot Rods showed his 1954 GMC pickup which made its debut at the show. It's refreshing to see a GMC as opposed to the more common Chevrolet trucks of this vintage. This truck oozes cool.

Your fearless editor, Albert Heiles showed his 1959 VW Herbie the Love Bug. A rarity at any show, this car is car number 6 and was used in the filming of The Love Bug and its sequel Herbie Rides Again.

No ISCA show is complete without at least one 1970s show car. This big block 1968 Corvette is a former championship winning car from 1972. Aside from one repaint a few years ago, this car is exactly how it was built. Complete with the fat McCreary tires, black and white Sony TV, and the wild flip nose front end. This one was originally built by show car builder Jerry Roman. 

Volkswagen Golf R32 Review

Volkswagen R32 has been introduced to the market in the year 2010. Initially it was only launched in Germany. Later the company started the manufacture of the particular model in various parts of the world.

The Volkswagen R32 car has got all the necessary features that a perfect hatch back must have and an individual can get this particular within a very affordable price. During the time launch the car was huge success. The features which made the perfection of the Volkswagen R32 so accurate are because of the combination of power, style and handling. Power comes from a 3.2-litre V6 that drives all four wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox or the company’s DSG double-clutch automated manual.

Big 18-inch wheels, beefier brakes and a stack of toys (from climate control, cruise, trip computer and six-stack CD player to the bi-xenon headlights, nicely grippy leather heated sports seats and supremely cool square-bottomed leather steering wheel) complete the picture.

Volkswagen R32 has got an excellent interior feature. Lots of inner space is given in the particular model. In the rear seat 3 adult people can fit easily. The car has also got enough leg space. The car is available in almost all types of metallic colors. The popular colors of the particular Volkswagen R32 model are white, red, black and blue. If an individual is looking for a good hatch back car then, this particular model is ideal for him or her.

VOLKSWAGEN R32 SPECIFICATIONS

Price	- $56,490 (man) and $58,790 (auto), plus options      and on-road costs.
Warranty	- 3 years/100,000 km.
Engine Size/Type	- 3.2-litre, double overhead cam, 24-valve V6.
Power	- 184 kW at 6300 rpm
Torque	- 320 Nm at 2500 rpm.
Transmission/Driven Wheels	- Six-speed manual or six-speed double-clutch automatic, all-wheel-drive.
Turning Circle	- 10.9 m. 2.6 turns lock to lock.
Kerb Weight	- 1510 kg.
Fuel Consumption	- 9.8 L/100km (auto), PULP.
Fuel Tank Size	- 60 litres.
Insurance	- Premium $767 (RACV wholly owned, driver 40-plus, rating one, medium-risk suburb, $450 excess).
Steering	- Rack and pinion.
Suspension	- Independent front and rear.
Wheels/Tyres	- Alloy, 18 x 7.5-inch. Tyres Dunlop SP Sport Maxx, 225/40. Space-saver spare.
Dimensions	- Length: 4246 mm. Width: 1759 mm. Height: 1465 mm. Wheelbase: 2578 mm.
Brakes	- Ventilated discs (f); ventilated discs (r), ABS with EBD and BA.

Scottsdale 2012: Update on Herbie

The hammer has just fallen on Herbie at the Gooding & Company auction in Scottsdale. I've been patiently awaiting this one. Bidding started slow at $30,000. and slowly crept up, struggling to get to $50,000 before bidding finally ended at $60,000. As a fellow owner of one of these cars, I would have liked to hear a little better description of the car at the start as there was no mention that the car was in fact a true movie car on the block, but I guess I can't fault them. I thought the auction estimate of $75,000 to $125,000 was optimistic, but I felt it was a realistic price of what the remaining Herbie cars were worth. I think what may have held this car back was the lack of a Disney pink slip. Had that been present, this may have shot bidding through the roof. But that being said, this car came from some very prestigious collections. There are also not many that are as untouched and original as this car, and one would have to remember that when purchasing a car like this. They weren't built to be show pieces, they just had to show up good on film. I'm certain that the new owner will be extremely happy with his purchase, and of course the value can only go up from here.

Volkswagen Scirocco Photos Review

The Volkswagen Scirocco is quickly becoming a modern classic, so we felt it prudent to launch and then advertise a range of new car covers that should prove to be an excellent fit for this vehicle. The modern Volkswagen Scirocco is a re-interpretation of a vintage model, effectively it is a mark III compared to the 1982 - 1992 mark II and 1974 - 1982 mark I. Because of this it had a legacy to live up to, and you can only imagine how nervous the engineers and designers at VW must have been before releasing their new vehicle to the public.

Apart from a few hardy examples the Scirocco has all but disappeared from our roads and we’ve had to wait a good long while for the third generation, but it was worth it. The new car is not just a regurgitated name - the new Scirocco takes all the elements that made the original so much fun and brings it right up to date. So much so that the company proclaims that it is “the most dynamic and technically advanced production coupe Volkswagen has ever built” Even though there was a Polo Coupe and we now have the Eos, VW is not noted for making coupes, W12 Coupe, “Project D1” aside, but I’m not going to disagree

Orangewheels can offer you the widest selection of discounts on every possible version of the new VW Scirocco For Sale in the UK, from the standard car to the top spec GT, petrol or diesel and even the highest spec R version. Whichever model you require we can find you the best deals and offers, just give us a call for a chat.

Scottsdale 2012: The most famous car in the world. Herbie

There's a lot of top movie and TV car lists. And Herbie the Love Bug is always on that list. Some say that the Batmobile or James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 are number one and the most famous. But I think truly the number one is none other than Herbie. I mean what other TV or movie car could so many people relate to or see on a daily basis than a VW Beetle? And 9 times out of 10, any one who sees one says "Look, there's Herbie!" Well, now is your chance to own Herbie. This weekend at the Gooding & Company auction in Scottsdale. One of the original Herbie movie cars (not mine) will be up for grabs. What's remarkable is this car, with the exception of some very minor re freshening is still how it looked when it was in Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo over 30 years ago. These are the same seats that Dean Jones and Don Knotts sat on folks. This car is a 1963 model sunroof sedan and is labeled as car #2.

What is known about the car is it was set up for much of the high speed action for the movie with the engine and performance modifications being completed by Speed Unlimited Manufacturing in California. Rather than the typical 1200 cc. engine that would be found in a stock 63 Beetle,  1600 cc. blocks upped to 1835 cc. engines were built. After that extensive suspension & trans axel modifications were completed and the 14x6 wide wheels were installed. Car #2 now carries a 1740 cc. engine that now produces 60 hp.

Top side, the VW pearl white paint applied by Disney is mostly all original as are the painted on stripes. the 53 graphics have been touched up in a few spots, but are for the most part original. On the interior, again we find the original one off custom front seats that were unique to the later Herbies and the dull gray painted interior. This was done by Disney to reduce camera glare on interior shots. Below the rear window, there is a slot that has been cut out that once held an external oil cooler for the original engine. This car was also set up with one of the typical Herbie gags. Both front doors have extended hinges that are/were attached to release levers under the car that would make the doors spring open by themselves. This gag can be seen in Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo with Don Knotts attempting to get in an angry Herbie and having no success until he apologizes.

The only real pieces on this car that are correct, but not the original parts on it from the film are the wheels, radio antenna, and the Carello fog light. The only piece missing is the dummy external gas cap that was an integral part of the plot of the movie. But those are all very minor items when compared to the cars originality.

This car also carries a strong history with it too. Aside from being owned by Disney. Car #2 was also part of the MovieWorld Cars of the Stars Museum and the famous Harrah's Collection before being sold to a few other small museums before ending up with VW specialist Daryl Adams. He sold the car to a private collector in the early 1990s, who had kept the car private before listing it with Gooding & Co. I am hopeful that the new owner will enjoy the car and share it with the world.

Gooding & Co. estimates the value between $75,000 and $125,000 and Herbie will be sold without reserve.

Source & Photos: Gooding & Co.

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix raises $200,000 for charity

Being a Pittsburgh based car guy and racing fan. I brag about the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix throughout the year. Not only do I show cars and participate in the events, but I also serve as a member of the Car Show Committee. Be it the car shows, the races, the fun of enjoying a nice weekend in the park, what ever fits your fancy, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix has a little bit of everything. The best though is that ALL proceeds from the PVGP events benefit two awesome charities, the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny Valley School. This year, the PVGP set a new record, donating $200,000 to both charities at the recent "Victory Lap" check presentation ceremony. Representatives from the PVGP, event sponsors, car manufacturers, and participating car clubs were on hand at the Allegheny Valley School's campus for tours, a checkered flag waving and Terrible Towel wave (Myron Cope, inventor of the Terrible Towel sat on the board of AVS and the PVGP, and sales benefit AVS also). Each charity will benefit equally, receiving $100,000 each. This money will be used to provide residential care, treatment and support for developmentally disabled individuals in the Pittsburgh area.

Since 1983, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix has raised over $2.95 million dollars for both charities, with no signs of stopping.

For more information on how you can donate to the PVGP, volunteer or find out about the 2012 event, please visit http://www.pittsburghvintagegrandprix.com

Charity Ambassadors representing each charity;  Anita Iyengar -Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Brandon Fisher - Allegheny Valley School were on hand to receive the $200,000 check. 

left to right: PVGP Showside Director Bob Speer, Shop 'n Save's Rich Haeflein, Autism Society's Dan Torisky and PVGP Race Director Rocky Farrar with the 2011 check for $200,000.

Driven: 2012 VW Beetle Turbo

It's finally here. The long awaited replacement for the Volkswagen New Beetle is finally hitting dealer lots. And we had the chance to drive one. Our test car was a candy white Launch Edition Turbo. Having driven and owned many of the outgoing New Beetles since 1998, the new 2012 edition is a welcome addition to the VW family. Many of the New Beetle's downfalls have been addressed including size, handling and power.

First thing you notice is the size difference. At first glance, it doesn't appear to be much larger, but the more you look at it, the more apparent it becomes that this isn't the small Beetle of old. You are also drawn to the elongated hood that more closely resembles the original Beetle. One styling cue I am still trying to adjust to, is the squared off front bumper that is part of VW's new design DNA. It just doesn't scream Beetle when you look at it. But who am I to argue? Moving to the side we find one of the best styling cues adapted to the Beetle yet, pillarless doors. They really suit the Beetle's design. The roof, much lower and elongated also carreis a few styling cues from the Beetle of the 1970s. An interesting styling touch is the partial roof panel attached tot the rear hatch. This adds the extra rear seat headroom. Out side, it also carries the roof mounted antenna, carried over from the previous New Beetle. The tail end of the car we find some great styling features. A true dual exhaust system with polished tips. Large, while not round tail lamps do have a few design cues from the past as well. Another nice touch is the addition of the VW emblem/trunk release seen on some other VWs, but never adapted to the previous car. This is a much welcome addition.

Our test car was also equipped with the optional 19 inch wheels wrapped in Continental ContiPro Contacts and the Turbos featured red brake calipers. 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS on all 4 corners. Unlike the previous New Beetle, the 2012 features a new fully independent 4 link rear suspension and a MacPhearson Strut front suspension. A Sport suspension package will be available as an option. The turbo is equipped with a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder that has 200 horse power. Our test car came equipped with the optional 6 speed DSG automatic.

Moving to the interior, you are greeted by deep bolstered sport seats that come standard on the Turbo. The fit and finish of the interior is top notch compared to the VWs of old. I was surprised to find hard surfaces for th top of the dash, but the quality of the materials used are excellent. The new dash layout is excellent, a really nice feature is the body colored door, dash and steering wheel accents that really give the interior some splash. Storage is one thing there is no lack of in the Beetle. My particular favorite storage spot is the "KaferFach" glovebox. It captures the style of the original Beetles dash perfectly. The driving position is suited perfectly as one would expect from a car as sporty as the Beetle. And the flat bottomed steering wheel is an interesting touch. The rear seating area is greatly improved also, additional head and leg room is a big plus, as is the new 50/50 split rear seat vs. the New Beetles solid rear seat back. The trunk area is almost doubled in size. The lower edge of the trunk opening is almost flush with the trunk floor making loading and unloading easier. The rear cargo shelf attaches with string to the rear hatch to lift automatically just as in the Golf/GTIs. Under the trunk floor hides a full size 16 inch spare tire and a full tool kit. Of the entire interior, the only creature comfort missing that I would have liked to see was the addition of a center armrest. Outside of that there were very few.

The driving characteristics are very Volkswagen. Its fun to drive and packs plenty of power and handles like a go cart. We put it through its paces on some twisty roads and were very impressed with the cars characteristics. It stays planted on the road with only a tad of over steer. Performance was brisk in both full automatic and in manual shift modes. There is minor road noise with the windows up thanks to the larger wheels and low profile 235/40R19 Continentals. Cruising around, we managed 23 miles per gallon. While VW rates the 2.0T at 22 City, 30 Highway. In summary, I was very pleased with the new 2012 VW Beetle.

A special thank you goes out to Billco Volkswagen for letting us use of their car for this review.