“Dubspace is an online community of car-enthusiasts with modifications, show cars/trucks, and pictures to tell a story. Also: motorcycles, SUVs, ATVs, and boats/watercraft.”

So as long as my wifey doesn’t have to go anywhere today, and we’re hoping she doesn’t, I took the ol’ Jetta out to make the hike down the I-71 corridor. The little guy did excellent with the stock tires in both higher speed and slow bumper to bumper.

So here’s to hoping everyone in this storm is safe out there. Take it easy, be gentle on the brakes, and respect your fellow driver out there. Everyone wants to make it to their destination in one piece!

Verdier claims to have a manufacturer lined up (take a friggin’ hint VW!) and hopes to have prototypes on the road this summer. if you’ve got a spare $129,000 laying around I suggest you pick one up and take your friends at VB for a ride. :)

Head on over to Wired for more info & pics. Then head to any VW based site and start ranting about how VW isn’t the one making it.

While Brazil is out of our normal jurisdiction, I just had to share this. Enjoy!

So anytime I run across an iPhone optimized site, I squeal in delight and clap like a little schoolgirl. So recently when I was on the run and attempting to call various dealers for a quote on some work for my wife’s Jetta (which has brought me a little pain recently) I was thrilled to see that VW had a mobile version of the site just for me. On the homepage there are three buttons for “Our Cars”, “Find A Dealer” and “Assistance” (which is really awesome).

Within a few taps I had numbers for all of the local dealers, and used my spare time to check out the Rabbit’s gallery. The experience is great, and gives me all the information I’d want on my phone. To check it out just go to vw.com on your iPhone…or you can click here to check it out in your browser.

With all this creativity swirling around, I began to think of a way to participate and after wasting a lot of time I finally decided on:

The Dubber’s Calling Card

With the popularity of Profile Cards (cards with your facebook or myspace info on them) starting to pick up, I wanted to have something specifically for us. Yes, we may facebook or myspace but we also post up at forums where our profile picture, 9 times out of 10, isn’t of our face and our screen names, however hilarious or cool, aren’t our real names. That can make things inconvenient when meeting in person. I know when I go to my chapter’s weekly meet there’s always a new guy shaking hands trying to explain which guy he is online. Now I know you’re thinking that with a small group it’s no big deal. You’d be right, but what about WaterFest or FixxFest or EuroTreffen…or any show with scores or cars and potential new best friends?

Enter the useful properties of the Card!

The back of the card is fully customizable online. Enter your screen name, real name (if you choose) and any other info you want on there, like email addresses or other forums you can be found on. There is even space to add a picture of your car or yourself. With your new cards you can attend a big meet and introduce yourself to other Dubber’s with this skinny (only 1”X 3”) ID tag.

Or you can print them blank to get the names of other, less prepared enthusiasts, maybe even a few phone numbers…hey, you never know.

Networking at a big event has never been so easy, or stylish I might add. Lots of designs to choose from or even create your own! The cards start at just $6.95, and will probably be the least you’ve spent on a VW related mod this year.

Check them out at: http://www.zazzle.com/kiiro_hime

Learn more about this little guy on Flickr, and here are a couple more to enjoy.

Final Trip Statistics:

- Overall 58.82 US MPG
- 70.64 Imperial MPG
- 3.99 L/100 KM
- 11.04 Tanks of Shell Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel
- Costing $US 653.06
- Average 853 Miles per Tank (1,373 Km’s per Tank)
- $US 00.069 cents per mile
- 9,419 Miles driven

Learn more about their fuel-saving efforts at the following links:

- FUELAcademy
- Official Facebook Page

Volkswagen is looking for some feedback on the idea of offering a diesel hot hatch model in the U.S. market. Essentially this would have most of the GTI performance goodies (brakes, suspension, better wheels and tires, etc., etc.) but powered by a diesel powerplant – think of it as a green performance hatch. No promises of course, but they are interested in feedback.

This is your chance to tell VW what you want. Personally, I love the idea. The poll is being run in the forums, and requires a vortex account to vote (don’t sweat it – the account is free). If you haven’t visited the vortex forums, I highly suggest you do – even if you consider yourself a mild enthusiast.

We want to take this opportunity to thank all you loyal VB readers out there. Without you guys, none of this would be possible. Thanks so much for reading! We’re constantly working to bring you a better VB, so if you have any suggestions, please feel free to sound off in the comments.

Thanks again – we’re looking forward to another 200,000 visitors!!!

GTI Contents include:

1. One entertainment unit consisting of 5 or so large boxes, rails for sliding doors
2. Coffee table – one large box
3. New hedge trimmer
4. Dewalt drill and case
5. Laundry drying rack
6. One 6′ 3″ husband
7. One 5′ 3″ wife

IKEA Livingroom In-Progress:

“The people” even get to submit their own poll questions, though most aren’t necessarily automotive-related. We get to answer esoteric things like “Free candy and endless sunshine” or “To save mankind from mankind.”

I’ve got one or two. How about “longer warranties with free maintenance” or “vehicles that have some semblance of quality standards.” Ohhh, BUURRRRNNNNN! Did I get too personal there? :P

As well as submitting your own poll question, you can also purchase a t-shirt to sport your favorite question.

It’s just another viral marketing gimmick to drive “the people” towards the Volkswagen brand, and position VW as really caring about “what the people want.” I’m sure they do on a certain corporate level. On the positive side, it does place them more squarely where they should be in pop culture instead of trying to move the brand “upscale.” Turned-up noses and label mongers look elsewhere.

Now VW just needs to get wise to just how much Americans would love to have the Scirocco over here everything will be swell.