And while the audio system’s 6.5 inch HD touch sensitive display, iPod connectivity and 30 gig hard drive make me feel a bit better, the Tiguan’s starting price of $23,200 still makes it the most expensive of its notable competition, the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V (priced at $21,250 and $20,700 respectively). Sigh.

Still, the Tiguan looks like it’s going to be a great addition to the VW family. For even more info, head over to VW’s site or read the review at Leftlane.

This one and a half page “review” fails to mention the Phaeton until the second page. I’d drop you all some quotes to whet your appetite, but I honestly don’t know where to start. I personally feel that the car deserves negative press, but not as the spearhead of an anti speeding/reckless driving rant.

Jeremy Clarkson, I’m sure you’re a fine journalist. just separate the material a little bit huh?

via Volkswagen Photography.

But, I hadn’t settled on my final verdict. I’d seen every color but black magic, which is my favorite. So I continued to hold my breath and my judgment until I’d seen ‘em all. But, with each candy white GTI that passed by, my hopes of digging the new pocket rocket dimmed.

Just when I had given up, I finally spotted the fabled black magic Mark V GTI on the way into one of my favorite haunts in town (if you’re ever in Cincinnati you HAVE to hit it up. Make sure you take a tug on a Lebanese water pipe too. Just ask Tekmassa, he’ll tell ya). All shiny and new, I immediately fell for it. All my fears where erased. The wheels fit perfectly (which was a bit odd since wheels on black car tend to look smaller to me), it felt sturdy, looked German and very distinctive. I peered into it and felt tingles as I took in the interior of solid, black leather. I breathed it in and sized it up. Slowly walking to the front, I got another rush from the red trim running across the bottom of the grille, which I am fully convinced was included for the black magic models. I finally exhaled, and came to my conclusion: It’s FREAKIN’ HOT!

I was finally shaken from my trance by my friends’ laughter (not from VB, these where Ford people) and entered the establishment, but never broke my gaze from the black beauty.

Part of me wishes that I hadn’t seen it, cause now I want it. I’m still indifferent to the other colors, but the black really suits it. If you’re looking for a ride and hitting up VW dealers, do me a favor and take one for a spin!

* From LeftLaneNews.com:
We haven’t heard too much about the 2008 Volkswagen Scirocco lately, but Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport has just published a new artist’s rendering of the yet-to-be-announced car. While AutoCar, AutoBild and others have forecasted a Scirocco with a low, sloping roof and coupe-like profile, AMS is calling for something quite different. The image shows a vehicle with a hatch-like shape, similar to the original Scirocco and Corrado models. We’re not sure who to believe, but time will tell. So far, VW has only committed to a “2+2 sport coupe that hearkens to the heyday of the Scirocco.”

* From Dax:
While I am more enchanted by the ol’ Corrado over the Scirocco model, bringing back the Scirocco in new clothes is a great idea for VW. It will be built on the new Golf platform, and carry a supercharged 1.4l engine pushing 170hp. Sounds a little weak, doesn’t it? Hmm, oh well. I’m sure other options will be available. Pricing should place it between the new VW Golf and the upcoming VW Eos.

Volkswagen however has yet to confirm that they will build it. They also may not use the classic name, Scirocco. Rivo has been thrown around as a new name in the rumor mill.

* From Autoweek.com:
“There are probably three real players at this point,” Eric Ridenour, Chrysler group COO, told Automotive News in an interview last Tuesday, May 2. The Hornet concept vehicle was revealed at the Geneva Auto Show in March, and will be released in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere as a 5-door hatchback. Chrysler is aiming for a lower price point than the upcoming Dodge Caliber, which will go on sale at $13,985.

* From Dax:
Sounds like an interesting partnership indeed if Volkswagen gets selected to do the deed. I see three things that will be impacted in this partnership:

1. Build Quality: Between Dodge and Volkswagen, I truly don’t know which has the better build quality. Well, I guess I am thinking of the MkIV Volkswagen generation. While I love them to death, they had their fair share of build quality problems: window regulators, coil packs, oil sludging, heated seat problems, random electrical gremlins. The newest generations are proving to be far better. That’s a good thing. I haven’t been inside any of the new Dodges, so I can’t comment on them. But history tells the tale of quality problems for Dodge as well. Bottom Line: This partnership should turn out a well-built vehicle.

2. Price Point: Chrysler has a specific price in mind that they’re shooting for. I wonder if partnering with VW would make it more difficult to hit that price since VW is known to charge premium pricing over similar models. Bottom Line: If Chrysler hits the price point, will the venture still be profitable?

3. Reputation: This one could be a sticky one. Will a Volkswagen/Chrysler partnership bode ill for the masses? I’m sure it’ll cause some diehard fans from both manufacturer camps to bawk. Bottom Line: Could it leave a lasting impression on both? Will it be a positive or negative one?

What do you think?

LeftLaneNews.com just posted that Volkswagen might be getting cold feet with the GX3. UGH!!! C’mon VW. Don’t fear to break the mold, be different, go out on a limb, take a chance, insert other quaint quote here.

Volkswagen states that they are considering a sub-brand to sell the GX3, prompted by concerns over safety, handling and public reaction to the concept. Hmm. To me, the concerns don’t necessarily warrant VW’s hesitation. They can address safety. From the initial specs it already looks to live up to current standards. And about handling. Why are they concerned about handling? You have a 3-wheel, what is essentially a motorcycle, with a 1.6l engine strapped to the back. And public reaction, from what I can see of others’ reactions to the concept, is overall good.

Maybe I’m just blinded by love. Will you at least make one for me, VW?

Designers generally follow a strict process, working from general ideas down to the minute details. They spend many (often sleepless) hours researching, writing, planning and sketching to reach a refined conclusion – one that answers all the questions and fills in all the holes.

Take the Concept R. It started out as a simple sketch, scrawled out on a scrap of paper:

Tighter illustrations followed, further elaborating on the shapes and lines that make the Concept R unique:

Ink and watercolor paint are applied to flesh out more of the specific details:

And finally the finished piece:

Check out all the concept pics here.

Process is key in design, and can differentiate the strong products from the weak very quickly. The next time you climb into your dub, just remember that it too was once an insignificant doodle on the edge of someone’s scrap paper.

The new package will be available as an option for $4,500 (Yikes! o_0 ). That does include paint and installation however, as far as I know. Customers will also be able to purchase the individual parts at Volkswagen dealerships. That’s great for the do-it-yourselfers and the tuning market, or if you happen to only want to replace your stock grill with the fancy new one. Sorry, I don’t have individual parts pricing at this time.

I’m still on the fence about whether I like the styling or not. Parts of it are “over-the-top” for my tastes, and quite frankly I don’t think it fits the Passat’s general aesthetic: high class. The various vents in the side panels rear bumper sides and the gaping ones on the frontend are a little too youthful, if you can describe them that way. I would have liked to see a bit more restraint with those. Some of these kits nowadays, and you know the kind, just look absolutely hideous because they don’t fit the original design AT ALL. I.E. Flagrant wings and bulges on smooth body panels. The kit needs to enhance the original aesthetic of the car, not detract.

The price point is a bit on the high end being around $1,000 or so more than the Audi A4’s S-line package. Buuuut, Passat buyers may not bawk so much at it. They may or may not already be used to a premium price point for accessories and such.

Well, do you like it?

Gypsy handles more than you could ever want from an onboard computer including ipod & itunes integration, email and even connection to your home appliances. The interface is all driven through an intuitive touch screen that responds quickly to your commands.

I’m mostly geeked about the ipod dock, which rests just above the screen and obscures at least 80% of your ipod nano (not sure how things would work for folks with full sized models, to say nothing about those who still rock out on their 3rd generation ipods) no longer making it’s presence an obstruction. The system pulls in all your playlists as well.

Then again, as someone in our office pointed out, people have a hard enough time driving with cell phones. I can’t imagine how they’d handle having an elaborate touch screen computer to play with/show off. I guess time will tell.

When the wheels and body panels are lined up as closely as possible, it creates cleaner lines on the vehicle and gives it a stable, sporty flair. That’s what I love about German automotive design. You don’t typically find the Wide-Hip Syndrome on these babies. Clean, minimalistic, Bauhaus. The wheel and body meet together in perfect harmony.

For example:

See the difference? The Toyota Solara’s sides are widest around the upper tip of its rear bumper, and then the line swings inward as you follow it down to the wheels. The Volkswagen Jetta is just about widest at the wheels, and then slants inward as the line flows upwards. Notice how the Volkswagen looks more solid, stable and athletic versus the Toyota. It’s subtleties such as these that make or break a car’s overall design appeal.

Is your car fighting the battle of the bulge?