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!

From reader Mitch Petty…

 For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Mitch Petty, I am the founder of Punch Buggy 4 SickKids. Punch Buggy 4 SickKids is a ‘Feel Good’ charity that taps into the enthusiasm and generosity of people like you who love the Volkswagen Beetle to raise money for Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children – SickKids! Each year we invite Volkswagen Beetle & Bus owners from all over Canada bring their Bugs & Busses into Toronto to raise money and show their support for SickKids. We call this gathering the Punch Buggy 4 SickKids Toronto Volkswagen Beetle Invasion! This year our show will take place at Yonge & Dundas Square on May 23, 2009. We are very excited about this year’s event as Yonge and Dundas Square is one of the most prestigious event locations in Toronto!

Each year our goal is to fill the streets of Toronto with the distinct sights and sounds of Volkswagen Beetles strutting their stuff for a good cause. The rare spectacle of so many Volkswagen Beetles generates an enormous amount of visibility and interest for our event. The attention these classic cars get is unbelievable! TV, Radio, and News Papers cannot resist this ‘feel good’ story. Last year our event got overwhelming media attention and was covered by EZ Rock, CityTV, CP24, and CTV!

Last year we were able to raise over $12,000 for SickKids and we are doing it again this year and are hoping to raise $20,000!

Please mark MAY 23, 2009 on your calendars and start raising money! Don’t miss this one – it is going to be a VERY fun day!

 We will have food and LIVE MUSIC all day and the Main Stage! Your cars will have a VIP parking space at the front door of Toronto’s Eaton Center within a stones throw of movie theaters, restaurants, and shopping! We will also be holding a ‘Silent Auction’ of donated goodies!

Start Raising money NOW and become the 2009 Punch Buggy 4 SickKids Champion! The owners of the car (or bus) that raises the most money will become  the 2009 Punch Buggy 4 SickKids Champion! This years champion will get a  Trophy, and will be showered with great prises (to be determined!)

 If you know of anyone who would be interested in becoming a ‘Corporate Sponsor’ please let me know and I will send them a proposal. If they  become a sponsor, we will count their sponsorship money towards your total!

 For more information check out punchbuggy4sickkids.com or join our Facebook group Punch Buggy for SickKids.

 Please feel free to contact me with any questions!

 Best Regards,

 Mitch Petty
 Punch Buggy 4 SickKids

Life: I’m the guy voted “Most likely to have a non-functioning aircoooled Volkswagen parked in his driveway”. If I had a bigger garage, I’d probably just fill it with more old VWs!

Julia and I own a 1978 Westfalia Campmobile (named Buddy), which we’ve taken from coast to coast; a 1977 Westfalia, which supplies parts for the former; a 1968 Karmann Ghia Convertible (named Karmella), which doesn’t get much use because it won’t fit a baby seat; and a 1970 Transporter Deluxe, which is being restored as the “company bus”.— you can check in on its project site to see how the restoration is going.

I blog mainly about VW Bus’s and music on the Busman Chronicles.

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

Tucked back into a dark corner of the Cincinnati Convention Center, VW didn’t even have a new R32 or Tiguan with them. How about bringing along the Routan? Nope, nothing. The only model of note was the new Jetta Sportwagen, which was looking pretty good. Others included a couple Beetles, Jetta, Touareg 2 (that was nice), Rabbit, Eos, and GTI. Oh yeah, they also had this little GTI video game unit sitting there to attract all you twenty-something gamers out there looking to snag a GTI, right? Right?

Anywho, it was still fun to get out there and see all the offerings in the automotive world. After breezing through the scant Volkswagen offering, we ventured through the rest of the show. Most drooling occurred over the star of the show, the Dodge Challenger concept (one piece of that eye candy below).

* Photos courtesy Kasey Marcum and Tim Mixell

Ok ok, they did put a more Volkswagen-like interior in the thing, but even that looks a bit watered down to me. I’ll let you guys be your own judge. Take a gander at the photos. And yes, I know this was probably how it was going to turn out anyway with a partnership between Volkswagen and Chrysler. :P

Volkswagen of America today unveiled the Routan, an all new seven-passenger minivan. It delivers the best of both worlds: a vehicle that combines European sensibilities in design, fit and finish, and handling characteristics with market relevant features and outstanding value.

The Routan is instantly recognizable as a member of the Volkswagen family, with its stylized front grille and exterior treatments. The interior enhancements create an environment that is visually pleasing, modern, and meticulously detailed. The high quality materials, beautiful textures and rich luxurious colors are combined with exacting tolerances and superb fit and finish. While pleasing and contemporary, the interior also follows the traditional Volkswagen design philosophy that form follows function.

Second row captain’s chairs offer an increased level of luxury and comfort while still providing the convenience of a traditional minivan, with over 32.7 cubic feet available behind the third row seats and a full 83 cubic feet is available behind the second row.

The Routan will come standard with a 3.8L V6, offering 197 hp and 230 lb. ft. of torque when combined with the standard six-speed automatic transmission. A 4.0L V6 will be available rated at 251 hp and 259 lb. ft. of torque. Routan features European tuned suspension and steering optimized for handling and improved driving dynamics. Standard all-season traction control and ESP, brings safety and security to the Routan. The Routan comes with a host of unique features, including:

• Conversation Mirror
• Rear seat entertainment system with two 9 inch screens for second and third row, wireless headsets, and remote control
• Dual power sliding doors with power windows
• Touch screen navigation with twenty meg hard drive
• Power lift gate with flood lamp
• Thirteen cup holders

Volkswagen delivers a competitively priced entry into this high volume segment with prices starting below $25,000. The Routan will be built in an already existing facility in Windsor, Ontario.

With Routan, Volkswagen dealers add a vehicle that will provide additional, incremental growth in the market. A distinctly designed minivan at an attractive price point will broaden the brand portfolio, while providing a roomy alternative to existing Volkswagen owners.

All in all, it’s clean and represents the company well. However it’s lacking somewhat of a professional, big company edge to me. I’m biased since I’m an interactive designer myself. :P

“We have set bold new goals for success in the U.S., and this site is a great vehicle to introduce our Company to new audiences in a fresh, exciting way,” said Stefan Jacoby, President and Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen Group of America. “Our new Web site will be a key tool for our Company as we increase dialogue with our U.S. customers and sharpen our focus on this key market.”

Check it out: www.VolkswagenGroupAmerica.com

“Supporting the arts has always been an important part of Volkswagen,” says Mya Walters, Lifestyle Public Relations Manager at Volkswagen of America. “Our relationship with the Sundance Film Festival is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and support independent film.”

Throughout the ten day festival, Sundance filmmakers, actors, talent and VIPs will enjoy chauffeured transportation around town. Volkswagen will have over sixty vehicles present from its product line, ranging from the Touareg 2, a stand out off-road vehicle perfectly suited for the snowy Park City terrain, to the popular Passat. Additionally, On Sunday, January 20th, Volkswagen owners will be treated to a special Private Owner film screening of Udayan Prasad’s “The Yellow Handkerchief.”

The Sundance Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. It is the largest independent cinema festival in The United States, with screenings, panels, workshops, and events held in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, bringing over 40,000 people together from around the globe for ten days of film and culture.