RideLust

The fact that someone has access to a welder and a junkyard doesn’t give them the right to create heinous stuff like the Frankenbus you see here. Made up from what looks to be five different Volkswagen’s, this suckers got 24 windows, six wheels and seven doors. Granted you can probably fit 15 people in this thing, but my bet is that unless the builder upgraded the stock 1,700 cc 70 horsepower flat-four that they’re not going anywhere. The Frankenbus is the answer to the question that nobody asked and proves that just because you can do something, it doesn’t mean you should…

Source: VWVortex.com

Recently, I attended the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals show at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania. Held every May, this show features a vast array of meticulously maintained classic British, European and Japanese cars, exemplary examples of their more modern kin, as well as a beautiful collection of kit cars.  As far as sheer variety in makes, models and years, hands down, this show can’t be beat.

This has become something of an annual treat for me as I can think of few better ways to spend a weekend than by gazing at a gleaming sea of jaw-droppingly stunning automobiles, many of which I guarantee you won’t find at other shows. Plus, participation is open to anyone with an import or a kit car – all you have to do is register, make your car pretty and show up. It’s a great opportunity to display your cherished ride and meet other aficionados of your favorite marques.

I used to come down to show my Saab and hang out with the Saab contingent that makes it out every year. But even though I have a Subaru now, it’s just so much fun that I continue to make the trip to Carlisle (my WRX was parked over by the lone DeLorean, if you happened to be there). Volvo, BMW and Audi clubs also traditionally have a large showing so the weekend is packed with the cars you love, cars you haven’t seen before, your friends from the forums, barbeques – it’s a good time for everyone.  So, if you’re not too far out from Pennsylvania, I definitely recommend heading out there next May to check out the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals. To tide you over, provided for your viewing pleasure are some of my favorite cars of the weekend. Enjoy!

 

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If you’re a VW fan, I’ve got good news and bad news for you. On the plus side, buying a 2012 Passat will cost you substantially less money than buying a 2011 Passat would have cost you last year. How much less? The starting price for a stripped, base model 2010 Passat was $27,945; the price of admission for a 2012 base model Passat is just $20,765. That over $7,000 less expensive, which brings me to the bad news: VW applied the same logic to the Passat as they did the the new Jetta. Read More…

It’s true… I’m a sucker for well shot car videos and I’m completely envious of the talent that it takes to create them. I’ve been taking photos and videos of cars for years, however my skills rank right up there with the best of them from the kindergarten class at P.S. 131 here in Queens, NY. It’s a shame as I really do try, but alas, I’m a much better driver then I am a photographer, so I suppose I’ll just stick with that. Shot by the VW and Audi guys over at Wagenwerks in Virginia, the following video is their Spring 2011 ShowReel. They’ve got everything from racing footage, to high speed desert rallying, to some outstanding still shots that should, unless you’re dead, get you all ramped up and ready to roll for this years car season. Click through and enjoy.
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Whatever your stance is on the original Volkswagen Beetle, there is no denying that this little car from Germany is an automotive icon. The Beetle had a 64 year production run that ran from 1939-2003 in which time 21 million were produced. This means that not only is the little car recognized the world over, but it has garnered a fan base that has yet to be equaled by any other car, from any manufacturer, ever. Its pint size shape and light weight meant that it was economical, and with a little air-cooled, rear-mounted engine out back, it meant that it was a cinch to work on and was reliable as a clock. Over the years fans of the Beetle have taken to customizing them in every way, shape and form. The cars are used as a blank canvas for ones imagination and because of this owners have seen fit to grace us with their visions of the perfect bug. The two Beetles in this video come to us from the Low n’ Slow VW club in the UK, and while not everyone digs the low rider look, there’s no denying that these two little guys make a statement.
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I’d be the first to admit that this video is more hype than substance, but I’d also be the first to admit that I’d love to be behind the wheel of one of the Amaroks in this video. The VW Amarok, in case you don’t know, is their compact pickup truck sold almost everywhere except the United States. Why don’t we get it here? “Too expensive,” is VW’s reply, since it would have to start at about $30k in the states. That kind of money buys you a 4wd Toyota Tacoma, and it even buys you a full size pickup if you don’t mind skipping some amenities. The fact that the Amarok is available with both gas and diesel engines only makes me want it more in the States, and I have to think that there’s a market for a compact turbodiesel pickup here. Watch the video below, then feel free to start petitioning VW to import the Amarok TDI. Read More…

It’s no secret that Volkswagen is pretty dedicated when it comes to safety testing for their automobiles. However, as consumers we generally don’t get a chance to see what goes on behind the scenes. The following video, albiet being a bit old, is a hoot to watch and gives the public a rare glimpse into some of the lesser known tests that VW’s go through before they hit the market. My only question now is, how the hell do I get a job as a Volkswagen test driver because these guys look like they’re having a blast. Click through for the video.
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Calling it the sportiest, most fuel-efficient Beetle ever built, Volkswagen has finally taken the wraps off of their latest version of the iconic, rounded coupe. From the beginning, VW’s engineers had the difficult job of designing, in their words, “a new original”. Get it right, and the Beetle lives as one of the most popular cars of all time; get it wrong, and your design team is forever known as the “group that killed the Beetle”. The only way forward was to pen a car that respects the past but looks towards the future, so VW’s design team started by basing the new design on the very first Beetle. Read More…

In the vast uncharted wilderness of Austria lives an automotive Dr. Moreau, a mad genius who splices cars together to create breathtaking beasts like this unholy union of a ’73 VW Bug and 2000 Porsche Boxster S: The Bugster. The man behind this beauty is Siegfried Rudolf. His shop, CarMaxx, specializes in tuning and restoring VWs and Porsches. Apparently he got the idea for the Bugster after he parked his tuned ’73 Bug next to his wife’s Boxster and noticed the two cars shared a remarkably similar wheelbase.
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Here’s what you need to know about the 2011 VW Touareg Hybrid: it’s got a blown V6 engine and it puts out 380 horsepower and 428 ft lb of torque. It’s one of the two fastest VW’s built, and 0 to 60 comes up in 6.2 seconds on the way to a 149 mile per hour top speed. That’s not great for a sports sedan, but that’s pretty damn impressive for a full size SUV. I’m not really a hybrid guy, and I’m not really a luxury SUV guy, but I sure hope that VW throws one of these into the press fleet. There are two videos below: the first is an oddly creepy VW ad, while the second features racer Ryan Arciero telling you why you’re going to want to dive this rare beast. Read More…