I suppose it was inevitable really. I mean if you think about it, all the major German automobile manufacturers have some type of sporty moniker to designate their go-fast models. BMW has their coveted M cars, Mercedes has AMG and Audi, the RS line. Now it seems that Volkswagen wants to jump into the fray by adding an R to the VW line. The R line of cars and SUVs will be more performance oriented and will likely offer up more power, enhanced trim options as well as suspension upgrades.
Well the game is over and the Saints pulled out a victory as another Super Bowl has fallen by the wayside. All through the game I was thinking, life is good, and I feel proud to be an American. There was pizza on the table, a Budweiser in my hand and a big block muscle car in the garage – man does that sound like an American stereotype, or what? Regardless, it was Super Bowl time and that meant only one thing… COMMERCIALS!!
Throughout the game we saw ads from Dodge, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Audi and Volkswagen. The big question is, were they any good? So with that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of all the automobile ads that ran, so you, the readers can choose and pick your favorites.
Now, before ya’ll get all twitchy on me because your favorite car commercial isn’t on this list, listen up! THIS ISN’T YOUR LIST – it’s my list. HOWEVER – if you know of some funny or awesome stuff out there then let us know and we’ll post it up. Hell, we can just make one big bulldog database of the best automotive commercials ever made… I’ll even put it together, just make sure you get me your recommendations.
Citroen C4 – TRANSFORM!!
Ok fine, it’s a bit hokey, but I grew up in the 1980’s and I dig these guys. Plus how often do you get to see a car really let loose and boogie down?
For those of you wanting a hopped up Volkswagen Golf GTI variant, and finding the R32 lacking in a little … well, whatever je nais se quoi is in German … you’ll be happy to know that the “Golf R” is headed stateside with a engine compartment stuffed with 2.0L turbocharged goodness. “WAIT!” you cry, “the GTI already has that motor!” You’re a perceptive one, so here’s the distinction: you get an extra 65 HP and 4-Motion AWD, making the Golf R essentially a Audi A3 in a business-casual VW suit. You also get a host of interior and exterior upgrades, some unique body components, and a respectable 6.4 second run to 62 MPH. This is a reasonable consolation prize after another confirmation that we won’t get the Scirocco, which is the same as this Golf R under the skin. (But, we’d be loathe if we didn’t recognize that this STILL isn’t a proper WRX competitor, offering less performance for more money … such is the way with VWs, apparently.) Gallery after the jump.
Suzuki Splash: One Byproduct of Suzuki/GM Coupling
Reading like a reenactment of German and Japanese diplomacy during WWII, Volkswagen continues to consolidate its status as the world’s most dominant automaker with discussions of acquiring a stake in Suzuki while the Japanese automaker relaxes ties with former affiliate GM.
The words “upscale” and “small hatchback” are not usually paired together in one car with any great success in North America. Perhaps the one perennially strong exception to this would be the VW GTI. Backed by a sturdy turbocharged engine and distinctive styling, the 2009 Volvo C30 attempts to appeal to those willing to pay a premium for those two things.
Powered by a rather significantly impressive turbodiesel, all signs are good that VW will be producing this plug-in hybrid in the future. At least in Germany any way. But considering how many changes this vehicle has already gone through and the almost daily developments in auto industry technology, it is not too far-fetched to think there may be hope for a North American version at some point.
On this day, 133 years ago in 1875, Ferdinand Porsche was born.
By 1905, when he was only 30 years old, he was already a famous engineer in Europe because of his work with Jakob Lohner & Company. For years after that he worked for various different firms, always responsible for the cars that dominated racing. He eventually worked for Austro-Daimler and Mercedes-Benz, built the Mercedes-Benz SSK and the prototype for the Volkswagen Beetle.
