VW crafts a hot hatch with no hatch
By Jim Bray Sunday, March 18, 2012
You could call it the hot Jetta. And you’d be right.
The VW Jetta GLI is basically a GTI with buttocks, in that it isn’t a hatchback like the Golf-based GTI, but rather is a sedan – like, er, the Jetta. It’s the most entertaining Jetta you can buy off the shelf. And needless to say, it’s a blast.
Volkswagen’s new Passat a big, smooth rideBy Jim Bray Saturday, February 18, 2012
You can get it as a diesel or in gas-powered five and six cylinder models, but however you configure your power train you may just discover that the 2012 Volkswagen Passat is a top car in the mainstream midsize class.
VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG TDI CLEAN DIESEL Declared 2012 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the YearBy News on the Net Thursday, February 16, 2012
TORONTO, - In an early morning press conference at the opening of the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, the VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG TDI CLEAN DIESEL was declared the 2012 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).
New, New Beetle a step forward for the car, a step backward for the cutenessBy Jim Bray Saturday, February 11, 2012
It’s a Beetle you probably won’t want to stomp on, unless you’re only referring to what your foot does to the accelerator pedal.
VW Tiguan a Fine Choice in a Crowded Market
By Jim Bray Saturday, December 10, 2011
VW’s entry into the “Cute Ute” segment is a little more cute for 2012, while still being a good ute.
VW Jetta Diesel – Cheap on Fuel, Big on TorqueBy Jim Bray Sunday, June 12, 2011
Pump pain. It’s the ache you feel at the sight of your bank account being depleted of vital resources by the vital resources your vehicle burns if it’s to be of any use to you.
The quest to minimize pump pain is one of the great pastimes these days. How do you stretch that fuel dollar so you can afford other necessities of life, like groceries?
VW Touareg Diesel Rocks (and we take a second look at the new Ford Explorer)By Jim Bray Saturday, May 7, 2011
High gas prices may make you want to think about a hybrid as a way to save some fuel, but there’s another way to do it: Go diesel.
Diesels have had a reputation for being stinky and slow, but that was then and this is now. According to Sergio Stiberman, CEO and founder of LeaseTrader.com, “The diesel cars of today are clearly not your father’s diesel.” Stiberman, whose company matches shoppers with “shoppees” who want to get out of their auto leases, says “More people today are searching for diesels because of the improved mileage they can get.”
VW Touareg Ups Its Own Ante for ‘11By Jim Bray Saturday, January 29, 2011
It’s bigger, more graceful and more efficient than the previous generation and you can get it in a hybrid if that’s important to you. It’s also comfortable and luxurious, kind of a “less well-heeled man’s” Porsche Cayenne.
The difficult to spell Touareg is Volkswagen’s full-sized SUV and it’s a fine one. And for 2011 the Touareg, promoted as the second generation of the vehicle, there are substantial changes from the original model.
Golf GTI: A little Rocket
By Jim Bray Sunday, August 15, 2010
When the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada named the GTI as its 2010 Canadian Car of the year, I didn’t agree. I thought it should have gone to the Porsche Panamera, because it was a completely new car – as opposed to the GTI’s being merely another generation of a long-running vehicle – and it had represented a bigger risk for its company.
Car Wars, Episode Diesel: Return of the JettaBy Jim Bray Friday, April 30, 2010
My love affair with Volkswagen’s current product line continues with the 2010 Jetta sedan and wagon. Heck, if I were French, I’d simply look at the car’s flanks, say “Jetta door!” and be done with it.
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI Named 2010 Canadian Car of the YearBy Guest Column Thursday, February 11, 2010
In an early morning press conference at the opening of the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, the Volkswagen Golf GTI was declared the 2010 Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY) by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).
VW New Beetle and Golf City – Reasonably Sublime to Downright RidiculousBy Jim Bray Sunday, October 11, 2009
Then there’s the New Beetle convertible.
I got to drive both vehicles back to back, spending about three weeks with them in total – mostly (fortunately) puttering around in the Golf, no pun intended. Well, okay; I did make the pun deliberately. The Golf City restored the good taste for Volkswagens that I’d had before I was infected by the nasty bug.
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