Volkswagen Beetle R-Line Heading to America

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Volkswagen has jilted American enthusiasts once, by denying them the chance to pilot the Scirocco in the US. In September, it seemed like the German automaker was going to take the same course of action with the sporty Beetle R-Line. Now, comes word that the R-Line bug may be headed our way after all. This news comes from AskAVWSalesGuy.com. As you may have guessed, it is a blog written by a Volkswagen salesperson. According to the recent post, Volkswagen is now taking orders for the new Beetle R-Line, with delivery set for February or early March.

We've reached out to Volkswagen and it has been confirmed that the R-Line version of the Beetle will he coming to the US. In fact, it was brought to our attention that this news broke back in November, but may have been overshadowed by the buzz around the Beetle Convertible.

If you recall, the R-Line is the latest in what is becoming a growing family of Volkswagen Beetle variants. The package includes revised bodywork, 19-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, LED running lights and LED license plate lights. Inside the R-Line receives leather seating surfaces and a navigation system. In Europe, the exterior package alone will cost 1,290 euros (about $1,665) and both the exterior and interior combined will set you back 1,675 euros ($2,162). European customers can select this package with either the 1.4 TSI Beetle or the TDI model. US pricing for this package has not yet been announced, but it is worth noting that the R-Line will be offered only on the Beetle Turbo.

Via Autoblog

Winterize Your Car

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Driving in the winter means snow, sleet and ice that can lead to slower traffic, hazardous road conditions, hot tempers and unforeseen dangers. To help you make it safely through winter, here are some suggestions from the National Safety Council to make sure that you and your vehicle are prepared.

Weather
At any temperature -- 20° Fahrenheit below zero or 90° Fahrenheit above -- weather affects road and driving conditions and can pose serious problems. It is important to monitor forecasts on the Web, radio, TV, cable weather channel, or in the daily papers.

Your Car
Prepare your car for winter. Start with a checkup that includes:

  • Checking the ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses and fan belts.
  • Changing and adjusting the spark plugs.
  • Checking the air, fuel and emission filters, and the PCV valve.
  • Inspecting the distributor.
  • Checking the battery.
  • Checking the tires for air, sidewall wear and tread depth.
  • Checking antifreeze levels and the freeze line.

Your car should have a tune-up (check the owner's manual for the recommended interval) to ensure better gas mileage, quicker starts and faster response on pick-up and passing power.

Necessary Equipment
An emergency situation on the road can arise at any time and you must be prepared. In addition to making sure you have the tune-up, a full tank of gas, and fresh anti-freeze, you should carry the following items in your trunk:

  • Properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack
  • Shovel
  • Jumper cables
  • Tow and tire chains
  • Bag of salt or cat litter
  • Tool kit

Essential Supplies
Be prepared with a "survival kit" that should always remain in the car. Replenish after use. Essential supplies include:

  • Working flashlight and extra batteries
  • Reflective triangles and brightly-colored cloth
  • Compass
  • First aid kit
  • Exterior windshield cleaner
  • Ice scraper and snow brush
  • Wooden stick matches in a waterproof container
  • Scissors and string/cord
  • Non-perishable, high-energy foods like unsalted canned nuts, dried fruits, and hard candy.

In addition, if you are driving long distances under cold, snowy, and icy conditions, you should also carry supplies to keep you warm such as heavy woolen mittens, socks, a cap and blankets.

If You Become Stranded...

  • Do not leave your car unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to possible help, and are certain you will improve your situation.

     

  • To attract attention, light two flares and place one at each end of the car a safe distance away. Hang a brightly colored cloth from your antenna.

     

  • If you are sure the car's exhaust pipe is not blocked, run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour or so depending upon the amount of gas in the tank.

     

  • To protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia use the woolen items and blankets to keep warm.

     

  • Keep at least one window open slightly. Heavy snow and ice can seal a car shut.

     

  • Eat a hard candy to keep your mouth moist.

Source: Weather.com

No-Compromise Performance: Driving the Jetta Hybrid

A few weeks ago I flew out to New Mexico to attend a media drive for the 2013 Jetta Hybrid. Volkswagen of America, Inc. holds these events whenever a new model is launched to allow the automotive press to experience the vehicles before they go on sale. I was lucky enough to snag an invite.

I landed in Albuquerque and immediately set off to Santa Fe – as I headed east, I was struck by the natural beauty of my surroundings. I-25 looked flat when I was driving but it turns out that there is about a 2,000 foot difference in elevation between the two cities.

When I arrived at the event space in Santa Fe, the entire venue had been transformed with Volkswagen signage and vehicle displays. We kicked off with a reception in a courtyard featuring the entire 2013 Jetta family, including the Jetta TDI® Clean Diesel, the Jetta GLI, and, to my surprise, the specially modified vehicle that set a hybrid land speed record at the Bonneville Flats earlier this year. We moved into a lounge area where we learned about the production Jetta Hybrid – particularly, the technology that makes it unique (more on that in a moment) and where Volkswagen feels the car will fit within the ultra-competitive hybrid market.

For a gearhead like me, it was pretty amazing to be in the same room as some of the most famous automotive journalists in the world. During the product presentation, Rainer Michel, Volkswagen’s Vice President for Product Marketing and Strategy, walked us through a Jetta Hybrid 101 where he discussed its unique powertrain as well as its position within the Jetta lineup. The Hybrid is the only model in its class with a turbocharged engine and a dual-clutch DSG® transmission, and it will achieve an EPA-estimated 42 mpg city / 48 highway although actual mileage may vary. Volkswagen believes the Jetta line up now offers something for everyone – two gasoline engines, a high performance option on the GLI, the ultra-high mileage TDI Clean Diesel and now a hybrid.

After an amazing dinner with the journalists and VW team I retired to bed so that I could wake up refreshed to get the most out of our drive. Everyone was up by seven the next morning and ready for a day of driving. I got the keys to a silver Jetta Hybrid in top of the line SEL Premium trim – it was loaded with standard features like Bluetooth® connectivity and automatic dual-zone climate control, but this model also had a navigation system with rearview camera, push button start, some pretty impressive hybrid-only alloy wheels, and new bi-xenon headlights with Volkswagen’s signature LED DRLs (new for 2013 and also available on the GLI).

In terms of appearance, the differences between the Jetta Hybrid and its siblings are subtle but purposeful. The hybrid has unique spoilers on the front and rear of the car that reduce aerodynamic drag, and there is subtle badging on the grille and decklid. The standout feature of the interior is the power meter that replaces the tachometer: based upon how you’re driving, the power meter indicates whether you are traveling solely on electric power or if the engine is assisting. It was pretty cool to watch as the Hybrid adjusted to my driving behavior.

Speaking of driving – I’ll just put it out there that driving the Jetta Hybrid is in no way like driving the other hybrids that I see so often in Southern California. It responded like a real driver’s car when I pushed it, accelerating quickly onto the highway – the DSG transmission and turbocharged engine are definitely a winning combination, so it should come as no surprise to anyone that VW was able to set a few speed records earlier this year.

 

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