Nik J Miles

Posts Tagged ‘VW’

 The drive from the Portland, Oregon area, where I now live, to my home town of Deer Lodge, Montana is 630 miles.  For me to make that drive, I wanted a car that was comfortable, fun-to-drive and very fuel-efficient.  From experience, I have found the cars that best fit my criteria tend to be diesels.  They get excellent fuel economy, the high torque gives them very good acceleration and passing power and generally the cars fitting those requirements have been quite comfortable. Read the rest of this entry »

I watched Oprah television show in November 2010, when Volkswagen tantalized the studio audience to a preview of the all-new 2012 Beetle several months before the car debuted at the auto shows.  Then I was astonished when Volkswagen gave the entire audience (276 people) one of the new Beetles as part of Oprah’s “Ultra Favorite Things” program. (I can’t believe they would miss one more for my garage, and I’ll take any color.

Those lucky 276 people received their new Volkswagen Beetles on October 13 at special ceremonies at 126 Volkswagen dealerships around the country.   Read the rest of this entry »

For several years Volkswagen has been boasting of a plan to become world’s largest automaker, and sales have indicated they were headed that direction.  Now the 20-member VW board has taken an even more aggressive step by committing an additional $86.4 billion to build new plants, vehicles and for more research and development between 2012 and 2016.  CEO Martin Winterkorn said “Top of the agenda for us are investments in environmentally friendly, sustainable models and drives.” Read the rest of this entry »

Volkswagen is the first automaker to launch a new Artist Experience as a feature in the Premium VIII radio on select 2012 models now at dealerships.  Artist Experience brings a visual component to radio by enabling broadcasters to send artist images and/or station logos along with the current audio programming.

iBiquity Digital Corporation, the developer of digital HD Radio Technology for AM and FM audio and data broadcasting,  said The HD Radio receivers display these images on the radio screen, adding a completely new dimension to the radio experience.  Broadcasters are currently rolling out this feature and will continue to add stations throughout 2011 and 2012. Read the rest of this entry »

Palm Springs, Calif. – We like convertibles, but we fall into the fair-weather category — when the temperatures go north of 80 degrees a coupe is more our style.  Fortunately, we were driving the Volkswagen Eos, which happens to be one of the most versatile convertibles you can buy.  It’s a neat little coupe complete with a full functioning sunroof, but push a button, and 25 seconds later, it’s a full-fledged convertible, with the hard top tucked neatly in the trunk.

The idea of driving a convertible from Los Angles to spend a few days in the desert oasis of Palm Springs, seemed like a good idea at the time we made plans, but we were glad to have the very well air-conditioned coupe when the temperature climbed to 118 degrees Fahrenheit one afternoon.  Going topless in Palm Springs was limited, unfortunately, to some early morning and late evening jaunts.   Read the rest of this entry »

Squashed Bug or Chopped and Channeled Rod? 

The original Beetle or “People’s Car” was produced between 1938 and 2003, and with 21.5 million sold worldwide, it ranks as the most successful single platform car design ever. When the “New” VW Beetle first appeared on the scene in 1998, it was viewed by many to be a “Chick” car– not really registering on the macho scale at all. Despite that perception, the new Beetle is now considered an iconic vehicle.

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ith a strong influence from the original Beetle and the New Beetle, Volkswagen is preparing to roll out the 21^st Century Beetle with a starting price of just $18,995 in September or October.  Reinvented for the 2012 model year, the third generation Beetle is an agile, driver-oriented coupe that respects the Beetle’s past yet looks to the future.

“The 21^st Century Beetle is an automotive icon reinvented, a nod to the heritage and character of Volkswagen and our remarkable history,” said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “This new interpretation of the original Beetle holds true to the traditional spirit of the car, with all the benefits of modern technologies and efficiencies.” Read the rest of this entry »

Jaguar, Lotus and Volkswagen are Top Category Winners

Dream cars from Lotus, Jaguar and Volkswagen were picked by a jury of more than two dozen professional journalists as the 2011 North American Concept Vehicles of the year.  The awards were presented on June 20 at a ceremony at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Mich.

The awards are designed to recognize vehicles most likely to shape the future of the automobile industry.  The ten annual award winners were picked from 29 vehicles introduced during this season’s auto shows in Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Toronto, and New York. Read the rest of this entry »

Chattanooga, Tenn. – When Volkswagen says the 2012 Passat is all new, they mean ALL NEW.  It’s not just a typical “ground up” or “clean sheet of paper” redo…it’s a new size, a new concept and it’s a complete change in direction.

With animals like Camry, Accord, Sonata and Focus in its sites, Volkswagen prepares to launch the Passat from a “ground up” new $1 billion plant on the outskirts of Chattanooga. Read the rest of this entry »

“Volkswagen’s Passat Sedan All-New for 2012”

The all new 2012 Volkswagen Passat sedan has a lot going for it. It may not be as sporty as the GTI or as sexy as the CC, but the Passat is cleanly attractive and serves up traditional German engineering excellence even though it was designed specifically for the U.S. market and is built right here in America – In the brand new VW plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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