My dad bought a... Volvo?

[cozmik]

Since it looks like it hasn't been addressed yet, the BSR badge would represent it being chipped. BSR is a Swedish tuning company, no straight turbo swaps, but they do intakes, exhausts, and programming. They do a lot with Saabs, Volvos, and VW group FI engines.

And congrats to your father! I drove an S60R once, and it was a pretty cool car!

[Madman]

do you know something about this upcoming American Passat that everyone else doesn't?

He's making an assumption, and it's a pretty valid one.  The Passat and Jetta will become locally produced and marketed, and will likely be a bad thing for enthusiasts and a good thing for sales.  Looking at the cars that dominate the sales charts, it's a short jump to surmise that the new cars will fell less European. 

I'm hoping he's wrong, but until it's proven otherwise, an A6 Jetta is probably not on my list of possible replacements for my A5 when the time comes. 

I hope I'm wrong, too.  But somehow I don't think I am.  I have NEVER EVER seen an Americanised car that was better than the European model it was based on.  Softer suspension, numb steering, dulled handling responses, more inefficient engines and cupholders mounted onto every available surface do nothing to enhance a car and everything to detract from it.

There is an interview in the current AMS with VW head of R&D Ulrich Hackenberg. About the future product placement he said:  The Passat will Still remain a Passat. Tailored towards the American market will be the New Compact Sedan (Jetta replacement) and the New Midsize Sedan. The NMS especially will be americanised with a softer suspension, cupholders in all shapes and sizes etc. All three cars will share the Modular Transverse Component system, along with the next Golf, Polo, A3, etc, etc. The MTCS is really amazing in it?s flexability. They can change the length, width, height, wheel base, and wheel track and yet still have over 60% common components.

So this means we'll still get the real Passat PLUS an Americanised barge?  As long as we still get the proper Passat, then I can't complain too much.  I can always pretend the VW Ameri-barge doesn't exist, just like I already do with that horrible abomination known as the VW Routan!

It should be noted that the often criticised 2.5 Jetta engine forms the bases for the Audi TT-RS.

Yes, the design is based on the 2.5 Jetta engine, but the whole thing has been thoroughly re-engineered.  The TT RS engine blocks are recast in vermicular graphite iron for strength and lightness.  This material was originally used in large capacity diesels but this is the first time it's ever been used in a road-going gasoline engine.  Audi experimented with this material in gasoline racing engines before putting it in production for the TT RS.  Audi then fitted the engine with lightweight aluminium internals.  The RS engine also features direct injection and a big honkin' turbo!  Audi calls it TFSI (Turbocharged Fuel-Stratified Injection) and it's the same technology that powered Audi to five wins at LeMans.  All these extensive changes gives the TT RS 335 horsepower and 332 lb.ft. of torque.  At the end of the day, the TT RS engine has about as much in common with the Jetta 2.5 engine as I have in common with a cocker spaniel!


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[Raza]

Is VW replacing both the Golf and the Jetta with a new US car, or will the Golf continue? If the latter, there would be no problem from the enthusiast perspective, except from those who hate hatchbacks.

I believe the Golf VI, which will be called the Golf again, will remain on the world platform. 

[ifcar]

I believe the Golf VI, which will be called the Golf again, will remain on the world platform. 

So Americans who like European-driving cars can still buy the hatchback, and the sedan-loving masses can buy an Americanized sedan. What's the problem?

[dazzleman]

When a friend of mine bought a Volvo, I gave him crap by saying that Volvo is a car a guy buys when his wife is carrying his balls around in her pocketbook.  He admitted he really wanted a BMW.

Having said that, I don't mind the Volvo at all.  My favorite SUV is the Volvo.  They have a good feel to the way they drive, generally.  They emphasize safety over fun driving because of their image, but they can be a fun car to drive.  And if you take care of them well, they'll go forever.

VTEC, is you dad as big a speed demon as you are?

[VTEC_Inside]

VTEC, is you dad as big a speed demon as you are?

How much of one could he be driving a friggin Highlander? I think the last time he got pulled over was in the '96 Accord doing like 162kph on the highway though... 

I'll be sure and report when he gets his first ticket in this thing though. He picked it up yesterday morning and so far nothing.

[dazzleman]

How much of one could he be driving a friggin Highlander? I think the last time he got pulled over was in the '96 Accord doing like 162kph on the highway though... 

I'll be sure and report when he gets his first ticket in this thing though. He picked it up yesterday morning and so far nothing.

Give him a little time......

Has he let you drive it yet?  Volvo can be pretty fun to drive.  My mom's friend had a Volvo back in the '70s and she let me drive it when I had my learner's permit.  Volvo was a pioneer of the new type of drivability that became so popular -- tight, rack and pinion steer, harder seats, tighter suspension, etc.  Up to that point, the only cars available for me to drive were the typical American cars that drove like boats.  The Volvo was a real treat to drive, and I've always favored that type of driveability ever since.

[VTEC_Inside]

Give him a little time......

Has he let you drive it yet?  Volvo can be pretty fun to drive.  My mom's friend had a Volvo back in the '70s and she let me drive it when I had my learner's permit.  Volvo was a pioneer of the new type of drivability that became so popular -- tight, rack and pinion steer, harder seats, tighter suspension, etc.  Up to that point, the only cars available for me to drive were the typical American cars that drove like boats.  The Volvo was a real treat to drive, and I've always favored that type of driveability ever since.

I drove it before he did :) He misplaced his drivers license so they wouldn't let him drive it, lol...

The sales guy ended up letting him drive it anyway, but we didn't really go anywhere where you could let it rip so....

[dazzleman]

I drove it before he did :) He misplaced his drivers license so they wouldn't let him drive it, lol...

The sales guy ended up letting him drive it anyway, but we didn't really go anywhere where you could let it rip so....

I'm surprised either one of you still has a license.....

When you were a kid learning to drive, did he ever give you the "don't drive too fast" speech?

Seriously though, I could wrack up a few speeding tickets with a Volvo.  They drive pretty tightly and that inspires me to go faster.

[SVT_Power]

get this badge!!!

[CJ]

www.davebarton.com


I'm ordering mine Friday.

[Raza]

So Americans who like European-driving cars can still buy the hatchback, and the sedan-loving masses can buy an Americanized sedan. What's the problem?

Some people like driving European-driving sedans.

Anyway, the Jetta has been such a great success on the Golf platform, why bother changing it?

Less choice is bad, Koko.

[ifcar]

Some people like driving European-driving sedans.

Anyway, the Jetta has been such a great success on the Golf platform, why bother changing it?

Less choice is bad, Koko.

I doubt the number of people who would buy the Jetta as-is but not the Golf is enough to sustain a model line.

[Raza]

I doubt the number of people who would buy the Jetta as-is but not the Golf is enough to sustain a model line.

I'll give you that one.