2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL 4Motion First Test

A front-drive, entry-level 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SE finished dead last in our recent compact crossover comparison. During the test, we dinged the Tiguan for its high price, rough ride quality, small cargo area, and "tall and tippy" feel under hard cornering. So we decided to give the V-dub crossover another shot by testing the top-of-the-line 2012 Tiguan SEL 4Motion. Would all-wheel drive and premium trim make us change our tune about VW's Golf-based crossover? In a word, no. But the crossover does have its strong points, one of them being its powertrain. The Tiguan SEL 4Motion is powered by Volkswagen's tried-and-true 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 producing an ample 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, with power routed through a six-speed automatic transmission. While we're more enamored with VW's six-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox, the automatic shifts quickly and smartly, especially when Sport mode is engaged. But in the default drive setting it seems too eager to upshift and likes to drop the engine revs below 1000 rpm while coasting, leading to a minor (and annoying) delay in power delivery when you get back on the throttle. 

On the track, the slightly heavier 4Motion turned in roughly the same numbers as the front-drive Tiguan. The dash to 60 mph took 7.8 seconds and it ran through the quarter mile in 16.0 seconds at 87.2 mph, matching the Tiguan SE to 60 mph and besting it by 0.2 sec and 0.8 mph in the quarter. It out-braked front-drive Tiguan SE too, needing 121 feet to stop from 60 mph, versus 123 feet. The Tiguan SEL slightly out-handled the front-drive version, managing to pull an average 0.82 g on the skidpad (versus 0.80 g), and completed the figure eight in 27.5 seconds at an average of 0.61 g, as compared to 27.9 seconds at 0.62 g (avg). In the fuel efficiency arena, the Tiguan SEL returned 19.9 mpg combined in mostly city driving during our test, close to the city number of the Tiguan 4Motion's 21/27 mpg city/highway rating. Inside, the Tiguan SEL 4Motion predictably felt more upmarket than the SE model. The tester featured real leather seats, a navigation system, and the Dynaudio premium audio system. The power, tan leather seats provided a nice contrast to the dark black plastics on the dashboard, making the interior a more pleasant place than the dim and dark Tiguan SE. 

Up front, the SEL's seats are as hard and flat as the last tester we had in, and the Tiguan is also cursed with the worst driving position this side of a bus. The instrument panel and steering wheel are angled in such a way that no matter what position you're sitting in, the wheel feels like it's coming up out of the floor at you. At just over 6-feet tall, I figured maybe it was just me. Other editors agreed, however, with one even going so far as to say the angle of the wheel and instrument panel make it feel like you're falling forward. While the Tiguan is marketed as a premium alternative to its rivals, the driving experience and included content simply don't live up to those expectations, despite having arguably best powertrain in its segment. Whether it's an SE or SEL, two-wheel drive or four, the overpriced Tiguan ultimately underdelivers.

Front engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV 2.0L/200-hp/207-lb-ft turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4

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2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Fuel Economy

We haven’t seen the next Volkswagen Beetle convertible yet, but we do know its EPA-estimated fuel-economy numbers ahead of the car’s debut. Despite the added structural weight that is needed when a roof is removed, the droptop gets the same mileage as the coupe model.Driving the stick-shift TDI in the city is good for 28 mpg, while highway cruising reaches 41; Turbo models with the manual are good for 21/30. EPA estimates for the 2.5-liter inline-five have not been made available yet, but considering TDI and Turbo convertible numbers mirror those of the coupe’s, we expect the base Beetle convertible to receive ratings of 22/31 with a row-your-own gearbox.

Fuel-economy estimates for DSG-equipped convertibles also haven’t been released yet, but we anticipate dual-clutch-equipped droptops will equal those numbers set by the coupe. Expect 22/29 for the 2.5-liter five, 22/30 for the Turbo, and 29/39 for the TDI. The remaining EPA estimates and more Beetle convertible details will become available closer to the car’s debut at the L.A. auto show this November.

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2012 Volkswagen Passat SEL Long

One of the toughest parts of my job, and yes, there are several, is trying to express to readers the value of a car is not necessarily found in the boxes of a spec chart. While the numbers are important, it's often the qualitative mortar in between the quantitative bricks that tell the story. When talking to friends about our long-term Volkswagen Passat, one of the first things that gets brought up is the 0-60 mph time, which happens to be 9.0 seconds. The Passat is certainly not quick off the line, but once rolling, holds its own. I have been told by a few people that they would never consider the Passat's 2.5 liter because of this stat. Apparently, they're doing more street racing with their family sedans than I am as I have yet to drag race a Camry for money. 

Having put nearly 7000 miles on our Passat, there have been only a few times I really wished for more power. Uphill passing and on our figure-8 course are the only two that immediately come to mind. Generally, however, I am fine with the 170 hp and 177 lb-ft the 2.5-liter I-5 churns out. I merge on the freeway, I turn left across traffic, I survive in L.A. -- one of the fastest, most aggressive driving cities in the country. None of the horrors of a car without 300 hp have befallen me. 

All this refinement, however, might be just in time for its final act. Rumor has it, this engine's days are numbered and a 1.8-liter direct-injected turbocharged I-4 will be taking its place in a couple of years. It will no doubt offer a flatter torque curve, possibly higher power and torque numbers, and better fuel economy. If it's similar to the 2.0T in power delivery, this will totally change entry-level VWs. Until then, VW offers the TDI and the VR6 for the aspiring Vin Diesels with kids. 

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2012 Volkswagen

One of the toughest parts of my job, and yes, there are several, is trying to express to readers the value of a car is not necessarily found in the boxes of a spec chart. While the numbers are important, it's often the qualitative mortar in between the quantitative bricks that tell the story. When talking to friends about our long-term Volkswagen Passat, one of the first things that gets brought up is the 0-60 mph time, which happens to be 9.0 seconds. 

The Passat is certainly not quick off the line, but once rolling, holds its own. I have been told by a few people that they would never consider the Passat's 2.5 liter because of this stat. Apparently, they're doing more street racing with their family sedans than I am as I have yet to drag race a Camry for money. Having put nearly 7000 miles on our Passat, there have been only a few times I really wished for more power. Uphill passing and on our figure-8 course are the only two that immediately come to mind. Generally, however, I am fine with the 170 hp and 177 lb-ft the 2.5-liter I-5 churns out. I merge on the freeway, I turn left across traffic, I survive in L.A. -- one of the fastest, most aggressive driving cities in the country. None of the horrors of a car without 300 hp have befallen me. 

All this refinement, however, might be just in time for its final act. Rumor has it, this engine's days are numbered and a 1.8-liter direct-injected turbocharged I-4 will be taking its place in a couple of years. It will no doubt offer a flatter torque curve, possibly higher power and torque numbers, and better fuel economy. If it's similar to the 2.0T in power delivery, this will totally change entry-level VWs. Until then, VW offers the TDI and the VR6 for the aspiring Vin Diesels with kids. 

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Volkswagen Presents Redesigned Gol Hatchback and Gol Voyage Sedan

While Volkswagen's European division is gearing up for the all-important world premiere of the brand-new Golf Mk7 at the Paris Motor Show, half way around the globe, the company's South American arm lifted the covers of the redesigned Gol hatchback and its sedan sibling named Voyage. 

The Gol, which is the Portuguese and Spanish word for 'goal', is the best-selling car in South America since the mid-1980s, with more than 5 million units produced and sold in Brazil alone. 

The mid-life facelift for both body styles brings Volkswagen's corporate face as seen on the latest Polo, Jetta and Passat models with a new grille, bumper and headlamp designs. At the back, there are new tail lamps and a restyled tail gate for the hatchback. 

Changes inside are limited to the lighting and trim décor on the dashboard such as the chrome rings on the vents, the controls with improved feel and ergonomics plus upgrades to the car's equipment features. 

Under the hood, the main news is the introduction of a new bi-fuel 1.0-liter engine rated at 72hp when using gasoline and 76hp with ethanol. 

According to the manufacturer, when fueled with ethanol, the Gol 1.0 accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 12.9 seconds and tops out at 165 km/h (103mph). 

Story References: Volkswagen via NovidadesAutomotivas

Hat tip to Henrique R.! 

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VW Jetta Gets Turbo Four in 2013

The Volkswagen Jetta’s long-awaited changeover from the current inline-five-cylinder engine to a turbo four will happen in 2013 for the 2014 model year, the company’s U.S. product czar Rainer Michel told us this week. Soon after, Michel says, the engine will land in a 2014.5 model-year Passat. This confirms the timing we heard earlier from a different—and has-to-stay-nameless—source.

Here’s the scoop on the engine changeover. The new engine is a 1.8-liter turbo four, and it’s essentially a downsized version of the mill in the Volkswagen GTI and GLI, among other cars. Already on the market in Europe, the 1.8T makes 158 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. (Those numbers could rise for the Passat, lest it sit at the bottom of its class in power.) There’s no connection between the new 1.8T and an unreliable engine of the same displacement offered in Jettas about a decade ago.

We wave goodbye to a 2.5-liter inline-five, which debuted in 2005. That engine makes 170 hp and 177 lb-ft, but is neither high-performance nor thrifty: A Jetta with this engine and a six-speed automatic needs an unimpressive 8.4 seconds to accelerate from standstill to 60 and scores 24/31 on the EPA cycle. Compare that to the heavier Chevy Cruze—138 hp, 8.0 seconds to 60, ratings of 26/38—and you can see why we’re not sad to see ol’ Fivey sent to the glue factory. 

 

The next-generation Volkswagen Golf, which debuts this fall but comes here in the fall of 2013, will almost definitely skip the 2.5 altogether. We anticipate that the Beetle will switch to the 1.8T around the time the Passat does. In the meantime, if you’re the kind of person who gets free gas and enjoys the warble of a straight five, the next year will be a good time to buy a VeeDub on the cheap.

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