My thoughts on all things motoring, press releases, reviews & techie stuff, from around the world.
Please note that the pictures of vehicles within this blog are used as examples of the specific press releases, on occasions, due to the lack of available official pictures, examples are re-produced.
ANY AND ALL PROFANITIES WILL BE REMOVED AND THE PERSON/S RESPONSIBLE WILL BE BANNED, NO EXCEPTIONS.
Purpose
I will try my best to provide detailed info on various cars and what is like to live with them, I have already produced a few for Jaguar-car-forums, I will do my best to be unbiased, but it will be hard for some cars. I will re-produce press releases and copy from other motoring news.
The outer part (skin) of the rear spoiler may detach from the vehicle and /or the pins on the glass tailgate. There would be no warning to the customer. However, the possibility of detachment is increased due to the use of car washes.
Remedial Action :
Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and fit additional re-enforcement to the spoiler and bonnet.
Vehicle Id :
VF1AHB00551202089 to VF1AHB52557053563
Other Vehicles Affected (Click the vehicle to perform an extended search)
There is only one car thats available that will frighten the old and get the kids to grin with envy, and that is the Subaru WRX/STi, and when it is the traditional Blue, then you know you have a car thats not only a licence loser, but a back cruncher, and thats exactly what you have here with this Subaru.
The Scooby just oozes speed from the outside, from the Pic-Nic table spoiler at the back, the side skirts and the deep grill at the front and the huge air duct on the bonnet, you just know that you will not be let down in this car.
Being that this car is a four wheel drive with manual gearbox, getting the power down smoothly is difficult, well, at the start of ownership, once you get used to the way the car works then getting the car to pull away at speed without either slipping the clutch, over revving or making the car misbehave, either way, that noise you get from the quad exhaust is just awesome, and one that you never get used too, take it through a tunnel, rev hard and the noise is phenomenal.
The four door saloon, as a bog standard car is great, plenty of room in the back for the rear passengers, and the huge boot space, bring it to the front and again you have loads of space for front seat passengers, but then add it to that power and it takes it to another level, a level thats not matched or beaten by anyone, the nearest rival is no long available, and the Mitsubishi Evo X is no more.
the 2.5 litre Boxer engine, with twin scroll turbocharger is more power that you will ever need, the top speed of the car is 159mph, so more than double the UK maximum speed limit, and because of the power and speed, it means that the CO2 is a whopping 242g/km, and thusly the fuel consumption just happens to be :-
Urban Cycle 20.2mpg
Extra Urban Cycle 33.6mpg
Combined Cycle 27.2mpg
Now, these figures might look low, and they are, but you expect this in a car of this ilk, working your way through the short shift gears is easy, and you get up to 6th gear quickly and efficiently, with the fully independent suspension all around giving stability and making journey's sure footed and easy.
The display up front gives you all the info you could ever need, now, whether it was me, or the car, i cant say, but i found the central display difficult to operate and getting the info i needed was not that easy, so i left it on the fuel consumption page, so that i can see what i was, or was not achieving.
You can lock the central dif if your needing to drive heavy in a straight line, but try and turn a corner with teh central diff lock on, and it does not like it, at all !
The Car cost £29,000 before any options are added, but then it comes with a whole host of standard kit including, but not limited too :-
LED Lamps Front & Rear
Pop-Up Headlamp Washers
Front Fog Lamps
Rear Diffuser
Rear Privacy Glass
Leather & Alcantara Seats
Aluminium Pedals
Electric Windows
Keyless Entry
Push Button Start
Dual Zone Air Con
Multi Function Display
Seven Airbags
ABS with EBD
Bluetooth
Four Cylinder Boxer Burble
Cruise Control
Hill Start Assist
Torque Vectoring
Boost Pressure Gauge
And So on, these are just a small selection of the options that you will find on this car, and it is all these and more that make the car a brilliant car to own and run.
CONCLUSION
So, would i have one, well, if you ignore the low mpg, the firm suspension, and the over hard seats that can hurt your back, then too damned right i would, but then those things are expected, and complaining about them after you have taken delivery is wrong, owning a car like this comes with these foibles, so, you have to suck it up and enjoy it.
Just enjoy the speed, the room, the look, oh yes that look, it is a stunning car, and the noise, thats another reason to have this car, the noise it makes, you will never get fed up with opening the window and tapping the accelerator, the growl is something to love and enjoy, ok, yes i want one, and i want it now, unfortunately i dont think my back would cope though.
Designed in America at the Engineering and Planning Center in Chattanooga, Tenn.
More than 20 interior/exterior updates create the most aggressive Passat yet
Combines 280-hp VR6 engine with lowered suspension and sport exhaust
This week at Automobility LA, Volkswagen of America, Inc. will unveil the Passat GT concept, designed by the company’s North American engineering hub in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Combining fresh styling updates with the powerful 280-hp VR6® engine, the Passat GT concept previews a potential addition to the Passat lineup.
The concept was created by Volkswagen’s North American Engineering and Planning Center in Chattanooga based on extensive feedback from U.S. customers and dealers.
“The Passat GT is an early example of how the new Volkswagen North American Region will meet the needs and desires of American customers going forward,” said Dr. Matthias Erb, Chief Engineering Officer, North American Region, Volkswagen.
“We have the freedom and the responsibility to shape future North American vehicles here in the U.S., combining engineering resources from around the world with our unique perspective and talented local team.”
More than 20 design changes from the standard Passat mark the GT as a unique, eye-catching sedan. Starting from the black honeycomb grille insert with red accent lines that harken to those on the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the upgrades include unique bumper treatments, black window surrounds, a black roof and trunk spoiler, LED headlights, smoked taillights, a dual trapezoidal exhaust and a sport muffler. The 19-inch Tornado wheels cover red-painted brake calipers, and a 0.6-inch reduction in ride height gives the Passat GT concept a road-hugging stance.
Inside, the Passat GT creates a sportier impression with carbon-fiber pattern door trim and instrument panel, two-tone black-and-gray sport seats with contrast stitching, a black headliner and piano black center console trim.
Power comes from the Volkswagen 3.6-liter TSI® VR6, which makes 280 horsepower, tied to a six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission, controlled through shift paddles behind the steering wheel
SEAT Leon Sports Styling Kit available now, from any SEAT dealership
Designed by SEAT’s design centre in Martorell
Kit fits five-door Leon and three-door Leon SC
Purchase, painting and fitting available through any participating SEAT dealership; all parts available separately
SEAT today introduces the Leon Sports Styling Kit, a beguiling package of design enhancements that lifts the family hatchback into the sartorial stratosphere.
The kit is the work of SEAT’s design studio in Martorell, and comprises a new front bumper including revised fog lamps, side sills, roof spoiler, and a rear bumper that includes a contrasting black ‘diffuser’ and incorporates twin sports exhaust pipes.
In addition, the kit is complemented beautifully by a set of 19-inch Sports wheels, available now in either black or silver from the official SEAT Accessories catalogue.
The Leon Sports Styling Kit is available fully fitted and painted from any SEAT dealership, or its constituent parts can be ordered separately, allowing Leon drivers to customise their car according to their taste and budget.
Ordered alone, the prices for the kit’s constituent parts are as follows:
Front bumper: £1,500 Rear bumper: £975 Rear roof spoiler: £399 Side skirts: £645 Twin sports exhaust: £480 Alloy wheels: £999
All prices include VAT, painting and fitting at an approved SEAT dealership.
Prices are the same regardless of whether the parts are for a Leon five-door or Leon SC; customers should see their local SEAT dealership for parts-only prices or the fitments of individual items.
Designed to perfectly complement the lines and curves of the SEAT Leon, the Sports Styling Kit visually lowers the car, giving it a more aggressive stance from any angle. Every part has been designed to avoid looking incongruous when fitted alone.
Available now, the Leon Sports Styling Kit is compatible with S, SE and FR versions of the car.1
1. Car pictured: SEAT Leon FR TDI 184 PS featuring optional Titanium Pack.
