RichC | July 2, 2011
The Panamericana Challenge trip/race/challenge delayed their start by 3 days, but as of 4AM Saturday morning started their drive. The heavy snow near their starting point at the tip of South America which postponed their start of the challenge has been cleared for their VW Touareg TDI and in watching progress on the map show [...]
RichC | June 17, 2011
Volkswagen’s CEO Martin Winterkorn (Germany) is committed to plug in hybrids according to a translation posted: I am firmly convinced that plug-in hybrids are the right solution for the next ten years. You can drive 50 to 60 kilometers all-electric and have the full flexibility of an internal combustion engine. The plug-in hybrid will be [...]
RichC | June 14, 2011
Although this Volkswagen Caddy 1.9L TDI isn’t available in the U.S. (yet), I know many diesel TDI enthusiast who could comfortably live with this ugly duckling when it comes to styling. The small van like cargo-carrying diesel mini-van with a 5-speed manual would be considerably more efficient than what North America offers today — and [...]
RichC | June 13, 2011
The invitation to the annual TDIFest may not be the biggest and best car show in the nation, but for a group of loyal Volkswagen (and Audi) TDIClub members, it is the big bash of the year – and not to be missed. Previous “fests” have been hosted by local dedicated members of the TDIClub forum [...]
RichC | June 10, 2011
Here’s a write-up by Jonathan Spira for Diesel Driver that highlights the new American built mid-size TDI sedan coming from Volkswagen …
RichC | June 9, 2011
I enjoyed exchanging emails and text messages (and tweets below) with a couple automotive writers touring the newly opened Volkswagen facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee the other day. The photos were great to see (above from Kiplinger’s Jessica Anderson) and the initial opinion regarding the 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI exciting to hear as well (below from [...]
RichC | June 7, 2011
Probably only my biased opinion, but I found the Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet Concept attractive only from the front? Perhaps we’ll see this aggressive grill in the VW EOS with a few optional powerplants (hint, TDI?) … now that would be nice.
RichC | June 5, 2011
If you like the new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, check out the high resolution photo gallery at gorideit.com.
RichC | May 28, 2011
The new Chattanooga, Tennessee Volkswagen plant opened this past week (May 24, 2011) and is an example of how VW incorporates its trademarked ThinkBlue initiative. Here’s hoping the trend continues to the cars they build in America … the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat and Passat TDI clean diesel. Below is a chart from the ThinkBlue [...]
RichC | May 26, 2011
Priced too high, too low, just right? Perhaps we’ll have to see how well the American built Passat is equipped and how well it drives? Check out the Car and Driver article. The Passat TDI, which has VW’s outstanding 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel, making 140 hp and 236 lb-ft, starts at $26,765. At that price, buyers [...]
RichC | May 26, 2011
With the recent overseas photos of a TDI (Volkswagen) with the “hybrid” badge, the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 and indications that Mercedes is planning a 2012 E300 Bluetec diesel hybrid … then I’m getting pretty excited. As someone sure to take a bit of heat from my diesel and biodiesel oriented friends, I’m still going [...]
RichC | May 24, 2011
Volkswagen Group’s Jonathan Browning, President and CEO (Volkswagen of America, Inc) gave a quick interview on an important day for VW’s new Chattanooga Tennessee facility. It is exciting to American workers building what hopefully will be a great mid sized car: 2012 VW Passat. CNBC: Phil LeBeau‘s interview with VW’s Jonathan Browning
RichC | May 20, 2011
If you a a Volkswagen Beetle lover, this bug’s for you … for a mere $250,000 from what I hear. As the legend is told… back in 1963 Paul Newman bought a VW…the little red Convertible seen in this late 60′s VW ad. Not so long after this advertisement came out…the car was taken to [...]
RichC | April 25, 2011
They could have improved the efficiency (and performance) with a “chipped” TDI diesel no doubt! Still not such a bad idea in parts of central Ameican and the Middle East. The Volkswagen Bora Protect could possibly be the world’s most fuel-efficient, factory-built armored sedan. Powered by the automaker’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and paired [...]
RichC | April 18, 2011
If you live between Dayton and Cincinnati and drive a B99 biodiesel capable car (word of caution for some of the latest models), you can now fill up for substantially less than the current $4-plus/gallon price of petroleum diesel … and do your part to help the environment. Biodiesel is now available on a regular [...]
RichC | April 17, 2011
… and Google Video! With Google shutting down ‘cloud’ storage of videos users may have archived for years on their service, I decided it might be best to save a few important ones to my computer and personal webserver – a lesson for those putting to much trust in ‘cloud’ only storage. Later this month, [...]
RichC | March 28, 2011
Volkswagen’s new 2011 Jetta model suffers a voluntary anti-theft and horn safety recall: “to reconfigure a wiring layout.” VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL OF 71,000 2011 MODEL YEAR JETTA VEHICLES March 28, 2011 – Herndon, VA – Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced a voluntary safety recall of 71,043 2011 model year Jettas in order [...]
RichC | March 28, 2011
How much of Volkswagen’s unique ‘transparent’ Phaeton factory in Dresden, Germany will be found in their new Chattanooga, Tennessee operation? (The VW Phaeton is Volkswagen’s flagship ‘premium class’ automobile)
RichC | March 13, 2011
If the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat isn’t up to your family hauling duty, then perhaps a new “van” will be up to the task. VW Big Profits, Microbus A Go
RichC | February 6, 2011
No Superbowl party for us, but my wife and I did enjoy pizza and wings while watching the the Superbowl this evening. The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers gave us an entertaining game, although both teams played hot and cool at different points in the game. When all the “commercials” were done, the final [...]
RichC | February 6, 2011
It feels good to be home from our quick trip to Florida and to be watching Superbowl 45 this Sunday evening, but even better to see the Bengals and Browns archrival behind 11 points in the first half. The Packers are looking solid as they have outplayed the Steelers on both sides of the ball [...]
RichC | January 13, 2011
As mentioned the other day, the 2012 Volkswagen Passat will be built on a new platform in Chattanooga, Tennessee and be available with the very efficient and desirable TDI diesel engine. According to what I’ve read on other blogs, the published fuel economy will be 43 mpg on the highway and will be offered with [...]
RichC | December 23, 2010
Those planning to purchase a new Volkswagen TDI diesel might want to do it before the year end … tax credits are disappearing.
RichC | December 21, 2010
Long time readers know that upon occasion Volkswagen TDI diesel related posts show up on my blog and am a big advocate for adding a skidplate. Recently a friend in a forum posted photo from his wife’s 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon after an encounter with a 6” curb. The damage to the unprotected cast aluminum [...]
RichC | December 4, 2010
Volkswagen New Beetle lovers received a video glimpse of the new 2012 VW bug now that a spy video is on YouTube. The smooched down redesign looks less bug-like and a little more Porche/Audi TT-ish. Personally I’m not rushing out to to put an order in… even with a TDI engine. It’s hard to imagine [...]
RichC | November 30, 2010
Are you thinking about bigger injectors and chipping your Volkswagen TDI for a few added HP and a bit more torque? Maybe an engine transplant is in order … although this little Detroit diesel coming in at 3424 HP might not be the optimum transplant for most VeeDubs? Still, this will be pretty impressive in [...]
RichC | November 24, 2010
Congratulations to my friend Bruce and somewhat local (<2hrs from Cinci) Volkswagen TDI guru for putting together the winning bid to host this years TDIFest. As those of us in the CinciTDI group found out in 2008, it was a big job … but ultimately rewarding. Hopefully our locals will be able to lend a [...]
RichC | November 23, 2010
Although the eco ‘Bluemotion’ powered Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI’s fuel economy is calculated at 62.8mpg in UK imperial gallons, the 52.3mpg US number isn’t half bad either (conversion tool). The Sporty VeeDub’s impressive efficiency may not be it’s only attraction since there are many past Scirocco and current VW TDI owner drooling for a sleeker [...]
RichC | November 21, 2010
I almost forget … but I promised Jacob I would post this video. Here’s the footage that survived a CinciTDI How-To video attempt a year or so ago. Unfortunately the second part of the video (the more difficult part) covered the seal which requires more delicate adjustment and didn’t survive. I’m hoping we get a [...]
RichC | November 17, 2010
I’m archiving an older forum post from a few years back when I still had my little diesel Jetta. Occasionally someone asks me why I’m “pro-skidplate” on a Volkswagen TDI and I point them to this post …