CHRYSLER

Image via Wikipedia

Toralt on Cars

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeThe next generation of Chrysler minivan is not due until 2014, but the strength of its two current offerings raises the question of whether the automaker should maintain both nameplates. "We are still studying whether we need two minivans in the future", said Ralph Gilles, head of design and of the Dodge brand. … Gilles said his team worked hard to better differentiate the two minivans for 2011. "We split the range by how they look, equipment and content", he said. "The two minivans have a very different mission". …

Image via WikipediaEarly next year, Dodge will add its "man van", an R/T performance version with a macho black interior, including the headliner, and red stitching. "It’s an itch I’ve wanted to scratch for a long time", Gilles said. The minivans also have been divided up by price: The Town & Country, with greater content, competes at $30,000 and up and the Dodge at $30,000 and below. The effect on their respective sales will be closely monitored before a decision is made. "This year is the moment of truth for both brands", Gilles said. The latest minivans also took pointers from the Volkswagen Routan, which shares underpinnings and engines with the Chrysler models and is built in the same plant. Critics have said the Routan has a nicer interior and more dynamic handling. "I asked my guys why our suspension was not tuned the same way", Gilles said, and then told them "make ours better". For 2011, Chrysler’s Stow ‘n Go seating has been improved with softer seats and the Swivel ‘n’ Go feature has been discontinued. Buyers can also opt for luxury quad seating in the second row, similar to the Routan’s layout. "The Town & Country is a comeback story", said Francois. And deserved, said Charlie Vogelheim, analyst with IntelliChoice. "Chrysler is not winning the sales race because it was first to market, but for continuing to improve the product", Vogelheim said. "They haven’t been resting on their laurels and are back on the shopping list of the public". …

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Magical Moments (Part 1)

Completely Bananas

So much has happened since my last blog, 2 weeks ago. Currently we are enduring blizzard conditions that decided to strike Asheville on Christmas day...This blog will focus on a much happier subject, namely the best week of my life thus far.
On Friday December 17th at 4:45am, we loaded two toddlers, half of our house and a ton of Image via Wikipediasnacks into the Vdub van and set our GPS for Lake Buena Vista, Florida- the home of the most magical place on earth, Disney World. After making only ONE stop for gas at the Florida Welcome Center we pulled into our condo 10 hours, 15 minutes and 6 Disney movies later. The trip, all things considered, really wasn't too bad. Ah, the luxuries of two DVD players, a minivan and my own private row in the back where no one can see me. The Volkswagon Routan makes certain that parents and kids get to travel in complete comfort, even for 10 hours and 15 minutes.

Our 2009 VW Routan Review

 The Sayo Family Blog

Posted by darwin on December 28, 2010
I really like it.  …
The Drive
It’s smooth. It goes from one gear to another very smoothly. It doesn’t roar to life and accelerate in an explosive way like our old Xterra but that’s not why we bought it for. I keep seeing reviews putting down it’s 197 hp but if you want more horsepower and performance buy a car! I recently took it to San Francisco for the first time and it performed quite well. I didn’t once in frustration say “Come on go!” going up Van Ness. There’s a “manual” mode to where you can shift up or down.  It gets a little getting used to but handy.  It’s supposedly VW tuned so the drive is a little more responsive.
Driver

• I feel very comfortable in the drivers seat. The windshield seems so huge.
• It took a couple days to get the seat just right because there is so much play in the seat settings.
• The steering wheel seems so much bigger. I do like the leather wrapped steering wheel on this van as opposed to a non leather wrapped one. It feels very nice and smooth. I never thought I’d ever appreciate such a thing.
• All the controls are in arms reach. … The Routan has [auto] up and down on the drivers and passenger side windows.
• On the other side of the steering wheel are controls for the radio. I like this so much better because it doesn’t make you look for the buttons thus taking your eyes off the road. The Stereo is a bit far away so the buttons are very handy.
• The stereo is not bluetooth enabled, a feature I told myself I absolutely needed, so I can’t connect my phone to it … [Bluetooth was standard on some models in 2009, and is standard on all models in 2010.—DMW]

Passengers

• Seats six passegers or three cars seats.  Can only take one car seat in the third row with room for a passenger next to the car seat.  So if you have four kids that need to be in car seats this car is not for you.
• I like that the passenger windows go down and the rear windows will slightly wedge open too for more ventilation.
• Cabin noise is so much better than our Xterra.  That’s also due to the fact that it has less horsepower.

Conclusion
I’m not a great car reviewer but I really do like this van.  The two things I would change if I could would have been adding the OEM entertainment system and an automatic lift gate.

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2011 Routan list of updates and upgrades

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeAsk a VW salesguy's Blog has the list of changes for the 2011 Routan. Most are minor upgrades. One thing that is surprising is the switch to the new Chrysler 3.6L engine from both the 3.8L and 4.0L. The new "Pentastar" engine is supposed to be a good performer--and many people complained about the old pushrod 3.8L. I own a 4.0L and am very happy with it. It gets higher gas mileage than the 3.8L. I hope the 3.6L doesn't give up too much in torque and power.Image via Wikipedia

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2014 Volkswagen Microbus Illustrations

VW Operations 101: Piëch always gets his way—even if it takes 12 years.

Car and Driver
BY JENS MEINERS, ILLUSTRATION BY CHRISTIAN SCHULTE
December 2010
Pages: 1 Photos

• Photos (16)

Image by SOCIALisBETTER via FlickrRemember the Microbus concept Volkswagen brought to the Detroit auto show in 2001? Styled under the direction of former VW design chief Hartmut Warkuß and a pet project of erstwhile VW CEO Ferdinand Piëch, it fell out of favor when Bernd Pischetsrieder took over as CEO and installed his own design head. Although the van had moved close to production—VW even had a plant in mind to build it—its lines did not fit former Peugeot and Mercedes designer Murat Günak's styling language, and the project was cancelled in 2006.

Piëch must have made a mental note, because now the Microbus is back, on the front-wheel-drive platform of the Touran, a Golf-derived compact minivan not sold in the U.S. The retro-futuristic van likely will be just slightly smaller than the original concept, but look nearly identical. It will be unveiled in 2013, and production is expected to start in 2014.
Motivation for the new Microbus will come from several engines in VW’s parts bin, including four-cylinder gas and turbo-diesels. Power will be channeled to the front wheels through a manual transmission or VW's six- or seven-speed dual-clutch gearboxes. All-wheel drive is a possibility, and VW might build a range-extended EV version in the style of the Chevrolet Volt.
U.S. sales are almost a certainty. The New Beetle had its greatest successes here, and the old "Lovebus"—which you can still buy new in Brazil as the Kombi—is still fondly remembered. Production of the Microbus will coincide with the launch of another new, bigger van, a replacement for the Chrysler-supplied Routan to be built in Tennessee on VW's own platform. It just goes to show that, in its race for world domination, VW will be paying equal attention to mainstream and niche. For that, we are grateful.

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• Report: VW design chief says new Microbus is in the cards (autoblog.com)
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Volkswagen: What's New for 2011

Edmund's Inside Line

Image via Wikipedia2011 Volkswagen Routan: Volkswagen's minivan gets a new engine — the 283-hp, 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that's also new to the Chrysler minivans for 2011. This new V6 is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Volkswagen has also made some mild revisions to the Routan's cabin.

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Heels on Wheels: Minivan Comparison: VW ROUTAN vs DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

SEE ALSO: Volkswagen Buyers Guide
SEE ALSO: Dodge Buyers Guide
The Auto Channel
HEELS ON WHEELS
By Katrina Ramser
San Francisco Bureau
The Auto Channel
INTRO TO THE ROUTAN AND CARAVAN VEHICLES
One well-known minivan – the Dodge Grand Caravan – gets pitted against a relatively newcomer to the family driving market, the Volkswagen Routan. Will German engineering beat American-made machinery? Or will the Routan be revealed as a clone or “Mini-Me” to the Caravan?

Image via CrunchBaseI drove a 2010 VW Routan with a 197-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Available in S, SE, SEL and Premium trims; my SE test drive featured a healthy list of standards for a step above base including an 8-way adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, power-sliding rear doors, tri-zone manual climate control, removable second-row captain's chairs, the upgraded V-tex upholstery, Bluetooth and an upgraded audio system with a 6-CD changer. The addition of the RSE (rear seat entertainment) brought a DVD player, a power liftgate and satellite radio. Total vehicle price came to $33,500. There were no add-on packages to configure.

And I drove a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan also with a 197-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Available in a base van, SE, Hero and SXT trims; my Hero test drive featured a trip computer, heated exterior mirrors, third-row power ventilated windows, 3-zone temperature control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifting knob and a 6-speaker audio system with SIRIUS satellite radio. Optional packages included a $1,495 Popular Equipment Group (remote start, power liftgate, passenger-side power sliding doors), a $1,875 Single Screen DVD Entertainment System (6.5-inch touch-screen display, 30GB hard drive for storing songs, backup camera) and a $220 special sliding front console with cup holders. Total vehicle price came to $29,490.
Don’t let the Routan’s slightly different looks fool you: If you haven’t figured it out yet based on engine stats, the minivan is essentially a rebadged of the Caravan. Both feature the second and third-row Stow ‘n Go seating system, and identical safety features and results.
HEELS ON WHEELS REVIEW CRITERIA
Stylish But Comfortable Results: Two major interior differences were apparent: The Routan had a nicer or “leatherette” seating material and a navigation system, whereas the Caravan had cloth seating material and no navigation. The dash build inside the Routan is a little larger or expansive, which give a sense of more frontal space. Both vehicles have the standard Stow 'n Go setup, which consists of a pair of second-row captain's chairs that disappear into the floor along with the third-row bench for a flat floor featuring 140 cubic feet of cargo room. Unfortunately, Stow 'n Go seatbacks aren't as comfortable as larger seats.
Reliability & Safety Factor: Safety features are the same – but I find it odd the Caravan charges for anti-lock brakes (ABS) in their Power Equipment Group. Powertrain and basic warranties are the same. Both feature “Good” rating for frontal and side impact crash tests with the IIHS. But the only minivan on the 2010 IIHS Top Safety Pick is the Toyota Sienna.
Cost Issues: Base price for the Routan starts at $ while base price for the Grand Caravan begins at $21,800. Look into current Dodge incentives. The most surprising thing about the Routan is how affordable VW allowed this minivan to be.
Activity & Performance Ability: The driving experiences of the V6 engines are identical – swift, responsive and quiet. The difference is in the seating. Do you want to sit up high, like a bus driver? Choose the Caravan. The Routan’s driver seat tends to cradle the body more. It has been slighted repeatedly by critics both vehicles cannot compare to the performance of the Honda Odyssey in regards to handling refinement.
The Green Concern: Both vehicles retain 16-city/23-highway driving mpg for an average of 18 mpg – to be expected with a V6 engine. The smaller 4-cylinder found inside the Toyota Sienna can get you 19-city/24-highway driving mpg for about a 2-mpg improvement.
FINAL PARTING WORDS
The Grand Caravan feels a little bland next to the VW Routan’s special German genes that make an un-cool car like a minivan into something sleek and desirable. Furthermore, consumers should not have to pay extra for some of the Caravan’s optional features like a power liftgate, remote start and special cup holders; I also l appreciated how the Routan doesn’t offer such traditional packages but just well-equipped trims. And prices are the same when you consider my Routan test drive was equipped with a touch-screen navigation system and the Caravan test drive was not.
©2010 Katrina Ramser

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November 2010 YTD Sales Figures

Volkswagen's Routan achieved a 98.5% increase and Golf and Tiguan also experienced strong increases in sales compared to November 2009.


Volkswagen's TDI clean diesel models had another strong month with 4,304 total sales.

"It's no surprise the all-new Jetta and Touareg models did well for November but it's also good to see increases from models such as the Routan, Tiguan and Golf," said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "Our TDI clean diesel products continue to gain popularity as customers realize the benefit of this product."

PRNewswire published the November and YTD sales figures of the auto-makers who sell in the U.S. From these reports, we glean the following data:

Brand YTD  - 11/10


Chrysler   102,495

Dodge       89,057

Honda       98,035

Kia         20,151

Mazda       14,892
Nissan         177 (discontinued)
Toyota      89,509
Volkswagen  14,714

Total      429,030
Volkswagen's market share of van sales is 3.43%, in the target range declared when the Routan was introduced.

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Dr. Ulrich Hackenberd-Volkswagen Routan – Cool Video

31 Days of Cool Cars and Hot Savings: Day 3 | TrueCar Blog

Friday, December 3, 2010 5:00 am

Image via CrunchBaseTrueCar Blog

Welcome to Day 3 of TrueCar.com’s 31 Days of Savings.  Yesterday we featured the luxury of Lexus, the simplicity of Mitsubishi and the fuel economy of Chevrolet.  So far, we have featured 5 cars that offer at least a 10% discount, with discounts as high as 24%.  Now is a great time to buy.
As a reminder, the following needs to be remembered when considering these deals:
• Incentives and leasing programs are subject to change and should be confirmed with your dealer
• Many of the 2010 models are great deals because they are in short supply, check with your dealer for inventory
• Many of the 2011 models are just becoming great deals as 2010s go completely away
• Advertised lease specials can be improved upon, as we have stated previously
…
Deal #2:  2010 Volkswagen Routan S

Image via WikipediaThough the TV show Lost featured the iconic VW van in full-on retro mode over the course of its 6 years, most people stopped thinking about Volkswagen as a maker of minivans sometime after Woodstock.  But the manufacturer still makes outstanding vehicles and, though this might be in short supply because of model year changeover, getting your hands on one is a great buy.  The TrueCar average price is $23,082, which represents a 14% discount from MSRP.

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The MA List: 6 Concept Cars That Cried Wolf!

The Car Connection

Source: MotorAuthority.com

2001 Volkswagen Microbus concept
Enlarge Photo
Concept cars are a mixed breed. Sometimes, they're the real thing slightly disguised, and sometimes they're way-off abstractions in the Tomorrowland vein.
In a handful of cases, concept cars are annoying knock-offs of the boy who cried wolf, without the bit that makes the fairy tale appealing. You know, the part where the boy gets eaten.

Image via WikipediaNow, to be fair, there's more reality in most any concept car than in an episode of Operation Repo. We can't remember how many times Honda or Lexus has placed a production-ready car on an auto-show stand and called it a "concept"--think Model X, LF-A. And even among the purest flights of fancy, there are some ideas that spring to life from them.

With auto show season in full swing, we're already hearing new talk about old trial balloons that have floated overhead, sometimes for most of the past decade, promising to take up real production-line space but never following up on those empty threats. These are the ones we'll have a hard time believing are real until someone can actually document a registration down at the local DMV.
The list of repeat offenders isn't too long, and some of them truly are lovely to contemplate. Still, we don't want to hear any more from these six concepts until they're ready to do something, or get off the pot. Or until they're eaten.
2001 Volkswagen Microbus

Image via WikipediaThis week's prattling on about a new Microbus has only reminded us of the long, sad history of VW concept vans. Yes, we were there when the 2001 concept captivated Detroit (!). And then it went dormant. A decade's worth of teasing didn't help--and neither did the 2009 Routan, an anti-Bus if there ever were one. Back in 2008, we gave you plenty of reasons to doubt the return of Microbus, but now it's VW teasing once more. With a new mid-size sedan coming, it's not out of the question that a big crossover with a Microbus badge might emerge from Chattanooga--but that flat-faced front end is a killer to recreate. And if it can't be done, is the result really a Microbus?

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