Monday, November 29, 2010

Pick of the Week: 2010 Volkswagen Routan

Edmunds Daily
VW Routan.jpg
Chrysler may like to think that it invented the minivan. And while Chrysler does deserve credit for moving minivans into the mainstream, Volkswagen was selling its funky minivans decades earlier. But after VW decided to discontinue its own minivan in 2003 (due mostly to currency concerns), it was left without a competitive entry in the segment.
So perhaps it was a bit ironic that VW chose to badge-engineer a Chrysler minivan to sell as its own in 2009, in the form of the Routan. While its Chrysler/Dodge DNA might not be the most elite in the minivan lineage, last year they racked up nearly 200,000 sales, so it is not a bad place to start. Unfortunately, not only have the Chrysler Group minivans been updated for the 2011 model year, but competing models from Honda and Toyota have also undergone total redesigns recently. Without any improvements of its own, VW is left to offer bigger incentives on the Routan.

Now through January 3, 2011, VW is offering zero percent financing for up to 72 months (that's six years to you and me). Those looking to lease will find lease rates as low as 1 percent, along with lease cash ranging from $2,750 to $4,250 (depending on model).
Let's hope Chrysler's initial myriad minivan quality issues have been addressed in the Routan. But even putting that aside, it's important to recognize that this is not a segment-leading minivan. It's a competent people mover with a hint of European flair, but rival models like the Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona and Toyota Sienna will serve the typical minivan buyer better. Then again, none of those are offering 72 months of free financing. For the latest incentives and rebates, click here.
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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Jimmy the Gun: Autoblog Takes Away My Thunder...VW Microbus

Jimmy the Gun
I started writing this post yesterday, but I was on kid duty and ran out of time to finish it.  Then today I see that Autoblog tweeted about VW's design chief saying a new Microbus is in the cards.  While that announcement is SOOOO exciting, it takes away my thunder.  But, I'm still posting this because I know my loyal fans need something new to read, as my blog has been lacking entries for a few weeks now.
Why don't I know how to use Photoshop? I need to know how to use it. I have so many ideas (I think are great) for vehicle revisions. Take Volkswagen for example. They created the Microbus in the 1950's. Now, they've moved to a modified Dodge Caravan, completely losing their focus on European design and ingenuity. Why? Because they think Americans want more crap? I don't know. But Dodge was sure not the way I would have gone. Look at the original Microbus or "Bus" as so many people call them.


This is a totally cool looking van. If it was modernized, like the Beetle (or "Bug") was, the Microbus could take a whole segment of vehicles retro and make the "minivan mom's" seem cool again. Nissan and Toyota redesigned their vans, but VW has the retro game down.  And, because VW has the nostalgia of the Bus, they could get away with some really cool things.  A few years back, they did come out with a Microbus concept, but it didn't take off for a few reasons.

First, VW did not do a great job with the headlights.  The original are round, not thin slices.  I'm not sure I would want the same style as the original, but something that is reminiscent of the old style would work better.  Here is why the round doesn't work:

Second, although pushing the wheels out to the edges is one of the things I love about VW's, this concept pushed the wheels beyond the outer edge to where they had to design fenders that popped out too far too.  Also, the rear wheels seem to be falling off the back of the van.
I do love that it is really close to the same shape as the original.  I love that there are vents in similar places to the original.  I love that inside it has some of the things the Bus is famous for, tables, movable chairs, etc.

I'm not sure about safety issues or why the engine can't be in the rear, except for the fact that this would never be built as a rear wheel drive vehicle, but it would be awesome if they built it that way.  If they did this, they could  push the driver forward even more, giving that "no nose" front end to the van.  Again, safety standards today may require a crumple zone in front to provide protection for the driver and front passenger, but I just wanted to mention it.  In reality, this is going to be a front or all wheel drive vehicle and the engine placement would work better in the front.
VW did have the Vanagon and the Eurovan, which were both pretty unsuccessful here in the USA, but they are more true to VW style than the current Routan, which is based on the Dodge Caravan.  The Vanagon and Eurovan were more boxy than rounded like the Microbus, but they had some of the VW interior queues that made these vans really practical.  This van still exists (not here in the USA) and its latest form is shown in these two pictures (silver is standard, black is customized).  I actually like these as a starting point for the new Microbus.


Finally, I'm not going to hold my breath for the new Microbus.  I've talked about it before and it hasn't happened yet.  I think the concept came out in 2001.  And now, here we are 10 years later and we have a Dodge Caravan to show for it.  Yuck!  So here's my standard letter to the company, as though they read my blog:
Dear Volkswagen,


First let me say, I learned to drive on a 1976 Diesel Rabbit,  I purchased a 1999 VW "New Golf" as my first new car purchase, and I'm now wishing I could replace my '99 (which is over 190K miles) with a 2011 Golf.  I love your company.  I believe you know how to make vehicles that are fun to drive.  I believe you know retro.  I think that American's love retro too.  The Beetle was a success, and other companies have had huge success with retro designs as well (Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, Chevy Camaro).


It's time for a Microbus, one for those of us who need the capabilities of a van without all the ugly minivan stereotypes.  The VW Microbus could be that answer.  Take design queues from the old Microbus with modern family traits from today's T5 model.  Make us a retro style Microbus that no one will consider "just another minivan."


Do it right VW.  Do it well.  Make me proud to be a fan, a family man, and a future Microbus owner.




Sincerely,


Jimmy the Gun
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Monday, November 22, 2010

Quit Teasing: VW Says New Microbus Back on Design Table

Motor Trend Magazine
Quit Teasing: VW Says New Microbus Back on Design Table
We know that a new New Beetle is certainly in Volkswagen's future product plans, but a new Microbus? The ever-expanding German automaker is once again teasing the automotive world with visions of a new-generation model sporting the legendary nameplate, but is far from deciding which direction it would take if indeed it brought it back.
Volkswagen Microbus

CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY






Volkswagen Microbus
CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY





"I would not be doing my job at Volkswagen properly if I was not thinking of bringing back the Camper," Klaus Bischoff, head of design for the entire Volkswagen brand, recently told British publication Auto Express.
Volkswagen Microbus Concept

CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY
Volkswagen Microbus Concept

CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY
Volkswagen Microbus Concept

CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY




This isn't exactly the first time Volkswagen has looked into tapping into its history to create a minivan chock full of nostalgia. In 2001, the company cranked out a retro concept which mated styling inspired by the first-generation Transporter with a front-engine, front-wheel-drive platform, a 3.2-liter V-6, and plenty of interior luxuries.
Volkswagen Eurovan T4b Highroof Half-Panel Lat...Image via WikipediaThe design was reportedly under consideration to replace the EuroVan here in the U.S., but Bischoff confirms development and manufacturing costs quickly killed the project. VW later adapted the Chrysler-based Routan to fill the minivan gap within its North American portfolio, but it hasn't exactly abandoned the idea of a modern Microbus. A resto-mod Chameleon concept (based off a 1964 Samba) appeared in 2006 to showcase a number of advanced technologies, while the 2007 SpaceUp! concept bore an eerie resemblance to the scuttled 2001 show car.
Bischoff notes designers are indeed working on a new 'Bus, but at this stage, they're still facing a number of difficult decisions. It's one thing to make a vehicle look like an old Microbus, but would such a basic, utilitarian vehicle fly in today's market, which demands tech-laden, family-friendly people movers? Should VW create a luxobus that abandons the funky flexibility of the original -- and, subsequently, Microbus purists?
"The key question is 'what sort of car should we build,'" notes Bischoff. "It could be a traditional MPV with a conventional interior, or we could be much bolder, designing a more flexible, versatile machine -- perhaps one that is closer in spirit to the original model. It is not yet decided."
Neither, it seems, is styling. Bischoff notes that, despite the Microbus' spiritual connection to North America, the current design "is very much a European project." Volkswagen's California design studios -- which, arguably, sparked the company's retro love affair by birthing the Concept 1 in 1994 -- will help contribute to the design, as will several of the automaker's global design facilities.
Will we see one? Seeing as the concept isn't anywhere close to completion, we'd argue it's far too soon to be discussing a production version. Still, if VW sees fit to push the new Microbus into production, we wouldn't likely see it on our shores until well after 2014.
What do you think, should VW finally bring back the Microbus? If so, what form should it take?
Source: Auto Express
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The Continental: ... Some News from ... VW

Car and Driver Blog
2009 Volkswagen Routan photographed at the 200...Image via Wikipedia
        
         VW Coupe to Come, Routan to Stay
VW Jetta VImage via WikipediaVW is planning to put the NCC (New Compact Coupe) into production. The two-door Jetta was shown as a concept in Detroit this January and will be built in Tennessee. That plant might also build the successor of the Routan down the road, which will be based on one of VW’s car platforms. But the current Routan, a derivative of the Chrysler minivan, will stay in production until mid-2014.
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Monday, November 15, 2010

October 2010 YTD Sales of Routan

Routan
Image via Wikipedia


In addition to the Jetta, Volkswagen's Routan, Golf and GTI models had increases in sales compared to October 2009. The Routan sold 1,103 units, a 64.9 percent increase from the same month last year.

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


Brand          YTD - 10/10
Chrysler       95,952
Dodge          83,158
Honda          89,230
Kia            18,872
Mazda          14,039
Nissan            177 (discontinued)
Toyota         81,384
Volkswagen     13,642

Total         396,454

Volkswagen's market share of vane sales is 3.44%, in the target range declared when the Routan was introduced.
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Friday, November 12, 2010

Volkswagen Routan

RoutanImage via Wikipedia

{Note-The picture below that accompanied the article is actually of the European Sharan. I inserted a picture of the Routan above.—DMW}

Volkswagen Routan
Hartford Courant.com
By JIM MACPHERSON
November 10, 2010
Dieter ZetscheImage via WikipediaThe collaboration between Volkswagen and Chrysler, which produced the VW Routan minivan, has raised eyebrows. Here we have Volkswagen, which introduced Americans to the practicality of a small van built on a car's platform in the 1950s and Ô60s (it was known as the Type 2, Transporter or microbus). And Chrysler reintroduced the small-van concept to Americans with its Voyager and Caravan models in 1984.
The collaboration between these two companies probably had as much to do with personalities as with historical synergy. Wolfgang Bernhard had worked with Dieter Zetsche, the former head of Chrysler back in the DaimlerChrysler days. Bernhard moved on to Volkswagen at about the same time the decision was made to go with the Chrysler platform for Volkswagen's next minivan. Called the Routan, it arrived in 2009.
Four models of the Routan are offered: the base S, SE, SEL and SEL Premium. The S and SE models feature a 3.8-liter V-6. The SEL models use a 4.0-liter V-6. Both engines use a six-speed automatic transmission. All models have front-wheel drive and three rows of seating.
Even the base S model is nicely equipped with tri-zone manual air conditioning complete with rear-seat controls. The S model also has power windows, remote control locks and heated mirrors. Much of the safety equipment that is expected of new cars is present, too, including side curtain air bags, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, tire pressure monitoring and daytime running lights.
SE models add heated front seats with good looking vinyl upholstery - most people think it is leather. Other extras are very handy power adjustable pedals, a power driver's seat, and an upgrade to second-row bucket seats rather than a split-and-folding bench seat.
The SEL model features automatic three-zone climate control, leather upholstery, a navigation system with a backup camera, a power sunroof and power third-row folding seats.
The SEL Premium includes a rear seat DVD player, rear obstacle detection, memory for the driver's seat, mirrors and pedals, roof rails, fog lights and xenon headlights.
Our review vehicle had all of these features along with the 4.0-liter V-6.
Of more importance, our Routan diverged from its Chrysler cousins in several important ways. First, the suspension feels a little tighter and less relaxed over bumps and pavement undulations. The result is a steadier ride without harshness. Handling also feels a little sharper with less lean in corners.
Volkswagen has used a mix of hard and soft-to-the-touch plastics inside, all of which look very good. Our review vehicle was nicely assembled, too. Only the center console, which is a little too flexible, could stand some work.
Another interior upgrade is to be found in the second row seating. Some people may consider this a step down, but the Chrysler Stow 'n Go seats are absent. Our review SEL Premium came with second row bucket seats that would not flip, fold and disappear beneath the floor to form a flat load floor for cargo. Instead, the seats in the Routan must be removed for carrying larger items. Although they might be less flexible, these seats were much more comfortable than the Stow 'n Go seating they replaced. For buyers who have to transport adults in the second row, the Volkswagen approach seems preferable. It is certainly more comfortable. Volkswagen uses the compartments that normally hold the folded second row seats for two large and convenient under-floor storage bins.
The Routan's third row seat does flip, fold and tumble into a well at the rear of the vehicle to form a flat load floor for cargo. In the SEL models this is accomplished with the push of a button. The third row seats will accommodate adults, but it is probably a good idea to keep the trip short. Also, the well at the rear of the vehicle that holds this third row seat when folded is perfect for holding grocery bags.
Acceleration from the 4.0-liter V-6 is more than sufficient. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, too, producing a run to 60 miles per hour that required just 8.7 seconds. Fuel economy, considering the size of the vehicle, was reasonable. In our first Routan, we averaged 18.8 miles per gallon. This time out, the fuel economy came to 18.1 miles per gallon.
Paula says:
Parked in our garage, the Routan seems large. It fits easily enough, but its length and height are substantial. On the road, however, it feels much smaller. It is easy to maneuver in parking lots and surprisingly hassle-free in traffic. The backup camera is a help, with an image of what is behind displayed on the navigation system's screen while in reverse.
The power front driver's seat is also worthy of mention. It allows shorter drivers to raise the seat quite high in order to gain excellent visibility ahead and around the mirrors. Combined with the power adjusted pedals, this minivan should fit just about everyone.
I would have to adjust to the shift lever, which is mounted on the instrument panel. At least it is out of the way of the generally easy-to-use controls.
The interior is cavernous with the third row seat folded. I am hard-pressed to imagine that there would be too many times that the second row seats would have to be removed. There is 83 cubic feet of space with these seats in place; 140 cubic feet with them removed.
Jim MacPherson is the host of "The Car Doctor" show airing Sundays at noon on WTIC-AM. Paula MacPherson is his wife and new-car review partner. Send comments, questions, suggestions in care of Special Publications, Hartford Courant, 285 Broad St., Hartford, CT 06115, or email jdee@courant.com.
This content was prepared by the Marketing Department of The Hartford Courant without involvement of the News Department
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Thursday, November 11, 2010

The 2010 Volkswagen Routan ranks 5 out of 7 Minivans

automotivesnews.com
Volkswagen Routan 2010 The 2010 Volkswagen Routan ranks 5 out of 7 Minivans
The 2010 Volkswagen Routan ranks 5 out of 7 Minivans. This ranking is based on our analysis of 13 published reviews and test drives of the Volkswagen Routan, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
Volkswagen teamed up with Chrysler to produce the Routan.  Like the partnership that created it, the Routan is something of a mixed bag.
The Routan is a VW, albeit one that’s heavily based on the Chrysler minivans — the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan.  With the Routan, VW tried to reverse that trend, taking a tried and true minivan platform, retuning the suspension for more exciting driving and upgrading the interior with nicer materials from VW’s parts bin.
Volkswagen Routan 2010 2 The 2010 Volkswagen Routan ranks 5 out of 7 Minivans
Reviewers say that while the Routan drives slightly better than the Chrysler minivans, it still lags the Honda Odyssey. Inside, while the VW materials help the interior, some reviewers say that simply slapping nice coverings on a Chrysler interior is sort of like putting lipstick on a pig.
Despite these setbacks, however, the Routan has some strong points. Though reviewers say the Odyssey outperforms the Routan, it’s only by a matter of degrees, and the Routan has a lower starting price. Finally, the Routan has very good crash test scores.  And while the Routan’s warranty isn’t longer than its competitors, it’s the only minivan to offer free scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles.
19431 2010 volkswagen Routan The 2010 Volkswagen Routan ranks 5 out of 7 Minivans
The bottom line is, if you’re shopping minivans, the Routan is a solid choice, but so is almost every other van in the class.  The Routan comes in four trims: the S base model, the SE, the SEL and the SEL Premium. The Routan was all-new in 2009.
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Monday, November 8, 2010

2010 Volkswagen Routan Long Term Update 2

Motor Trend
November 03, 2010
/ By Allyson Harwood
/ Photography by Mike Shaffer
|
2010 Volkswagen Routan Front Three Quarters


Click to view Gallery
Executive editor Ed Loh recently used the Routan as a tour bus, lugging six friends to major tourist spots in the Los Angeles area, including Philippe's the Original (best French dip sandwiches in town), Olvera Street, and Chinatown, plus Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Rodeo Drive, and the Farmers Market.
Volkswage TouranImage via WikipediaThe visitors, a family from France, own a Renault Espace and are familiar with the Euro-market Volkswagen Touran (swap the T and the R and you know where VW got the name Routan). They were impressed by the dual fold-down LCD screens, headphones, remote controls, and power sliding doors and cargo door. "The Routan was admired by our French friends. Though access to the backseat for the three kids was a bit inelegant, we were able to fit nearly 6-foot-tall Antoine, 11-year-old Nicolas, and 6-year-old Louise in the third row."
2010 Volkswagen Routan Side View Driver
2010 Volkswagen Routan Side View Driver Static
2010 Volkswagen Routan
Months/miles in service
5/10,399
Avg econ/CO2
18.0 mpg/1.08 lb/mile
Unresolved problems
None
Maintenance cost
$0 (oil change/inspection/rotate tires, plus machined warped brake rotors)
Normal-wear cost
$0
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Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Volkswagen's U.S. Sales Grow 17.9 Percent in October 2010

Green Hotel : Bangkok Thailand

Volkswagen's U.S. operations posted a strong sales increase in September 2010, but the company continued its march forward with an equally impressive October showing. Last month, the German automaker reported a 17.9-percent increase over the same period last year.

VW of America's U.S. deliveries totaled 20,084 vehicles in October 2010, 3047 cars more than the brand moved last October. As usual, the brand's strength lies with its compact offerings, especially the Jetta. 11,958 examples were sold in October, with roughly half of that figure -- 5464 cars, to be precise -- attributed to the all-new 2011 Jetta sedan.

Unsurprisingly, the next-best selling model in VW's North American portfolio remains the Golf and GTI hatchback -- combined, the two accounted for 1905 deliveries, which marks a 62-percent increase from last October. Volkswagen's Tiguan sales grew 49 percent to 1453 deliveries, but surprisingly, the largest growth lies with the Routan. Only 1103 examples of the Chrysler-built minivan were sold in October, but that marks a 65-percent improvement over the same period in 2009.

A zero-percent, 72-month financing deal may have helped the Routan's figures, but other vehicles applicable for the deal -- the Eos and New Beetle -- didn't benefit quite as much. …
…Thus far in 2010, the automaker's U.S. sales are up by nearly 20 percent.
Credit: Automobile Magazine
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New Models Drive Luxury Sales in October; Momentum Continues for Others

Auto Observer
Volkswagen of America Inc., which has ambitious U.S. sales goals, increased October sales by nearly 18 percent from a year ago. Its sales were paced by the new Jetta, which had its first full month of sales and its best sales month since 2005, with the exception of last year's Cash for Clunkers period.
Volkswagen has taken heat for its price-reduced new Jetta, which critics charge the German automaker has cheapened too much in its effort to make it affordable to more customers. In addition to heavily advertising the Jetta's affordable price, Volkswagen is offering one of its biggest incentives ever for the nameplate.
2009 Volkswagen Routan photographed in College...Image via WikipediaAlso chipping into Volkswagen's total were higher sales of the Chrysler-built Routan minivan, Golf and GTI.
"Volkswagen continues to grow sales in all models and products through October," said Mark Barnes, VWoA's Chief Operating Officer. "It is good to see the all-new Jetta getting off to such a promising start and our TDI products continue to do well."
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Tuesday, November 2, 2010

The six-year wait is over

and then there were four… blog
Okay, so I was never “waiting”, but, after six years of being a one-car family, about three weeks ago we finally went out and not only got a second vehicle, but became a mini-van family.
Monroeville, PA: Volkswagen RoutanImage by harry_nl via FlickrPlus, I finally fulfilled my dream of owning a Volkswagen. True, it isn’t the Jetta I always dreamed of having, but dreams change, and I couldn’t be happier with our decision.
We have been talking of getting a second car probably since we got pregnant with Olivia. On and off we would say “well, eventually we’ll need a second car”. But if you know anything about Bill and I, you know that we are incredibly indecisive about the simplest of things:… So you can only imagine how we are when it comes to something as huge as a new (or, new to us) car. So for the past four years we have gotten by on running errands on the weekends and at night when Bill got home. He has been able to take time off for doctor appointments and I have been able to walk within a 1.5 mile radius of our home to get to the park, swimming lessons; … We often relied on friends and family in situations where Bill couldn’t get away from work. While not exactly convenient at times, it worked and I didn’t feel that I was missing out on too much….
But, I knew that I couldn’t rely on [them]forever, so Bill and I got down to business and after going through a lot of ads online and thinking I would NEVER find a car we could A.) Afford and B.) Live with; we saw that a dealership about an hour away from us had three pre-owned 2009 VW Routans available for just under our budget.
Bill had test driven a new Routan a few months back and we both LOVED it, had almost gotten one, but the deal that was promised was not what they ended up offering and we walked away. While I was a little disappointed, I couldn’t fathom spending what they wanted us to spend, so when we saw this online special Bill told me to not get my hopes up. I was cautiously optimistic.
Still, we drove the hour to the dealership, I test drove the Routan, loved it and then Bill and the dealer went to work. I swear to you, my husband impressed me so much with his ability to negotiate. I never knew he had it in him! I actually walked away and took the girls back to our car because I knew he had it under control and everything would be fine.

And it was!
Now the girls are asking me when we are having more babies since we have room “for two more!”
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