From the Hummer to the Volkswagen minivan...

SunshineMamas.com

Submitted by Guest Mama on March 17, 2010 – 7:00 AM

… Some may say I’m officially a “mom” now that I’m driving a minivan BUT I tell you that my new ride has made my life much easier! The convenience factor has been a blessing on its own. With a 4 year old, 2 year old and another little one on the way I couldn’t be happier with my outcome.

There were limited choices on vehicles to choose from considering 3 car seats needed to fit in the back as well as getting better gas mileage and a cheaper monthly payment. My Volkswagen Routon (a.k.a. the V-dub!) offered everything we were looking for. …

So…I may not be the cool chick driving the Hummer anymore but I’m for sure the practical mom. I encourage all you Mamas out there who are looking for a new vehicle and have sworn to yourself (just as I had) that you would never be caught driving a minivan to think twice. YOU CAN ROCK A MINIVAN!

Check out the VW Routan!

Preview: Mini-Minivans

Motor Talk

Family Fridays – A look at the upcoming Mini-Minivans

It’s no secret that I love the Mazda5 and the concept of Mini-Minivans. The problem is that I might be one of the few that actually does. But, since this is my post, I’ll continue the love fest over Mini-Minivans.

In addition to the 2011 Mazda5 refresh, there are two other Mini-Minivans coming stateside very soon, the Ford Grand C-Max and the VW Sharan.

2011 Mazda5 – Coming later this year

Much has already been written about the 5 here on Motor Talk. See Preview of 2011 Mazda5 and first Used Car Review of 2006 Mazda5.

Like previously mentioned, we are still VERY skeptical of the swoops on the side of the van but, love the blend of value, performance and functionality the 5 brings to the table. Before, the 5 was all by itself, will the new competition raise the bar? (Note to Mazda: Where is the Mazdaspeed version?)

2011 Ford Grand C-Max – Coming 4th quarter 2011

The hits keep coming from Ford. We were surprised when we first heard that the C-Max was coming, and we were really surprised when we found out that the version with proper sliding doors was coming. Don’t have full details yet, but I sure do like the looks. This might be the alternative to those that don’t want those controversial ridges on the 5. (Note to Ford: Where is the RS or SVT version?)

2011 Volkswagen Sharan – Stateside ??? Hopefully 2012 ???

Out of the 3 Mini-Minivans, the VW looks to have the most conservative styling…who knows that might be a good thing (see Accord and Camry). The rumored plans from VW is to replace the Routan with the Sharan. With apologies to Brook Shields…I say, GREAT IDEA! If nothing else, this has a manual gearbox!

Motor Talk Straight Talk – Sliding doors and manual gearboxes = Functionality and Fun!

VW Routan: Driving report

Car Blog

Well, what shall we say about the VW Routan. Maybe nothing and let others speak.

VW did what it could to restyle the front and the rear of the Routan, including tighter gaps between front panels. It also tightened up the handling and added better-looking wheels, a nicer dash, better seats and a beefy leather steering wheel.

VW accomplished a lot, considering that exterior styling for the Dodge Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Town & Country was already frozen by the time VW signed up in January ‘06 to have Chrysler build the Routan.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, VW Routan

Source: Auto Week

roQQ boTTom sports: Week Recap, since I've been slacking...

roqqbottom.blogspot.com

The blogger bought a new car recently, and in the process became conversant in car colors. While most manufacturers add some exotic adjective to a color name, Volkswagen provides a whole paragraph. Here are his comments on 2010 Routan colors. (By the way, Volkswagen replaced Atlantis Blue—the color of my 2009 Routan SEL, with Tanzanite. In fact, they may be the same color and Volkswagen wanted to remove 2 blues from the list.)

Good god. The Routan has eight new shades, or perhaps one new shade, and seven renamed shades. Take a deep breath.
Antigua Blue: "Clean, simple and pure. It's like a huge vanilla ice cream cone that never melts." And it's Downy fresh...well, it's the shade of fabric softener. Blue vanilla? See, I just told you the shade without all this nonsense. Though I'm too butch to use fabric softener...or hand sanitizer.
Cala Lily White: "Clean and untouched. Here's carte blanche to make your mark." Sounds like a Madonna song...looks like Moby Dick.
Cocoa Bean: "Dark, rich and delicious like the treat it's inspired by." They know they need to manipulate the wife into wanting this. Men are going to manipulate their way into a 4x4.
Mercury Silver: "Lustrous, mysterious, mercurial. Like quicksilver. Now you see it, now you don't." Like your vampire boyfriend. Or bon bons.
Tanzanite: "A shaded medley of sapphire blue, violet and burgundy that glimmers like a rare gemstone." Good god. It's like an ad for Jareds.
Pomegranate Red: "Mouthwateringly fresh. Ready to be picked and savored." But don't dip your chips in it. Maybe a shade darker than salsa. Maybe.
Noctune Black: "Sophisticated, stylish, and trendsetting. Noctune Black is the new black."
Meteor Gray: "Elegant and out of this world, ready to enter the earth's atmosphere in style." These last two are more butch than their descriptions, which still are a bit estrogen-heavy.

Spring Break in Destin – book today

A Travel Writer’s opinion of the Volkswagen Routan

Birmingham Travel Examiner

Becky Beall

Transportation Note:
Need lots of room for traveling? Why not try the only minivan in America with German engineering? Volkswagen's Routan offers terrific road handling and five-star crash ratings. This is a mom mobile!

FACTS:
2009 Volkswagen Routan SE
Class: Minivans
Fuel Economy: 16/23
Price as Driven: $32,720

Traveling with children is made more tolerable with today's amenities available on upper end minivans and crossovers. With that being said, Volkswagen's new Routan doesn't follow the pack, it leads the pack. Not only is this German engineered minivan perfect for families in terms of space, but also in terms of safety, comfort, and added amenities.

The Routan comes standard with a 3.8 liter V6 engine providing 197 horsepower (available also in 4.0 liter V6 with 251 horsepower). The suspension and steering are both German tuned for exceptional handling and noteable advanced driving dynamics. You'll love the remote engine start, the second row power windows, and the power sliding doors.
Kids will love the rear seat entertainment system with two nine-inch screens for second and third rows including wireless headphones and remote control. Don't worry mom and dad, there is SIRIUS Satellite Radio for you!
This is a well-made, well-thought-out vehicle perfect for families, traveling or not. It seats up to seven, has lots of cup holders, and handles the road like a champ. For the money and the fuel economy...this is a great choice for today's modern family.

MY FAVES:
Fuel efficient, yet plenty of power to effectively maneuver through traffic.
European styling and the road handling of a German-inspired vehicle.
Remote back liftgate.
Navigation is simple and easy to operate.

Routan photos courtesy of Volkswagen of America, Inc.

VW February Sales Up 36%

Owner's Manual Blog

Mar.03, 2010 in Sales

Volkswagen has announced February sales and the results are encouraging. A huge gain in the popular GTI was no doubt helped by it’s being named Car of the Year by Automobile Magazine.

Other big gainers: Tiguan and the popular Routan minivan.

Outlook
Overall sales, including domestic brands and unadjusted for business days, were up 13.3 percent from February 2009 and 12 percent from last month. The seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) for light vehicles now stands at 10.38 million units, an improvement from 9.17 million units in February 2009.

YTD to Feb Routan Sales

This is not an official release from Volkswagen of America. February Routan sales increased year over year, and it increased it's market share % over 2009. Model awareness is building now that ad agency Deutch is placing Routan ads on TV. They have resurrected the "Wet Boy" spot for the time being. The Punch Dub ads not only feature the Routan, but by playing the game the public increases their awareness of the modern Volkswagen.
On February 6, 2008, Associated Press reported, in part: "[Volkswagen of America President and CEO Stefan] Jacoby said the minivan market still is approaching 1 million vehicles a year, and Volkswagen would like to capture 3 to 5 per cent of that."
PRNewswire published the February and YTD sales figures of the auto-makers who sell in the U.S. From these reports, we glean the following data:
Brand YTD - 02/10
Chrysler 13,180
Dodge 13,688
Honda 12,315
Kia 1,906
Mazda 3,602
Nissan 116 (discontinued)
Toyota 6,615
Volkswagen 1,824
Total 53,246
Volkswagen's market share of van sales is 3.43%, right where Volkswagen of America was aiming for. Volkswagen has gained market share where they had none.