DSG Topic Hub

2018 Audi Q5 2.0T Quattro S-tronic – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

Welcome to world of the sequel. Just like the movies, the auto world is always challenged by the follow up to a blockbuster. And make no mistake, Audi Q5 SUV is the real deal – the company’s number one selling vehicle. So, for all of us who lust after the R8, the S5 Sportback we just tested, or even the TT Roadster, we have the immensely popular Q5 paying the bills so Audi can bring in all the other good stuff we love. Thank you, Q5. Now, what have you done for us lately? Of course, that is not to …

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Jul 03, 2018 Read more

2017 VW Golf Alltrack S w/ 4Motion – HD Road Test Review

Wagons are back! Have you heard? Small families and bachelors alike are rediscovering how easy, smooth and practical they are versus the endless line of mini SUVs. Wagons have better mileage, handling and — sometimes — even long-roof style. There are places where the Golf Sportwagen’s low ride height is simply not ideal — even with that car’s optional 4Motion AWD system. For mountain states like Colorado or Vermont, there can never be enough tall, 4×4 wagons to choose from. Subaru has had this market on lock for decades now with their big Outback and smaller Crosstrek wagons. VW is …

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Oct 08, 2017 Read more

2017 VW Jetta GLI DSG Automatic – HD Road Test Review

The Jetta GLI is the ultimate humble brag. For those in the know, the GLI is clearly a joyous drive and a frisky friend. A car that majors in FUN while never really showing much effort. But as you pull up to stoplights, it will take a car-guy/gal to appreciate that this a sweet sports car. Wrapped in mild-mannered and supremely practical four-door form. We spent a week with the throttle floored to learn if GLI’s charm can make up for its extremely subtle design and brand worries. Two videos and 60 photos accompany section headings of Exterior, Interior, Performance and …

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Apr 10, 2017 Read more

2017 Audi S3 Quattro S-tronic – HD Road Test Review

This big question you have for yourself when spending near $50k for a compact exec car is: does the performance upgrade make up for its lack of scale? For the same money as the revised 2017 S3, you can find yourself in a (small-engined) fullsize luxury car like Genesis G80 or even Audi’s own A6. While that is a rational thoughtline for your brain, it all goes out the window in real life. The money spent upgrading an A3 to this S3 quattro sedan with S-tronic all goes directly to your cheeks. To help you smile bigger, and laugh harder! …

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Mar 02, 2017 Read more

GTI for an Eye! 2016 Volkswagen GTI Avenges MkV GTI Sins

GTI Battle: 2008 VW GTI DSG vs. 2016 VW GTI Autobahn with Performance Package & DSG Just how much of a difference can two generations make? I love hot hatchbacks. Being able to have a practical performance-oriented vehicle is immensely appealing. For nine years, I drove a Mk5 2008 Volkswagen GTI whose sole option was the DSG automated-manual gearbox (Yes, it wasn’t a manual and no I don’t care). It was a fantastic car, but the time finally came when I wanted to upgrade. What to get? Something sporty like a Nissan 370Z? Some American muscle in the form of a Ford Mustang …

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Apr 06, 2016 Read more

HD First Drive Review – 2015 Audi A3 1.8T Sedan

The Audi A3 family is pretty massive for 2015 – with the new sedan just the first in the offensive that will include the A3/S3 Cabrio, A3 Sportback and Sportback Hybrid, an S3 sedan and even the Q3 mini SUV. So there is a lot riding on this compact exec’s shoulders – not least a worry that it might be overpriced and under-amazing. But that is not the case in the slightest. What we discovered after flogging Audi’s latest machine around Lake Lanier, Georgia last week is a fun, peppy car with outstanding driving characteristics, very intuitive steering, and a …

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Sep 18, 2015 Read more

2016 Volkswagen GTI Clubsport Anniversary Edition Packs New Aero Kit + 290HP Overboost

VW just revealed one of its Frankfurt specials: the new GTI Clubsport Anniversary. This hot model bumps up the output from the previous Euro-only Clubsport by 35 horsepower. The baseline power is 265 ponies through a six-speed manual and or optional DSG. Sprint pace is down to 6.0-seconds for the stick, or 5.9 for the DSG. A massive jump in overall power comes via overboost tech in the engine programming. For around 15 seconds, the Clubsport Anniversary can deliver 290 horsepower — enough for a massive jump in acceleration forces. Outside, the Clubsport Anniversary wears a fresh set of …

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Sep 09, 2015 Read more

2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR Scoots Around Go-Kart Autocross at Road America

Alternative headlines? “GSR Aims at Autocross Target, Misses.” “Beetle GSR Drives Like It Has Gorilla On Roof.” The Beetle GSR is supposedly tailor-made for racing and timed laps – it even includes a chronometer stopwatch right in the central dashboard and racing stripes outside. Unfortunately, all who drove it at Road America last week came away with various harsh critiques. Brakes were spongy and non-existent, the tires washed out all sense of grip, it felt pokey, and most damning of all: it handled extremely poorly. My critique that it felt like a gorilla was on the roof was echoed by …

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May 28, 2014 Read more

Volkswagen Vision GTI Roadster for GT6 Scores 4Motion and 500HP Twin-Turbo VR6

The GranTurismo Vision concept series is still in roll-out mode – there are perhaps 20 more special concept cars still to come from all sorts of brands, including Lexus, Subaru Alfa-Romeo and more. Subaru’s looks very tasty – stay tuned for more details on Subie’s fast wagon prototype. For today, however, all eyes are on the VW #VisionGTI – a deliciously chopped-top roadster that is also packing huge four-wheel-drive power. Tallies are nearly 500-horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque to the 4Motion drivetrain. A seven-speed DSG is also in the mix – ensuring this little GTI will be running hot …

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May 28, 2014 Read more

Road Test Review – $32k 2015 Audi A3 Sedan Is Surprisingly Handsome, Modern and Fun to Flog!

The Audi A3 family is pretty massive for 2015 – with the new sedan just the first in the offensive that will include the A3/S3 Cabrio, A3 Sportback and Sportback Hybrid, an S3 sedan and even the Q3 mini SUV. So there is alot riding on this compact exec’s shoulders – not least the expectation that it might be overpriced and under-amazing. But that is not the case in the slightest. What we discovered after flogging Audi’s latest machine around Lake Lanier, Georgia last week is a fun, peppy car with outstanding driving characteristics, very intuitive steering, and a contender …

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Apr 29, 2014 Read more

VW T-ROC — A High-Tech Jeep Wrangler for the Digital Age — Hot Style — Real 4WD — Removable Roof Panels

Another day, another concept for Geneva 2014! The show is set to be much more sales-focused this year: with regular-priced cars aiming for center stage alongside Geneva’s famed hypercar showstoppers. So, why Geneva? It is the right time of year, and almost perfectly-located for last-minute additions by Europe’s largest car companies. Or perhaps these concepts just were not completed in time for the other big shows. Whatever the case: the VW T-ROC is an exciting and production-feasible compact SUV that VW notes would slide into the price sheets just under the $26,000-$38,000 Tiguan. This T-ROC would round out the range …

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Feb 28, 2014 Read more

HD Video Reviews – 2014 Ford Escape 1.6L EcoBoost

Excited to bring you these exclusive HD driving videos of the 2014 Ford Escape sitting out front this week. The goal was the make these clips much more “watchable.” Yes, Drake was a skilled partner for this day of photos at his local dog park. HD Video Reviews – 2014 Ford Escape 1.6L EcoBoost The first video outlines the powertrain and pricing of this extremely affordable and versatile crossover. It also touches on the engine configuration of the FWD 1.6-liter EcoBoost – and its merits versus the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder that also serves duty on fleet-spec Fusion models. The second …

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Nov 15, 2013 Read more