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Concept Flashback – 2008 Lamborghini Estoque – Binned In Favor of SUV, But Design Influences Huracan Dramatically

February 17, 2019, 8 pmJuly 6, 2014, 7 pm by Tom Burkart

The Lamborghini Estoque from Paris 2008 created a flurry of media attention and even compelled some eager buyers to put down deposits on the car during the great auto show. Over the next year and a half, Lamborghini evaluated the concept’s production feasibility in detail – bouncing volume and pricing business plans back and forth to the Volkswagen Group board, exploring Panamera collaborations for the platform, and even building out a long-term front-engine GT car plan to accompany this gorgeous four-door to Lamborghini dealerships. This last bit – with a front-engine coupe and cabrio joining the business plan – made …

2015 Volkswagen Passat Debuts Blah European-Model-Only Redesign

February 17, 2019, 8 pmJuly 5, 2014, 10 am by Tom Burkart

This car looks a lot better in thumbnails than up close. If you are fretting about how lame and old all VW of America’s models are — do not fret. This face is coming “soon” to our de-contented US Passat, as well as the on-again CrossBlue SUV that US dealers have been clamoring for since 2009. VW is out of new ideas. They have nothing new in this Passat design outside, and so little inside that it might as well be the current model. The EuroPassat even borrows the full-width dash-vent-fake idea from the new Chevy Malibu. Pathetic. As …

Concept Flashback – 1970 Volkswagen Porsche Tapiro by ItalDesign

February 17, 2019, 8 pmJune 29, 2014, 4 pm by Tom Burkart

A gullwing wedge sportscar for the masses! Before the 914, the closeness of the VW and Porsche teams was evolving fast. To think of the VW name on a futuristic design like this is unreal in 1970 — when the Beetle was just coming down from its all-time sales highs of the 1960s. Porsche was similarly retro at this time, with the 1966 911 being so modern that the 356 was kept in production for a few months to make sure the 911 was well-liked. 1970 Volkswagen Porsche Tapiro

Euro Wagon Envy - 2014 Audi A6 Allroad header GIF

Euro Wagon Envy – 2014 Audi A6 Allroad – How To Convince Audi AG The USA Is Worthwhile

February 17, 2019, 8 pmJune 11, 2014, 9 pm by Tom Burkart

2014 Audi A6 Allroad Quick reminder… These articles do not write themselves! =] But even after a long day, I still strive to create content for you, my cherished reader. The best thanks? Share stuff you like subscribe via https://www.facebook.com/carrevsdaily (or via RSS from http://www.car-revs-daily.com/feed and come back often. Let’s dive in. What is the one wish most Americans have about the Volkswagen Group? Find a way to bring more cars here. The cool cars. The special cars. Cars like the A6 Allroad – which is not joining the US sales lists in this generation. Sure, the case for …

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

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMay 28, 2014, 10 am by Tom Burkart

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 …

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

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMay 28, 2014, 9 am by Tom Burkart

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 …

2015 Kia K900 Potential Revealed in Flesh: LED Low, High and Brake Lighting Photos

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMay 27, 2014, 8 pm by Tom Burkart

2015 Kia K900 LED Lighting Photos We are in major fence-mending mode at the moment with Kia after learning the extremely displeased reaction the company has had to some of the previus coverage written on this keyboard. A thoughtful and well-prepared brief on the K900 luxury sedan accompanied part of last week’s big rally at Road America – and it does make one believe that there is a market for this car, albeit small. The K900 will appeal to self-made men and women of all stripes. They will be successful and define success based on their own metrics, less …

Volkswagen Debuts Striking Jetta CC Concept in Beijing – Dubbed New Midsize Coupe + Golf 400R and New Touareg

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 19, 2014, 9 pm by Tom Burkart

Signs of life from Volkswagen? Glad to see someone in the Wolfsburg Emergency Room is yelling “Clear!” before brandishing the defibrillator paddles. Just in time too: Volkswagen of America’s sales hit a brick wall last summer and have been in double-digit free-fall ever since. The range is a mess of unwanted and ancient models. Great stuff from Volkswagen in Beijing today – including a Golf 400R and the latest Touareg refresh. But the really striking news? A Jetta-sized CC model that is a low-roof four-door sedan they are calling the New Midsize Coupe. But we will likely pronounce it “2016 …

1976 BMW 2002 – Seafoam Green with Flawless Bodywork + Updated 325i Wheels

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 14, 2014, 4 pm by Tom Burkart

The BMW 2002 is such a special car. This cherished example is tastefully updated with a set of 325i rims from the 1980s and also a comfy pair of racing seats that surely provide far more support than the originals in vinyl ever could. As a previous owner of a 1975 VW SuperBeetle in this exact shade of green — I can assure you that it is one of the most love-able colors out there. But what makes this 1976 BMW so special is that is is clearly so adored by its driver. Not a spot of grime anywhere inside …

2015 VW Golf TDI SportWagen Animated GIF Header

AWD TDI Golf SportWagen to Join GTI, TSI and TDI — But Not Until 2015 Calendar Year With Est $36k Price

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 13, 2014, 9 am by Tom Burkart

The American-market Mark7 2015 Golf line is only about three years late, but finally looks like it is not missing some critical members this time. Scratch that: the Golf Plus and Golf Sportvan are still nowhere to be found, along with the long-promised/never-delivered e-Golf. The e-Golf is now on sale only in Europe, and has been teased in the US since at least 2008. As many VW people know very well, the GTI has always been the star pupil of the group — both due to its performance and it vastly superior build quality and materials versus the Pueblo-built …

2014 BMW 750Li Definitely Not Beautiful or Focused (Yet) — But Less Adrift as 750i M Sport + Squared-Off LED Lights Option

February 22, 2019, 3 pmApril 9, 2014, 8 am by Tom Burkart

The BMW 7 series was long my favorite executive sedan — until 2003. Along with everyone on Earth, I was appalled by the redesign of this crisp and solid-handling machine into a lardy boat of Avalon-ian proportions. Things have barely improved in the ten years since this disaster of a redesign ruined every shred of ethos or cred this car had going for it versus the S-Class. Various steps have been taken to improve the tactile responsiveness of this giant barge, but the exterior style is still well past its PSI inflation rating. Regretfully, even the 2014 model looks so …

Introducing Special Contributor Andy Stella — How to Trade Up from a 1995 Buick Skylark to a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 8, 2014, 8 am by Tom Burkart

Ed’s Intro: Please welcome Andy Stella! A car-minded guy with some hilarious insights to share in this two-pack of intro articles. Coming up next is his Top 5 Cars to Street-Park in Chicago — but his personal car history had me rolling on the floor with lulz. Enjoy. By: Special Contributor Andy Stella From Car Hell to Car Bliss… in Only Six Easy Steps! My first car was a 1995 Buick Skylark that I bought from my mom. That poor thing endured driver’s ED for my older brother and I, many trips into/out of the snowbanks …

DIY Car Mods Series — Plasti-Dip Your Chrome or Painted Grille Matte Black

March 23, 2019, 5 pmApril 3, 2014, 11 am by Tom Burkart

Part Six of a new ‘DIY Car Mods’ series. Definitely some really trashy stuff included in this series of articles. But what is the best/worst part of modifying your own car? No matter the price of the upgraded parts — you have zero guarantee they will perform as promised, or even fit. So please take all these with a hefty dose of salt. Ideally, these are just ideas based on what has “stuck” on my car’s cosmetic refresh list over the years. Many, many even trashier upgrades have been installed and later removed from deep shaming by car-guy pals. And …

2014 ItalDesign Clipper Crossover by Giugiaro – A Mad Six-Person Golf Variant?

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 25, 2014, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

ItalDesign’s Clipper Crossover by Giugiaro – A Mad Six-Person Golf Variant? The thing with VW owning Giugiaro these days is that many of the concepts have much more production-possibility than ever before. Take the Parcour SUV — many of its ideas are flowing directly into a future Lamborghini model. The style and themes shown on this Clipper van most directly relate to Volkswagen’s newly-clean aesthetic — but take the block forms and flat surfacing to a very interesting place. Is it beautiful? Oh no. But might it be after refinement into a production vision? Perhaps. Additions like a brand-specific element …

2014 SEAT Leon Cupra Scores First OEM Embedded Spin-Table! Plus 3 Reasons The Leon Cupra Spanks Renaultsport Megane (…and VW GTI)

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 24, 2014, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

The most unlikely fan of SEAT? Any American! While our LED obsession is well-documented — it is not just the available full LED headlights that are big turn-ons for the Leon. We love the latest SEAT car style, value proposition and brand statement. Any favorites in the ten-strong SEAT range? We are huge Leon admirers especially. Why? Check out the (mid-range) Sports FR Kit below and tell me it is not incredibly sexy. Three reasons to crave the SEAT Leon: 1.) — Value: Versus the VW GTI, the Leon is significantly more affordable for new-car shoppers, both in actual transaction …

2014 Volkswagen T-ROC Concept – A Baja Coupe for Silver Lake Dunes!

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 5, 2014, 12 pm by Tom Burkart

2014 Volkswagen T-ROC Concept I like the T-ROC even more in the official images versus the sketches from last week’s preview article here. The T-ROC is still firmly a concept — but here is what we predict: this exact car, with streetable tires, coming soon to VW dealers nationwide. Based on the MQB architecture, the T-ROC will hopefully be more affordable than the Tiguan, but more feature-rich than the Taigun. The night-vision, terrain cameras and blackout functions of a military vehicle headlight are present on the T-ROC’s foglight (above). Examples of this tech shown here: Very cool. Keeping the two-door …

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

February 17, 2019, 8 pmFebruary 28, 2014, 9 pm by Tom Burkart

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 …

Best of Awards — 2014 Mazda3 Sedan and Hatch — The Smartest Compact Car in America

February 17, 2019, 8 pmFebruary 20, 2014, 5 pm by Tom Burkart

The Mazda3 is an amazing, incredible achievement. While preparing this article, I could not help being stunned by these tasteful, unique and attractive designs inside and out. Both the 5-door and the brand-new four-door sedan are extremely good-looking and sophisticated cars from all angles. I thought to myself — is this the thinking man’s BMW or VW Golf? As I moved further into the specs, I realized — this is just a brilliant package up and down the range! Automatic, manual, small engine or big: the Mazda3 just nails every single category or theoretical competitor I can think to name. …

All-New Renault Twingo Packs Rear Engine, Four Doors and Cute New Style 14

“Maybe The Twingo Ate Your Babee…” All-New Renault Twingo Packs Rear Engine, Four Doors and Cute New Style

February 17, 2019, 9 pmFebruary 14, 2014, 5 am by Tom Burkart

The Twingo is a car we will likely never see on American shores. Even so, it is a favorite of almost all city-dwellers in Europe. Will they know the very silly Seinfeld reference in the headline? If not: [Interior, cocktail party. Heavy Australian accent and snarky grin] Elaine- Maybe the dingo ate your baby. The previous few generations of Twingo have virtually epitomized ‘cheap but cheerful’ style for city cars. It just seems like a car that is always having fun. Cheap ‘n cheerful is far better than the aging Aygo/C1/108 triplets — which might be better described as ‘cheap …

All-New FIA RallyCross Series Looks FUN! Dart, Sonic, Beetle, Fiesta, Fabia, Pug 208GTI and More On-Board

February 17, 2019, 9 pmFebruary 13, 2014, 8 am by Tom Burkart

The inaugural WorldRX series is signing up some huge new entries left and right. The participation of Gilles Villeneuve is only the latest in a huge swatch of new players. The charismatic F1 world champ will done a fire suit and helmet before hitting the loud pedal — hard. So what is RallyCross? It is a high-powered racing series that brings much of the car tech from the World Rally Championship, but without that series’ major failing: almost total lack of broadcast entertainment value. By combining loose terrain with paved surfaces, the courses are set to be more like stadium …

Concept Volkswagen Taigun Debuts in Delhi – But Set to Battle Nissan Rogue (*or Juke) and Mitsu Outlander Sport in U.S. From 2015

February 17, 2019, 9 pmFebruary 5, 2014, 5 pm by Tom Burkart

The Taigun and the Tiguan. Not a good combination for dyslexics – but VW’s mini SUV concept does show great progress in refining the brand’s chiseled future SUV look. It is also hugely important because of its size. Typically, VW has not imported its smallest cars to America because they would all price themselves out of consideration for most shoppers. The Euro-only Up! is just adorable and would sell like ice-cold water bottles at Burning Man — but importing this Euro-made mini-car ould push prices past $20,000. Not a good set of options, then, to increase sales volume for VW …

Updated with Selfie in Madrid – Seat Leon FR – The Case for ‘Fast Fashion’ Cars From Europe to USA… and Back?

February 17, 2019, 9 pmJanuary 21, 2014, 5 pm by Tom Burkart

First things first: pronouncing this car’s name takes a bit of Latin flair on every syllable. “SayAht Leyyonn” is how it is pronounced. I have to offer this insight first because I read articles and books for years with hilarious internal mis-pronounciations. I gave an oral report on some book, referencing “Colonel Plum” or something. Colonel is said “kernel.” And that can really change a book, let alone a hot Spanish car. Sidebar: Here is a photo of me doing a mini kitchen load of laundry. I lost half my wardrobe to bad clothespins. Lost forever into the central shaft …

Passat Sport New-for-2014 with Black Roof, Turbo and 19-in Luxor Wheels From $27k

February 17, 2019, 9 pmJanuary 7, 2014, 2 pm by Tom Burkart

The 2014 Passat Sport is news to me: where did this very affordable and chic black optics pack come from! A surprise and delight, to be sure, from Volkswagen ahead of the big show next week. The 2014 Passat Sport is a trim line between SE and SEL, with manual or automatic boxes available to suit your preference. The Sport is offered with the strong 1.8-liter Volkswagen turbo that has seen action mostly in high-powered models not imported to the States. Luckily, the new turbo will roll out across the full VW USA line-up in the coming years. Boost is …

2015 VW Golf TSI 3dr Joins TDI and GTI in Brooklyn en Route to Detroit Show

February 17, 2019, 9 pmJanuary 4, 2014, 8 pm by Tom Burkart

This is the first real-life photo set of the 2015 Golf from Volkswagen, which appears in these official images as both a three-door and a five-door. A two-door in the American market is new versus the 2014 Golf line-up. The interior also shows a nice range of trim choices. No time frame on the production 2015 Golf’s arrival, but by May of 2014 to American VW showrooms seems likely. 2015 North American Volkswagen GTI 2015 North American Volkswagen Golf

Future VW SuperBeetle Options May Finally Entice More Dudes

February 17, 2019, 9 pmJanuary 4, 2014, 6 pm by Tom Burkart

A fifth and sixth Beetle featured on CarRevsDaily today? The 2012 SEMA SuperBeetle Concept, and the 2013 Beetle R Concept. 2012 SEMA – VWVortex.com SuperBeetle Concept 2013 Beetle R Concept A seventh Beetle featured on CarRevsDaily? Yes, the seventh is an extremely tough Dude Beetle, if there ever was one:the ABT Sportsline. 2011-2014 Volkswagen Beetle by ABT Sportsline – Exterior Upgrades — ABT BEETLE: FRONT SPOILER — ABT BEETLE: HEADLIGHT COVERS — ABT BEETLE: REAR SKIRT SET — ABT BEETLE: LICENCE PLATE INSERT — ABT BEETLE: TAIL LIGHT COVERS — ABT BEETLE: VALVE CAPS — ABT BEETLE: SUSPENSION SPRINGS …

2014 VW Beetle Turbo, TDI and Cabrio – Buyers Guide and Photo Galleries

February 17, 2019, 9 pmJanuary 4, 2014, 5 pm by Tom Burkart

It’s VW Saturday here at CarRevsDaily! After sharing my first car stories in the previous VW ads article, I’m almost back on board with the 2014 Beetle. Three engines are available, and a fourth with the tuned power of the 2014 GSR. 2014 Beetle Coupe – Exteriors 2014 Beetle Coupe – Fender Edition 2014 Beetle Cabrio – Exteriors 2014 Beetle Cabrio – Interiors

2015 VW e-Golf a Snooze, But its EV Tech Also Powers Very Cute e-Up Lite and EcoMotion Van

February 17, 2019, 9 pmJanuary 4, 2014, 3 pm by Tom Burkart

The Volkswagen e-Golf, e-Up! and Up Lite will join the Detroit auto show festivities, with the Golf BEV debuting its all-new battery and powertrains in 2015 production form. Featured in the cover image is the Frankfurt e-Co-Motion van concept. The newest is the Up! Lite, which appears to bring some of the cool tech and style of the XL1 exotic prototype. I called it the e-Up! Lite before by mistake, the up!Lite appears to be a PHEV of some kind. The 2015 VW e-Golf is a fully electric vehicle, evolving and refining some of the components previewed under the Blue-e-motion concept …

How Plucky Visual Humor and Lavish Color Saved the VW Beetle in America (100+ Images)

February 17, 2019, 9 pmJanuary 4, 2014, 2 pm by Tom Burkart

I’ve been really hard on VW lately, and passed up an opportunity to test drive the 2014 Beetle GSR this summer – which I strongly regret! A few background items: — My first car was a 1975 SuperBeetle, which was the final and best evolution of the design with a curved windshield, hand-crank sunroof, L-Jetronic Fuel Injection and a new MacPherson strut front suspension design. I drove Walter, as he was named before joining our garage, throughout high school until year 2000, and for much of college until 2005. I miss him on winter days like this. — Silverado out …

Update1 – MINI Takes DAKAR Three-Peat with All4 Countryman Squad

February 17, 2019, 9 pmJanuary 1, 2014, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

Update 1 June 17, 2014 Okay, so this race was in January 2014. Which makes this is bit of a late update. But here is the short version: MINI dominated the 2014 Dakar Rally, winning its third title in three years. I’d be willing to wager that when the MINI crossover was born and christened a few years ago, it thought the Countryman name meant things like hiking, biking, rafting or just being near the woods. But now: Countryman has become “What Country Are We In?” via the long-range Dakar rally in South America starting January 5th, 2014. This is …

2015 Kia K900 Revealed in RWD V6 and V8 Options, But Looks Dreadful Inside and Out

February 17, 2019, 9 pmDecember 18, 2013, 10 am by Tom Burkart

Kia has been signalling its upmarket intentions for years now, and is really acting on that ambition in a pretty remarkable way. The upcoming flagship Kia K900 is not priced yet, but is set to arrive in spring 2014 across the U.S. with rear-drive and the choice between a 310-horsepower V6 engine or the 5.0-liter V8 from the Hyundai Genesis R-Spec. But what is Kia’s real ambition in the executive limo market? The company is realistic about the challenges in luring conquest sales from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Lexus. The K900 is a long-term vision for the company, asserted with …

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Speculative Rendering – 2015 Volkswagen Passat R

February 17, 2019, 9 pmDecember 13, 2013, 12 pm by Tom Burkart

Some big changes at Volkswagen of America this week, with executive leadership heads rolling to account for the current VW sales slump and steep down-trend. This is unfortunate, but just a cost of doing business. The previous acting chief doubled sales in 24 months, which is pretty astounding until you realize how low VW of America’s sales actually were. But what is the root cause? They are many and varied – but it comes down to the dated, extremely boring and overpriced US product portfolio. As many of you may know, I like to play with car configurators online. …

Hottest LA Debuts: CrossBlue Coupe Wearing Tough New VW Truck Face

February 17, 2019, 9 pmNovember 25, 2013, 4 pm by Tom Burkart

Five-seat SUV concept is based off the new MQB architecture and features a plug-in V6 gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain Concept features dramatic new interpretation of Volkswagen design DNA 415-horsepower gasoline-hybrid concept is capable of 70 MPGe The vehicle can travel up to 13 miles as an EV Top speed of 147 mph; 0 to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds VW CrossBlue Coupe – Concept – Exterior Gallery VW CrossBlue Coupe – Concept – Tech Gallery VW CrossBlue Coupe – Concept – Interior Gallery Animations

CarRevsDaily Hottest LA Auto Show Debuts GIF GTI

Hottest LA Debuts: VW GTI in U.S.-specification, at last!

February 17, 2019, 9 pmNovember 25, 2013, 3 pm by Tom Burkart

Design Vision Volkswagen GTI Concept - Animated GIF

Concept Flashback – 2013 VW Design Vision GTI Wants To Eat Your Babies

February 17, 2019, 9 pmNovember 21, 2013, 11 am by Tom Burkart

This is the meanest-looking Golf GTI… ever. Wow. Very impressive designs, and hopefully this nose will show up some time in the future as well. Design Vision Volkswagen GTI Concept – Exterior Gallery Design Vision Volkswagen GTI Concept – Interior Gallery Design Vision Volkswagen GTI Concept – Animated Gallery

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