BluePariah

Problem is, with those lovely legs, I don't think she'd fit in that 500.

Naturally, there are worse problems in the world.

Hellloooooo, nurse.

Well that, and VW has long been known to under-report its speed times.

Because the important thing to remember here - and this is key - is that the IIHS is an independent INSURANCE AGENCY funded organization. Safercar.gov is run by NHSTA, which is a FEDERAL organization under USDOT.

Now, you can argue over who has the most reason to fake results.... IIHS might want to have more expensive-to-insure cars seem safer (to increase premium's revenue).. or NHSTA might want to change results based on whatever administration is in the house and how they're feeling about autos... (Pro-oil Pres might want to have big cars do better, Pro regulation might want higher MPG cars to do better, etc)

But the bottom line is each test uses different methodology, so you can't even come come close to comparing them.

I can tell you this though: I work on the marketing side of the auto industry, and the only thing that REALLY concerns them is NHSTA Stars. IIHS is a nice bragging right, but in the grand scheme, its all about USDOT.

With VW’s stated goal of overcoming Toyota, I understand the methodlogy here – it’s hard to hit those kind of numbers by being an upmarket niche product. But, as a long time VW guy (91 GLI, 98 Jetta GT, 03 GLI, 08 GTI) it does sadden me that they’ve taken this approach. For me, the poor-man’s Audi routine was what I liked about the brand and I was willing to pay extra for it. But now, even the performance versions will likely suffer some of the cost cutting measures. Sure the new GLI will get a IRS, but I’d be surprised if the interior was any different. While some may find them dour, I simply love VW’s interiors and it pains me to see a lot of the soft touch absent.

The fanboy in me hopes that they further differentiate the GLI/GTI from their pedestrian roots and keep them “classic” VW, but I know this is unlikely. Perhaps it is time to make the jump to Audi, especially if/when they bring over the delicious A2.

While the Germans are clearly keen on business (as the sales number show), as a marketing guy I find it hard to see the wisdom in moving downmarket and upmarket at the same time (Phaeton, $65k ‘Regs). It sound seem to me that they should do one or the other. I suspect this has to do with the wonderful familial infighting of the company’s ownership, but still…

That being said, I think the new Jetta looks really nice for a high-volume people mover. Perhaps it is closer in spirit to VW's original goal of the people's car then I give it credit for...

Here’s hoping the BlueSport Roadster (should they deign to deliver it unto us) is a proper VW…

I now have a ride for the apocalypse...


" Onward! Bring me the fuel. For the glory of Humungus."

Wow, that rear end looks almost exactly like a KIA Soul:

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-kia-ignition-soul/#2545680

Strange days indeed that KIA is now the copied instead of the copier.

But you go ahead and keep looking for something to get angry at. You'll find it eventually.

1. FTFPR: The Chinese partner is FAW.

2: You ever walked through a modern assembly plant (or one at all)? There isn't 50 million people toiling away. Most of it is robotics at this point.

3. From Google: Durr is a German heaving machinery corporation. They make assembly lines. Apparently they have made this one.

Reading/Research... does a mind good...

Yes, Graham Chapman is much more likely to say (We're he not stone dead) "Bugger off!"

Of course, we all know that he's not quite dead. He's just pining.... for the fjords.

It's actually quite important. Rigidity helps everything from handling (which is Mazda's number one brand attribute) to NVH and safety.

The heaviness of modern cars has more to do with customer taste and safety requirements than it does with how much the actual platform weighs. Heavy soft touch plastics, huge stereos, big comfortable seating with lumber adjustment and heaters, 17 million air bags and air curtains, required traction/stability control, heavy 8 speed automatic transmissions, 18-inch wheels, moonroofs the size of... the moon and all of the required safety gear - all of this adds tremendous weight but it's also all necessary to stay competitive and be certified road legal. Such is the industry.

Adding lightness, as Lotus would say, costs a LOT of money or requires compromise that most automakers can't abide. Heck, even Lotus had to start adding air conditioners to make people happy...