The Passat, then called the Dasher, is a midsize car first marketed in the United States in the 1974 model year. The original Dasher lineup included a station wagon, and the wagon, usually in both three and five door models, has been a part of the line up ever since.

By 1981, when the second generation of the vehicle was launched, the name in America was Quantum. The new generation wagon was slightly longer but looked basically the same. In 1986 it finally became the Volkswagen Passat Wagon.

With the introduction of the third generation in 1988 the Passat assumed a more modern, less boxy look. The basic engine had grown from a 1.3 liter I4 to a 1.6 liter I4.

Generation four arrived in 1995. While it was still recognizable as a Passat, the car was also still moving toward a more modern look. Engines stayed basically the same, though of course they continued to modernize throughout the development of the car.

Generation five, beginning in 1998, definitely had a more modern, sleeker shape and even today would not look completely out of place on the highway. The base motor was still the 1.6 liter I4.

Crowd-pleaser that it is, Volkswagen knows when to bring back classic vehicles for an encore performance, case in point, the New Beetle. The 2007 Volkswagen Beetle is the engineering manifestation of happiness. Not even the most ardent stick-in-the-mud can squelch the automatic smile he gets after seeing the New Volkswagen Beetle for the first time. Volkswagen has in its stable a group of thoroughbreds that offer the promise of driving excitement, practicality, and safety no matter which model you choose.

What can compare to the Passat Wagon when it comes to its practicality and safety, notably its rain-sensing wipers and heated mirrors. You quickly realize that those features are not just amenities, but full-fledged necessities if you use your Passat Wagon for morning commute driving. We can think of no better-equipped wagon than the Passat to traverse the roads in the US during these times of unexpected weather extremes.

Whether on city streets, the long highway, or the rough and tumble outback, the 2007 Volkswagen Touareg takes it all in stride, with 3 engine configurations and permanent 4-wheel drive. You can manage icy roads, desert terrain, or scorching superhighway easy as you please. Touareg also monitors weight distribution to the four wheels and adjusts wheel-body distance with an amazing air suspension system.

Eos, to the luxury SUV, Touareg, and models in between. No matter where you look in the Volkswagen stable, quality, innovation, and safety abound. Take the 2007 Volkswagen GTI for example, with its passenger protection in the form of a rigid steel protective cage and 2.0 liter 200 hp turbocharged engine, there are no limits to the fun you can have.

The 2009 Volkswagen Touareg 2 is a midsize sport utility vehicle, first cousin to the Porsche Cayenne. Poor first cousin, as it happens, though this is not a reflection on the Touareg 2. It’s also a second cousin to the Audi Q7. It must be tough having so many rich relatives and coming from a family noted for its austerity, but Touareg 2 is keeping up with the Joneses better than one might think.

As a midsize, Touareg 2 goes up against such domestics SUVs as the new Dodge Journey, GMC Envoy, Cadillac SRX and Lincoln MKX. The boys from overseas include Acura MDX, Infiniti FX, Nissan Pathfinder and Xterra and Volvo XC90.

Touareg 2 is pushed by either a 280 horsepower 3.6 liter V6 or a 350 horsepower 4.2 liter V8 mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. Touareg 2 gets fourteen miles per gallon highway and twenty miles per gallon city with the V6 engine. The V8 engine drops that to thirteen city and eighteen highway.

There is also a 310 horsepower 5.0 liter V10. Towing capacity for any of the engines is almost eight thousand pounds.

It’s hard to put a finger on just why, because nothing about it really stands out, but the Touareg 2 is truly a sharp looking car. Positives for the Touareg 2 are the performance of the V8 (which is no hot rod, but gets the job done), cargo room and interior workmanship and materials. Negatives include performance of the V6, which is simply underpowered for the weight of the vehicle (especially when towing), gas mileage of the V8 and the navigation system.

Touareg 2 comes in only one trim. It’s a nice one, though, including standard leather, tilt/telescoping steering wheel with mounted controls; heated front seats; twelve-way power driver’s seat; split, folding rear seat; heated, power mirrors with turn signals mounted on them; power everything; remote keyless entry; sunroom; CD player/radio/satellite radio; trip computer; universal garage door opener; heated windshield washer nozzles; cooled glove compartment; power rear gate; rear window defroster and automatic headlights. Optional equipment includes wooden interior trim; twelve-way power passenger seat; navigation system; backup camera; premium sound system; iPod adapter; and six-disk CD changer (trunk mounted). .

Safety on the Touareg 2 is what you would expect from Volkswagen. Five-star NHSTA ratings everywhere except rollover, where it is four-star. It doesn’t come any better for an SUV. Also as you would expect from Volkswagen, all the standard safety features are available including antilock brakes, anti-skid system and airbags all around, just to name a few.

Base price for the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg 2 is $39,300. Not bad at all for what it is. Volkswagen has been a popular brand name since the first “bug” came to America. Nothing about the Touareg 2 is likely to change that.

This has given the car a broader appearance from the front, and a more streamlined side view. The CC also offers an electronically actuated Panorama sunroof. This basically means that the entire front half of the roof is glass. Overall, the CC has a very sleek, aerodynamic look to it, mainly because of the long front and rear window slopes. On the inside, the Passat CC doesn’t differ much from the sedan, with the exception of added heat controls and more comfortable seats.

There are two engine choices available for the Passat CC. The first is a 2.0 liter TSI diesel that produces 200 horsepower. This engine will move the CC from 0-62 mph in 7.6 seconds. The other is a 300 horsepower 3.6 liter V6 gasoline engine. With this engine, the Passat will hit 62 mph in 6.6 seconds. Both of these engines are mated with a six speed automatic transmission. Regardless of the engine, you can expect 21/31 mpg, where fuel mileage is concerned. The Passat CC also offers what they call Dynamic Drive Control, which adjusts the suspension to adapt to the conditions of the road or terrain.

The Volkswagen Passat CC includes many of the safety features that are commonly offered on many vehicles today. One feature that is not so common is the Automatic Distance Control system. This system allows the car to maintain a certain distance between itself and the car in front of it while in cruise control. The car will automatically brake and accelerate to stay within a certain distance. These settings will be determined by the driver ahead of time. The Passat also offers Lane Assistance technology. This system can detect when the car drifts out of its lane and then gently steers it back automatically.

The 2009 Volkswagen Passat CC is one of the most forward thinking and technologically advanced cars in its class. It’s also relatively affordable, with a base price of around $26,000. One should keep in mind, however, that this particular group of cars is still quite small. It will continue to grow as the popularity of cars like this continues to grow.

It is a cute, compact four-seat car, and it competes in the same market as Audi’s A4, and the Mini Cooper convertible, though it’s more expensive than the latter.

Originally released just last year, the Volkswagen EOS comes in four different trim levels, sporting new names: Turbo, Lux, Komfort and VR6. The first three come with a 2.0 liter 200 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the VR6 has a kickier 2.5 liter, 250 horsepower V6. There are two transmission options: a 6-speed auto-shift manual with overdrive and auto-manual capabilities, and a more conventional 6-speed manual with overdrive alone.

An electronic stability system is also present on the 2008 Volkswagen Eos, with the safety features rounded out by an active roll bar, and head- and thorax-protecting airbags that take the place of the more usual side-curtain airbags (which are generally roof-mounted and therefore cannot be installed in convertibles). Optional upgrades include bi-xenon head lights that turn in the same direction of the car, and the Lux and VR6 models also come with a garbage-truck-esque reverse warning beep.

The Volkswagen Eos looks like a coupe when the top is up, at least from the outside. Inside the car, the interior has been upgraded for the new model year, with leather on the steering wheel, shift knob, and parking brake handle now standard instead of optional. Also standard are the wind-blocker screen for passenger comfort, and a sliding center armrest. As well, the driver’s seat has power adjustments for 12 different settings. As well, there is a pass through trunk to off-set the reduced storage when the top is retracted.

The 2008 Volkswagen Eos has a starting MSRP of $28,915 and estimated fuel efficiency of 19-21 mpg in the city and 26-30 on open highway, depending on the engine/transmission combination.

As a carryover from the prior model year, the 2009 Eos features all of the same impressive power components and innovative accessories. However, some buyers might be disappointed that only one engine option is available, and the exterior appears to be a bit over-styled. Nevertheless, those that are looking for the quality German engineering and reliability that only Volkswagen can offer will find that the Eos is a seamless addition to the lineup. This two-door convertible oozes sporty performance, but with seating for up to four passengers it can accommodate a small family as well.

The exterior of the 2009 Eos is marked primarily by the chrome wraparound on the front grille. Bi-Xenon front headlamps are equipped with the Volkswagen Adaptive Front Lighting System. This system can turn the headlamps up to fifteen degrees in the direction that the vehicle is turning. The system improves overall visibility and also alerts oncoming traffic of the convertible quickly. At slower speeds, the Eos will automatically turn on an additional bulb in the headlamp closest to the direction in which the vehicle is turning. Also, the exterior makes a statement with the fully retractable hardtop. The first in America, this hardtop comes standard with an integrated sunroof. In only twenty-five seconds, the Eos will retract the hardtop and hide it in the trunk. The Eos’ rain-sensing windshield wipers do not just turn on when moisture hits the glass; they actually adjust their speed automatically based on the amount and frequency of raindrops.

with a generous 200 horsepower 2.0L I4, the Eos provides more than enough power for any driving demands. Also, a six-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard, but a Direct Shift Gearbox allows drivers to switch into a manual mode (inspired by F1 racing gearbox) for the ultimate in control. The Electronic Stability Program coupled with anti-lock brakes give the Eos a leg up on the competition and Park Distance Control will alert drivers with a beeping sound if an object is in their path. The trunk and roof are also fitted with sensors that will signal to drivers if the hardtop does not have enough room to open. With 21 city MPG and 31 highway MPG, the Eos is one of the most fuel efficient turbocharged vehicles on the American market.

Overall, the 2009 Volkswagen Eos is an innovative convertible with a wealth of bonus features. However, priced at around $30,790, buyers will certainly be paying for those features. Those that are looking for an affordable sporty model might want to take a look at the Chrysler Sebring Convertible or some of the other competition. Nevertheless, a buyer in search of originality and adaptability will find it in the 2009 Eos.

The power retractable hard top operates smoothly and takes only 25 seconds to secure in either direction. When the top is up, the glass sunroof still lets the sun shine in and the elegant style of the car is equally enticing with the top down or up as a sultry coupe. Power is provided by a feisty turbo charged 2.0 liter inline 4 cylinder or a more powerful 3.2 liter V6. There are 3 models available, all with front wheel drive and manual transmissions. No additional options are available for the base model, though standard features for this model include air conditioning, premium stereo with CD player and MP3 jack, heated side mirrors, simulated leather seats and power windows. There are additional options available for the 2.0T which comes standard with all the features found on the base model plus dual zone climate control and heated front seats. Upgrading to the 3.2L adds AM/FM, cowhide upholstery, laminated interior trim, automatic seats and 17 inch wheels. Options for both the 2.0T and the 3.2L include an outstanding 10 speaker music system, front and rear parking proximity alert and a navigation system. Options can be itemized and purchased separately, though Volkswagen has created both a Technology option package and a Sport option package that combine the most popular features in these two categories.

The aesthetically appealing exterior is unassuming with smooth, chic lines. The exterior is complimented by a sleek, well built and inviting interior. Although space is limited in any convertible, this one has a little more than most. The rear seat is large enough to accommodate two adults, though shoulder room is a little tight for long trips due to the side space reserved for stowing the convertible top and its mechanisms. Trunk space is good for a convertible, with about 10 cubic feet available for storage with the top up. When the top is stowed there is still a little over 6 cubic feet available for cargo and there are also two locking compartments-one in the rear and one in the front-for securely storing smaller items.

The sporty Volkswagen Eos will easily transition from daily drive to weekend warrior road trip. The eager engines provide plenty of acceleration, road noise is very limited and steering is responsive. Although convertibles are not often thought of as practical, the Eos is equipped to be more practical than most. However, the main attraction continues to be that convertibles are just down right fun to drive!

Beetle hatchback and the Beetle convertible. The new Beetle is powered by a 2.5 liter 5-cylinder engine which develops 150 hp @5000 rpm and 170 lb.-ft. torque @3750 rpm. The standard transmission for the 2007 Beetle is a 5-speed manual with overdrive or an optional 6-speed automatic with overdrive.

With over 21 million vehicles produced since it was first introduced in 1935, the Volkswagen Beetle has the longest production history of any vehicle in existence. Standard equipment for both the hatchback and the convertible include: assisted door security, distant unlock, non-skid braking, AM/FM, CD Player, throttle cotrol, environmental normalizer, window dehumidifier, and daytime running lights. The Beetle convertible is new and poised to cause a stir amongst its competition as the quintessential sorority beach vehicle.

Of the many available Beetle aftermarket accessories, the bike holder, kayak cradle, and ski rack are by far the favorites of the sports crowd. An assortment of 16, 17, and 18 inch wheels are also available to customize your Bug. safety Driver Airbag Front Side Airbag Passenger Side Airbag Power Windows Rollover Protection System.

Fuel economy for the 2007 Volkswagen Beetle registers at 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Handling and acceleration were fair to good in the new Beetle. The convertible fared well in its nice quiet ride, top down or up. Chalk up one more for Volkswagen in its ability to continue a legacy for one of the most beloved vehicles of all time.

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