William Maley

GM U.S. Sales Down on Lower Rental Volume DETROIT – General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today reported July U.S. sales of 201,237 vehicles, down 6 percent compared with a year ago. Sales to retail customers declined 3 percent. Sales to rental fleet customers declined 41 percent, in line with the company’s previous guidance. In July, Cadillac sales were up 21 percent thanks to strong across-the-board results for the CTS, Escalade, SRX and the all-new XTS. “Cadillac hit a home run and our newest Chevrolets and Buicks are performing very well,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. “Signs of a housing recovery and good news on consumer confidence and household income should help keep the light vehicle selling rate in the 14-million range and drive seasonally higher truck sales as we move toward fall.” All of GM newest vehicles performed well in July. Buick Verano sales were 4,235 units and have increased each month since the car launched in December 2011. Chevrolet Sonic sales were 6,278 units and it has been the retail sales leader in its segment since April 2012. In addition, Chevrolet Spark deliveries were 1,460 in its first month on sale. GM’s combined retail sales of mini- , small, and compact cars were up 41 percent year over year. Retail passenger car sales in total were up 3 percent, crossover sales were up 2 percent and truck sales were down 12 percent. Two all-new vehicles – the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu four-cylinder and Cadillac ATS – are now in production. Vehicles launching later this year include the Buick Verano Turbo, Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Malibu Turbo, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia. GM said last month that sales to rental customers would be down sharply in July because planned deliveries occurred earlier in the year compared with 2011. GM’s commercial fleet sales were up 41 percent, the 28th consecutive monthly increase. Strong police vehicle deliveries to state and local agencies helped drive a 115 percent increase in government sales. Total fleet sales were down 15 percent. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 31, 2012 From the "we shot ourselves in the foot again" file; Automotive News reports that sales of the 2013 Malibu Eco have been abysmal. Only 7,000 Malibu Ecos have left dealers from March to June. That's a stark contrast to the 2012 Malibus which have sold almost 100,000 in the same time. "I can't really say a whole lot about how well the Eco has taken off because all of the focus has been on pushing the '12s'. There's cash on the hood" said Jim Stutzman, owner of Jim Stutzman Chevrolet-Cadillac in Winchester, Va. How much cash on the hood for the 2012 Malibu? Automotive News says it can be as high as $6000, making the 2012 Malibu the more tempting choice. GM CEO Dan Akerson order the Malibu Eco to be launched ahead of the redesigned Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, and Honda Accord as a way to leapfrog them. Also when the Eco was launched in March, GM was counting on a ad campaign during NCAA Basketball tournament to bring awareness to it. Later this year, GM will launch the rest of the Malibu lineup including the 2.5L and 2.0L Turbo models. Chevrolet is trying to clear out as many of 2012s to make for these upcoming models. So how Chevrolet feel about this? They seem ok with numbers. Russ Clark, Chevrolet's director of marketing for performance and mid-sized cars and crossovers said the Eco has been meeting expectations. "So far it's been well received and well supported by the dealers. The car's performing about where we thought it would," Clark said. But you do have wonder if GM was secretly wishing sales of Eco were higher. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

It's 20 MPG combined, somehow when I was writing this story this morning I read it at 30. Its been corrected. It could be worse. Drive a 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 and you were lucky to get 18 MPG combined. Vehicles like the LS600h L and ActiveHybrid X6 use their hybrid powertrains to make more power while delivering somewhat better fuel economy, at least in theory. The majority of luxury hybrids only really see a minor or no improvement in fuel economy, while seeing a large increase in power.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 31, 2012 Its not often we get spy shots of a new or refreshed Bentley, but today is different. Bentley appears to be working on the next on the Continental Flying Spur and some spy photos caught it during some testing. If you can look past the Mercedes-Benz S-Class veil that Bentley has put on this mule, you can make out a new set of headlights sitting between a new upright grille. Also, the door handles on this mule sit lower than the current Flying Spur. Expect new profile lines and a reworked rear-end with new taillights to appear. Under the hood, expect some tweaks and changes to the 6.0L twin-turbo W12. Also, the 4.0L twin-turbo V8 introduced into the Continental GT and GTC could make its way into the Flying Spur. Source: CarScoop William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 31, 2012 After teasing us with a photo last week, Lexus has unveiled the new LS sedan at a event in San Francisco, CA last night. The old saying of "the more things change, the more the stay the same" plays very well into in the LS. Starting with the exterior, the new LS carries the same profile as the old one, but Lexus did make some changes to bring it line with their current lineup. That includes a redesigned front end that includes Lexus' spindle grille and a set of new LED headlights, and a changed back end which includes a new trunk lid and a new bumper. Underneath the sheet metal, the LS' wheelbase has grown by one inch for the short- and long-wheelbase models. Also, the LS sees increased body rigidity, new frequency-dependent shock absorbers, revised steering, and braking systems. Engines are also a carryover. The base 4.6L V8 (found in the LS 460, LS 460 L, and LS 460 F-Sport), gains 6 HP for RWD models (386 HP and 367 lb-ft), while AWD models see a gain of 3 HP and 3 lb-ft of torque (360 HP and 347 lb-ft). The 4.6L V8 goes through an eight-speed automatic. The LS 600h L engine is unchanged. A 5.0L V8 engine paired to a set electric motors deliver a combined output of 438 HP. Fuel economy for the two engines are, 4.6L V8 RWD: 16 City/24 Highway/19 Combined 4.6L V8 AWD: 16 City/23 Highway/18 Combined 5.0L V8 Hybrid: 19 City/23 Highway/20 Combined Lexus has also fitted Drive Mode Select, which allows the driver to choose from three settings: Eco, Normal and Sport. Those who order LS with air suspension get two more settings: Comfort and Sport S+. Inside the LS, Lexus redesigned the instrument panel and includes a standard 12.3-inch navigation screen. The 12.3 screen uses Lexus' remote touch, the mouse like controller to move around. The LS also gets Lexus Enform application which adds Pandora, Bing, Yelp and more. On the safety front, the LS gets a two new systems: Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Blind Spot Monitor uses rear millimeter-wave radar to monitor blind spots at speeds above 10 mph. Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses similar tech to warn a driver is a vehicle is coming while backing up. Finally, we get to the LS 460 F-Sport. Teased back last week, the F-Sport brings a unique front end with a mesh grille, larger cooling openings, black grille surround, round fog lamps, heavily bolstered seats, paddle shifters and aluminum trim. Underneath, the F-Sport gets a set of 19-inch wheels which hide Brembo six-piston caliper brakes, a lowered, sports-tuned suspension, and a Torsen limited-slip differential on the RWD model. We'll learn pricing and the on sale date later on. William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release in on Page 2 Lexus LS Flagship Luxury Sedans Redesigned For 2013 Model Year San Francisco, Calif. – July 30, 2012 - With its dynamic handling, bold new design and superior craftsmanship, the 2013 LS flagship models hail the future of the Lexus brand as it embarks on its third decade in the premium luxury category. While retaining many of the qualities that have defined Lexus for more than 20 years, the LS reaches new heights with an exciting blend of beautiful design, modern refinement and advanced technology. The 2013 LS line-up includes the LS 460, LS 460L, LS 600hL hybrid, and the first-ever LS 460 F SPORT. LS 460 and LS 460L are available in RWD and AWD. The LS Hybrid is available with a full-time AWD system. The all-new LS 460 F SPORT combines a more aggressive exterior with a unique sport interior featuring F SPORT seats with larger bolsters, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters and genuine aluminum trim. With a sport tuned air suspension that has been lowered 0.4 inches, a Torsen® limited slip rear differential (RWD model), Brembo six-piston caliper brakes, and 19” forged wheels with summer or all-season tires, the LS F SPORT promises to be the most engaging LS ever. The entire 2013 LS lineup is refined with dynamic, fresh styling that reflects the bold new face of Lexus. The aggressive spindle grille gives the new LS a greater road presence and stronger brand identity while heralding a significant improvement in driving dynamics, responsiveness and handling. Increased body rigidity enhances stability, and allows for a more comfortable ride. Pitch and bounce control has been enhanced by adopting new frequency dependent shock absorbers, resulting in an even flatter, road-hugging ride. Revised steering offers improvements in accuracy and turn-in response. The braking system has been adjusted for more immediate power and greater pedal feel. Available safety enhancements include the industry’s most advanced Pre-Collision Safety (A-PCS) system with Collision Avoidance Assist. This system is designed to assist the driver in avoiding or mitigating collisions with vehicles and pedestrians under a wide range of city and highway speeds. At speeds lower than 24 miles per hour, this technology helps the LS to avoid accidents by automatically bringing the LS to a full stop. The driver-focused interior integrates modern refinement with intuitive technology. The Advanced Illumination System (AIS), an all-LED interior lighting system, illuminates to greet the approaching occupants and then fades in sequence with the vehicle starting procedure. The new, available Lexus Climate Concierge offers maximum comfort for every LS occupant. The customizable system uses multiple sensors to automatically regulate not only the temperature of the cabin, but also the climate control seats and the heated steering wheel, quickly bringing each occupant to their preferred temperature. The standard navigation system is displayed on a 12.3-inch, split-screen, high-resolution multi-media display which is large enough to support simultaneous viewing of a large map display and other vehicle functions. A next-generation Remote Touch, with one-push confirmation, is standard on all models and enables smooth, intuitive control of many vehicle systems. The Remote Touch allows the user to operate the climate, audio, phone controls, navigation system and more. The screen menus are selected with a controller conveniently located within easy reach on the center console. A number of well-placed buttons on the steering wheel and instrument panel enable the direct control of frequently used functions (e.g. temperature setting, fan speed, preset audio stations, etc.) Lexus Enform® with App Suite leverages the customers’ mobile phone technology to provide a new level of connectivity and information management. Users can conduct local searches through Bing™, utilize voice-enabled apps to make restaurant reservations through OpenTable®, get movie tickets via MovieTickets.com, tap into internet radio, including Pandora® or iHeartRadio, search business reviews on Yelp and check in on Facebook places. A one-year trial subscription is included for the App Suite. Chassis/Body/Suspension/Brakes/Tires Numerous stabilizing fins help the LS to be one of the most aerodynamically efficient cars in its segment with a coefficient drag of 0.26. Laser screw welding, body adhesives and other structural reinforcements increase rigidity and enhance stability, steering feel and handling. New standard Drive Mode Select allows the driver to choose from 3 distinct drive settings (Eco, Normal and Sport). Vehicles equipped with the available air suspension add Comfort and Sport S+ modes. The available Air Suspension with Variable Gear Ratio Steering automatically adjusts the damping force for optimal comfort and performance. The available AWD system features a central, permanently engaged, Torsen Limited Slip center Differential (LSD) to further enhance grip, traction and cornering stability. Noise-reduction wheels channel resonant noise from the main air chamber to adjacent hollow areas within the wheels via resonator holes, resulting in an incredibly quiet ride. Safety/Security The Advanced Pre-Collision Safety system (APCS) can detect stationary pedestrians and those moving at speeds of up to three miles per hour and stop the vehicle from a speed of 24 miles per hour if a collision with another vehicle is imminent. Available Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) constantly monitors the distance to vehicles ahead and is capable of operating at any speed. The system can bring the vehicle to a complete stop, and accelerate away once the road ahead is clear An upgraded, optional Lane-Keep Assist system (LKA) helps the driver stay in the intended lane. New to LS, the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) uses rear millimeter-wave radar to monitor the vehicle rear side blind spots at 10 miles per hour or more. This feature includes Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) which automatically operates when the vehicle is in reverse, alerting drivers to the approach of other vehicles when backing out of a parking place. The Available Automatic High Beam system features a camera located in the inner mirror that detects light sources in front of the vehicle — including the headlamps of oncoming vehicles, the tail lamps of a vehicle ahead and street lighting - to automatically switch the high beams on and off accordingly. Luxury/Comfort/Convenience Enhancements have been made to the sound insulation for an even quieter cabin. Redesigned front seats minimize pressure peaks and increase support. Both front seats feature an improved standard heating and cooling system with larger heating and cooling areas and reduced heating and cooling times. All AWD models including the LS600hL feature a heated steering wheel and Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heating elements which warm the front cabin area quickly after vehicle start-up. Windshield de-icer and headlamp washers are standard on AWD models. The LS features a standard Lexus Premium Audio System with a nine channel amplifier, 10 speakers, CD / DVD player changer, DVD audio and video compatibility, MP3 sound enhancement, HD Radio™ with iTunes tagging, and a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio. Standard entertainment and connectivity advancements include enhanced Bluetooth® capability with automatic phonebook download and streaming audio. The optional Mark Levinson Reference Surround System provides a 5.1 home theatre surround with 7.1 architecture , discrete circuitry, 15 channel, ML3-16 Processor Power Amplifier covering a frequency range of 20Hz-20kHz, and 450 watts with less than 0.1% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). Luxury Options Available Power rear seats with Climate Concierge. An available Ottoman Seating Package with Shiatsu Massage and a Rear Seat Entertainment System featuring a Blu-ray DVD player, an SD card slot and a retractable, ceiling mounted, nine-inch full-color VGA screen. Exterior Design The inverted trapezoidal upper grille and slanted lower grille that were first introduced on the GS sedan have been combined and integrated into a single element on the LS to create a more prominent spindle shape. When equipped with the optional three projector LED headlamp unit, the LS offers all LED exterior lighting, including turn signals an fog lamps LS 460 F SPORT features a unique front fascia with an enhanced three-dimensional mesh grille, larger cooling openings, black grille surround, and round fog lamps. A chrome-plated bar running along the bottom edge of the rear bumper accentuates the lowered center of gravity. F SPORT exterior badging completes the look. LS F SPORT offers six exterior colors; Ultra White is exclusive to F SPORT. Interior Design The dashboard is divided into two distinct zones: an upper Display Zone, with the large, 12.3-inch, LCD multi-display screen, and a lower Operation Zone, which allows access to system controls such as the second generation Remote Touch Interface (RTI). The driver’s instrument meter cluster incorporates high-visibility, large diameter Optitron dials; a 5.8-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Multi-information screen; and an aluminum analog clock with a GPS-based time correction function. The interior is offered in 5 color schemes: Ivory, Light Gray, Black, Black and Saddle Tan, and a newly available Topaz Brown. Optional wood includes Walnut, Shimamoku Espresso, Matte Brown Bird’s Eye Maple. The LS 600h L also offers an eco- friendly Bamboo wood trim. The new, Shimamoku finish is an example of the finest traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Shimamoku, translated as “striped wood,” involves the painstaking layering of angle-cut dark and light shaded wood veneers in a unique process which involves 67 manufacturing steps over the course of 38 days. The LS 460 F SPORT features aluminum ornamentation and a unique interior, featuring a black Alcantara headliner. Warranty 48-month/50,000-mile basic limited warranty with roadside assistance for 48 months/unlimited miles. 72 months/70,000 miles powertrain and restraint system coverage. 72 months corrosion perforation protection coverage, regardless of mileage. Eight years/100,000 miles hybrid-related components, including the HV battery, battery-control module, hybrid control module and inverter with converter. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 30, 2012 Chevrolet has let loose the pricing on the 1LE package for the Camaro SS and Camaro ZL1 convertible. We'll start with the 1LE. Earlier this month, Chevrolet said the 1LE package would start under $40k. Well, it appears Chevrolet has kept that. The 1LE package adds $3500 to the base price of the 1SS and 2SS models, meaning the pricetag on a 1SS with the 1LE package begins at $37,035 (includes a $900 destination charge). As for the ZL1 convertible, that begins at $60,445 (includes a $900 destination charge). Like the ZL1 coupe, the convertible comes with the same 580 HP, 556 lb-ft of torque, supercharged 6.2L V8 and the Magnetic Ride Control suspension system. The ZL1 convertible also gets chassis bracing components like an underhood strut tower brace, front suspension “X” brace, and rear “V” braces. Source: Autoblog, Motor Trend William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

That is very true. I had wanted to pull the sales numbers from 2009, but Volkswagen's archives only go back to 2010.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 30, 2012 From the "Wait, What?!" department comes a report from Inside Line that says the next generation GT-R hasn't been approved. A source reveals that Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn hasn't given the green light to begin work on the next GT-R. More worryingly, the source says that Ghosn might not give it go ahead at all. A possible reason as to why Ghosn might not give the green light is in this tidbit from the report, "Ghosn approved the original GT-R only after being assured that it would make money for the company even at low volumes. Since its introduction, GT-R sales in the United States have added up to just 5,914 units and they have slowed recently to just 583 this year." Most likely the GT-R isn't making enough profit to meet expectations. Part of that could come from the price increase that has happen since the GT-R was launched in 2008. 2008: $69,850 (Base); $71,900 (Premium) 2009: $76,840 (Base); $79,090 (Premium) 2010: $80,790 (Base); $83,040 (Premium) 2011: $84,060 (Premium) 2012: $90,950 (Premium) 2013: $96,820 (Premium) *2011 saw the base GT-R dropped* Yes, Nissan has been improving the GT-R every year or so (2013 model sees a increase of 15 for both HP and torque; 545 HP and 463 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 time of 2.7 seconds.), but in the crowded field of sports cars, having numbers like those isn't enough. A couple other items to take into consideration: in 2009 Ghosn was a champion of the GT-R project. Now, he is the champion of the Leaf EV, something that is way on the other side of the spectrum. Also, chief engineer of the GT-R Kazutoshi Mizuno, recently retired. Previously, rumors had the next generation GT-R to appear sometime in 2014. Horsepower was expected to be around 600 HP and possibly use a hybrid powertrain. Now, the GT-R is up in the air. Source: Inside Line William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 30, 2012 Volkswagen's tenure in the U.S. has been one of many changes. When introduced into the U.S. market during the 1950’s, Volkswagen was the funky value choice with a lineup including the Beetle and the Bus. In the 1970’s, Volkswagen would morph into the brand that would offer high-quality budget cars. The high quality would solider on, while the budget part would be pushed aside for premium from the 1980’s to the late 2000's. Starting in this decade, Volkswagen made some ambitious plans, selling 800,000 vehicles in the U.S. by 2018. That meant changes once again to the lineup which caused some outrage in the automotive enthusiast world; shedding the luxury and sportiness that most enthusiasts have come to know about the German brands. The Jetta and Passat would shed some of their premium trimmings to bring back the value oriented aspect that Volkswagen originated with. However, consumers have been going with crazy with the Jetta and Passat, both seeing huge sales since being introduced. At the end of last year, the Jetta saw a 54.5% increase in year to date sales and the Passat saw a 124% increase in year to date sales. So what do consumers see that enthusiasts don’t in the Jetta and Passat? To find out, a 2012 Volkswagen Passat 2.5 SE was dropped off for a week’s evaluation. Next: The Outside View Exterior Plain. That's the best word to describe the Passat's exterior. There are no flared wheel arches, coupe like roof, short decklid, and other design cues that are in use today in the midsize sedan market. Instead, Volkswagen went for a safe, conservative look with the new Passat. You’ll still be able to tell its part of the Volkswagen family due in part to the large, angular chrome grille and wide stance. Chrome trim on front air dam and the door window frames, and a set of seventeen-inch alloy wheels complete the look. Next: Step Inside Interior Space, the final frontier. Those words I’m sure were written on the board for the team handling the Passat’s interior since how much space is inside. Head and legroom for both front and rear passengers either place the Passat at the top or within the top five in the class. Plus, the interior is bright and airy, helping the illusion of more interior space As for the materials, the new Passat drops the luxury materials from the last generation and goes for a mix of soft and hard-touch materials. Materials are average for the class. As for the Passat’s build quality, that is above average. This being the SE model, you do get a lot of standard features for $25,525 (as tested price); V-Tex leatherette covered seats, an eight-way power seat for the driver, heated front seats, and automatic climate control. For your entertainment, the Passat SE comes with a five-inch color touch screen radio that provides AM/FM/SirusXM/Aux/Bluetooth and runs through an eight-speaker sound system. The touchscreen is very responsive and bright. Next: Under the Hood Powertrain Like all of the other players in the midsize sedan market, Volkswagen offers a variety of powertrains to meet a person’s needs, ranging from a base 2.5L five-cylinder, to a 2.0L turbo-diesel four, and a 3.6L V6. Our Passat was equipped with the base 2.5L five-cylinder engine producing 170 HP and 177 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices are between a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic. Volkswagen takes a lot of abuse for the performance of the 2.5L five-cylinder, but most of it is deserved. Leaving a stop, you’re left wondering where the power is until the engine reaches above 2000 RPM and the power decides to show up. Also, compared to other four-cylinders in the market, the 2.5L is a bit noisier. Thankfully, the six-speed automatic does a good job of providing smooth shifts and keeping the Passat in the right gear. EPA rates the 2.5L in the Passat at 22 City/31 Highway/25 Combined. Our average for the week was 28.2 MPG, the majority of the driving taking place on suburban and rural roads. Next: Shall We Go For a Drive? Ride & Drive The Passat trades in the BMW-on-a-Budget handling for something a bit softer. It won't be popular with enthusiasts, but hey, this this is a People's Car and the general public tends to like their suspensions a bit softer. If enthusiasts want a Volkswagen product that competes with BMW, that's what Audi is for. On highways or city roads, the Passat’s suspension does a good job of minimizing the shock of bumps and other road imperfections. As for sound insulation, the Passat minimizes road and wind noise very well. But don’t think the Passat is a big soft sedan. Volkswagen did leave some sharpness for the new Passat. The suspension does have enough damping to cope with enthusiastic driving. The steering is weighted just right and direct. Now, the Passat won’t run rings around competitors like the Kia Optima, but for most buyers who want a little bit of fun with their comfort, the Passat will serve their needs. Visibility for the Passat is very good with the front and side giving a good view of the road. Rear visibility is hindered due to a smallish rear window and tall trunklid. This causes a problem when backing-up. Next: And the Verdict.. Verdict The new Passat appears to be a winner in Volkswagen’s lineup. The first six months of 2012 saw Volkswagen moving 10,252 Passats compared to 2010 when only 747 Passat sedans were sold. Throw the Passat wagon into the mix and the number jumps to 1,108 sold. Now, the U.S. doesn’t get the Passat as a wagon like the European market. Also, the European market gets a Passat Alltrack, a Passat wagon kitted with AWD and a higher ride height. Volkswagen did show the Alltrack at this year’s New York Auto Show to gage reaction, so there could be a chance of the Alltrack coming to the U.S. in the next few years. To accomplish this sales success, Volkswagen did make some concessions with the new Passat. But the majority of buyers won’t care about the lack of luxury materials that were in the previous Passat. Nor will they cry when they realize the new Passat doesn’t have the same driving dynamics of the previous model. What most buyers will notice is the amount of interior space, high exterior and interior quality, range of engines, and the low pricetag. However, not everyone will like the plain-jane styling of the new Passat. Also, the 2.5L five-cylinder is an unimpressive engine, despite delivering an impressive fuel economy number for the week. Is the new Passat a winner in my books? Yes, it accomplishes Volkswagen's goal of increasing US sales by catering more to the tastes of the US market and its not a bad midsize sedan to boot. Cheers: Interior Space Build Quality Fuel Economy Six-Speed Automatic Smooth Ride Jeers: 2.5L Engine Plain Styling Disclaimer: Volkswagen provided the vehicle, insurance, and one tank of gas. Year - 2012 Make – Volkswagen Model – Passat Trim – 2.5 SE Engine – 2.5L inline-five Driveline – Front Wheel Drive, Six Speed Automatic Horsepower @ RPM - 170 @ 5700 Torque @ RPM - 177 @ 4250 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 22/31/25 Curb Weight – 3221 lbs Location of Manufacture – Volkswagen Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN Base Price - $24,825.00 As Tested Price - $25,525.00 (Includes $770.00 Destination Charge) William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

The trunk of a 60's vehicle?