Recently in Volkswagen Category

LeftLane have published their review of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. 'First impressions are positive. The 2011 Jetta looks great, taking away the bubbly look of the outgoing model and replacing it with a uniquely VW face. An elegantly detailed front fascia gives way to a sculpted, but simple side profile. We're less impressed with the tail, which possesses intricate tail lamps but somehow still manages an anonycar lack of distinct style. It's as though the design team ran out of ideas - neither ugly nor especially beautiful, the Jetta's tail is simply there.'

The Truth About Cars have published a review of the 2011 VW Polo 1.2 TSI. 'Just like the previous Polo, the fifth-gen Polo pushes the interior quality bar further up the scale. Whether this interior is the best in B-segment territory depends on your definition of best: there's little doubt that this is the most 'big-car' interior in the class, but there's also no avoiding the feeling that it's just a little dull and expected. Many - if not most - knobs and controls come straight from the Golf, and seeing as Volkswagen has seemingly unlimited access to that soft-touch material mine, there's acres of that too. Everything you touch or move - from the door knob to the gear lever - feels like German engineers have spent sleepless nights perfecting its pitch, sound and feel. If you really choose to nitpick, there are harder-than-expected plastics in the door area.'

Car and SUV have published a review of the 2010 Volkswagen Golf Variant. 'The dimensions of the Golf Variant don't differ from the standard hatch as much as you'd initially assume. Obviously there is an increase in length of 44cm but all other measurements remain exactly the same, including the wheelbase. At the front very little distinguishes the Variant from the hatchback with both sharing a black plastic grille and gaping low air-intake in the bumper. In profile, there's no hiding the Variant's extra length that is concentrated in the rear overhang and highlighted by integrated roof rails. Rear styling is unique to the Variant and consists of slightly awkward taillights and a wide opening tailgate that when lifted creates a generous loading aperture.'

Car And Driver have published their "Short Take Road Test" of the 010 Volkswagen GTI 3-Door DSG. 'Our Tornado Red GTI sped from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and hit 100 mph exactly 10 seconds later; the quarter-mile was covered in 14.7 seconds at 96 mph. A five-door, six-speed-manual 2010 GTI, the only other '10 we've tested thus far, accomplished the same tasks in 6.3 seconds, 16.2 seconds, and 14.9 seconds at 96 mph while weighing a whole nine pounds more. Chalk up the negligible differences to a less-green engine in the three-door--it had 4000 more miles--as well as the DSG's quicker shifts and launch-control function.'

The Motor Report have published a "test driven" review of the 2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI DSG. 'The MKVI Golf GTI is available in both three-door and five-door configurations, and with the choice of a six-speed manual or VW's quick-shifting six-speed DSG twin-clutch automatic. We chose to sample the five-door fitted with the DSG. 'Our' test car also ticked the box for the optional Adaptive Chassis Control suspension package. Painted silver and rolling on a set of the optional 18-inch 'Detroit' alloys, the tester certainly looked sharp - there is a rakish bristling menace to the new model's on-road stance.'

Motor Trend have published their "First drive" review of the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid. 'Beneath the hood of the Touareg Hybrid lies a 333-horsepower, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine shared with Audi that produces 324 pound-feet of torque. Mated to the gasoline engine via an automatic dry clutch is a 47-horsepower, 34-kilowatt electric motor that produces 99 pound-feet of torque, bringing the system total to 375 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful drivetrain offered in the new Touareg. This also means the Touareg Hybrid shares the same 7700-pound towing capacity as its gasoline-only and diesel counterparts.'

A review of the 2010 Volkswagen GTI has been posted over at SearchChicago. 'For 2010 VW has given the GTI a more aggressive front end and a more streamlined profile. I especially like the standard 17-inch wheels. If you like 18-inch wheels, they are also offered. If GTI's exterior doesn't draw you in, the cabin is sure to do the trick. Accommodations are impressive and highly refined, especially when compared to the rest of the field. I loved the look and feel of the standard three-spoke, black, perforated leatherwrapped steering wheel that sported some awesome red stitching.'

A review of the 2010 Volkswagen Golf Wagon has been posted over at The Motor Report. 'All new, but featuring Volkswagen's 'family' face, the 2010 Golf Wagon is instantly recognisable as a variant of the familiar Golf hatch that debuted last year. As with the hatch, it follows Volkswagen's current design DNA with a horizontally-styled grille and sleeker headlights than the previous-gen Golf. Naturally, it's from the B-pillar back that the differences between the Wagon and the hatch are most pronounced. In the metal, the addition of that wide-opening cargo space makes the Golf Wagon look and feel a size larger than its 'little brother'.'

A review of the 2010 Volkswagen Golf has been posted over at the WSJ.com 'The Golf's design has been evolving since its ancestor, the Rabbit, arrived in the U.S in the mid 1970s. As a result, it looks and feels more developed than many other small cars. Its ride and handling have the solid, stable feel of a larger car, yet it remains nimble and fun to drive on winding country roads. Its small size -- about 13.5 feet long -- and sharp steering make even urban driving a relative pleasure: Maneuvering in traffic and parking is a cinch.'

Inside Line have published their "First drive"review of the 2012 Volkswagen Golf R. 'This VW Golf R with the 2.0 TSI is exactly what we need to stop the criticism leveled at small cars with turbocharged four-cylinder engines. There's so much premium-ness built into this car that it is not to be believed, and we mean that in the amazingly good way. A long list of upgrades in both manufacturing and anti-NVH development has made every member of the Golf MkVI family feel as substantial as an Audi A6. And then there is the long list of features. Like the latest quick-acting all-wheel drive making snowy roads feel like dry roads, plus making serious acceleration numbers on dry roads and communicating in the corners through the flat-bottom R-type steering wheel. Like the sheer quality of the interior design that no longer seems as if it's compensating for shortcomings in another department.'