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AUTOMOBILE names 2010 GTI Automobile of the Year
Volkswagen GTI: Halo car?
Would you consider the GTI Volkswagen's halo car? When you stop and think about it, the GTI has, over the years, meant sporty driving. If you're old like me, you remember the original GTI as a small yet tossable car to drive.
That fun-to-drive reputation has continued over the years and manifests itself yet again by being recognized by AUTOMOBILE Magazine as its 2010 Automobile of the Year.
Now, some of you might say the New Beetle is VW's halo car but for me it's always been a little too cartoonish. For diehard VW buyers, the GTI describes performance in an affordable package that's hard to beat. The Beetle is there for college coeds and commuters yearning for the '70s. They may have owned the original minivan, the VW Bus, as well. But that's another story.
A loose definition of halo car is one that draws buyers to showrooms. Usually it's an expensive car that catches your eye because of its exotic looks, expensive price and mind-numbing performance. In a nut shell, halo cars are unaffordable and will outperform 99% of drivers; i.e., its performance will get you in trouble in more ways than one.
But does a halo car need to meet those specifications? A car doesn't need to be expensive or exotic looking to be great to drive. Does the GTI look exotic? Absolutely not. But what does it have?
We can start with its 2.0-liter, 16-valve DOHC turbo-charged four-cylinder producing 200 horsepower and 207 lbs.-ft. of torque. Transmissions include VW's slick DSG or a traditional six-speed manual. Add on the new for 2010 electronic limited slip, which VW is calling XDS, and you have the makings of a car most enthusiasts will love.
Let me know what you think. Do you think the GTI can be VW's halo car? What other car does VW have that fits the halo characteristics? I can't think of any other VW model that fits the bill.
Will Scirocco fans approve this new VW?
Volkswagen has pulled the wraps off the new Scirocco, set to spend this week on the podium at the Geneva Motor Show.
As we mentioned in an earlier post, Volkswagen and, in particular, Scirocco fans have been waiting and anticipating this news. But is this the car they were expecting, the one they feel carries the torch for VW fans looking for an affordable performance-minded coupe?
Volkswagen CEO Dr. Martin Winterkorn said, “In the Scirocco we will be bringing the kind of sports car into the showroom that people dream of. Yet it is a dream that an exceptionally large number of car drivers will be able to afford — despite all of the high-end technologies we have implemented.â€
In our eyes, we see a flatter version of the GTI. Does this car generate the interest VW is hoping for? Time will only tell.
Volkswagen of America executive Adrian Hallmark tipped his hand, saying the new Scirocco would not be coming to the United States because "we don't want it." His concern? Cannibalizing GTI sales. It doesn't make sense to distance yourself from a new model, especially one hoping to attract buyers to a growing segment. The small, economical yet fun to drive group of cars taking off with higher gas prices. Yet Hallmark seems OK to go without this new car.
But Volkswagen of America won't have much say in whether or not the Scirocco will be available in the U.S. That decision will be made by CEO Martin Winterkorn in Germany.
Is Volkswagen's new Scirocco nearly here?
Apparently the launch of Volkswagen's new Scirocco is imminent. A mini-site is now available, providing the opportunity for visitors to sign up for future information.
The site has a continuous stream of teaser images, giving you a subtle preview yet leaving much to the imagination.
Speculation around the 'net is that we'll see it at Geneva. Time will tell. Stay tuned.
