Geneva Car Show Special: All New Volkswagen Touareg

"But it's just a Volkswagen!" When this luxury SUV came out for the first time, people didn't believe it would be good enough to beat the top-sellers ML-class from Mercedes and the X5, from BMW. They were partially right, the Touareg was never a top-seller, but that wasn't because of lack of good qualities.



This new version is even better. It fixed all the flaws the old generation had, such as thursty engines, and added many new technologies. The new engines already meet the Euro V requirements, which will only count from 2012 onwards. The engines are the following: V6 Petrol with 280hp; Hybrid V6 petrol with an electric motor, with a combined output of 380hp; a V6 diesel with 240hp and a V8 diesel with 340hp.



The new design is accordingly matched with the other cars in the VW range, such as the Scirocco and the Golf. The prices won't be much altered, but the new Hybrid version should be expected as the top-of-the-range, most expensive option. This car also has new options, such as a giant sunroof and an 8 inch GPS and DVD Screen.




André's Opinion

I think that this car has everything to succeed in its class. It does not llack predicates, but the only thing that could kill it is if it has a very expensive prices. Than it is more logical to move to a more refined BMW or Mercedes.

Source: World Car Fans

Geneva Car Show Special: Volkswagen Polo GTi

It hasn’t been long since VW released the new Polo, but they already announced the sporty version. The Polo GTi is loved all around the world for being cheap (-er than the Golf GTi) and light, which allows it to go pretty fast. If the previous-generation GTi was already quick as a bullet, this one is definitely going to be even faster.

Its turbocharged 1.4 TSi engine delivers a total of 180hp, making it the mosdt powerful in its class. This engine is another one from VW that uses the downsizing concept. Instead of using a big, thirsty-for-fuel engine, they apply one or two turbochargers into a small engine. Usually, as it is the case of this GTi, they put in a small turbocharger and a big one. The small turbocharger works at its best in lower revs, while the big one has its peak in high revs. This makes the car be nifty at any time.

Prices haven’t been released yet, neither have the standard and optional equipment. We can guess it will cost around 20 thousand euros, which was what the old-generation-GTi used to cost, but due to the improvements made in this new generation, a price increase should not come as a surprise.

André's Opinion

I would definitely buy this car. I’m a fan of small cars, specially the powerful ones. If money wasn’t an issue for me, and if I lived in Europe, this would be one of my choices of what car to buy. It’s a shame VW-Br does not realize there is a potential market for such cars in Brazil.

Source: World Car Fans

Geneva Car Show Special: Nissan Patrol

The Nissan Patrol has never been an astonishing-looking car, but this latest version has definitely put an end to the car’s bad-looking history. Nissan applied its grill design to the front of the car, and made it big. This makes the Patrol easy to recognize no matter where it goes.

The new generation has a massive engine. 400hp are extracted from the 5.6 liter petrol-fueled V8 engine, and all this power is delivered to all four wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission. Even though the boxy design has not been abandoned, the interior has been made much more comfortable for the passengers.

All Patrols will come with standard GPS Navigation system, Bluetooth radio with an auxiliary jack, power windows and a sunroof. This large SUV sits seven, but the 1^st and 2^nd row seats are the only ones that have heating (heating and cooling on the front row). But there is a three-zone air conditioning system to please everyone.

André's Opinion

This car, as massive as it might be, does not win me over. It might have astonishing specs, but I’d much rather have a Cadillac Escalade, for the status it gives its owner. The prices haven’t been revealed yet, but I’m guessing they won’t be much different from the Cadillac Escalade’s and the Chevrolet Tahoe’s.

Source: World Car Fans