Volkswagen Takes a Hit and Bentley Continues to Tease

The Volkswagen Tiguan earns five stars while the as yet to be named grand Bentley is offered up in another teaser shot.

Mixed news

It’s one of those days at LotPro.com. With little in the way of excitement – other than Honda finally confirming rumors of its upcoming Crosstour crossover vehicle (with no images, only the Priddy and Company spy shots on the web) – we find ourselves trying to get excited about the latest crash test results and yet another “dark and stormy” teaser photo from Bentley.

Tiguan shines in crash test

Volkswagen announced today that its 2009 Tiguan earned a 5-star NCAP crash test rating from the government National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Initiated in 1978, NCAP’s primary purpose is to provide consumers with safety information by providing star ratings (for front, side and rollover tests) for those vehicles that are predicted to have high sales volumes. Results of the tests are quantified then relayed to consumers using a star rating system from 1 to 5, with 5 stars being the best any vehicle can achieve.

“Volkswagen is thrilled that our Tiguan has earned the highest crash test rating, 5-star, by the government — providing further validation that Volkswagen produces some of the safest vehicles in the industry,” said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “Our vehicles have numerous safety technologies that work to help prevent accidents whenever possible, and help protect our occupants when an accident is unavoidable,” added Barnes.

It should be noted that, although the Tiguan is one of the smaller SUV’s on the market, the NCAP side crash ratings and rollover ratings can be compared across all classes of vehicles. It is only the frontal crash rating results that must be compared to other vehicles that are within 250 lbs, plus or minus, of the vehicle being rated.

Second grand Bentley teaser

This morning, Bentley shot over yet another teaser image of its upcoming “grand Bentley” (the actual name of its latest model will be revealed at its unveiling). The timing of today’s press release also coincides with the 90th anniversary of the company’s founding by W.O. Bentley.

As part of the press release, Bentley Motors also announced that the all-new model will be revealed – and named – in August at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance where the company is a featured marque.

photos courtesy of Volkswagen of America and Bentley Motors

Tags: Bentley, crosstour, grand bentley, Honda, national highway traffic safety administration, ncap, NHTSA, pebble beach, pebble beach concours d'elegance, priddy and compay, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Tiguan