For the past ten years, everyone here at LotPro.com has been reading the advertisements from Volkswagen with the tag line “Drivers Wanted.” And while that ad campaign may have ended this year, the “Drivers Wanted” sign is being hung out by VW as the company looks for 25 young drivers willing to shell out $45,000 to race in next year’s TDI Cup.

More than Fahrvergnügen

Begun in 2008, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup is a single-make series sanctioned by the SCCA that takes place only in North America. As an entry-level series, the TDI Cup is open to drivers between the ages of 16 and 26 with no prior professional racing experience (beyond the go-kart level), although previous TDI Cup entrants are also allowed to re-apply.

Applicants have until December 11th to submit their applications along with the requisite $45,000 entry fee. From these applications, up to 125 candidates will be selected to attend the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup final driver selection event that will be held from February 1st through the 9th in Las Vegas. This event will determine the final 25 driver lineup (plus 10 reserve drivers) for the 2010 season and includes three days of professional driving instruction, autocross competition, track time in a Jetta TDI Cup car, physical fitness training, sponsorship development workshop, marketing and media training as well as the requisite Volkswagen brand familiarization.

2009 Champion Timmy Megenbier

What you get for 45K

The racing season begins in March and ends in October. Each driver competing in the series earns a Pro Racing license from the SCCA at the conclusion of the season. To help defray costs, drivers are permitted a maximum number of 8 approved sponsors. In addition to the $50,000 in prize money awarded during the season, the series champion will receive Volkswagen factory “career advancement” support with a value of up to $100,000.

The career advancement shtick is no empty promise, as the 2009 Champion, Timmy Megenbier, will be traveling to Europe next year to race a full season in the newly-created Volkswagen Scirocco Cup.

For more information on entering, you can visit the VW motorsports site at www.vwmotorsportsusa.com.

All images courtesy of Volkswagen of America

For the second time in its history, Automobile Magazine has bestowed upon the Volkswagen GTI its car of the year award and the first time in its history that the magazine has awarded it twice to the same model.

“At a time when the world’s economy is in shambles and fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are on everyone’s minds, there remains only one car that ticks all the enthusiast boxes without setting off a single wretched-excess alarm. That’s the Volkswagen GTI, and that’s why it is, once again, Automobile Magazine’s Automobile of the Year,” said Joe DeMatio, Executive Editor, Automobile Magazine.

“Having our GTI named AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s Automobile of the Year once again is a tremendous honor for our brand,” said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We’re thrilled that the staff of AUTOMOBILE Magazine acknowledged that today’s sport’s car consumers are looking beyond horsepower and going fast, rather they are looking for vehicles that are practical, fuel efficient, and fast. The GTI truly embodies what the Volkswagen brand is all about–affordable, efficient, and fun-to-drive German Engineering,” Barnes added.

Since 1983

First unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1975, sales of the golf-based GTI began in Europe in 1977. And while the rest of the world was able to enjoy the hot VW hatch, it wasn’t until 1983 that American drivers would be able to get their hands on the North American version that, by that time, would be assembled in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

That original version was equipped with a 90 hp 1.8-liter four and close-ratio 5-speed manual transmission, along with a pair of the sweetest sport seats this side of the Atlantic.

The GTI for 2010

For 2010, the GTI features a 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC turbo-charged four-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower and 207 lbs.-ft. of torque. This time, a six-speed manual is standard, while the father of all “pocket rockets” is also available with VW’s sweet automated manual DSG® transmission. Top speed is electronically governed at 130 mph, while EPA fuel economy is a respectable 32/24 highway/city with the DSG.

Here at LotPro.com, we learned of Volkswagen’s Real Racing GTI app for the iPhone® and iPod Touch® when the company made the official announcement on October 22nd. Since that time, the Real Racing GTI app continues to be “one of the hottest free apps on iTunes”, according to VW, with more than 2 million downloads.

And while the app really is pretty cool, it certainly helps that, tied in with the game, VW plans on giving away a total of six limited-edition MkVI GTIs to randomly-selected players in the six weeks following the introduction of the game.

“Consumer response to Real Racing GTI has been phenomenal, and thanks to fans like Joseph Chase, the game is still one of the top free apps on iTunes,” said Tim Ellis, Vice President of Marketing, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “More than 2 million consumers have already downloaded the free app, and we are thrilled they have reacted to it with such enthusiasm and in such a short time frame.”

And the first winner is

From the above quoted paragraph, you should discern that the first winner is one Joseph Chase. Joseph, who hails from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, is not so enamored of the virtual world that he isn’t looking forward to the real thing. “I downloaded the Real Racing GTI App the minute I first heard about it and I haven’t stopped playing since – it’s just such a fun game,” said Mr. Chase. “But now I can’t wait to hit the real streets in my new GTI!”

It pays to play

How can you win your own MkVI? Here’s the DL from VW:

U.S.-registered players enjoying the action of the Real Racing GTI App can put their skills to the test for a chance to win one of the remaining five, limited-edition 2010 GTI models. The more people play, the more chances they have to win. Continuing over each of the next five weeks, one player will be chosen to win the ultimate racing prize: the exclusive GTI MkVI, an individually-numbered, specially-tuned version of the legendary hatchback. Each model includes the GTI’s 2.0T 200hp four-cylinder engine, a performance tuned suspension finished with black, Volkswagen
motorsport 18-inch all-new wheels, and special interior touches, including carbon fiber-look trim, a numbered dash plaque, and unique stitching in the front headrests. Winners will be selected and notified by ePrize, Volkswagen’s interactive promotions partner. For more information on the competition please visit: www.vw.com/RealRacingGTI.

The Real Racing GTI App is available for free from the App Store on the iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. No purchase is necessary to enter the contest, which officially ends on December 2 at 11:59PM.

All images courtesy of Volkswagen of America

More than Fahrvergnügen

Begun in 2008, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup is a single-make series sanctioned by the SCCA that takes place only in North America. As an entry-level series, the TDI Cup is open to drivers between the ages of 16 and 26.

The number of entrants is limited to 30 and, in 2009, a series of ten races was held at eight different venues (Virginia International Raceway and New Jersey Motorsports Park hosted two races each, while Miller Motorsports Park, Mid-Ohio, Autobahn Country Club, Mosport, Road Atlanta and Road America each hosted one race).

Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition

“Since our inaugural TDI Cup series in 2008 we have received numerous inquiries as to whether or not we would offer a TDI Cup replica vehicle,” said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We’re thrilled to announce that a special edition Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition will be available in dealer showrooms early next year. What makes this special edition so unique is that it features the optional, race inspired, TDI Cup body kit package combined with our clean diesel engine. The Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition is one exceptional special model that is as fun-to-drive as it is to look at,” added Barnes.

Unveiled at last year’s SEMA show, the original Street Edition concept has moved around the country, being displayed at each of the TDI Cup races this year.

Specs

The actual production TDI Cup Street Edition features the front bumper, lower side skirts and rear valance found on the TDI Cup race cars. But there are functional differences as well: all Street Edition Jettas will feature the larger brakes (with red calipers), sway bars and sport suspension featured on the Jetta GLI.

The same 2.0-liter, 140 hp turbocharged direct injection engine that powers the regular Jetta TDI is also found under the hood of the Street Edition. Ditto the standard six-speed manual and optional DSG six-speed automatic.

Additional upgrades include cloth sport seats, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel and, last but certainly not least, 18” Charleston wheels in place of the standard 6.5J x 16” alloys.

Pricing

Pricing of the standard Jetta TDI begins at $22,270 and Volkswagen has stated that pricing on the Street Edition will start at “around” $25,000 – meaning all the extra goodies should amount to about a $3,000 premium over a run-of-the-mill TDI.

1951 International Auto Show

Getting your virtual kicks

Here at LotPro.com, we’re pretty sure that not in his wildest dreams would Ferdinand Porsche have conceived of anything like a virtual reality game (was ist das?) playing a major role in a new car introduction. But that was then (1931), and this is now.

Today, Volkswagen of America announced the launch of its all-new 2010 GTI along with a free version of Firemint Real Racing starring VW’s latest generation pocket rocket.

Real Racing GTI can be downloaded directly to the iPhone® and iPod® touch via a WiFi connection (the file is too large for 3G) or through the iTunes® software program. The App, according to VW, “is available worldwide and spares no detail, allowing players to experience every thrilling aspect of the all-new 2010 GTI right in the palms of their hands” (this being a G-rated blog, we have no comment).

“With the personalization of media and the challenges inherent with reaching constantly connected consumers, we tasked ourselves to rethink the way we launch vehicles in order to engage our consumers in a meaningful way,” said Tim Ellis, Vice President of Marketing, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The GTI customer is a tech-savvy consumer who enjoys social networking, playing games and spending time on mobile devices – most often an iPhone. Launching the all-new 2010 GTI via the Real Racing GTI App allows us to connect with this savvy GTI consumer within his or her everyday life in a way that no 30-second spot ever could.”

But wait, there’s more!

And just like a Shamwow commercial, only better, VW has added a major sweetener to the pot: U.S.-registered players will have a chance to win one of six limited-edition 2010 Volkswagen GTIs. The more you play, the more chances you have to win as, each week for six consecutive weeks (beginning as we write this), one player will be chosen to win her or his own individually-numbered, specialy-tuned GTI MkVI.

This custom ride will feature “performance tuned suspension finished with black, Volkswagen motorsport 18-inch all-new wheels, and special interior touches, including carbon fiber-look trim, a numbered dash plaque, and unique stitching in the front headrests.

Gentlemen, start your downloads!

For more information, visit: www.vw.com/RealRacingGTI.

All images courtesy of Volkswagen of America

Cadillac and Hyundai biggest winners

Here at LotPro.com, we see where AutoPacific today released its 13th annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA) based on the results of a national survey of over 25,000 new vehicle owners and lessees.

Hyundai Genesis

Noting that the current survey was conducted “in the most challenging auto sales market in years,” the company also announced that “even with the turmoil surrounding General Motors,” Cadillac, for the second year in a row, ranked highest with new car owners and took the Highest Satisfaction Brand award.

Another bright spot in the survey was Hyundai, which climbed 11 places in the overall standings, more than any other manufacturer in the survey, earning itself the Rising Star award for 2009. Not only did the company score more points in 40 of 48 rating categories over last year’s results, two of the Korean manufacturer’s models garnered VSA awards this year in their respective categories – the Genesis for Aspirational Luxury Car and the Sonata in the Premium Mid-size car category.

“These are difficult times, with news of automaker bankruptcies, companies restructuring and dealer closures a daily occurrence,” says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. “Clearly, the dynamics surrounding the Vehicle Satisfaction Award in 2009 are far different from anything we’ve seen in many years. Winners needed to overachieve to earn their awards.”

Honda Fit Sport

Award Winners

The survey focused on buyers of new vehicles that either purchased or leased them during the fourth quarter of 2008 – just as the economic downturn was pummeling the auto industry.

Although the complete list of winners is listed below, it should also be noted that the vehicle that registered the highest overall satisfaction for the reporting period was the Lexus LS – scoring 99 points above the industry average. The highest scoring truck, the Cadillac Escalade, also contributed mightily to that brand’s overall win.

2010 Ford Fusion

Multiple award winners included Toyota with 6 (including 2 for Lexus and 1 for Scion), Ford with 4, (including 1 for the Lincoln brand), Hyundai/Kia with 3 (2 for Hyundai, 1 for Kia) , Chrysler with 2 (1 for the Dodge brand and 1 for its Jeep division) and General Motors with 2 (1 for Cadillac and 1 for its Chevrolet brand).

Other manufacturers on the list are Honda, Land Rover, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Porsche and VW.

2009 Dodge Ram

Highest Satisfaction as a Brand: Cadillac

2009 Rising Star: Hyundai

Passenger Car Categories and Winners:

Premium Luxury Car               Lexus LS
Aspirational Luxury Car          Hyundai Genesis
Luxury Large Car                     Lincoln Town Car
Luxury Mid-Size Car                Lexus ES
Premium Mid-Size Car             Hyundai Sonata
Mid-Size Car                              Ford Fusion
Image Compact Car                  Toyota Prius
Compact Car                               Mitsubishi Lancer
Economy Car                              Honda Fit
Sports Car                                   Porsche 911
Sporty Car                                   Scion tC

Light Truck Categories and Winners:

Large Pickup                                     Dodge Ram 1500
Compact Pickup                                Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Luxury Sport Utility                        Cadillac Escalade
Large Sport Utility                           Chevrolet Tahoe
Premium Mid-Size Sport Utility    Ford Explorer
Mid-Size Sport Utility                      Jeep Liberty
Luxury Crossover SUV                    Land Rover LR2
Large Crossover SUV                       Mazda CX-9
Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV Toyota Venza
Mid-Size Crossover SUV                  Volkswagen Tiguan
Compact Crossover SUV                  Kia Sportage
Minivan                                               Toyota Sienna

It all began in 1974

1975 Rabbit (photo courtesy of VWoA)

In order to sort through all the generations and name changes, it’s best to start at the beginning which, for the Rabbit/Golf, began in 1974. For 1974, you see, marked not only the genesis of what was to become the C-segment platform for VW, it also marked the beginning of the company’s decision to market the vehicle under a different name in the United States. In Germany and the rest of Europe, it was called a Golf, while in the U.S. (possibly for reasons linking the word to the Mark Twain quote “Golf is a good walk spoiled.”) it was called a Rabbit – complete with a cute bunny logo on it’s behind.

1985 Golf (photo courtesy VWoA)

It’s a Golf for 1985

Sales of the first generation model went well for a while, but eventually succumbed to the onslaught of less expensive Japanese and domestic models. In 1985, the company introduced the second generation Mark II while switching the name to “Golf.”

1999 Mk4 Golf

The Mk3 third generation was introduced in the U.S. in 1994 and the Mk4 fourth generation reached our shores in 1999 and both versions soldiered on under the Golf nameplate.

Mk5 GTI

Back to the Rabbit

The Mk5 fifth generation model marked 32 years for VW’s C-segment car as well as, guess what, a name change that required Volkswagen salesmen to, once again, go back over their sales pitch by embracing the warm and fuzzy image of a Rabbit.

2010 GTI

To quote Ronald Reagan, “There you go again!”

It is now 2009. The Rabbit/Golf has been around for 35 years. To mark its 36th model year and sixth generation, VW has decided to, once again, change the name back to “Golf.” The latest press release from the company gives this reasoning for the decision:

“The Golf is an iconic nameplate for the Volkswagen Brand and it is known throughout the world,” said Mark Barnes, COO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The Golf is Volkswagen’s best selling global nameplate with more than 26 million units sold in over 120 countries.”

“Making the change back to Golf is an important step in realigning with our global heritage” Barnes added.

What’s in a name?

According to Shakespeare, “That which we call a rose By ay other name would smell as sweet.” Here at LotPro.com, that means that as long as VW continues to build sweet rides like the Golf, GTI, Jetta and GLI, we really don’t care what they’re called.

Here at LotPro.com it’s not always about zero to sixty times or horsepower figures – and this article should prove it. It should also prove that Reese Witherspoon’s character, Elle Woods, hasn’t even come close to cornering the market on pink because, as part of Barbie’s® 50th birthday, Volkswagen of America helped in the celebration by creating a life-sized pink Malibu Barbie® New Beetle Convertible (for real).

With the help of ABD Racing Werks, Katzkin Leather and Interiors and FoamMoulders, Volkswagen transformed a perfectly usable New Beetle Convertible into the “ultimate Barbie® dream car.” Not only that but, get this, the debut extravaganza took place at Barbie’s® life-size Malibu Dream House® in Malibu, California (we’re already getting tired of inserting the trademarks).

While it took five shades of paint, mixed together, to create the necessary exterior pink color, it’s the interior that received most of the attention. White custom leather adorns the seats with pink quilted headrests and matching door pockets and arm rests. The cloth convertible top is white and the boot cover is, naturally, white leather, as well. Pink Barbie® ponytail logos adorn the upper seat backs and custom, hand stitched floor mats are also part of the package.

But wait, there’s more. This most custom of New Beetle convertibles also includes a motorized vanity in the trunk along with plenty of rhinestone accents and vanity mirrors – even the dipstick is “painted to resemble her favorite lipstick (we need to be careful with this one).”

In any case, VW’s latest creation made its big splash at the 50th anniversary celebration in Malibu yesterday along with 1,800 pairs of itsy-bitsy sunglasses, 3,500 pairs of teeny-tiny shoes and 3,500 teeny-weenie handbags.

15th year of awards program

2009 marks the 15th year of Wards Automotive Magazine’s 10 Best Engines list. Not only is this the North American auto industry’s only award of its kind, it is, according to Wards, “considered by many to be the ‘Oscars” for automotive engines.”

This year, six of the magazine’s editors nominated a total of 32 different engines and the list consisted of last year’s winners plus all-new engines as well as those that had received significant improvement over a previous design. In order to qualify, each engine must be available in a regular-production U.S.-specification model scheduled to be on-sale no later than the end of the first quarter of 2009. Vehicles the engines are available in are given a price ceiling of $54,000 in a price cap formula that is indexed to the average cost of a new vehicle.

So without further ado, the winners are (in alphabetical manufacturer’s order)

Audi 2.0 liter TFSI turbocharged DOHC I-4 (A4 Avant)
Freshly revamped with 211 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque for the new A4, this marks a fourth consecutive 10 Best for Audi’s turbocharged 4.

BMW 3.0 liter turbocharged DOHC I-6 (135i Coupe)
The twin-turbocharged, direct-injected gasoline I-6 returns for a third year with 300 hp and 300 lb.-ft. of torque.

BMW 3.0 liter turbodiesel (335d)
A sequential twin-turbocharger system delivers impressive fuel economy as well as 265 hp and a stump-pulling 425 lb.-ft. of torque.

Chrysler 5.7 liter Hemi OHV V-8 (Dodge Ram/Challenger R/T)
The Hemi returns with more refinement, power (376 hp) and variable-valvetrain and induction technology.

Ford 2.5 liter DOHC I-4 HEV (Escape Hybrid)
A redesigned Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine with intake variable cam timing (iVCT) enables spark and cam timing to be varied according to engine load for optimal fuel efficiency.

General Motors 3.6 liter DOHC V-6 (Cadillac CTS)
Equipped with direct-gasoline injection, the second appearance for this advanced V-6 was tested in the CTS (it also appears in GM’s CUVs) and delivers 304 hp using regular grade gasoline.

Honda 3.5 liter SOHC V-6 (Accord Coupe)
This Honda V-6 with 271 hp and 254 lb.-ft. of torque is individually tailored for the Accord coupe and sedan. 4 doors will give you the version with cylinder deactivation technology for fuel economy while in the coupe, sans deactivation, it’s designed to deliver a fatter torque curve.

Hyundai 4.6 liter DOHC V-8 (Genesis)
The automaker’s first V-8 produces 375 hp and 333 lb.-ft. of torque. It features a die-cast block, 2-stage intake manifold and continuously variable valve timing for both intake and exhaust.

Toyota 3.5 liter DOHC V-6 (Lexus IS 350)
Toyota wins a fourth consecutive award with this V-6 that employs a combination direct and port-injection fuel system that helps this engine produce 306 hp and 277 lb.-ft. of torque.

Volkswagen 2.0 liter SOHC I-4 Turbodiesel (Jetta TDI)
VW’s newest turbodiesel is certified in all 50 states and produces 140 hp and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. Boasting EPA figures of 30 city/41 highway, this compression ignition engine makes for a much more entertaining alternative to most hybrids.

Green Car of the Year

In the world of automotive awards, GCOTY is a fairly new one. Established just three years ago, the first one was awarded to the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. A year later, the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid was the recipient, while last year, the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid received the award that was presented, for the first time, at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

In order to qualify for a nomination, a vehicle must, according to Green Car Journal, “exhibit characteristics that substantially raise the bar in environmental performance and be in production by January 1 of the award year.” In addition, each nominee is driven by Green Car Journal so that its driving characteristics can be observed first-hand. Nominee vehicles must also be in production to make sure they are actually available in the market during their award year.

The winner is selected by an 11 member panel that is comprised of both automotive as well as environmental experts. Past jurors have included such luminaries as Jean-Michael Cousteau of the Ocean Futures Society and TV personality and major car aficionado Jay Leno.

2009 Nominees

In alphabetical order, here are the 2009 nominees:

2009 BMW 335d

The 335d is BMW’s first U.S. diesel sedan in almost 20 years. Equipped with a 3.0 liter turbocharged direct injection diesel, this 3-series Bimmer produces 265 horsepower and a stump-pulling 425 lb.-ft. of torque.

Engine: 3.0-liter inline-six diesel
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 5/LEV
Horsepower: 265
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 23/33 (EPA)
Base MSRP: $44,725

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Just introduced at the L.A. Show, the hybrid Fusion receives the same makeover as the rest of the lineup for 2010. Under the hood, the hybrid benefits from the same new 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine with intake variable cam timing as the Escape/Mariner hybrids, the green-friendly models produce 155 hp and 136 lb-ft of torque.

Engine: 2.5-liter inline-four, gasoline-electric hybrid
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 5/AT-PZEV
Horsepower: 155
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 38/35 (est.)
Base MSRP: $27,000-$30,000 (est.)

2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid

The second generation Saturn Vue was introduced at last years Los Angeles Auto Show and, like its smaller brother the Astra, it’s a re-badged Opel, although in Europe it is known as the Antara. The Vue benefits from the first application of the General’s two-mode hybrid technology in a V-6 front-driver.

Engine: 3.6-liter V-6, gasoline-electric hybrid
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 5/AT-PZEV
Horsepower: 255
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 28/31 (est.)
Base MSRP: Under $33,000

Smart Fortwo

The Fortwo is certainly the latest way for environmental fashionistas to wear their colors. Ideal for urban prowling, the fortwo, with its short wheelbase and lack of storage space, is less suited for spirited driving or family vacations. EPA numbers of 33 city/41 highway are impressive, but 0-60 times are best measured with an hourglass.

Engine: 1.0-liter inline three
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2 Bin 5/ULEV
Horsepower: 70
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 33/41 (EPA)
Base MSRP: $11,990

2009 VW Jetta TDI

Here’s where the fun starts. The VW, it must be noted, is the antithesis of the Fortwo. It has terrific handling, plenty of space and a clean diesel engine that meets emissions certification in all 50 states. To top it all off, fuel economy is 30 city/41 highway, with many drivers claiming close to 50 mpg.

Engine: 2.0-liter inline-four, diesel
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 5/SULEV
Horsepower: 140
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 30/41 (EPA)
Base MSRP: $21,990

And the winner is…

As it announced this afternoon, the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI becomes the first-ever clean diesel to win Green Car Journal’s Green Car of the Year honor. From all of us here at LotPro.com, a tip of the hat to Volkswagen!