Each week, our German correspondent slices and dices the latest rumblings, news, and quick-hit driving impressions from the other side of the pond. His byline may say Jens Meiners, but we simply call him . . . the Continental.
The first Golf Mk VII from Mexico, a spicy red GTI.
Around the same time the 2014 Detroit auto show was soaking in the spotlight, Volkswagen started production of the seventh-generation Golf at its Puebla, Mexico facility. The production plant also celebrated its 50th anniversary; it currently produces the Golf, the fourth- and the sixth-generation Jetta, and the Beetle. VW says it is a cornerstone of the its North American production infrastructure, which also includes the plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, an engine plant in Silao, Mexico, and the upcoming Audi plant in San José Chiapa, Mexico. Thanks to free trade agreements that encompass over 40 nations, Mexico is at a competitive advantage compared to other countries. That bodes well for its manufacturing future, but the country also produces some oldies; note the Mk IV Jetta mentioned above.
Yup, the list of the five best selling vehicles in Mexico still includes the two-generations-removed Mk IV Jetta, plus another that also could be considered semi-classic, the Nissan Tsuru. The VW is badged the Clasico, and is a mildly face-lifted fourth-generation Jetta sedan, which was replaced in the U.S. in 2005. The Nissan is in fact a 1990s-era B13 Sentra, which was replaced with the B14 Sentra in the U.S. way back in 1995. In their respective times, both models stood out: The fine-handling Sentra B13 was offered with a high-powered SE-R derivative, and the Jetta Mk IV signified an early attempt to take VW into premium territory. Back then, Ferdinand Piëch saw it as a BMW 3-series competitor. In Mexico, the long-serving Nissan and VW share the top-five best-selling cars list with the Chevy Aveo, Nissan Versa, and the sixth-generation Volkswagen Jetta.
The limited-edition Polo R WRC will get an even more powerful successor.
Small European Cars
Volkswagen is currently launching the Golf R in Northern Sweden, and the company brought along something special: A prototype of the upcoming Polo R. Happily, the tiny R model will pick up where last year's limited-edition (just 2500 units were made) Polo R WRC left off. In place of that car's 220 horsepower, manual transmission, and front-drive layout, however, the next Polo R gets a 250-hp EA888 turbo four, a six-speed dual-clutch automatic, and all-wheel drive. Underneath, the Polo R will share a lot with the upcoming Audi S1, and, predictably, it won't come to the U.S.
Singer Bryan Adams has designed a tough-looking version of the Opel Adam supermini. Pictured here, the special ride is called the Adam Camouflage, and it was introduced in Munich Friday. The winter camouflage theme seems eerily appropriate given the weather my American colleagues have been dealing with these past few weeks. Exactly ten units will built, and we'd suggest those few European owners avoid parking near dirty snow banks—lest the Adam Camouflage blend in too well.
Speaking of special editions, here is another one, which we doubt will be produced in greater numbers than the Adam: The Lancia Delta S by Momodesign. A collaborative effort with the Milan-based motorcycle clothing and sunglasses brand., the Delta S is powered by a 118-hp diesel engine mated with a six-speed manual transmission. If the car looks familiar, that's because it is essentially the car that was shown sans Momodesign treatment as the Chrysler Delta concept car at the 2010 Detroit auto show.
Yet, following Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne's announcement of the death of Lancia about two weeks ago, the Delta is a dead end, special edition or not. Two years ago, I drove a Delta (with a 187-hp turbo engine that is not offered anymore) and I liked it: It was beautifully equipped and had an interior with almost aristocratic elegance. And, of course, I have owned three Lancias from the Ghidella era: A Y10, an original Delta, and a Thema V6.
A Better Rogue
Nissan has launched the new Qashqai, a sister model of the U.S.-market Rogue, in Europe. It is 10 inches shorter in length that the Rogue, more aggressively styled, and lacks third-row seating. As a result, it's better-looking and more nimble, and it also comes with Renault-sourced engines that are far more efficient that the naturally aspirated, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that powers the Rogue. Strapped to a CVT, the 170-hp 2.5 keeps the Rogue at a safe distance from barn-burner status.
The European Qashqai, on the other hand, is offered with two gasoline engines—a 113-hp, 1.2-liter turbo and a 160-hp, 1.6-liter turbo—as well as a 1.5-liter turbo-diesel with two strengths: 108 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, and 128 horsepower and 236 lb-ft. Even the least powerful of these engines promises to be more pleasant in sound and character than the big U.S.-market four. And they all come with a six-speed manual—the CVT is optional. Interestingly, the Rogue will be sent to Europe, rebadged as the X-Trail. But, like the Qashqai, it will get more efficient engines than its U.S.-market sibling.
C-class Talk, And a Pickup from Mercedes?
Playing a bit with the 2015 C-class online configurator, I found it interesting that Mercedes will build two distinct center consoles, one for models with an automatic transmission, and another for those with a manual. Here is a look at the console you won't get in the U.S., because Benz is sending only a slushbox your way. Outside, the C-class also offers three grille designs: The "SL" grille, the classic unit with the upright star ornament, and a variation of the classic piece with electric louvres that can close to improve the drag coefficient. I would be surprised, however, if any cars with the classic grille make it to the U.S. The SL grille is immensely popular, even on the bigger and more traditional E-class.
The three grille designs for the new C-class.
In an excellent interview with my colleague Stefan Anker, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says that the original C-class, the W201 190, was a vehicle designed exclusively for the U.S. "We needed to have a compact car in the U.S. to conform with fleet consumption requirements, and at the same time, we were scared witless that such a car could damage the brand in Europe. In the beginning, we were going to do it for the U.S. only, in 30,000 units annually." Obviously, that original plan changed quite a lot.
- Instrumented Test: 2014 Volkswagen Passat Sport 1.8T Automatic
- Instrumented Test: 2014 Nissan Rogue SL AWD
- Instrumented Test: 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S-model 4MATIC Wagon
A prototype for the Mercedes 190, badged "Ushido."
Zetsche also provides an interesting answer to Anker's question about a possible pick-up truck: "There was a phase where we were concerned that such a vehicle would be consistent with our brand positioning. Another aspect is that these vehicles are not very technology-driven and it would be difficult to play our competitive edge. Moreover, there are the big players who have made big volumes for fifty years and more, and it would not be an easy segment." Having identified these obstacles, Zetsche continues: "At the end of the day, however, none of these arguments is truly valid. So I wouldn't rule it out. But we have no concrete plans."
from Car and Driver Blog http://ift.tt/nSHy27
Put the internet to work for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment