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Motoring

VW 2015 VEHICLE LINEUP SHOWS PROMISE!

Test-drive stories by NITISH S. RELE, [email protected]

Middleburg, Va., may not top the list of places to visit but the small town (population 600 plus) served as a perfect setting for Volkswagen to spotlight its 2015 vehicles. Below are some of the changes taking place in the vast German carmaker lineup, mainly expansion in the Golf market and a refreshed Jetta, which we test drove in Middleburg.

2015 VW JettaJETTA

VW’s bestseller in the United States has been redesigned and comes in five power trains: 2.0-liter naturally aspirated (34 mpg highway), 1.8-liter TSI gasoline (37 mpg highway, up 1) and the 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel (horsepower up by 10 to 150). The hybrid (1.4-liter) and GLI (210 hp) versions will be at dealerships later in 2015. The updated Jetta gets a new bumper and radiator grille with three cross fins; new rear bumper, trunk lid, air vents and chrome-edged tubes for instruments. Piano-black finish now decks up the standard steering wheel. And Bluetooth is standard. Trunk space is 15.5 cubic feet, substantially more than its competitors. Base price is $16,215 and peaks at $25,380 for the 2.0 and 1.8 liters. The TDI ranges from $22,740 to $27,510.

2015 eGolfeGOLF

VW’s first fully electric vehicle for United States is parked at your local dealership. Normal range is 70 to 90 miles for the five-passenger car with a 24.2 kWh lithium-ion battery, 115 hp electric motor and a single-speed transmission. Up front, the eGolf gets LED headlights and signature C-shaped LED daytime running lights. Its AC motor puts out 199 pounds-feet of torque. There are three driver-selectable regenerative braking settings and three e-modes. Onboard are a standard 7.2 kW onboard charger and Combined Charging System (CCS) plug. It will be available in SEL Premium with a base price of $35,445 or $299 monthly lease. Rest assured there is a Roadside Assistance Plan.

GOLF

Already on sale in dealerships are the Golf GTI, TDI and the 1.8T. The Golf R with 292 horsepower will be available in early 2015. Same applies to the Golf SportWagen.

GTI

Starting at $17,995 for the two-door Golf Launch Edition, the fastest GTI ever cranks out 210 hp and 258 pounds-feet of torque. A 1.8-liter TSI offers 170 hp (37 mpg highway) and the 2.0-liter TDI develops 150 hp (45 mpg highway).

TOUAREG

New front/real bumpers with chrome strips, revised grille with four chrome slats and more luxury features (chrome trim, wood finishes) than the previous model boost the popular midsize SUV.

PASSAT

The sedan acquires a new EA288 TDI Clean Diesel engine that puts out 150 hp (up 10). Also, the manual TDI can travel up to 814 highway miles on a tank (that trip to Atlanta should be a cakewalk!).

BEETLE

EPA estimated fuel economy inches up in the new TDI Clean Diesel engine. For the coupe, it is 31/41 mpg city/highway and for the convertible, 30/40 mpg. A Classic trim joins the lineup for $20,195 and the convertible is $25,995.

EOS, CC

Big farewell to the EOS. The midsize CC gets new optional 18-inch wheels.

TIGUAN

VW has boosted the content in lower trim levels with a standard rearview camera, roof rails and SiriusXM radio. Also, heated seats are available.

To wrap it up, VW claims to have a broad and balanced portfolio of vehicles for the upcoming year. Which is quite apparent from the lineup. In their words, “Committed to delivering ‘better’ engineering, technology, fit and finish, handling and driver experience — all at a price people can afford.” We couldn’t agree more.

REVAMPED AUDI A3 IS A THRILL OF A RIDE!

If you were a fan of the A3 hatchback, you can forget about it. Audi has replaced the car with a compact, premium luxury sedan that will leave you asking for more.

The redesigned A3 is equipped with a 2.0-liter TSFI (Turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection) engine belting out 220 horsepower @ 6200 rpm and 258 pounds-feet of torque @ 4400 rpm. The renowned Quattro all-wheel drive translates into a ride that is quick off the mark, lively in traffic and a blast to cruise on the highway. Zero to 60 is achievable in a mere 5.8 seconds and top speed can reach up to 130 mph. It is mated to a slick 6-speed S Tronic auto dual-clutch transmission.

Sitting on 17-inch wheels, the single-frame grille with angled upper corner, bi-xenon headlights and slender LED tail lamps conveys an intimidating appearance. But the interior is classic Audi, especially the round speedometer, tachometer, fuel and temperature gauges of red needles on white numerals amid black background. The new three-spoke, tilt/telescopic steering wheel is convenient for the driver to slip in and out effortlessly while basking in a cozy 12-way leather seat. Jet-engine-inspired circular air vents lend style to the cabin. Don’t let the ultra-thin MMI retractable dash screen intimidate you. It takes some time but you get used to toggling the knob in the center console for navigation, telephone and radio controls. Other cabin niceties include dual-zone auto climate control, 60/40 rear seat, panoramic sunroof and a driver information center.

In the event of a possible collision, Audi pre sense basic detects an emergency maneuver and prepares the vehicle and its occupants. Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, front knee airbags, hill hold assist, Electronic Stability Protection and traction, four-wheel antilock brakes, front three-point safety belts, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights also are standard.

Always fancied that fine German-engineered car but felt it was out of your pocket reach? Not with the $32,900 base-priced A3. The rev-happy car is energetic, nimble and provides quite a punch. And a worthy fuel sipper. The only drawback or two is the tight rear seat and a miniscule 10-cubic-foot trunk.

A3

2015 GMC YUKON PACKS POWERFUL ENGINE

THE RIDE: Four-door, up to nine-passenger 2015 GMC Yukon Denali full-size SUV.

DOWN THE ROAD: Redesigned for 2015, the body-on-frame ride is solidly built for rapid acceleration from any speed, generous passing ability and precise balance/handling. Active noise cancellation guarantees silence and poise at highway speeds.

TECH & PERFORMANCE: A 6.2-liter V-8 Ecotec engine, coupled with an 8-speed auto gearbox, pumps out 420 horsepower (up by 17 from its predecessor) and 460 pounds-feet of torque @ 4100 rpm. An independent coil-over shock front and a solid axle rear suspension, similar to the Sierra pickup, work well to eagerly tackle sharp, sudden curves on the road. The power rack-and-pinion electric power steering has a trusty and communicative feel. The Active Fuel Management system deactivates four of the eight cylinders for fuel savings. Tow capacity is a remarkable 8,500 pounds.

LOOK & FEEL: Up front, GMC signature C-shaped HID headlights flank the enormous chrome-accented grille. Also apparent are the familiar vertical tail lamps and rear chrome bar with GMC etching, body-color side moldings, fog lamps and a wider rear track. Step into the capacious cabin and you will realize there is no need to remove the third-row seat. Instead, press a button in the cargo hold and watch the bench fold. Ditto for the second-row seat. That leaves you 94.7 cubic feet of space. The two-gauge analog instrument cluster is well-lit and crystal clear. And the huge center console can swallow a laptop. Other notable features include tri-zone auto climate control, power tilt/telescopic steering column, 8-inch color touch screen for audio, navigation and Intellilink readings, 10-speaker Bose surround system, heated/cooler front seats, wood trim on dash and doors, several USB slots and a 110-volt outlet.

SAFETY FIRST: Standard are dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for rear rows, stability control with hill start assist and traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes, rearview camera, side blind zone, rear-cross traffic and forward-collision alerts, lane departure warning, Magnetic ride control, front/rear park sensors, anti-locking rear differential, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.

OUT THE DOOR: $62,680, plus tax, tag, delivery and destination charges.

BY THE NUMBERS: Tires, P285/45R22; wheelbase, 116 inches; length, 203.9 inches; weight, 5,533 pounds; fuel capacity, 26 gallons; Web site, www.gmc.com

WHY DIG IT: The Yukon Denali boasts ample room for cargo and passengers, laudable tow capacity backed by a potent engine. Turn a blind eye to the fuel economy figures (15 mpg city/21 highway) and this full-size SUV will serve the needs of large households quite well.

2015 REGAL WILL KEEP YOU CONNECTED!

It was just last year that Buick revamped the Regal and Regal GS. So for 2015, the midsize sedan continues as is for 2015. Except the alluring and innovative OnStar with 4G LTE and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, which serves as a mobile hub to stay connected and comes with a three-month/3G data trial.

Under the hood of our high-performance GS AWD test drive resides a 2.0-liter inline-4 cylinder turbo engine putting out 259 horsepower @ 5300 rpm and 295 pounds-feet of torque @ 4000 rpm. It is mated to a 6-speed auto or manual. The nimble GS AWD (auto on-demand system with electronic limited-slip differential) is equipped with a HiPer strut front and H-arm rear suspension to take breaks and bumps with poise. Ensuring further decent feedback is an accurate belt-driven power steering.

The GS, which provides a slightly more spirited experience of driving a Buick than the base trim, rides low with prominent vertical air intake slats on the waterfall grille, HIDs with signature wing-shaped LEDs, satin-metallic trapezoidal exhausts, rocker panel extensions and rear spoiler. Apart from Wi-Fi connectivity, this Buick gets a standard 8-inch color screen for audio, navigation and Intellilink readings, dual a/c, eight-way power driver and front-passenger seats, sport alloy pedals, Bose 9-speaker sound system, racing-inspired tilt/telescopic steering column, customizable driver information center and cool-looking ice-blue ambient cabin lights. Indeed, the cabin is plush, stylish and exquisitely made.

Standard safety features include dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, rear-seat thorax air bag, StabiliTrak with traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes, front safety belt pretensioners with load limiters, front/rear parking assist, rearview camera, push-button start, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.

The athletic European-inspired car affords swift acceleration, smooth ride, and a quiet and comfortable cabin for its passengers. With new connectivity features, its appeal and sales figures for 2015 can only go one way and that’s up! Wi-Fi anyone?

REGAL GS (AWD)

ENJOY THE ICONIC WRANGLER OFF-ROAD OR ON ROAD!

‘Jeep since 1941’ reads the striking inlay on the passenger-grab handle of the 2014 Wrangler Unlimited Sahara. Need we say more about this classic, off-road and durable SUV – the only four-door 4X4 convertible on the market?

For starters, under the hood of this ladder-type frame Jeep resides a 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar engine belting out 285 horsepower @ 6400 rpm and 260 pounds-feet of torque @ 4800 rpm. The go-anywhere capable vehicle, with high and low transfer case gears, is mated to a standard 6-speed manual or optional 5-speed auto gear box. Suspension is duly handled by an independent 5-link coil system to maintain stability at sharp and sudden turns.

Our four-door test drive was truly a standout three-piece hardtop with removable four doors, exposed hinges, fold-down windshield, front/rear hooks and tubular side steps. That this is a Jeep is even more obvious from the familiar seven-slot, body-color grille, flanked by rounded halogen headlights, and a flat, clamshell hood reaching down to trapezoidal fender flares. The Trail Rated exterior badge means the 4X4 is designed for off-road conditions such as traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation and water fording. Step to the rear and tail lamps on the body bring back memories of the 1941 Willys.

The cabin sticks to the original Jeep’s functional capability with 102.9 cubic feet of interior room and 31.5 cubic feet of cargo area behind the 60/40 fold-down flat rear seat. Storage bins and cubicles are scattered throughout, including one under the rear cargo floor. As are numerous 12-volt outlets. The instrument panel is simply laid out with a centered speedometer, tachometer, temperature, fuel, oil and volt gauges. Other standard amenities include a/c, tilt steering column, temperature/compass gauge, adjustable driver’s height seat, lockable console and door armrest.

Dual front airbags, electronic stability and traction control, hill start assist and control, front/rear three-point seatbelts, anti-rollover, remote keyless entry and tire pressure monitoring system are standard.

Hardcore Jeep enthusiasts will love the off-road skills of the rugged Wrangler. Simultaneously, the quintessential SUV with seven decades of tradition is adept on neighborhood streets. After all, this is ‘Jeep since 1941’!

WRANGLER SAHARA

Test-drive the Wrangler as well as any Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge vehicles at Jerry Ulm Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep, 2966 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa. For more information, call the dealership at (813) 872-6645 or visit www.jerryulmdcj.com

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