2012 Motor Trend Car of The Year: Volkswagen Passat

ADVANCEMENT IN DESIGN

Granted, from 50 feet or in a two-dimensional photograph, the Passat engages the eye less than does the splashy "fluidic design" of the Hyundai Sonata, but closer inspection reveals exquisite detailing. Our own expert witness, Tom Gale, gets the ball rolling: "The package provides good accommodation, and like the Audi [A6], what is remarkable is the restraint shown with the handling of the design. Clean, beautiful surfaces have been refined for an engaging result. The upper character line, with its subtle undercut, is an example of the care taken with the stampings throughout." Engineering guru Chris Theodore found the exterior "tastefully executed with really tight shut lines and nice detailing." The result is sort of a time-release appeal that blossoms upon close scrutiny or when hand-washing the vehicle. It's a less flashy design than the Sonata's, but way more cohesive than the Accord's.
There's nothing trendy going on inside, either, which may let it age more gracefully than bolder designs. Gale admits the design "breaks little new ground, but the grain, gloss levels, and material choices are tasteful." He and others criticized the choice to prioritize the dash vents over the multifunction display, the low placement of which looks dated and represents an ergonomic back-step. Ditto the fiddly turn-signal-stalk cruise controls and the entertainment system's lack of a USB port (Bluetooth and an SD card are supported, and there's a 1/8-inch aux jack). But the car's functions can be intuitively controlled without consulting the owners' manual -- something Accord owners may appreciate.




ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE

OK, the engineers among us dislike odd-numbered cylinder counts like this 2.5-liter's, but Theodore grudgingly admitted, "It's the best-tamed VW I-5 application ever. The thrashiness has been masked, and the engine is very quiet. A fine choice for middle America in real-world driving conditions." Your technical director's log reads: "This 2.5 appears to have finally found a good home," with praise for strong launch torque that keeps pace with the competition to 30 mph thanks to short gearing (its 9.0-second 0-60 time trails the competition notably).
Characterizations of the engine note ranged from "moaning" to "unique growl," but the general consensus was that the powertrain integration team earned its kibble. Sure, we wish it were a sprightlier sprinter, but we expect a direct-injected and/or turbocharged four-cylinder replacement to arrive soon.
The turbodiesel found no detractors. "Hands down, my favorite," declared product expert Jim Hall. "This diesel puts the hybrids on the trailer," said Lassa. "Pulls this car around so easily, and gives you 600 plus miles to a tank," added Evans. Pair this clean diesel with "one of the best twin-clutch transmissions in the business," said Theodore, and you've got a green car "without the compromises the mainstream green vehicles impose -- a true technological achievement." And for those who need more power, the compact VR6 teams with that same twin-clutch automatic to deliver class-stomping acceleration to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds.




EFFICIENCY

It should surprise no one that over the course of 11 mixed-driving loops, our diesel Passat recorded the highest fuel economy stats of this year's finalists at 34.3 mpg. Perhaps more interesting was the base 2.5-liter's fifth-best 26.5 mpg -- that's exactly halfway between the EPA city and highway ratings of 22/31 mpg. That's higher within its EPA-predicted economy range than any other finalist managed, and the second highest was the TDI/DSG at 43 percent of its 30/40-mpg points spread (we didn't run the VR6 on our fuel-economy loops). This bodes exceptionally well for real-world achievability of the Passat's window-sticker numbers. Not penurious enough with the petrol? Opt for the base five-speed manual in the SE to eke out one more highway mpg, or the six-speed manual TDI to earn an even better 31/43 mpg.




SAFETY

Like every new car in the segment, the Passat gets six airbags to cushion the occupants if it all goes wrong, plus stability control, tire-pressure monitoring, ABS, brake-assist, and myriad other electronic aids to prevent things from going wrong in the first place. But what's more fun to talk about under the safety rubric is how well the Passat's chassis is tuned to keep it out of trouble, because well-driven, agile cars are less likely to plow into things than poorly controlled, flabby, clumsy ones.
Lassa enthused, "Chassis, steering, ride, and handling all are tastiest within this mostly taste-free vanilla segment." Reynolds proclaimed the Passat "substantially more integrated and driver-attuned than the Camry. In the figure eight, its braking, turn-in, cornering, and exit are all fluidly linkable with less roll and better road feel." Indeed, despite slower acceleration and slightly worse braking performance relative to the base Camry, the Passat SE circulated our figure-eight course 0.4 second quicker at the same 0.60g average. This confirms Reynolds' impressions, proving that the VW corners far stronger than the Toyota. "Steering feels perfectly weighted for this car." Driven against three market-equivalent examples of the sales-leading Camry, this Yankee Doodle Vee-Dub evinced 100-percent German DNA with better body-motion control, less tire noise, and more eager dynamics in every situation. In short, it drives way smaller and more scintillatingly than it looks.




VALUE

Here's where VW's $4-billion Chatta-nooga plant investment pays off for U.S. buyers -- by insulating us from the strong Euro currency that forced the outgoing Passat 2.0T to sell as a Eurochic niche player, base priced at a heady $27,945. That kind of money will buy a nice TDI nowadays, while the mainstream 2.5 SE opens at $20,765. Thirty grand buys a range-topping VR6 that handily out-chics and out-streaks the old EuroPassat, not to mention the V-6 or turbo variants of its family-sedan competitors.
Ownership costs are also further suppressed by VW's Carefree Maintenance Program, which picks up the tab for all scheduled stops during the 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Of course, in the back of our skeptical minds was a nagging impression that VW quality and reliability lag those of Toyota and Honda, eroding the long-term value proposition. Apart from a dash buzz in one of our test cars, we found no evidence to support this collective prejudice, and Volkswagen officials argue that perception is lagging reality on the quality front. Prototype testing and evaluation have been stepped up dramatically in recent years, and a recent J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Index poll suggests it's paying off. Asked what percentage of their trips to the dealer were for repair versus maintenance, respondents ranked VW seventh at 31 percent -- that's tied with Infiniti, two spots back from Honda (25 percent), and above both Nissan (34) and Toyota (43).




PERFORMANCE OF INTENDED FUNCTION

It's in this category the bigger Passat really shines. Its family-schlepping credentials are impressive. With nearly 49 cubic feet of rear-seat space, "I can comfortably cross my legs while sitting behind a driver seat set to my 5-foot 11-inch height," noted Loh. Jurnecka proclaimed it "like a limo in back -- a great budget Audi." Add to this a usefully cubic 15.9-cubic-foot trunk with split-folding seats and set it all down on a chassis with the moves to make an enthusiast smile, and we've got a pretty interesting new dog in the midsize-sedan fight.
As for our jury? The verdict is in: Volkswagen's less-boring-than-it-looks, 100-percent-German-driving Passat is Motor Trend's Car of the Year.




CLOSEST VOTE EVER

Editor-in-chief MacKenzie always asks his 10 fellow COTY judges for their top three picks. This year, the voting was tied 5-5 (with one errant vote) between the Passat and Chrysler's 300. It was still tied after a count of second-place votes, and the Passat eked ahead only after third-place votes had been counted. Two worthy cars. But there can be only one...

2012 BMW 3 Series Unveiled!

The BMW 3 Series has been the most lauded sport sedan in the world for longer than we can remember. Worthy competitors pop up, only to fall short of beating this benchmark – often by some subjective measure that can't be quantified. So it's a big deal when the 3 Series is up for a clean-sheet redesign. Not one to refuse a challenge, BMW has stepped up to the task of redesigning its best-selling vehicle and came up with this, the redesigned 2012 BMW 3 Series.BMW clearly wanted to bring the design of the new 3 Series more in-line with the look of its other new cars, mainly the 5, 6 and 7 Series. To that end, the most visible difference is up front, where the car's nose has grown in size. Likely a nod to European safety standards that require taller hoods for pedestrian safety, the 3 Series' new schnoz is both taller and wider than before. The new, larger twin-kidney grille is also no longer separated from the headlights, which are also bigger. Instead, the grille surrounds meet a small portion of the lights to create the impression of a more unified front fascia. It looks a bit like the 5 Series, but also appears to draw inspiration from the forthcoming i8. The new 3 Series looks most familiar, from the side while the new rear end shows off the car's larger trunk.

BMW has stretched the car's new shape around a platform that's larger in every dimension. Its front track is wider by 1.46 inches, the rear by 1.85 inches and length has increased by a full 3.66 inches. Despite being bigger, the new 3 Series is also 88 pounds lighter than its predecessor. Those extra inches outside translate to more rear seat room inside, though not much. What BMW defines as "legroom inside the doors" increases by 0.71 inches and kneeroom is up by 0.6 inches, while headroom grows a scant 0.31 inches. As mentioned, trunk space has grown with the 2012 model able to swallow three golf bags at once.The new 3 Series is also marked by the arrival of BMW's new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that first debuted in the Z4. Replacing the brand's venerable 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder in the 328i model, the new four-cylinder produces 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, both significant increases. BMW claims the new 328i will also be more fuel efficient despite the extra power, and while fuel economy numbers aren't available yet, the company does say the new 328i will scoot to 60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph.

The more powerful 335i model retains its N55 single-turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder that once again produces 300 hp and 300 lb-feet, but thanks to new fuel-saving measures like Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, an ECO PRO mode and new eight-speed automatic transmission (a six-speed manual is standard), BMW says the 335i can now achieve an estimated 32.6 mpg, though, again, official EPA numbers aren't yet available.The new 3 Series will be available in four trim levels to suit individual tastes: Sport Line, Luxury Line, Modern Line and M Sport Package. The Sport Line is identified by its dark side, which means lots of gloss black trim on the exterior, as well as gloss black interior bits with red accents. The Luxury Trim, in contrast, favors shiny chrome and receives a special set of 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels. The Modern Line is a bit more subtle, decked out in satin aluminum trim with 18-inch turbine-style alloy wheels. Lastly, the M Sport Package alters the sedan's new look with an aerodynamics package and 18- or 19-inch M Design wheels. While falling short of a full on M car, the M Sport Package does also offer an M Sport suspension, M short-shifter and various other M-branded bits.

Lastly, the 2012 3 Series gains some tech enhancements that include a new full-color, high-resolution Heads-Up Display; Active Blind Spot Detection System; Camera monitoring for a Lane Departure Warning System and Collision Warning; and a new Surround View system with Top View and Side View to augment the rear-view camera. The 3 Series lineup will also welcome a hybrid variant later on in 2012 called the ActiveHybrid 3 that produces a combined gas/electric power output of 335 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque.The 2012 BMW 328i and 335i will arrive in U.S. showrooms in February 2012, with pricing to be announced at a later date, while the all-wheel-drive 328i and 335i xDrive models will be available in this summer. The ActiveHybrid 3, meanwhile, goes on sale in the fall. Now the only thing left to do is drive them.

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BMW planning M5 with diesel, all-wheel drive?

It wasn't that long ago that a BMW with all-wheel drive – or really, anything other than rear-wheel drive – would have seemed downright apocryphal. But these days the Bavarian automaker offers traction at all four corners on a growing variety of vehicles... including the X5 M and X6 M crossovers. But an M5? If you shudder at the thought, you may want to stop reading here, because word on the street is that BMW is not only planning to place an extra driveshaft in the M5, but also give it – gasp! – a diesel.The rumors are sparked by an apparently official document that includes a model designated M550dX. The first letter and number we all know and love. The 50 reportedly refers to a new triple-turbo diesel inline-six set to be unveiled at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. The D, of course, refers to the diesel fuel it will burn, and the X for all-wheel drive.Although most M cars these days carry simpler names like M3 and M5, enthusiasts will note that one of the division's first products was the M535i of 1979, which came along long before the first M5 in 1984. Could BMW be planning on returning to this nomenclature for its first diesel, all-wheel-drive performance sedan? We'll have to wait and see.

Spy Shots: 2014 BMW M3 caught packing new turbocharged inline six

As we reported earlier this year, the current E90/E92 BMW M3 will be the last of the naturally aspirated M cars, and if recent rumors are to be believed, BMW will adapt the single-turbo N55 inline-six for duty in our favorite 3 Series. But how many turbos?Some reports indicate two, while others say three (two traditional snails and an electric turbo). But no matter the configuration, expect output to be up over 450 horsepower and torque to swell to nearly 400 pound-feet.Regardless of what's under the hood, development of the next M3 is well underway in Germany as BMW gears up for the release of the standard 3 Series successor.This first batch of M3 spy shots don't show much aside from blacked-out 19-inch wheels, a widened body sans hood bulge and quartet of exhaust pipes. Stylistically, the next 3er is set to take cues from the recently revealed i brand, including new "angle eye" LED daytime running lamps that are flat on the top and bottom, and fitted to a more upright, angular fascia.The fully redesigned 3 is set to debut later this year, with sales beginning in early 2012. As for the M3, don't expect it to hit until 2013 and 2014 model.

Subaru teases XV crossover ahead of Frankfurt

If you were smitten by the Subaru XV concept, Fuji Heavy Industries is ready to make your dreams a reality at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show. Influenced by the concept that debuted in Shanghai this April, the production version of Subaru's next generation crossover is set to land in European showrooms later this year. For those of us in the States, you'll know the XV as the Impreza Outback, although it's unclear if the Euro-XV will form the basis of the next Outback wagon or another variant of the Impreza. We'll know soon enough once we hit the floor in Germany.

BMW 3 Series Touring drops some camo

BMW builds a great wagon. You would be forgiven for forgetting that, what with the recent product lineup featuring the ugly duckling, hunchback-shaped 5 Series GT and physics-defying X6. Over yonder Atlantic pond, the European market gets to play with the 5 Series Touring while we're left to wait for an updated 3 Series Touring. Looks like our wait is nearly over.Our spy photographers snapped a camo-clad 3 Series wagon undergoing testing. We assume that involves cramming it with groceries, puppies, hockey equipment and golf clubs. The 3 Series is due for its update, and we're excited to see what it looks like under all of that Starry Night-inspired camouflage. Now, if we could convince BMW to give us back the 5 Series Touring, we'd cut off our ear to show our gratitude. - Autoblog

BMW i3 Electric City Car

BMW claims that its new $35,000 Chevy Volt-beater will have 99 miles of range from its rear-mounted electric motor and floor-mounted batteries. BMW (being BMW) is also claiming 100 mph for the car's top speed, and the i3 could bring the equivalent of 150 horsepower. Cargo will be divided between the rear seats and in the front trunk (a la the original, rear-engine VW Beetle). Much of the body will be made of carbon-reinforced plastic. Wireless charging is one intriguing concepts we hope makes it to market. In conjunction with industrial giant Siemens, BMW is working on a magnetic field charging system, like those used in wireless laptop and cell phone charging pads, where a car would parked above a charging station. At that point, a coil in both the ground and the vehicle would recognize each other and begin the charge. This beats having your Volt or Prius PHV plugged in via wire at a garage or mall for a few hours, where vandalism or other hazards exist.

Long-wheelbase BMW 3 Series spotted testing

The Chinese like long-wheelbase versions of sedans, because execs like to be able to stretch out while the drivers ferry them about – and the country, if you didn't know, has a whole lot of executives. Audi sells a stretched A4 there, and BMW evidently feels the market looks robust enough for a long-wheelbase 3 Series Li. Why not just get a 5 Series, you ask? Because the man says he wants a longer 3 Series, and he's got cash...Reports indicate this is a China-only model that will bow at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show. Its platform, though, is also expected to underpin the 3 Series GT. That car might come to America, and if so it will offer some extra rear legroom for us and certainly be just as interesting to look at as this long-wheelbase model.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: July 2011

If the Volkswagen Jetta TDI featured in our Battle Of The Eco Compact Cars comparison test looked familiar, that's because it's our long-term tester. In fact, you might say that the arrival of our Jetta TDI is what sparked the idea for the comparison test, especially after Editor-in-Chief John Neff took the car on a few long highway trips and recorded well over 50 miles per gallon. And while the Jetta – spoiler alert! – may not have won our eco-warrior comparison, its 2.0-liter diesel engine continues to impress us with its effortless efficiency.Just how effortless? We enthusiasts tend not to be the most efficient drivers, and yet our recorded average fuel economy over the past 8,500 miles is 43.4 miles per gallon. That's right, our average combined number is 1.4 mpg higher than the EPA's highway rating for the Jetta TDI. In fact, we've recorded as high as 53.5 mpg on the highway, and even under the most spirited driving, the lowest number recorded in our logbook so far is just 36.7 mpg. - Autoblog

Luc Donckerwolke named Head of Advanced Design for VW Group

Luc Donckerwolke, the man who brought us the Lamborghini Gallardo, Murcielago and Diablo VT 6.0 (hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah) has been promoted to head of advanced design at the Volkswagen Group.He leaves his position as director of design at Spain's SEAT and will answer directly to VW Group Design Chief, Walter de Silva.Donckerwolke's most recent concept car was the SEAT IBE electric hatchback, which was introduced at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

2012 Volkswagen Beetle production gets underway in Mexico

Like many a Beetle before it, Volkswagen has prepped its newest escarabajo to begin running down production facilities in Mexico. Located in Puebla, Volkswagen de México serves as one of the nation's largest employers, with a workforce of over 15,000 folks. The Puebla facility served as a major manufacturer of the preceding New Beetle, turning out 1.5 million units between 1997 and 2010. Now, the factory worker's wrenches are set to bring the updated version to life.

CNBC to air hour-long report on BMW

CNBC will air an hour-long program this Wednesday on the brand behind the roundel called "BMW: A Driving Obsession," which the news channel bills as "the fascinating story behind a once small, struggling company that transformed itself into a global luxury car powerhouse." The four featured highlights will take looks at BMW World, art cars, the BMW tech center and Rolls-Royce. The page's breathless descriptions – "...where every dimension of the cars and company is engineered in search of perfection" – make us think this might be more for the casual car follower, not the enthusiast, but it's safe to say our DVRs will be reporting for duty come showtime. The program gets four airings this Wednesday, July 13 starting at 9 p.m.t EST, but you can get previews now with a few extra-feature videos already on the CNBC site.

Official: Subaru promises four new models by 2016

Fuji Heavy Industries has just released a new five-year plan for Subaru under the banner "Motion-V," and the blueprint calls for at least three new models and a hybrid vehicle to be on dealer lots by 2016. The move is part of a strategy to draw in an ever-larger brand fan base in an attempt sell 900,000 units by that date – a 40 percent jump over current figures. That means increasing North American sales to 380,000 units and broadening its Chinese presence to 180,000 vehicles. Subaru sold 263,820 vehicles in the U.S. in 2010.

Spy Shots: Next-gen BMW 335i works on its craft at the 'Ring

BMW is continuing to work away on the 2013 3 Series, and our spy photographers managed to click off a few photos of what appears to be the 335i sedan cranking out a few hot laps at the Nurburgring. The shots show a vehicle with slightly less aggressive camouflage than anything we've seen in the past, though details as to what we can expect from the next-generation 3 are still markedly absent. Given that the four-door in the photos is rocking an aggressive dual-exhaust treatment, we'd say there's likely a forced-induction inline six kicking power to the rear wheels.If that's not obvious enough for you, we can even speculate that the tires are probably made of rubber. But don't quote us on that.BMW has kept its secrets wrapped up but good concerning the next-generation 3 Series, though there are some whispers kicking around the web indicating that lower-rung trims may slip to a forced-induction four-cylinder engine. Stay tuned.

Official: BMW reveals 2012 6 Series M Sport and diesel models

BMW is expanding its 6 Series line. The automaker has just announced information on the 2012 640d Coupe and 640d Convertible. The two-door oil-burners aren't expected to make it Stateside, and that's a pity, as they make use of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight six with 313 horsepower and a hefty 464 pound-feet of torque. All that twist helps the coupe hit 60 mph in around 5.5 seconds while returning 51.4 mpg on the Imperial scale. BMW is also offering the 6 Series with xDrive for the first time as well, but only on 650i models. Thankfully, buyers can expect to see the all-wheel-drive coupe in North American dealers later this year.If chugging along with a diesel under your hood isn't quite your speed, you'll be happy to know that BMW is also offering a 6 Series M Sport for 2012. The package includes special aerodynamic additions as well as LED fog lamps and 19-inch, double-spoke aluminum alloy wheels. Inside, sport seats are trimmed in Alcantara and leather as well as an M Sport steering wheel. - Autoblog

Spy Shots: 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe inches closer to production

It's funny; of the three German luxury brands, BMW was the first to offer a sport-utility vehicle – the X5 – and yet it's the last to create some sort of four-door coupe, the next hot segment that every luxury marque seems to be diving into. Mercedes-Benz is now on its second generation of the CLS, the sexy Audi A7 is now on sale around the globe, and even Porsche took notice and created the Panamera. Nevertheless, BMW is quickly prepping its own take on the four-door coupe with this, the 6 Series Gran Coupe, which – based on this latest set of spy photos – looks to be nearing completion.Not surprisingly, the 6 Series Gran Coupe will share its turbocharged six- and eight-cylinder engines with the 5 and 7 Series lineup, likely launching in 650i guise first with BMW's 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8. Don't be surprised if the production car debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall.

Spy Shots: Next Volkswagen GTI mule snapped

Volkswagen has apparently commenced road tests for the company's next-generation Golf GTI and Golf R. Our legion of crafty spy photographers managed to nab a few photos of a pair of test mules spotted out and about in public. From the looks of things, the upcoming Golf GTI will rely on a set of dual-exhaust pipes in the future while the more menacing Golf R will go for quad pipes.Volkswagen hasn't released any final details on either vehicle, but from the whispers kicking around the web, it sounds like both hatches will need their new easy-breathing exhausts. In GTI trim, the Golf is expected to kick out around 230 horsepower – 30 more ponies than the current model. Step up the Golf R and you'll likely be treated to closer to 300 ponies.

Report: 1963 Volkswagen Bus hammers at record-setting $217,800

At Barrett-Jackson's recent Orange County, California auctions, a 1964 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III James Young sedan went for $159,500, a 2005 Ford GT sold for $165,000 and a 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger cleared $215,600. Topping them all, and every other car for the weekend: a 1963 Volkswagen Samba Microbus, sold for $217,800 inclusive of bidder's fee.

2012 BMW M5 unveiled at Nürburgring 24

We have seen it hinted and teased and glossily presented all over the internet, so we flew ourselves to the Nürburgring 24-hour affair and got all over her. Of course, we're talking about the long-awaited F10, or fifth-generation, M5 from BMW. The big news is that it will likely be priced at just eight percent above the starting sticker of the last-generation V10-powered E60 M5. Make that a cool $92,000. Then add M bells and whistles.We know most of the details in the general sense. (The assembled BMW development bosses were all bragging about how much they had driven it already around the Nürburgring and Hockenheimring, and all those other 'Rings we don't get daily access to. Dirty dogs.) A 553-horsepower, 4.4-liter Twin-Power Turbo V8 shared with the X5 M and X6 M behemoths, plus the small matter of 500 pound-feet of torque between 1,500 and 5,750 rpm. Redline is now right around 7,200 rpm instead of the discontinued E60 M5's V10 that smacked us around at 8,250.Versus the predecessor, which ceased production way back in December 2009, power is up by roughly 10 percent, torque by 30 percent, and fuel efficiency also by a whalloping 30 percent. "Drive it on the autobahn at full unrestricted speed around 180 miles per hour," says the F10 M5's project leader, Albert Biermann, "and certainly those efficiency numbers suffer. But our engineers drove the F10 every day to and from home some weeks, and have realized all of these better numbers."

2011 Saab 9-5 and Volkswagen CC earn IIHS Top Safety Pick awards

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has awarded two vehicles Top Safety Pick awards. After testing eight mid-size to large sedans, the IIHS has called out the 2011-12 Volkswagen CC and 2011 Saab 9-5 for its highest award. Both vehicles earned "good" ratings for front, side, rear and rollover protection during testing. It should be noted, however, that only the front-wheel-drive VW CC gets the Top Safety nod, as the all-wheel-drive version only received an "acceptable" rating in rollover testing.The IIHS also tested Lexus IS, Lexus ES, Infiniti G, Chevrolet Impala, BMW 3 Series and Saab 9-3. The rest of the vehicles had score ratings ranging from good to acceptable, but it was the Saab 9-5 and Volkswagen CC (FWD) that walked away with a clean sweep in all tests.

First Drive: 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

At first blush, Munich seems like an awfully long way to travel for the chance to drive a mid-cycle refresh. But Volkswagen has good reason to ask us to schlep across the Atlantic to drive its updated-for-2012 Tiguan: Momentum.The compact crossover had a bit of a knock-kneed start out of the gates when it arrived in the U.S. in May of 2008 as a 2009 model. While demand was spectacular at home in Europe, the VW failed to find early favor with North American shoppers, despite entering a white-hot segment. But that's rapidly changing. Last year, Tiguan sales increased from fewer than 14,000 units to nearly 21,000, and this year, it's on its way to a new record, selling almost 3,100 units in May alone. And thanks to a series of meaningful updates for 2012, there's every reason to believe that the kid brother of the pricey Touareg will continue to find increasing favor among consumers.

Report: BMW to rename 1 and 3 Series coupes as 2 and 4 Series

While Mercedes-Benz has been steadily re-integrating its four-seat coupes and cabrios into their corresponding sedan ranges, BMW is reportedly preparing to go the other way. Word from Car Magazine has it that the Bavarian automaker is preparing to launch the next-generation versions of its 1 Series and 3 Series coupes and convertibles as the 2 Series and 4 Series, respectively.The move would correspond well to the 6 Series, the coupe and convertible that sits between the 5 Series and 7 Series sedans. It's not the first time BMW has considered such a move, having come close to spinning the two-door 3 Series into a 4 Series about a decade ago.

First official 2012 BMW M5 shots hit the web

Official 2012 BMW M5 images have leaked onto the Internet as the latest iteration of the legendary M model prepares to charge toward showrooms. The F10 M5 is flared and aero-ed up with bodywork that maintains a buttoned-up demeanor even as it radiates aggression. Onlookers can tell the M5 is a special car with its enlarged air intakes in the front fascia, quartet of tailpipes and 20-inch wheels with Z-rated tires, but it doesn't need to be festooned with wings and bling to make its point.The 2012 M5 is about more than mere surface beauty, after all. The sonorous V10 of the last M5 has been traded out for a twin-turbocharged V8 fist. Power is up, with 552 horsepower (the V10 produced 507 hp) coming on at 6,000 rpm – 1,750 rpm lower than the V10. Torque is hugely boosted from 383 pound-feet to 501 lb-ft, which will be great for shoving this car to 60 miles per hour in a reported 4.4 seconds. That'll route to the rear wheels via a standard dual-clutch transmission, though a proper six-speed stick will reportedly be available here in the United States. - Autoblog

Spy Shots: Subaru RWD coupe spotted on the 'Ring

We see a lot of spy shots here at Autoblog. But few vehicles have popped up quite as much as the Toyobaru FT-86. The rear-wheel drive sportscar that may very well spawn Toyota, Scion and Subaru versions has popped up on roads around the world. And now it's taken to the Nürburgring.The legendary German road course is a favorite among chassis development engineers for the variety of corners and surfaces around its undulating distance. Most German and many Japanese and American sportscars undergo at least part of their shakedown there, with many manufacturers maintaining on-site workshops.While the Subaru coupe and its FT-86 sibling may not be up to the task of chasing LFAs and GTRs, its appearance at the notorious Green Hell may be our best indication yet of the car's sporting potential.

Spy Shots: 2013 Volkswagen CC getting new corporate face

The 2012 Passat may be garnering the majority of our attention over at Volkswagen, but looking ahead, it appears that the swoopier CC is due for a facelift. Unsurprisingly, these camouflaged testers show a front fascia that's more akin to what we see on both the Passat and Jetta. We've always been big fans of the CC's styling, so let's hope that the more sedate front end still translates well onto the sedan's overall shape.We can expect a slightly revised rear fascia to accompany the changes up front, and new wheel choices will likely be offered for the 2013 model year. The CC's interior will get a slight touching-up, as well. Mum's the word on powertrain options, but we wouldn't be surprised if the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and 3.6-liter V6 carry over largely unchanged.

Official: 2011 BMW M3 Frozen Black Edition hits the U.S., only 20 examples to be produced

On June 16, 2011 at 11:30 AM EST, BMW will start taking orders for the car you see here, the 2011 Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupe. Only 20 examples will be produced, with the first 19 being sold on a first come, first serve basis to anyone willing to plunk down $79,650. BMW North America will hold on to the 20th car (you know, for auto shows and such), though it may be sold on a later date.So, what does nearly $80,000 net you? Obviously, all the grace and glory of the M3 Coupe, complete with its 4.0-liter, 414-horsepower V8. The Frozen Black coupes will only be available with the M DCT dual-clutch transmission, which lowers the 0-60 time from 4.7 seconds to 4.5.All 20 coupes will be fitted with BMW's M3 Competition Package, not to mention optional goodies like the full premium and convenience packages, as well as things like heated seats, satellite radio and a premium sound system. In addition to the Frozen Black paint, this special M3 is set apart from its kin with black Novillo leather with red contrast stitching, M3 GTS wheels (painted black, of course), red brake calipers and a whole lot of other sinister design touches.For the full list of Frozen Black M3 equipment. Customers will be able to take delivery of their cars starting at the end of June, with the full production run to be completed by the end of July.

2012 Volkswagen Passat configurator powers up

The Volkswagen Passat has gotten a big makeover for 2012, with all-new styling and a lower price tag starting at $19,995. Now we know exactly what to expect for under $20k, thanks to VW's the new online configurator. For starters, the base Passat has the 170-hp 2.5-liter five-cylinder mated to a five-speed manual. It also gets an eight-speaker sound system, Bluetooth and dual-zone climate control.Move up to the Passat TDI and the price of entry jumps to $25,995. The big pull is, of course, the 2.0-liter turbodiesel, which is rated at 31 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway. The range-topper is the Passat V6, which produces 280 horsepower and has a six-speed DSG. The $3,955 V6 SEL package adds navigation, a 30GB hard drive, leather seats with Dynamica inserts and Autumn Nut Burl interior trim, bringing the MSRP to $32,950.

Spy Shots: BMW M6 coupe looks production-ready

The sporty German two-door may be wearing camo in these photos, but it certainly looks like we're going to see the naked BMW M6 in the very near future.The convertible has already been subjected to the spy photographer's lens, but now its time for the cam-clad coupe to jump into the spotlight. We expect both the drop-top and hardtop to pack the same 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that's found under the hood of the newest M5. Output for that hi-po sedan is rated at 560 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque.

Official: BMW spills all the beans on new 1 Series

There's no point, or so the saying goes, of closing the door once the horses have bolted. So shortly after the first handful of images leaked their way onto the Internet, BMW has released the full kit n' kaboodle on its new entry-level model.The all-new 2012 1 Series is expected to make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall. And when it does, it will be a substantially different car than the model it replaces. The new model – code-named F20 and based on the same platform that underpins the (now only slightly larger) 3 Series – has grown considerably over the E81 it succeeds, with every dimension but height increasing. The changes benefit both interior and cargo space, two aspects where the outgoing model fell short.The new sheetmetal has also bears revised styling, with a bigger face incorporating the giant eyes featured on BMW's latest concept cars, a more pronounced swage line and taillights moved outboard across the wider track to offer a larger liftgate aperture for increased ease-of-use. The Bavarians also appear to have paid close attention to the interior fit and finish to improve on the previous model's rather spartan cabin.Under that long nose, the new baby Bimmer is being launched exclusively with four-cylinder engines, and while more variants are expected to follow, for now it's just the five-door hatch. A pair of 1.6-liter gasoline engines pack direct injection and offer 136 horsepower in 116i trim and 170 in the 118i. Three 2.0-liter turbo-diesels are also being offered overseas, ranging from 116 horsepower up to 184 in the flagship 120d. A 1.5-liter three-pot is expected to come in gasoline and diesel variants, while the top 128iS is slated to get a 245hp turbo 2.0-liter gasoline four to take the place of the current six-cylinder 130i.All engines come mated to either a six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed auto from ZF, with an array of earth-friendly technologies including stop-start ignition and regenerative braking. Of course, this being the latest offering from a leading German automaker, all manner of electronic assists are on offer, from self-adjusting high-beams and lane departure warning to automatic traffic sign recognition and a back-up camera.Overseas buyers will also be able to choose between Urban and Sport trim levels offering different aesthetics, but we'll have to sit tight to see which models will make their voyage to this side of the Atlantic.

Report: VW to release 235-hp 35 Edition GTI to U.S. dealers

Does this storyline look familiar? A German or Japanese automaker announces some hot-sounding variant of a vehicle we already love, but then they follow that news up by telling us that the new model won't be making its way to the U.S. We thought this tired and disappointing plot was once again unfolding with the recent announcement of a Volkswagen 35 Edition GTI, but Car and Driver cites sources who say we're likely to receive the hot hatch after all.The big news for the 35 Edition GTI is a jump in horsepower to 235 horsepower, or 25 more ponies than the already awesome standard GTI. The name of the special edition VW comes as a tribute to the fact that the GTI has been available in Europe for 35 years. Not so in the U.S., though, so the name may have to change if it indeed reaches our shores. C/D points out that the first GTI hit the States in 1983, so the 30 Edition name could be a strong possibility. Of course, that means the 35 badging on the door sills, seats and fenders will need to go, but we're guessing the deletes won't be much trouble at all.While this report is no clear confirmation from VW, we're optimistic that C/D's sources could be onto something. Hope springs eternal and all that...

Report: Volkswagen Tiguan to be built in North America?

Volkswagen is reportedly seriously considering moving production of its compact Tiguan crossover to this side of the pond in an effort to cut costs. If the Tiguan moves to North America, it will likely be built alongside the Jetta and Passat. By moving production of the small CUV here, Volkswagen would cut down on shipping and labor costs, as well as put its plants closer to some parts suppliers.According to Automotive News, VW execs hope such a move would stop exchange rate fluctuations diminishing profits from the world's number two car market and allow it to better stay ahead of consumer trends. The proposed move of Tiguan production coincides with the opening of VW's new $1 billion plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. If everything goes according to plan, the new plant will crank out 150,000 vehicles a year starting in 2012.

Tiny Darth Vader brings The Force to VW's Chattanooga plant

On Tuesday, May 24, Volkswagen officially opened its plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee that is dedicated to building the Passat. There were all sorts of potentates gathered for the occasion, from Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to current and former mayors of the city. When it came time to press the big, red button to get the factory party started, though, six men gathered around the podium and they didn't make a move until a surprise guest waved his hands: little Darth Vader. Otherwise known as Max Page, he's the kid in costume who practically owned YouTube when he appeared in VW's 2012 Passat commercial during the Super Bowl. Arriving with an entourage of Stormtroopers and his theme music, he did a little of what he does, the red button was pushed, and it was only then that the Chattanooga facility officially opened.

Exclusive: BMW developing customizable LCD gauges for refreshed 5 and 7 Series models

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has had one for a few years, and Jaguar-Land Rover recently fitted units to its all-new XJ and updated Range Rover. Now BMW is getting ready to offer its own fully configurable LCD gauge cluster on the next-generation 5 Series and 7 Series models.Co-developed in Munich and BMW's Technology Office in Mountain View, CA, the new gauge cluster will display the standard dials for speed, revs, fuel and temp, but can be configured to show additional navigation, telematics and infotainment data depending on the driving mode. Comfort and Sport settings will tailor the display to suit conditions, possibly placing the tachometer front-and-center in Sport mode, along with providing shift lights and other more driver-centric information.A BMW engineer we spoke with made it clear that BMW doesn't want to rely on digital representations of analog gauges. Instead, the automaker is looking at the display as a blank canvas with which it can display a variety of information in an innovative way. However, while consumer customization will be available, BMW believes that keeping the user-tweakability to a minimum is key for ease-of-use and general readability.

Official: 2012 Volkswagen Passat priced from $19,995*

Volkswagen has officially announced pricing for the company's 2012 Passat. Buyers will be able to jump into the mid-size sedan for as little as $19,995 (*plus $770 in destination charges). At that price, you can expect to be met with a 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission riding on 16-inch steelies. Dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and a host of other gadgets are standard equipment on the base model, though customers can step up to SE trim for $23,725 plus delivery. The extra coin will net buyers an eight-way power adjustable seat, flashy 17-inch alloys and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, among other kit.But here's the only number we want to know: VW will politely ask for $25,995 plus delivery for the Passat TDI, complete with its 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine and up to 43 mpg highway. Finally, 3.6-liter V6-equipped vehicles will start at $28,995. There are just 16 buildable configurations for the Passat, and each engine choice is available in three trim levels: S, SE and SEL. - Autoblog

Official: Kia prices 2011 Soul Hamstar special edition at $20,295*

You can get with this... for $20,295. Kia has officially announced that you'll need that much dough (*plus $695 for delivery) if you want to purchase a 2011 Soul Hamstar special edition. An ode to the award-winning hip-hop hamsters seen in Kia commercials, the four-speed auto-equipped Hamstar becomes the sixth special edition Soul that Kia has offered up for sale.The limited-production box on wheels wears Molten Red pain, which is offset with a pair of black stripes across the front doors and black trim. Black is also the color of choice for the 18-inch wheels, fender vents and fuel-filler cap. A Hamstar logo sits on the hood, and can also be seen throughout the interior.That interior space can be filled with music thanks to the Audio Upgrade Package. A 315-watt amp pumps sound out through the speakers, but it's kicked up a notch thanks to the center speaker and subwoofer.

Report: Are you the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe?

BMW has previously confirmed that it plans to build a production version of the 6 Series Gran Coupe Concept that it unveiled at the 2010 Beijing Motor Show, and these plausible-looking patent filings appear to give a glimpse at the car's final design. Much like BMW's latest batch of concept cars – the M5 and 6 Series Coupe, notably – the "finished" product doesn't stray too much from the original concept car, save, of course, the traditional dumbing-down of air intakes and wheel sizes.The 6 Series Gran Coupe is expected to slot in between the BMW 5 Series and 7 Series in terms of both size and price, and will likely use the same range of turbocharged six- and eight-cylinder engines that we see in those models. While not as overly swoopy as its competitors, the 6 Series Gran Coupe will be poised to do battle with the Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS for four-door coupe luxury supremacy. - Autoblog

Report: BMW X3 M getting ready to rumble

According to the wizards at Europe's CAR magazine, sources within BMW have confirmed that the high-performance X3 M could launch as early as 2012. A stupid-fast X3 hardly seems necessary, but then again, that's what we said about the larger X5 M and X6 M before falling in love after our stints behind the wheel.CAR states that the X3 M will likely be powered by a tweaked version of the new six-cylinder engine bound for duty in the M3. In the X3, this engine will reportedly produce somewhere around 450 horsepower, and could use a brand new tri-turbo system – one electric turbocharger paired with two exhaust-gas-driven units.A 450-horsepower X3? With three turbochargers (one of which is electric)? Sounds absurd (and is to be taken with a grain of salt... for now), but based on our experiences with the rest of BMW's M range, consider us totally stoked. -AB

Spy Shots: 2012 BMW M5 inches closer to production in a stunning shade of brown

The BMW M5 that debuted at this year's Shanghai Motor Show may have technically been a concept car, but it comes as no surprise to see that the near-production models the German automaker is testing look exactly like the car we saw on stage. For what it's worth, we certainly hope the dark brown paint seen on this prototype will be offered when the M5 hits dealerships. Those blacked-out wheels can stay, too.As you've no doubt read countless times before, the M5 will be offered with BMW's twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, packing somewhere north of 480 horsepower. In the United States, both a manual and dual-clutch transmission will be available, and all-wheel drive may be in the cards, as well.

Official: 2012 Kia Sorento gets 2.4L GDI engine, UVO infotainment

The 2012 Kia Sorento will be available with the company's hands-free UVO infotainment system, and its brand-spanking-new GDI direct-injection four-cylinder engine. With those new features, the big Kia crossover can really dance with the big guns from the likes of Ford.Other available options include Kia's YES Essential seat treatment, which makes the seats resistant to stains and static electricity and includes an anti-bacterial chemical. That, along with an entertainment system to be reckoned with, should keep the young family demographic very happy.The Sorento's new engine uses the same GDI setup as the upcoming 2012 Rio, but this time, it sees duty atop a 2.4-liter version of the brand's Theta II architecture. Thanks to GDI, the 2012 Sorento should close in on 200 ponies, as opposed to the old engine's 175.For those who aren't looking to upgrade to the Sorento just yet, the new options are also available on the 2012 Sportage. - Autoblog

Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series GT shakes its rump

Good as it may be to drive, and better as it may be to ride in, we still don't quite understand the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo. It isn't as hunkered down and svelte as a Porsche Panamera or Audi A7 Sportback, and its big booty style isn't exactly the most attractive thing to come out of Munich.And now there's a smaller one to look forward to.In addition to a sedan, coupe, convertible and wagon, the next-generation BMW 3 Series will be offered in hunchbacked Gran Turismo form, seen here all covered up in swirly camouflage. Our sources indicate that the 3GT will have a different front fascia than the rest of the 3 Series lineup, as well as a unique roofline and a frameless window design.Expect engine choices to be the same as the rest of the 3 Series lineup, with turbocharged four- and six-cylinder powerplants across the range. No word on when the 3GT will bow (or if it's destined for consumption here in the States, where the 5GT hasn't exactly been lighting the sales charts afire), but our spies suggest that BMW's new genre-bender will launch one year after the 3 Series Touring, another bodystyle we're not sure is coming to North America. - Autoblog

Official: VW celebrates GTI anniversary with 232-hp Edition 35

The Volkswagen GTI is the king of the hot hatches. Sure, there are more powerful, better-driving cars in the segment, but Volkswagen's hot Golf kicked off this niche of flingable sport compacts back in the mid-1970s, and it's quickly grown to become one of our favorite vehicle classes. When it comes to fun per dollar, you just can't beat a hot hatch.To celebrate the 35th birthday of the Golf GTI, Volkswagen has created this, the 35 Edition, which goes on sale in Germany this week. Visually, the 35 Edition is set apart by a unique front bumper, special wheels, and '35' badging on the door sills and seats. The most important upgrade, however, is the substantial boost in power over the normal GTI – 25 horsepower – for a grand total of 235 hp.Volkswagen hasn't said a word about availability here in the United States just yet, but we're keeping our fingers crossed. The Golf GTI 35 Edition makes its official debut at the infamous GTI Meet in Wörthersee, Germany, on June 1st.

Optima beats Camry, Accord in CR test, Altima still favorite; Explorer lambasted

The mid-size sedan battle rages on year after year. Perennial kings are dethroned while new challengers emerge boasting fresh styling and a bountiful list of standard features. Consumer Reports launches its June issue today, and the institute's testers have put a host of family-minded four-doors powered by four-cylinder engines through a workout to determine which is the top dog. Ten vehicles were tested but, as Christopher Lambert will tell you, there can be only one.As it has here at Autoblog Towers, Kia's 2011 Optima draws big praise from the Consumer Reports crew. In fact, the Korean squeezes out a higher rating than the Honda Accord. It may have only beat the Honda by one point, but this represents a significant win for Kia. The opinions of Consumer Reports are highly valued by a large number of car shoppers, and this victory ought to push the Optima further onto radar of the American car buying public. Interestingly, while the Optima earned a "Very Good" rating, it wasn't the comparison's overall winner, however, as the Nissan Altima (a perennial CR favorite) claimed the test's top spot, neatly trumping the Honda and the best-selling Toyota Camry in the process.One vehicle not fairing so well in the June issue of Consumer Reports? The 2011 Ford Explorer. Nineteen mid-size sport utility vehicles were rounded up for testing, and the Explorer wound up in 17th place – well behind the Toyota Highlander Hybrid – a dismal showing for the Blue Oval brand. - Autoblog

Report: Kia Soul Hamstar edition rolling onto dealer lots this spring

The Kia Soul and special editions go together like hip-hop and hamsters. That is to say, some people love them and other folks might have heard enough of this, and heard enough of that. Regardless, the Soul is getting another special edition, and this time around it's the Hamstars that are getting the attention.We saw the concept version of the Kia Soul Hamstar Edition at the 2010 SEMA show. Now, we've received confirmation from Kia that this stars and stripes-wearing Soul is coming to dealer lots in time for the 2011 spring season. Stripes run up the doors and on to the fenders while a star Hamstar logo sits on the hood and rear hatch. The Soul Hamstar will get a unique wheel package, and the inside will feature more Hamstar logos throughout. No word yet on pricing... but it's safe to assume it will cost you a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. Sorry.

Microsoft and Volkswagen team up for in-car file storage

The House that Gates Built has teamed up with the Volkswagen Group to develop the next generation of automotive information and entertainment delivery strategies.A firm called e.solutions supplies Volkswagen with its infotainment software. Microsoft has signed an agreement to license its Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT) technology to e.solutions, which allows the software developer to squeeze more information into smaller spaces. Also, the speed at which that data can be accessed will get a shot in the arm. - Autoblog