Gear Patrol | Spirit of Adventure, Passion for Gear

Lightning Bug

The latest VW Beetle is a winner in our book, so we were pumped to see the ultra-cool Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept in Detroit this week. Designed as a tantalizing package for their Blue-e-motion engine, the E-Bugster should be good for 100 miles thanks to its lithium-ion battery and can take a quick 80% charge in [...]

Editor’s Note: Foster Huntington is the talented force behind A Restless Transplant and the hugely popular tumblr The Burning House. Recently, Huntington embarked on an epic cross-country adventure to document unique individuals and the things they care about for his upcoming book to be released by Harper Collins. After sharing his plans with us first [...]

800 miles for $7,000 less

If you asked us how to make a car cost $7,000 less you’d probably end up missing a few essentials. Things like a back seat, the sound system and maybe even a few cylinders from the engine, but somehow VW has pulled the equivalent of an automotive hat trick with the 2012 Volkswagen Passat ($19,995). [...]

R-ighteous

Somewhere between fast cars, practical cars, and those you can actually afford lies the 2012 Volkswagen Golf R. Taking the title as the most powerful small car VW has ever offered, it’s safe to say this little brute is very quick. The “R” moniker refers to Volkswagen’s tuned models (think: “M” to BMW and “S” [...]

Germanic Hot Hatch, Version 2.0

Several years ago, a few of you lucky souls out there got your grubby mitts on the 6-cylinder VW Golf R32. Though it was big on power and handled extremely well, it was not nearly as tossable as the much-praised GTI. Well, for those of you who find yourself in need of some German motoring [...]

Gas, Hybrid, or Diesel? You Choose.

The 2011 Volkswagen Touareg (tour-egg) brings with it both less and more. Less weight and more MPG’s. Dropping 460 lbs from its already popular predecessor, the new Touareg paired with a new 8-speed (yes, eight) transmission in 3.0 liter V6 hybrid form, will achieve 25 mpg or nearly 32 mpg when you opt for the [...]

Hot. Hatch.

As a gear and car nut, one learns to appreciate the details in life. It’s not about the shirt; it’s about the stitching. It’s not about the song; it’s the crescendo of the quartet. And for me, it’s not just about the car; it’s about how it fits you. The attitude, the experience, and the [...]

One Week With Volkswagen's Foray Into Seduction

In 2008, Volkswagen, decided that well, people needed another “people’s car”. A car, perhaps not as brash and inappropriate as the Phateon but not as docile or plebeian as the Passat. The result, if you will, is part Mercedes CLS, part Jaguar XKR, part Audi A6, all planted on the ingenuity and Germanic quirkiness VW [...]

New Car By Way of Video Game? Sure, Why Not.

The 2010 Volkswagen GTI Mk VI. The teutonic rabble rouser from Deutschland has arrived and VW realizing that yes, men use DVR’s and yes we do skip commercials, have found another way to get our attentions, in the clever guise of a free game and chance at a few free cars, six to be exact. [...]

By Jay Shoemaker | The Truth About Cars The CC stood out like a swan amidst a gaggle of homely Jetta ducklings on the VW dealer’s lot, its aesthetic appeal undeniable. In contrast with the company’s marketing approach with the Phaeton, the CC is virtually badge-less and, at first blush, hard to identify as part [...]

[click on image to enlarge] According to Autoblog an embargo has been broken on images of the 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco. Well, far be it from us to hold back on a car you guys should know about it. The Scirocco is to be shown at the Geneva Auto Show next week and it’s a handsome [...]