Everyone seemed to love Volkswagen's Darth Vader Super Bowl commercial. In fact, some people out there liked it so much that they wanted to see what it would be like had Toyota made the ad. Well now we know (which is half the battle). Needless to say, the Toyota version isn't as heartwarming. It is quite entertaining, though. Check out the clip below for 1:08 of dark-sided hilarity.
We've already told you about Volkswagen's plans to air two new commercials during this Sunday's Super Bowl event and even shown you a teaser trailer of the 'Black Beetle' ad, but today, the German automaker released the full TV spots for both the 2012 Passat and 2012 New (or is that New2?) Beetle on Youtube.
The first advert is about the upcoming Beetle and shows a real bug with white racing stripes acting like a car on the forest ground, while the other commercial is for the U.S.-market spec 2012 Passat and is more humorous concentrating on a child dressed up as Darth Vader. Watch them both right after the break.
The first advert is about the upcoming Beetle and shows a real bug with white racing stripes acting like a car on the forest ground, while the other commercial is for the U.S.-market spec 2012 Passat and is more humorous concentrating on a child dressed up as Darth Vader. Watch them both right after the break.
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] has upgraded an ongoing investigation into the Volkswagen Passat with 4-cylinder turbo powerplants over reports of engine fires to include all sedans from the 2001-2007 model years and Wagons from the 2006-2007 model years. Last summer, the government agency had opened a preliminary examination into the 2002-2003 model year Passat amid concerns on fires caused by failing ignition coils. The upgraded investigation now covers some 490,000 VW Passats.
According to a document filed on the safety agency's web site, the Office of Defects Investigation [ODI] has received 14 complaints alleging that a fire started in the engine compartment of the vehicle that may be related to ignition coil failure, and 21 complaints of ignition coil failure that did not result in a fire. Volkswagen said it has received another 199 complaints for problems related to coil failures.
The reports received by the NHTSA state that the "vehicle hesitated or lost power, and the check engine or dashboard lights illuminated", and that "the vehicles were repaired by replacing the faulty ignition coil(s) while some of the complaints indicated that the ignition coils were replaced more than once".
According to a document filed on the safety agency's web site, the Office of Defects Investigation [ODI] has received 14 complaints alleging that a fire started in the engine compartment of the vehicle that may be related to ignition coil failure, and 21 complaints of ignition coil failure that did not result in a fire. Volkswagen said it has received another 199 complaints for problems related to coil failures.
The reports received by the NHTSA state that the "vehicle hesitated or lost power, and the check engine or dashboard lights illuminated", and that "the vehicles were repaired by replacing the faulty ignition coil(s) while some of the complaints indicated that the ignition coils were replaced more than once".
Joining an increasing number of advertisers, Volkswagen plans to air two never before seen TV spots during the 2nd and 4th quarters of Super Bowl XLV on February 6. The 30-seconds ads will showcase two models, the all-new 2012 Passat sedan that we first saw in Detroit earlier this month, and the so-called 21st Century Beetle.
The German company has teamed with Lucasfilms for the 2012 Passat spot, which will feature a pint-sized Darth Vader making use of the Force when he discovers the family saloon in the driveway.
The commercial for the next generation of the Beetle won't actually show the car but it will supposedly tease its silhouette while showing a beetle scurrying through the ground like a car outperforming all the other creatures. "The ad is an homage to some of the greatest car chase scenes in the history of film and TV," said VW of America in a statement.The next Beetle is scheduled to get its official debut in May.
“Both spots show the creativity and innovation that people expect from an iconic brand like Volkswagen,” added Mike Sheldon, CEO, Deutsch LA, Volkswagen’s Agency of Record. “The Super Bowl is unlike any other media platform in the world in terms of its reach and cultural influence. It is tailor-made for big announcements and is the perfect way for VW to engage the American public.”
Volkswagen has finally lifted the covers of its New Midsize Sedan [NMS], and it's name is... Passat. In other words, the Wolfsburg-based carmaker chose to retain the Passat name for its new mid size sedan model, which has been specifically developed for the North American market and will be built at the firm's new US plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The four-door saloon model will be launched in the States in mid-August with an entry-level price in the US$20,000 range, according to the company. Final prices will be announced in March. "There is hardly any other saloon of this size (exactly 191.7 inches or 4,868 mm long) that offers such high technology and quality at a comparable price," said Volkswagen in a statement.
As previously mentioned, the new, U.S. market Passat has a length of 191.7 inches (4,868 mm). Its wheelbase is 110.4 inches (2,803 mm) and its width is 72.2 inches (1,835 mm), meaning its size has increased in all three dimensions compared to the previous model. This should translate to increased passenger space over the same-name model it replaces.
The sedan's exterior styling draws its inspiration from the recently launched Jetta, and not from the refreshed, European market, Passat - not that there's a huge difference... Not surprisingly, the interior also looks similar to the Jetta, albeit with more upscale trim.
According to the German automaker, the car’s technology and styling came from Germany, while Volkswagen of America provided the conceptual direction.
Talking about technology (or the lack it...), the entry-level Passat will be offered in the States with VW's familiar 2.5-liter five-cylinder motor producing 170-horsepower, while returning an estimated 31mpg on the highway.
Other engine options will include a more frugal Clean Diesel (TDI) with 140HP and a highway fuel economy of 43mpg, and a six-cylinder petrol engine, the 3.6-liter VR6 with 280-horsepower, which is paired with a standard dual clutch transmission (DSG), returning 28mpg on the highway and completing the 0-60mph sprint in 6.5 seconds.
Buyers in the U.S. will have a choice of three equipment lines: S, SE and SEL. The base version will come equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, ESP, ABS with braking assistant, Hill Climb Assist (with manual transmission and DSG), and six airbags
Other standard features include electric windows all round, air conditioning, insulating glass, an analogue clock in the center of the instrument panel, cruise control, outside temperature display with frost warning, radio-CD system (MP3-capable, plus external audio input) and a Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone system (with voice activation).
One of the most highly anticipated world premieres of the 2011 NAIAS, the new U.S. market 2012 Volkswagen Passat, turned out to be one of the less exciting -at least in terms of design- introductions of the show. The US-built replacement for the European-sourced Passat literally looks like an extra-large Jetta, which drew its own share of criticism for its uninspired and generic looks. For comparison, we've added a few shots of the Jetta after the jump.
While the design may not be engaging, the car's lower sticker prices will certainly attract more buyers as the new Passat will start from around $20,000 or some $7,000 to $8,000 less than the 2011MY it replaces.
However, keep in mind that while the base 2011 Passat was offered with a modern 200HP 2.0 TFSI, the entry-level 2012MY Passat will come with VW's old 2.5-liter five-cylinder unit rated at 170HP.
Other engine options for U.S. buyers include a more frugal 140HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel that returns up to 43mpg, and a range topping 3.6-liter VR6 with 280HP and a 0-60mph sprint time of 6.5 seconds.
Volkswagen will manufacture the 2012 Passat at its new $1 billion Chattanooga factory in Tennessee, the automaker's first U.S. assembly plant since it shut down its Pennsylvania plant in 1988. The mid-size saloon will go on sale in the States in mid-August.
