Jalopnik: Fast

Vin Diesel's Chevelle Pops A Fast, Furious WheelStand In New Movie

Mark Arnold — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT

This here is some leaked video from the set of the fourth installment of the rice-sploitation The Fast And The Furious movie franchise. Remember that famous scene at the end of the first film, where Vin Diesel's blown Dodge Charger pops a massive WheelStand (by the way, we never remember if it's two words or if the "S" is capitalized — but we like how this looks)? Well it looks like the pacifier is at it again, this time in a Chevelle. Lined up against the Chevy looks to be a BMW M5, Nissan Silvia, and Skyline GT-R. Now if you're not a FatF fanboy, this raw footage is still enjoyable, seeing as it's lacking any of the mind-numbing dialogue and ridiculous story line the upcoming movie will likely have.
[CarDomain]

Mach Freunden Mit Dein Schnell: A Post to Pacify Wert

Davey G. Johnson — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 21:00:00 EDT

We're not sure if TeeVee Wert really wanted to go on the Bullrun, as he made some namby-pamby excuse about being stuck at some Ferrari party because he needed to impress some girl and dragged Austin with him, thus leaving the fully-awesome Skiny without Jalopnik pals to hang out with in Detroit (note to people in general — you're missing out on radness if you don't hang with Skiny, he's probably nicer than you, we're willing to bet he's faster than you and he's undoubtedly cooler than you).

Nevertheless, we'll fuel Ray's thirst for all things Fast with this shot of "Schnell," Claus Ettenberger's Troy Lee-painted Fast, which we perched on the hood of the Jalop-carrying A8L in San Diego right before we took off for California Speedway in Fontucky. And apparently, our contact with the talisman paid off — we came in second behind Chuck Mallett and Danny Coyle's 900hp Corvette with Jen at the wheel.

Breaking! Volkswagen Represents Deutschland, Double 2nd Quarter Profits

Ray Wert — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 10:48:54 EDT

VW, the "Fast" automaker and maker of all things un-pimped, saw second quarter profit more than double, primarily due to a one-time gain from the sale of its EuropCar rental unit, shed earlier this year. The German automaker earned 859 million ($1.08 billion) in the second quarter of 2006, up from the 333 million euros from the last year-to-year quarter. That blew away estimates of 824 million ($1.04 billion). But all those profits weren't just a one-time thing. VDub also saw a sales jump of 8% during the same period. Not bad for a car company selling a vehicle called a "rabbit."

Related:
Four Times The Fast: VW Quadruples Profits [internal]

Volkswagen Beats Out Adidas For Major Advertising Silliness

Ray Wert — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 17:54:57 EDT

We normally wouldn't be covering this at all — but gosh darn it, if it involves VW's "Fast" we're on it like white on rice...unless the rice is brown...then...well, you get the point. Anyway — Volkswagen just snagged some major award-age with a win over Adidas (and 620 other opponents) for the "Sales Promotion Grand Prix" at the Cannes Lions International Ad Festival. Apparently the Promo Lions ad thing is new this year — but from what we hear — it's pretty cool an American company won — and even cooler that it was automotive-related. Well, if it's highly implausible for a win by the US team in the World Cup — at least we'll always have Cannes. U-S-A! U-S-A!

First Lions Promo Award Goes to Volkswagen [Advertising Age]

Related:
Our Fast is Only a Little Gassy [internal]

Make Friends With Your Fast On MySpace

Ray Wert — Tue, 09 May 2006 11:15:00 EDT

You know, it totally seemed like MySpace was getting a bit Faster this month. It must have been that wascally wabbit, VW's turbo-charged speed demon itself, the Fast. VW's GTI MKV spokes-bunny has been spotted recently on MySpace — obviously looking for some fluff-bunnies to help him pet his own Fast. Sorry crazy bunny-demon, but despite one of us professing his love for ya — he's already taken. Shoulda made him your MySpace friend Faster. (hat tip to mattias)

makefriendswithyourfast [MySpace]

Related:
Ray Enjoys Stroking His Fast In Detroit [internal]

Your Fast Is Teh Suck

maustin — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 11:56:00 EDT

God bless you, Jalopnik readers. The Jalopnik B-team can't afford to buy magazines (yet), so when we need to find out about a good print ad, you're there to send it to us. Or maybe you just make up fake print ads, we don't know. But either a Subaru or a big Subaru fan is sick of the VW Fast ads, and here is the response. Ray still loves his fast, he was all like "What's a Subaru anyway, something that gets [bleeped in the bleep] by Toyota?" A full size photo, and more, after the jump:

Actually Subaru is the Japanese word for the star cluster Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters. But the Subaru logo only has six stars. Confused, we went to Wikipedia, where we learned that the Pleiades star cluster "is dominated by young, hot blue stars," and then we had to take a five-minute break. Who knew Subarus were so sexy? (hat tip - Mateo)

What's Up Doc? VW Goes Back To The Future With The Wascally Rabbit!

Ray Wert — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 19:01:39 EDT

Our mom's had a number of cars over the years, and every time she pops the wrapper on a new one, she gets herself a personalized plate to smack on the back. Her latest is "MOMS BMW," but her first was "MOMS VW" and it was for her little VDub Rabbit. Well Mom, if yer interested in some nostalgia, it looks as though Volkswagen is re-branding the Golf as the Rabbit. Excellent. Yet somehow we doubt Mom's gonna be tradin' in her Beemer for a VDub, no matter what her Fast tells her. Come to think of it...our Fast DOES look like a rabbit. Why didn't we call this sooner?

The full press release is after the jump:

AUBURN HILLS, Mich.— In a surprise move, Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that its all-new fifth generation Golf, which debuted at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show, is going back to its roots with the original Rabbit nameplate for the U.S. and Canadian markets. The Rabbit will hop into the market in early summer, after its official introduction at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

"The Rabbit was always exclusive to the U.S. and Canadian markets; while the rest of the world had the Golf, we had the iconic Rabbit," said Volkswagen's Director of Brand Innovation, Kerri Martin. "The reintroduction of the Rabbit represents Volkswagen's commitment to this market and is a nod to the passionate North American enthusiasts who have an emotional connection with the Rabbit name."

"Volkswagen customers want a relationship with their cars. Names like The Thing, Beetle, Fox, and Rabbit support this," Martin added.

The Rabbit goes on sale this summer in both two and four-door versions, with pricing starting at $14,990 for the two-door. Standard features include an advanced ABS braking system, traction control, active front head restraints, front side airbags, air conditioning and anti-theft alarm system with remote locking. Always known for its value, this latest Rabbit is no exception, offering a high level of standard features and equipment at an attractive starting price.

The Rabbit was the first Volkswagen produced in the United States and its appeal grew rapidly, with sales of over 1.3 million in its 10-year lifespan. The Rabbit's popularity can be credited to the wide array of standard features it offered at an attractive price. The 2006 Rabbit promises a return to the high-value, iconic status of the original.

"The Rabbit's return to Volkswagen's family is not an attempt to recreate the original car; today's Rabbit is manufactured at our Wolfsburg production facility alongside the all-new GTI."

The Rabbit, or Golf as it is well known throughout the rest of the world, is the world's best-seller with over 25 million cars sold over five generations. This latest generation has already won more than 25 awards in more than sixteen countries. And, yesterday, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), announced that the 2006 Rabbit four-door received the Top Safety Pick, Silver award, based on the Institute's frontal offset, side impact, and rear crash protection ratings.

Martin adds, "Even the name 'Rabbit' dramatizes the enhanced performance, playing off the car's clever design, efficient size, agility and nimbleness. The Rabbit is back."

The 2006 Rabbit benefits from its laser-welding production process, class-leading fit and finish, heightened body strength, crash protection, driving dynamics, and reduced interior noise.

Drivers of the Rabbit will benefit from it's fully independent suspension system that uses a multi-link rear and optimized front axle, and will enjoy the new optional six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic (five-speed manual standard). A new powerful engine with a larger displacement of 2.5 liters and five-cylinders generates 150 horsepower.
Also among the most impressive new driving advancements are a standard electro-mechanical steering system, and an optional advanced Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP).

The Rabbit also promises more interior room than ever with a large rear hatch opening. Legroom has also increased in this new version.

For added assurance, the Rabbit will come with 24-hour Roadside Assistance for four years with unlimited mileage and new vehicle warranties including:

Five-year/60,000 mile (whichever occurs first) Powertrain Limited Warranty

Four-year/50,000 mile (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty 12 year unlimited mileage Limited Warranty against corrosion perforation.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, Jetta, Passat, Touareg and Phaeton through more than 600 independent U.S. dealers.

NYIAS 2006: Volkswagen Drops the Golf Name for the US and resurrects...Rabbit?? [Dubspeed Driven]

Related:
Our Fast is Only a Little Gassy [internal]

Our Fast is Only a Little Gassy

Ray Wert — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 09:05:37 EST

We often hear voices inside of our heads. Our little VDub gremlin is already well known for the following nuggets of wisdom:

• "Down, Down!"
• "My Fast likes to keep things light!"
• "My Fast thinks delivery is for the weak!"

Well, he's been adding a few new ones to the list:

• "Flex-Fuel! Flex-Fuel!"
• "My Fast doesn't like global warming!"
• "My Fast slugs down Capirinhas and yells Portuguese curses at passersby!"

Volkswagen to stop making gas-only cars in Brazil [Automotive News]