The Chinese are as fascinated with Transformers as some of us are. So fascinated, this Chinese mall built their very own VW Passat-bot. Check it out. It actually doesn't look half-bad. Certainly more than some of Michael Bay's creations. [via China Car Times]

In addition to the most expensive to insure list, the folks at Insure.com put together this list of the least expensive cars to insure. Come join us on this journey to find out what makes these econo-boxes so damn cheap to own that it'd almost be a crime to not consider them for your next purchase. Almost.

[via thecarconnection, edmunds, insure.com]

20.) Dodge Grand Caravan

Price: $22,725
Cost To Insure: $960
Curb Weight: 4321 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.3 liter V6
HP: 175
TQ: 205

Driver Stereotype: Soccer Mom

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The ability to blend into the suburban landscape has allowed the Grand Caravan to slip seamlessly to and from soccer games, the grocery store and at times, Mexican border crossings without detection.

19.) Chevrolet Impala
Price: $23,790
Cost To Insure: $959
Curb Weight: 3555 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.5 liter V6
HP: 211
TQ: 214

Driver Stereotype: Vanilla ice cream-favoring used car salesmen

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Sharing its appearance with multitudes of non-descript cop cars causes the surrounding public to drive very, very carefully around the Impala lessening the likelihood for any direct accidents and adding to the overall value of driver safety.

18.) Mazda B-Series Truck
Price: $16,060
Cost To Insure: $957
Curb Weight: 2999 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.3 liter inline-four
HP: 143
TQ: 154

Driver Stereotype: Has poor credit

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Based on the long-in-the-tooth Ford Ranger, the B-Series Truck shows its age with strong, virtually unbreakable bones.

17.) Lincoln Town Car
Price: $46,385
Cost To Insure: $955
Curb Weight: 4345 lbs
Engine Displacement: 4.6 liter V8
HP: 239
TQ: 287

Driver Stereotype: Mafia fat cats

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Carefully driven due to multiple dead bodies in the trunk, the Town Car rarely sees an insurance claim except for the frequent bloody interior replacement. Typically these are burned to the ground near the docks without much concern for an insurance claim.

16.) Suzuki Forenza
Price: $11,134
Cost To Insure: $954
Curb Weight: 2756 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.0 liter inline-four
HP: 127
TQ: 131

Driver Stereotype: Molly Maid employee

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Not much can happen to a car when it spends the majority of its life sitting outside of large Hollywood mansions all day.

15.) Honda Accord
Price: $20,905
Cost To Insure: $951
Curb Weight: 3230 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.4 liter inline-four
HP: 177
TQ: 161

Driver Stereotype: Anti-Toyota

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The sedate Accord lulls drivers to a meditative state causing perfect driving habits and extreme awareness, lessening any sort of slip ups.

14.) Jeep Wrangler
Price: $20,710
Cost To Insure: $939
Curb Weight: 3782 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.8 liter V6
HP: 202
TQ: 237

Driver Stereotype: Obnoxious Dave Matthews Band-listening, bandanna-wearing frat boys

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The Wrangler was specifically built for douchebag frat boys and therefore features a virtually indestructible body and chassis making repairs all but non-existent.

13.) VW Passat
Price: $28,300
Cost To Insure: $936
Curb Weight: 3344 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.0 liter inline-four
HP: 200
TQ: 207

Driver Stereotype: Grown Dub boys

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Considering the Passat never moves due to repetitive electrical problems it is never put in harms way, allowing for a much lower insurance premium.

12.) Mazda Mazda5
Price: $17,995
Cost To Insure: $929
Curb Weight: 3417 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.3 liter inline-four
HP: 153
TQ: 148

Driver Stereotype: MX-5 driver's family car

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Typically driven by MX-5 drivers when they've got their kids in toe, the Zoom, Zoom nature of the Mazda5 allows for quick maneuvers to escape from the rest of the crazy drivers out there.

11.) Scion xB
Price: $15,750
Cost To Insure: $881
Curb Weight: 3020 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.4 liter turbo inline-four
HP: 158
TQ: 162

Driver Stereotype: E-tards

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The typical driver of a Scion xB never really leaves the rave, instead spends hours upon hours upon delicious hours licking the glass repeating, "The snozberries taste like snozberries."

10.) Chrysler Town & Country
Price: $26,355
Cost To Insure: $871
Curb Weight: 4387 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.5 liter V6
HP: 244
TQ: 240

Driver Stereotype: Self fulfilling prophecy

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: A perceived level of luxury is exhibited by the typical Town & Country driver, causing them to drive even more carefully back and forth from their kids Montessori schools and cricket matches. See Caravan to see the lesser of the ChryCo minivan driver's habits.

9.) Mazda Tribute
Price: $19,730
Cost To Insure: $913
Curb Weight: 3276 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.5 liter inline-four
HP: 171
TQ: 171

Driver Stereotype: I haz no care for Zoom, Zoom

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Tribute drivers lurk quietly in traffic with hardly anyone ever taking notice, not even enough to ram them from behind.

8.) Saturn Vue
Price: $23,280
Cost To Insure: $911
Curb Weight: 3689 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.4 liter inline-four
HP: 169
TQ: 161

Driver Stereotype: I'm a new kind of car company

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Brought over as the Saturn version of the Opel Antara, most people avoid the Vue with the expectation that the Euro-wannabe driver won't speak English causing an annoying, pain-in-the-ass insurance swap.

7.) Smart ForTwo
Price: $11,990
Cost To Insure: $881
Curb Weight: 2315 lbs
Engine Displacement: 1.0 liter inline-three
HP: 70
TQ: 68

Driver Stereotype: Tries to out-smug a Prius driver

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Like the annoying fly that you just can't swat and kill, the ForTwo manages to avoid all conflict by being small and zippy, plus nobody seems to want manslaughter charges for when the driver gets squashed after a 10 mph accident.

6.) Honda Odyssey
Price: $26,355
Cost To Insure: $871
Curb Weight: 4387 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.5 liter V6
HP: 244
TQ: 240

Driver Stereotype: Does not drive for the thrill of driving

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Odyssey drivers are busy reaching around and smacking the shit out of their kids, leaving very little time for accidents, so they generally avoid them.

5.) Kia Rio5
Price: $13,325
Cost To Insure: $870
Curb Weight: 2438 lbs
Engine Displacement: 1.6 liter inline-four
HP: 110
TQ: 107

Driver Stereotype: Typically doesn't care about cars

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The Rio5 is so ugly that most drivers avoid any physical contact with them in fear that some of the ugly will rub off. Score one for Kia.

4.) Kia Sedona
Price: $21,245
Cost To Insure: $857
Curb Weight: 4365 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.8 liter V6
HP: 250
TQ: 253

Driver Stereotype: Anti-Odyssey

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: This thing is so boring that they should have named it the Kia Sedative. It rarely leaves the driveway unless absolutely necessary, dramatically reducing its potential for road carnage.

3.) Hyundai Entourage
Price: $23,995
Cost To Insure: $848
Curb Weight: 4400 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.8 liter V6
HP: 250
TQ: 253

Driver Stereotype: Anti-Odyssey/Sedona

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Should be renamed to Hyundai Ento...zzzzz. See Kia Sedona.

2.) Kia Sportage
Price: $16,695
Cost To Insure: $840
Curb Weight: 3230 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.0 liter inline-four
HP: 140
TQ: 136

Driver Stereotype: High school band geek

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Typically the Sportage is doing exactly the opposite of what its name implies, instead it spends its life carting tubas and other brass instruments between Mom's house and band practice which coincidentally is just down the street. Also, the lack of party invites virtually eliminates any sort of under-the-influence driving.

1.) Hyundai Santa Fe
Price: $21,695
Cost To Insure: $832
Curb Weight: 3727 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.7 liter V6
HP: 185
TQ: 183

Driver Stereotype: Not concerned with brand image

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The Santa Fe, while having an unbelievably ridiculous name, is actually quite attractive limiting surrounding driver's desire to crash repeatedly into it. For complete opposite, see Kia Rio5.

This vehicle, set to be produced at the Chattanooga VW plant, will be one of the main vehicles built in America for the American market. Cleverly, Volkswagen is calling the new vehicle the New Mid-Size Sedan (NMS). This could be the vehicle to move the brand firmly into the mid-size, near-premium segment. Already, the 2009 Volkswagen CC is preparing buyers for the idea of an expensive and more luxurious VW.

As for the name, we imagine NMS will get dropped in favor of some obscure wind. What about the VW Chinook? The strong lines and greenhouse suggest more Audi than VW and the kink in the C-pillar makes us wonder if they're not trying to hint at RWD or, instead, just carrying over a common VW design element. We'll certainly be following this car closely over the coming two years.

[WRCB-TV via AutoBlog]

The Gold Coast Concept doesn't get much in the way of go fast parts, with 280 HP mated to a six speed DSG. It does get some serious whoa parts though, sporting giant ceramic brakes under those gorgeous wheels. Volkswagen, make this car so.

Full Power mode brings 311 HP and 313 lb-ft torque, GT provides 252 HP and 268 lb-ft and in Eco Mode 222 HP and 236 lb-ft. That Eco Mode also gets better fuel economy than a normal VW Passat CC 2.0 TSI — up to 33 highway, 27 city. Inside VW has installed tasteful Recaro seating, piano black accents and cool white piping. Those big wheels over Brembo brakes don't look out of place either. Full details in the press release below.

2008 SEMA: VOLKSWAGEN CC ECO PERFORMANCE CONCEPT
311 HP Super CC ups the performance ante in luxury for the people
LAS VEGAS – Powerful performance meets luxury in the Super CC performance concept Volkswagen unveiled at the 2008 SEMA show in Las Vegas.
The Performance CC brings a sleek exterior treatment highlighted by black chrome exterior accents, grey pearl paint with custom front and rear bumper, side panels and machined aluminum spoiler. The black treatment continues inside with high-gloss piano black accents offset by matte black graphics. Customer black leather Recaro seats and matching floor mats are highlighted with white piping.
While the Performance CC looks striking, the upgrades will get hearts racing, the 2.0L TSI engine has been upgraded with an APR stage 3 turbocharger system with three performance levels. In Full Power mode the Performance CC brings 311 hp and 313 lbs. ft. torque; GT mode offers 252 hp and 268 lbs. ft. of torque; and in the Eco mode 222 hp and 236 lbs. ft. of torque. Also included is the APR stainless steel performance exhaust system. Key fact to take note of is that in the Eco performance mode, horsepower went up, as well as fuel economy. A production 2.0T CC automatic gets 28 hwy/19 city and our CC in Eco mode gets 33 hwy, 27 city. Even the full power mode showed a fuel economy increase!
The Performance CC sits on custom designed 10-spoke, 20-inch wheels and high performance 245/30 R20 Yokahama tires with an H&R street coil over sport suspension kit. With all this power to handle, Volkswagen has upgraded the brakes to provide extra power to stop. The Performance CC features 14-inch Brembo brakes with 4-piston Aluminum Alloy Brake Calipers and 355x32mm 2-Piece Floating Cross Drilled Discs with Billet Aluminum Hats.
The Performance CC was designed by the Volkswagen Design Center in California with assistance from APR, LLC (www.goapr.com), Recaro, H&R Suspension and Brembo North America.
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Volkswagen of America, Inc. recently announced Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard equipment on all its 2009 vehicles. As a result, Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment manufacturers to offer an electronic stability control system on their entire product line – ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) deadline requiring vehicles in the 2012 model year to include stability control systems. Volkswagen’s ESP technology works in conjunction with anti-lock brakes and helps reduce loss of control.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen Group of America is headquartered in Herndon, Va. 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, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GLI, Passat, Passat Wagon, CC, Eos, Routan, Tiguan and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.

[Source: VW]

SPECIAL EDITION CC GOLD COAST DEBUTS AT PEBBLE BEACH

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – To kick off the market launch of the new CC, Volkswagen of America, Inc. will debut a CC Gold Coast edition at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, August 15-17. The CC Gold Coast highlights the luxury sports coupe with powerful performance, strong lines and luxury touches combining the emotional and expressive stance of a sports coupé with the convenience of a luxury sedan.
“The CC Gold Coast builds upon the luxury sports coupe that debuted at the 2008 North American International Auto Show,” said Derek Jenkins, Chief Designer at Volkswagen’s Santa Monica, California Design Center. “We’ve added luxury and performance extras like tri-coat paint, high-end interior appointments, and ground affects that enhance the sportiness of our newest sedan.”
The unmistakable Volkswagen front-end, with two cross-struts and a centrally placed Volkswagen logo between trapezoidal headlamps is highlighted by the ground effects on the CC Gold Coast. A high-end tri-coat paint, DuPont’s Pepe Pepper, features a rich mix of gold, brown and silver tones that compliment the cars design characteristics.
The rear end of the coupé is also marked by large-surface dual taillights that produce an unmistakable visual image day and night. A spoiler with additional rear-end ground effects helps further enhance the vehicle’s sporty nature. The CC Gold Coast sits on 19 inch propeller style wheels, which provide a combination of sharp style and improved curb appeal.
Volkswagen’s attention to detail is shown off in the interior of the CC Gold Coast with four ergonomically formed sport seats wrapped in luxurious leather, a combination of Latte Macchiatto, Cornsilk with Bronze Piping on the seats with matching accents on the dash and door trim.
The CC Gold Coast edition features the 3.6L TFSI, rated at 280 horsepower and 265lbs.-ft of torque, with the innovative DSG double-clutch 6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic, yet another example of the car’s dual nature. The DSG system not only offers the driver the advantage of choosing between fully automatic operation or full manual selection, DSG also changes gears more quickly and smoothly than a conventional transmission, while improving fuel economy.
The CC comes to U.S. market in the fourth quarter of 2008, with a starting price under $27,000.

[Source: VW]

Given that the Chinese auto market has yet to cool, this is probably more a matter of the Mondeo not fairing well against the other sedans it is normally pitted against. At this price level it is competitive with the very similar 2009 Mazda6 and the Volkswagen Passat. Either way, Ford wants to take advantage of that thirsty market. [China Car Times]

The trick might be competitive pricing. The lower end model will be powered by a 2.0-liter TSI fourbanger and should start at around $27K with the 3.6-liter FSI V6 starting somewhere north of the $30K mark. By comparison, the Passat starts out at approximately $24K, making the CC not quite as large a leap as the abandoned Phaeton. [AutoNewsEurope via eGMCarTech]

Skoda Superb

Škoda Auto is presenting the first official photographs of the new Superb. Offering really generous space, the new Škoda Superb is a leader in its class (medium/upper medium class cars).

With 4,838 mm in length, 1,783 mm in width, 1,461 mm in height and a 2,761mm-long wheel base, the new Škoda Superb offers a number of smart technological solutions, including adaptive "look-round-corner" headlamps, a new electronic air conditioning system, an automatic parking assistant system, and more. As safety was one of the top priorities in developing the new vehicle, the new Superb has altogether nine airbags.

The new Škoda Superb will be available with three petrol and three diesel engines (77 - 191 kW) and with both manual and automatic transmission systems.

The new Škoda Superb will receive a world premiere at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show and will be manufactured in Škoda Auto's plant in Kvasiny. [Source: Skoda via World Car Fans]

If you look at all the photos from the site you can sort of get the idea that it has a grille, and I'm pretty sure a rear window. It looks like it'll retain the characteristic VW squared-curve C-pillar, but that's the best line you're given. Have fun figuring it out from the video and photos.

At the flip side of MIT's absurdly outfitted LandRover is team Lux's Volkswagen Passat, a joint venture between German supplier of automotive sensors Ibeo and parent company Sick. Hands-down winner of the nonexistent prize for stealthiest install, their diesel grocery-getter has a mere three sensors; one on each corner up front, mounted behind black Plexiglas in the bumper and a prototype model mounted in the center of the read bumper. Data from these units is collected and processed by four computers in the trunk. Even the actuators for steering and velocity are stealthily mounted. Apart from the big honkin' kill switches on the read windows, one might miss the fact that it's a robot car at all.

It's hard to pick favorites in an event like this, and looking at this brief comparison shows why. Despite their differences, both vehicles did well in Saturday's qualifying runs. [DARPA Grand Challenge]

This is the newest car yet in the Down On The Street series, but the point isn't the car's age, it's the fact that it's a rare survivor of a bygone era. This car certainly qualifies, especially considering that (water-cooled) VW Years are sort of like dog years; one year of wear and tear on, say, a Japanese car is roughly equal to seven years on a post-air-cooled Volkswagen.


The Quantum was the second name VW slapped on the Passat (succeeding the Dasher nameplate) when they tried to sell their "big" car on these shores, apparently figuring Americans would never buy cars with weird European-sounding names.


In '85, the Quantum wagon sold for $11,500. This was actually pretty competitive with their Japanese counterparts, but by that time it was getting tough to compete with the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere's rep for quality.


Still, these cars were fairly decent performers for the era, so if you were willing to pay for constant occasional repairs you'd have a little family hauler that was pretty enjoyable to drive.

"Volkswagen Group said it has signed an agreement with one of its China joint ventures, Shanghai Volkswagen, to jointly develop a new car as a replacement model for its Passat brand.

'It's the first time for the venture to take a role in the development work of a car sold to the international markets,' the German automaker said in a statement.

It said that the new car, which is expected to be launched as early as 2009, will be developed mainly for the North America and China markets."