VW Apple Alliance

Now that's what I'm talking about. Two giants getting together, with not only good marketing but good products people love. I saw the following article earlier today. I say Apple and VW do this and call it a day.



Report: Apple, VW in talks about 'iCar'

Christoph Hammerschmidt
EE Times Europe
(08/29/2007 12:18 PM EDT)

MUNICH, Germany — Apple and Volkswagen are considering a cooperation, aiming at a completely novel car concept, writes Financial Times Deutschland in its online edition. With the move, both company aim at attracting young customers.

According to the FTD report, a Volkswagen spokesperson acknowledged negotiations between both companies. The report speculates that the talks could aim at a joint 'iCar' product as an extension to Apple's product nomenclature.

Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn and Apple CEO Steve Jobs have met a few days ago in California for concrete cooperation talks. The Volkswagen spokesperson was quoted saying that the negotiations will be continued and that there are 'lots of ideas, but no specific plans".

According to the report, Volkswagen plans an unconventional sub-compact that will be sold at a price of about €6000 (about $8160).

.:R32 in stock!

Finally, the .:R32 is here, unwrapped, detailed and on the showroom floor. I didn't realize how beautiful the instrument cluster is on the .:R. The car has automatic headlights and the needles glow blue while the main gauges are white. The European seats would have been a huge plus but personally visiting with all kinds of customer shapes and sizes I see why VW put the GTI seats in there. The 18"s are a bit blah for me and like most owners there will be a quick wheel swap. I would rather see some deep lip BBS style wheels on. The front brakes are huge. Of all things the headlight washers, (activates when you wash the windshield) are impressive.



In the short drive I took the low rumble of the engine and exhaust is a true delight. The car came off the truck with 36 miles. I thought that was strange but the regional sales rep says that the car was most likely pulled and tested by a tech along the way.

Some .:R32s had a front license plate bracket installed at the port of Houston for the central states. If your state does not require one, VW will replace the front brushed aluminum bumper cover.

Overall I predict the car will be a success. I mean the potential is there to add a turbo or two (hpa, eip, apr or whatever your flavor is) and you're right up there in exotic territory. You can drive the car base for a few years and then mod for a few more years of enjoyment.

.:R32 in stock!

Bourne Movie Première

Today, the new .:R32 arrived at the dealership and I went to the première of the Bourne Ultimatum. This event was a true success. Not only did Volkswagen give free movie tickets to this movie, but when you arrived each person was treated with a small popcorn and drink. The Regional rep also gave away two VW guitars. The theatre was packed, the movie was excellent, VW and Audis were represented well and people clapped at the end. I've rarely seen people so quiet and on the edge of their seat during the whole movie. Then to finish off there were a bunch of VWs in parking lot. Fun event! More!