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Volkswagen to end U.S. Passat production in 2022

by | Jul 20, 2021 | 0 comments

Volkswagen to end U.S. Passat production in 2022

Legacy of the VW Passat in the U.S. will be celebrated with a special run of 1,973 cars

Limited Edition Passat sedan

The 2022 Passat Limited Edition will be available in four colors, with the number of each paying homage to an aspect of the vehicle’s past. (Photos courtesy of VW)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today, July 19, that it will stop building the Passat sedan in Chattanooga with model-year 2022. The move is part of the plant’s transformation to build electric vehicles, VW said in a statement. The German carmaker now offers five SUV crossovers, including the just-released subcompact Taos and electric ID.4.

VW has sold some version of the Passat for nearly 50 years, Scott Keogh, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc,., said in a statement.

“With the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport in high demand, and the North American production launch of the all-electric ID.4 SUV next year, our future in Chattanooga looks brighter than ever,” Keogh said.

The legacy of the VW Passat in the U.S. will be celebrated with a limited-edition run of 1,973 cars with Chattanooga-inspired details.

VW Passat History

The 1974 VW Dasher

The 1974 VW Dasher, also known as Passat B1 for the first generation.

The Passat went on sale in 1973, a year before the Golf in Europe and was based on the Audi 80. The Passat was initially sold in body styles of two- and four-door fastback sedan and three- and five-door hatchback. A wagon would be added one year later.

The Passat was marketed as the Dasher in the U.S. and sold in all three body styles from 1974. More than 222,000 were sold. The next-generation model was marketed as the Quantum. The Passat name was first used for the U.S. in 1990 and has remained ever since.

It was 2011 when Volkswagen started building the Passat for the North American market at its plant in Chattanooga, Tenn. The U.S.-market car was larger inside and out than the eighth-generation European car that debuted in 2014. The current U.S. Passat has been given two updates since first going on sale.

It has been exported to Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and Middle Eastern markets. A version of the car has also been assembled in China, alongside the Passat Lingyu and Magotan.

2022 VW Passat Limited Edition

The 2022 Passat Limited Edition is a tribute to the model’s history and recognizes the contributions of the employees who built Passat.
A run of 1,973 Limited Edition models recognizes the year the first Passat was launched in Germany.

Special cup holder mats for the 2022 Passat Limited Edition

Special cup holder mats will feature aerial maps of the city and an aerial line drawing of the Chattanooga factory.

The 2022 Passat Limited Edition will be available in four color combinations, with the number of each paying homage to an aspect of the vehicle’s past.

Aurora Red Metallic models with Titan Black interior will number 411 units that represent the original vehicle production code.

Racing Green Metallic models with Mauro Brown interior will be number 423 for the telephone area code of Chattanooga, Tenn.

Pure White models with Mauro Brown interior will number 524 units in tribute to the opening of the Chattanooga Plant on May 24, 2011.

And there will be 615 Platinum Grey Metallic models with Titan Black interior that represent six generations of imported Passats, one generation assembled in Chattanooga, and five decades of U.S. sales.

The interior of the VW Passat Limited Edition

Limited Edition models will have leather-trimmed sport seats with perforated surfaces.

Special Exterior Features

VW Passat alloy wheels and tires.

Fifteen-spoke 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Fifteen-spoke 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels are standard, along with black mirror caps for the power-folding mirrors with memory.

Limited Edition models also feature LED headlights with the Advanced Front-lighting System and an easy-open trunk.

Special Interior Features

Limited Edition models will have unique seat tags featuring “1 of 1973” on one side and “Chattanooga 2011” on the other. In addition, special cup holder mats are imprinted with aerial maps of the city and a line drawing of the Chattanooga factory.

Special seat tags identify the 2022 Passat Limited Edition

Limited Edition models will have unique seat tags featuring “1 of 1973” on one side and “Chattanooga 2011” on the other.

Also standard will be leather-trimmed sport seats with perforated Vienna surfaces and driver seat memory. Other extras include a power passenger seat and heated front and rear seats. Infotainment features include Discover Media with navigation and a Fender premium audio system. Driver-assist features include Park Assist with front and rear Park Distance Control, and high-beam assist.

The 2022 Passat Limited Edition has a starting price of $31,290, including the freight charge of $995. Add $395 for Aurora Red Metallic paint.

Special VW Pricing Offers

There are a couple of competitive incentives for a 2021 Passat 2.0T S. A zero percent APR financing offer is available for 60 months or $299 a month for 39 months.

Highly qualified customers can opt for VW financing of zero percent APR for 36 months.

Find pricing incentives here.

The U.S.-assembled Passat has been exported to Canada, South Korea, and the Middle East.

Read more about the history of the Passat here.

Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wash & Wax

by | Jul 17, 2021 | 0 comments

Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wash & Wax

Here’s how to get the ultimate shine and extreme water-beading protection from Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wash & Wax 2-part system

 

BY MARK MAYNARD

Ceramic paint protection is the burgeoning new force in automotive-care products. And now, after 10 years on the market as a pricey professionally applied option, the chemistry has moved into the retail DIY market With fresh products by Meguiar’s and other renowned car-care makers. The “hybrid ceramic” derivatives are not as potent or durable for long-term protection, but they are much less expensive. And anybody can use the products to get an award-winning shine.

Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wash & Wax

Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wash & Wax is a two-stage system. (Meguiar’s)

The chemicals in these hybrid-ceramic products do not require an electric polisher for the best results — but a polisher could make the job go faster. And for heavier paint-damage correction, a polisher will be necessary. 

Vehicle prep

 An authentic ceramic coating requires a professional application and will cost around $1,400 for a small car. Such a ceramic coating is low maintenance and long-lasting. Most will have a guarantee for one year and up to 10 years, depending on the product.

The do-it-yourself hybrid ceramic products are a short step into the chemical technology. However, the ease of application, the water beading, and the slick shine will astound first-time users.

 To get the best results from the ceramic products, including those by Meguiar’s, will require some paint-prep work.

“If there already is a wax product on their car, it must be stripped to get the benefit of the new product,” said Mel Craig of The Detailing Pros in Huntington Beach, Calif.

To prepare a vehicle for a new wax or paint treatment, Craig recommends that the car be polished to remove old product layers and then rub down thoroughly with alcohol.

“Ninety percent of a user’s disappointment in the finish is on the user, not the product,” said Craig, who is well known as the car-care expert on the “Wheeler Dealers” on the Discovery channel. 

“Everything that is on the car [old wax products] will dilute the performance of the new product,” Craig said.

I’ve tested four of Meguiar’s hybrid-ceramic products, including the new HybridCeramic Wash & Wax.  

Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wash & Wax

The Hybrid Ceramic Wash & Wax is a two-step system of two separate liquids: a Hybrid Ceramic Wash and a Hybrid CeramicSiO2 Boost. Meguiar’s explains SiO2 as a polymer matrix of silicon carbide, silicon dioxide, and silicon nitride. The SiO2 Boost additive creates instant and extreme water beading protection, Meguiar’s says. 

To use, mix the two components in a standard bucket. During washing, the foaming action of the ceramic wash works to lift dirt for gentle cleaning, Meguiar’s says. The result is a slick finish on the paint. 

Hybrid Ceramic Wash & Wax works with other Meguiar’s products, but it was formulated to be used with Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic products. The product line includes those below and the Hybrid Ceramic Quik Clay Kit, $23. 

Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wash & Wax, $19.99, comes with 48 ounces of Hybrid Ceramic Wash and 8 ounces of Hybrid Ceramic SiO2 Boost. That is enough product for approximately 16 washes, Meguiar’s says. Also recommended is its specially engineered Hybrid Wash Mitt, $8.

Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Products

Hybrid Ceramic Detailer — $17 for a 26-ounce bottle. The spray-and-wipe formula helps remove light contaminants on the paint. Use this detailer to maintain a finish on a previously applied ceramic coating, Meguiar’s says, or to strengthen any wax or sealant. 

For older vehicles with an unprotected paint finish, clay the paint with Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Quik Clay Kit, $30. The kit includes an 18-ounce spray bottle of detailer, a synthetic clay pad, and a Supreme Shine Microfiber Towel.

Test your vehicle’s paint with the fingertip test on the hood. Little bumps indicate airborne deposits of sap, metallic particles from industrial pollution, and bird fallout. A bumpy surface will not properly reflect a bright shine. To correct, spray a panel with the detailer and follow with the clay pad. Use circular motions and keep the area wet with the detailer. It doesn’t take too many passes for the pad to erase the bumps and buildup.

Hybrid Ceramic Liquid Wax — $22 for a 26-ounce bottle. As for any liquid car wax, use a clean applicator pad with a thin amount of product to treat one panel at a time. Let the wax cure for 3 to 5 minutes, and then wipe off with a microfiber towel. Meguiar’s sells a Supreme Shine Microfiber Towel three-pack of 16-by-24-inch towels for $8. Because the wax does not haze when dry, it won’t discolor rubber gaskets or plastic trim.

Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax — $15 for a 26-ounce spray bottle. After washing and rinsing the vehicle, spray on the Hybrid Ceramic Wax. Follow with a second rinse to help lay down the wax. Next, dry the vehicle as you normally would with a microfiber towel. Meguiar’s recommends its waffle texture Microfiber Water Magnet Drying Towel, $9. 

Buy Meguiar’s products at auto stores, online merchants and Meguiars.com

1950 Chevrolet Styleline Bel Air Sport Coupe

by | Jul 15, 2021 | 0 comments

1950 Chevrolet Styleline Bel Air Sport Coupe
A 1950 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe

The Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe was new for 1950.  (Chevrolet)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Chevrolet’s exterior styling of the 1950 Bel Air Sport Coupe was revolutionary and set a pattern for decades. According to ClassicCars.Fandom.com, “The Bel Air Hardtop (on the DeLuxe line) was styled as a convertible with a non-detachable solid roof.”

The redesign followed the 1942-1945 shutdown of vehicle production during World War II. And even as production restarted, the “new” 1946-1948 models were mildly updated carryover models from years earlier.

New for 1950

According to Hagerty.com, Chevrolet overhauled its entire lineup in 1949 and moved from prewar designs to new cars. The modern styling emphasized full-width bodies and pontoon fenders.

The exterior two-door hardtop styling might have been new, but visual changes were minimal from 1949.

Special and Deluxe models were offered in Fleetline and Styleline series. According to Hagerty’s “History of the 1949-1952 Styleline,”  a bare-bones business coupe cost as little as $1,300. Pricing rose to $2,200 for an eight-passenger station wagon.

The only powertrain available was a 216-cubic-inch six-cylinder engine. It was mated to a three-speed manual transmission. However, cars with the automatic received the 235-cubic-inch truck engine.

Bel Air Sport Coupe

The model is named for the city of Bel Air on the west side of Los Angeles.

According to Wikipedia, the Bel Air Sport Coupe name was used only from 1950 to 1952 for the two-door hardtops. The first-year production reached only 76,662.

The “Lost Speedways” of American motorsports history

by | Jul 12, 2021 | 0 comments

The “Lost Speedways” of American motorsports history
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matthew Dillner sit along a banked portion of the Texas World Speedway,

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matthew Dillner sit along a banked portion of the Texas World Speedway in “Lonely Star”  (Allie Fredericks/Dirty Mo Media)

BY MARK MAYNARD

I was shuffling through TV channels recently and landed upon an episode of “Lost Speedways. The docuseries on Peacock was created and hosted by Earnhardt and co-host Matthew Dillner. Together they explore historically significant and visually stunning racetracks that are now abandoned, dormant, or in decay.

Dale Jr. and his team explore deserted tracks, search for artifacts and solve unanswered questions at venues all across the country.

I immediately connected with the show because of my interest in history and cars. And the show’s focus on automotive history and motorsports made the discovery even better. I had tuned into “Danger Zone,” which was episode seven from the first season. It told the history of the Jungle Park Speedway, an hour west of Indianapolis.

The half-mile dirt track opened in 1926 and closed in 1960. It closed after one more in a long line of horrific accidents, according to a 2016 report by Will Higgins of the Indianapolis Star.

Reclaimed By Nature

Nature has been reclaiming the grounds ever since it closed. But remnants remain, such as the grandstand.

“Sycamore trees stand 40 feet tall in the middle of the first turn. Honeysuckle grows thick in what once was the pits.

“The grandstand is the most obvious remnant. It was built in 1947.

“Jungle Park Speedway, a half-mile oval with a quarter-mile oval in its infield, was one of the premier speedways in the Midwest in the early 20th century,” Higgins wrote. “It was a proving ground for some of the top American race drivers. Eight Jungle Park veterans went on to win the Indianapolis 500, including one of Indy’s all-time greats, Wilbur Shaw, who won the 500 in 1937, 1939, and 1940.”

Jungle Park on Facebook

“It’s been over fifty years since the big cars roared around the Parke County racing bowl, wrote author Tom W. Williams in the intro to the Jungle Park Speedway Facebook page.

“It was a track where a driver could hardly tell how many curves there were or where the next one started. It was a place where engine noises echoed off the trees and hills like voices in a cave. If you go there, you may experience the presence of ghosts as well. Perhaps you will encounter a spier darting off the track into the trees or flitting from seat to seat in the old grandstand, empty for so many years. The ghosts are most certainly there.”

Williams is the author of “The Ghosts of Jungle Park, History, Myth, and Legend, the Story of a Place Like No Other.”

Free Streaming

Eight episodes of “Lost Speedways” were produced for the first season that debuted on July 15, 2020. The eight-episode second season debuted on July 1, 2021.

Season 2 of “Lost Speedways” is available to stream for free on Peacock now.

Speedways featured in Season 2 include Arundel Speedway (Arundel, ME), Pennsboro Speedway (Pennsboro, WV), and Columbia Speedway (Cayse, SC).

Racing legends, such as seven-time Cup champion Richard Petty, join as guests throughout the series.

2022 Honda Civic Hatchback Overview

by | Jul 10, 2021 | 0 comments

2022 Honda Civic Hatchback Overview
The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback in the new paint color of Boost Blue Pearl.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback in the new paint color of Boost Blue Pearl. (All photos courtesy of Honda)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Take a look at the handsomely redesigned 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback with its claimed Euro-inspired exterior. The fresh styling smooths the loud angles, vents, and peaks of the previous hatchback. The new speed-line stance of the 2022 model is almost luxury-class in its presence.

The 2022 hatchback builds on the same styling as the new Honda Civic sedan, which has just gone on sale. In addition, the compact hatchback will be built in the U.S. for the first time at Honda’s Greensburg, Ind., plant. Production is scheduled to begin later this year, and cars are expected in dealerships in the fall.

Read my 2022 Honda Civic sedan first look here.

It is no surprise that Honda aimed the Civic Hatchback at young, active buyers. The hatchback has a sportier driving character, Honda says, and will again be available with a short-throw six-speed manual transmission.

Honda debuted the 2022 Civic Hatchback during the Civic Tour “Remix” performance on the Honda Stage YouTube Channel. Watch the 51-minute video here.

Sign up for updates or to preorder here.

Front seats of the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The driver area has a clean design with improved outward visibility, Honda says.

Ride and handling

The hatchback’s suspension and steering were developed in Europe and fine-tuned for North America.

The rear track is wider by 0.5-inch for added stability, and the additional 1.4-inches of wheelbase help smooth out its ride quality, Honda says. In addition, new rear lower control-arm bushings promote better straight-line stability and turn-in. The new hardware also reduces noise and vibration inside the cabin. In addition, the electronic power steering has been re-tuned for better feedback and improved straight-line stability.

The suspension and steering upgrades resulted in a smoother and more precise feel in turns, Honda says. Other chassis updates include low-drag front brake calipers and low-friction wheel bearings that reduce rolling resistance.

The foundational improvements will benefit any planned higher-performing models, such as the Civic Si and Type R. But Honda will not confirm or deny future plans for those models. However, those sportier models have long been part of the Civic line.

A front view of the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The coupe-like profile of European sportbacks inspired the hatchback’s exterior styling, Honda says.

Powertrains

The Honda Civic Hatchback will be available in two engine choices for the first time. The previous model had just a turbocharged,1.5-liter four-cylinder.

Both engines will be available with a six-speed manual transmission or continuously variable automatic. The CVT was revised for improved fuel economy, and new step-shift programming simulates physical gear changes under hard acceleration.

The entry LX and Sport trim levels will have a 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The engine produces peak torque of 138 foot-pounds at 4,200 rpm.

A 180-hp, turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder powers the EX-L and Sport Touring trims. The engine produces peak torque of 177 lb.-ft. from 1,700-4,500 rpm, also on 87 octane fuel.

Fuel economy ratings for the 2022 models have not been released, but expect the mileage to be comparable to or better than the 2021 hatchback. The base 2021 CVT model has mileage ratings of 31 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 mpg combined on 87 octane. The six-speed manual in base models has ratings of 29/37/32 mpg city/highway/combined.

The Honda Civic Hatchback cargo area.

1.6-inches widened the hatchback’s cargo opening.

What’s new on the Civic Hatchback?

  • Lightweight composite hatch structure reduces hinge size for a clean roofline;
  • The enhanced structure is 19-percent stiffer in torsional rigidity;
  • Rear legroom was improved by nearly 1.4 inches;
  • The cargo opening was widened by 1.6 inches;
  • Boost Blue Pearl and Smoky Mauve Pearl are new paint colors.

Civic Safety

Standard safety features in the Honda Civic Hatchback include10 air bags, including side rear-seat bags, and the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies. A new single-camera radar-based system provides a longer and wider field of view. The system also adds Traffic Jam Assist.

Honda Civic Hatchback Pricing

Pricing for the 2022 model has not been announced. However, for comparison, the 2021 Civic Hatchback has starting prices of $23,215 to $30,415, including the freight charge from Japan.