VIDEO: "Buying a Volkswagen from an Old Lady" Dutch Ad is Epic

In what could very well be one of the most amusing automotive-related ads we've seen this year, this Volkswagen commercial from The Netherlands puts a surprisingly wild twist on the belief that old ladies take good care of their cars. The 50 second-long clip finishes with the tagline "Not every old lady is reliable as a Golf". Watch the video after the break.

Via: Autoblog.nl

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APS Does it Again, Announces New Tunes for VW Golf R with up to 350HP

Now that Volkswagen has broadened the availability of the Golf R by officially confirming sales for North America, the tunes for the range-topping German hatch have just become a bit more interesting. APS of Brackley, has just announced three stages of performance tuning for the 2.0-litre TFSI, all-wheel drive Golf R, with two being available immediately and the third to be offered in a little while.

The British firm's Stage 1 kit consists only of a ECU remap, which is good enough to increase peak output from 267bhp to 308 bhp. It is priced at £445.00 including VAT (US$705 / €525).

The Stage 2 package is more comprehensive and includes a Milltek large bore turbo down pipe, high flow sports catalyst and a choice of Milltek stainless steel sports exhausts, featuring a switchable electronic exhaust valve, 2.75 inch bore tubing and dual 100mm ceramic black tailpipes.

APS said customers can choose between a Milltek non-resonated cat-back system, which emphasizes performance and "aural excitement", or a resonated Milltek cat back exhaust, which majors on refinement and also benefits from EC type approval. Depending on the exhaust choice, output is lifted to around 320-330bhp. The Stage 2 kit is priced from £1999 (US$3,165 / €2,355) fitted and including VAT.

Last but not least, APS is readying a Stage 3 package, which comes complete with a revised turbocharger boosting output to 350 bhp. The tuner said the kit is still in development but will be released onto the market soon.

In addition to the power upgrades, APS also offers a range of chassis upgrades for the VW Golf R such as a three way adjustable Haldex Gen4 four wheel drive controller, sports lowering springs, KW height and damping adjustable coilover suspension, uprated suspension bushes, Brembo GT big brake kits, plus 18 or 19 inch Sportec Mono 10 forged alloy wheels with Toyo tires.

Officially Confirmed: New Volkswagen Golf R to go on Sale in the USA

Hot hatches are mostly a European fad, but Volkswagen’s R- and GTI-badged products have proved successful in the North American market over the years. That said, VW loyalists will be happy to know that the new Golf R has finally received the green light for America. No specific launch date was given, but according to the official announcement, the U.S.-bound Golf R will be released in “limited numbers and for a very limited time” starting from 2012.

Already offered in Europe and other markets, the Golf R32's successor ditches the naturally aspirated V6 in favor of a turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI engine. The Euro-spec model’s four-pot is rated at 270 hp and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque, bringing it closer to the STi and EVO X. Available in both 3- and 5-door flavors, the R also features VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive with a Haldex differential.

The 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint is completed in 5.7 seconds when the Golf R is equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, and in 5.5 seconds when gears are shifted with VW's optional DSG dual clutch transmission. In both cases top speed is limited to 250km/h or 155 mph.

As for the U.S. version, detailed specifications should be available later on.

By Csaba Daradics

Key attributes:

• 2.0L turbocharged engine with significant hp increase over GTI
• 4th generation Haldex 4Motion - all wheel drive
• Increased rotor diameter translating to improved braking
• Sport tuned ESP
• Upgraded sport tuned suspension
• 2 door or 4 door
• Manual Transmission Only
• Unique 18" alloy wheels
• Unique steering wheel
• Unique interior trim
• Exterior R model badge and bodykit
• R model shift knob
• R model door sills
• R model front and rear fascia with dual, center exit, exhaust

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