A true Volkswagen gen-next in the recently popular mid-size car section, the Volkswagen Passat 2012 seems to target both the budget buyer of cars and luxury car savvy American consumers. Automakers of Chattanooga, Tennessee are the first to assemble this European sedan in a way that is customized to the likes of the average American auto-buyer. One of the prominent features of this car that is visibly 4 inches longer than its European version is the immense legroom and headroom at the front and the rear, thus distinguishing it from the others in the mid-size sedan market. The Passat engine of VW features in three different configurations as follows

2.5L 170-hp engine, 31 mpg highway and 573 miles/tank
3.6L 280-hp engine, 28 mpg highway and 518 miles/tank
2.0L TDI Clean Diesel, 43 mpg highway and 795 miles/tank (170 HP with 6 speed transmission)

With 2011′s VW Jetta, this German automobile company entered the mid-size sedan market but the Passat seems to overtake the Jetta in significantly improvised interiors and a reduced price. The family car did undergo some cut down in certain VW features in order to attract the masses but they are not too prominent and certainly does justify the massive difference of $8000 from the older much expensive Passat. Let’s have a look at some key features of this incredibly long mid-size sedan:

- The styling is aggressive and very sporty. The design features a uniform crease that initiates at the headlight down to the edge of the trunk at the rear. Body panels and hood match perfectly with no gaps as they are laser cut with some of the most advanced auto engineering technologies. The front grill with 3 horizontal bars, a dark textured lower tack and sharp headlight settings en masse for a red-blooded luxury front ensemble.

- VW has stood up to its promise to deliver better interiors with leather steering, soft-touch dashboard, faux wood-grain car flooring high quality seating and of course the generous interior spacing. The vehicle touch points are a highlight and a far cry from that in the Jetta.

- 3 options of tires, from 16 inches to 18 inches.

- The trunk space is astonishingly enormous, you would have to see it to believe it

- A digital information station between the tachometer and speedometer allows for the new age steering experience.

- Audio system by Fender, most iconic amplifier and music system manufacturers in the world. Need we say more?

The American experience in the German design is defined by the following factors:

- Longer and more spacious interiors

- 170HP engine as opposed to the 120HP German engine

- Integrated car cup holders

- Automatic climate control, as opposed to manual air conditioning on its native counterpart

- Cruise control, which is otherwise absent in German Passat

- Bluetooth, which isn’t present in the German version

The car has a lot that does not meet the eye but sure is much to ask for in the mid-size segment. Oh did I miss out on the price of this incredible car. Well would you believe it when I say that the Passat 2012 is priced at just $20,000? You better believe it!

The origins of Delahaye as a foreign French auto maker and manufacturer lie in a firm set up as long ago remarkably, as 1845 to produce of all things brick-making machinery obviously not automobiles or even horse and buggy transportation equipment.

Emile Delahaye was at first a railway engineer who designed rolling stock for French as well as Belgium railroads. Yet he produced his first car of German Daimler type in 1895, and two years later he moved his company from Tours to Paris, settling down to a variety of engineering projects.

The first of the shaft-driven cars arrived in 1907 and a V6 project (again a remarkable feat this early on in automobile history) in 1912. During the “Great War” – World War 1- the company itself produced a variety and range of items for the war effort. including vast quantities of rifles, stationary engines, gun parts and aircraft components. Yet after the war the company settled down to build somehow dull yet dependable and reliable cars (not always the case in the early day of the automotive industry). However at this point in the company’s history these were noted to be usually of a rather backward design and designs.

It was necessary to modernize the car line in a big way and manner and with the current range selling rather badly in very limited and restricted sales numbers the new design and designs were first shown publicly in 1933 at the Paris Auto Show. Not only did it have a light chassis layout, with independent front suspension, but there was a choice of 3.3 liter, six-cylinder engine or a related 2.1-liter “four” backed by the Cotal electro-magnetic gear box or alternatively a synchromesh change to choice. The short cut was made possible without what was considered at the time “enormous investment” because these engines and motors were directly developed from units already in production for the company’s commercial vehicles. Not only this but for the first time in years, the Delahaye car had coachwork with what might be called “eye appeal”, “eye candy” and later with the advent of American auto producer, General Motors, “styling”.

The larger six-cylinder car effectively was the prototype of the famous “135″ series which would serve Delahaye until the end of the 1940s. This design might well have been said not to have done the job on its own, but this was uncertain because of 1935, the Delahaye outfit took over the financially ailing Delage concern. Delage it seemed had a very well established and well heeled clientele. Delage’s “elegance” was therefore handed to Delahaye, and thus helped to cause no less than a dramatic change and changes in their direction and later fortunes. It did not take much time until a “Superluxe” six cylinder car soon went to Monthlery to take 19 world and international class records, and when the same car won an Alpine Coupe in the rally of that name, the “Coupe des Alpes ” variant was christened.

The Delahaye production factories went to release a number of most noticeable automobiles of note. Among these were the “Competition” Type 1935 and the variant Type 175S introduced post WW2 in 1948, which was effectively a 135 chassis with an upgraded engine and more modern Charbonneux styled coach working.

What ever happened to this well regarded auto line – that was so highly regarded among its auto buying clients? It’s all the same like in our current auto industry climate – the automotive industry was rationalizing and consolidating. The company was taken over by the firm”Hotchkiss” in 1954 whom in the end decided its expertise and for reasons of economy of scale – should focus entirely and exclusively on trucks only. This meant both the end and demise of the well regarded line of Delahaye car products.

Who would have thought that the humble beginnings of a modern sports supercar started in the form of a small four seater salon car aimed at the average German person? Porsche was founded in 1931 by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche with the main office and factory in the located in the centre of Stuttgart.

As one of the first assignments that the company received was from the then German government to design a car for the people, a Volkswagen or “Peoples Car”. This resulted in the development & production of the early Volkswagen Beetle, one of the most successful car designs of all time. The first Porsche (the Porsche 64) was developed in 1939 using many components from the Beetle.

It was in 1964, when the company launched the (now classic) “Porsche 911″ another air-cooled sports car following in success of the classic Porsche 356 and the 550 Spyder, although this time with a six-cylinder rear-engine. From its launch it was an immediate success world-wide. This brings us bang up to date, as it’s still being produced today and the Porsche 911 is synonymous with the name Porsche and the world of motor sport because of its successes on the race track.

The Porsche 911 is almost bigger than the Porsche brand itself, as it has become an icon in its own right and a much loved and a much desired sports car the world over. The year 2011 is a special year for the Porsche Company as it marks the 60th anniversary of Porsche’s participation in the Le Mans 24 hour race, the most prestigious car endurance race in the world.

So if you are a Porsche owner or even just a Porsche lover, here are a few dates for events involving the Porsche sports car or dedicated to the Porsche brand. If you are anywhere near or visiting Savannah, GA in the USA, then you will be in for a real treat. As it is the annual convention of the Porsche Club of America (PCA) and the classic “Porsche Parade 2011″ from July 31st to the 6th of August. The PCA are expecting around 2.000 (of the more than 100.000) members and their classic Porsche sports car’s, it is certainly set to be an awesome extravaganza for all Porsche enthusiasts both young and old.

Back in the UK the next round of the “Porsche Club Championship” and “GT3 Cup Challenge 2011″ race events are taking place at the “Brands Hatch” racing circuit in Kent on the 13th & 14th August. It will be an exciting days racing with contenders challenging for the podium and championship points, so if you visiting the area and you are free or live near to Kent, then get along to see Porsche racing at its best in the UK.

Lastly, if you find yourself in France during the summer and driving through the northern side of the “Pays de la Loire region” and passing by the sleepy country town of “Le Mans”, why not take detour to “the Musée des 24 Heures” at Le Mans as the museum is hosting a special Porsche exhibition throughout the summer to mark the 60th anniversary of the Porsche’ participation in the “Le Mans 24 Heures” and its classic Porsche years of racing at the circuit. It is sure to be an interesting day out, at a very special place steeped in motoring nostalgia and history.