Documents posted online by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have shed some light on the stop-delivery order issued to Chevrolet and GMC dealers ahead the launch of the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups.
In October, GM notified NHTSA that a safety recall would be issued to address improperly wired airbags in the brand-new trucks, but did not elaborate on the number of affected vehicles or the frequency of the defects.

The documents, located by Reuters, indicate that more than 2,000 trucks were held by the stop-sale, and 100% of those trucks were known to have been improperly wired. The incorrect wiring reversed the sequence of deployment of the trucks’ multi-stage airbags.

GM dealers were able to reprogram the trucks’ safety control modules to compensate for the reversed wiring, allowing the defect to be addressed without any physical repairs.

The Canyon and Colorado are GM’s big move to reclaim the midsize pickup category, a segment that has been essentially abandoned by domestic auto manufacturers. Currently, the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier are their only high-volume competitors.

Can a European-based sedan do well in America? In the case of the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta SE 1.8 TSI, VW AG hopes the tweaks, nips and tucks will be enough to continue its role as the brand’s best selling model in the new country. Additionally, the brand has transformed the Jetta’s TDI Diesel engine for more fuel efficiency.
But that’s not all. When revised in 2011, the Jetta received an additional three-inches to its wheelbase. With this new 2015 model, we wondered if it was it a stretch to think that the Volkswagen Jetta could build on some of its past glories? We spent a week in VW Group’s bread-and-butter vehicle to find out.

What is it?
The sixth-generation Jetta, in this case formally known as the 2015 Jetta SE 1.8 TSI, is the latest of VW’s compact four-door sedans. Built upon a platform introduced in 2011, it is powered by the 1.8-liter turbocharged, intercooled and direct-injected four-cylinder engine that was introduced in 2014, and makes 170-horsepower at 4,800 rpm. Torque measures in at 184 lb-ft of twist, at a barely-breathing 1,500 rpm. Although available with a five-speed manual transmission, our tester was equipped with V-Dub’s six-speed automatic.

Steering is through an electrically-assisted power rack and pinion kit and helps to point the way for the MacPherson strut-type front suspension with its lower control arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers and anti-roll bar. Bringing up the rear is a multilink setup with coil overs, telescopic dampers and a rear-mounted stabilizer bar. As part of the SE trim level, it rides on 16-inch aluminum alloy rims and tires.

The Jetta is available in a variety of levels ranging from Base, S, SE, Sport and top line SEL trim. It can also be had in S, SE and SEL trim for TDI Diesel buyers who know their way around a truck stop or other Diesel fuel retailer. Other variants include Hybrid and SportWagen (Say yes to station wagons!) versions. In addition to our 1.8T, VW offers the Jetta with four other engines including a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder (dealer ordered), a 2.0 turbocharged model, a 1.4-liter hybrid and a new 2.0-liter turbodiesel.

Our SE was equipped with such creature comforts including heated side mirrors, power sunroof, and a standard audio system with AM/FM/HD radio, CD Changer and six speakers, as well as SiriusXM Satellite radio. Bluetooth connectivity is standard, as was a rearview camera, and manually adjustable Leatherette (vinyl) seats with a split folding rear bench.

What’s it up against?
The compact segment is one of the standard-bearer groupings in the industry that features many players from many manufacturers. It’s a buyer’s market now with many competent offerings including the Kia Forte, Nissan Sentra, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Dodge Dart, and Mazda Mazda3 to name a few.

How does it look?
Appearing like a more relaxed and mature version of its former self, the Jetta stays close to its original recipe while adding a little more spice to its overall appearance. But since we are talking about German design ethos, that spice might be subtle at best.

Based on a traditional three-box design, it featured a swoopiness that imparts a look of aggression that, while not exactly showy, managed to say that it was all business. The newly revised grille on our 1.8T model (also appearing on the TDI Clean Diesel) featured closeable shutters to trim airflow around the front end and in the process, aid with fuel economy.

From the front, the grille is revised with three crossbars, a new bumper and an optional bi-xenon headlight package. Although our tester missed-out on this last option, it was one we would have checked on the order sheet, owing to its class-above appearance. At the rear, a new decklid with integrated spoiler helped with more of the same, while the revised taillights and bumper showed off a new, wider stance.

And on the inside?
With an additional three-inches added to its wheelbase, the Jetta received a big boost to its interior accommodations as well. Rear seat legroom is 38.1-cubic inches, and further back is 15.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk. Fold down the 60/40 rear bench and the capacity grows further still.

Our front seat accommodations were covered in perforated leatherette surfaces, which, while a step up from the divinyls of the past, still managed to leave our backs a bit tacky in the later summer heat of South Florida. Conservative, but comfortable just the same, were the logical placement of controls that were well within reach from the driver’s manually operated bucket seat.

Our tester was equipped by the base audio system, which lacked a navigation function. It did, however, come with Bluetooth connectivity and SiriusXM Satellite radio.

But does it go?
Power from the 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder was abundant and smooth when pressed for quick getaways from the SoFla stoplight drag races. Quickly progressing through the smooth shifting six-speed automatic transmission, we found ourselves cruising quite rapidly in no time, and with not a lot of underhood racket, either. But oh, how we would have loved a good DSG sequential gearbox instead.

Steering was what we’d say is average, neither being numb nor over-boosted, and did offer some feedback in our stints behind the wheel that ranged from smooth interstates to twisty curved roads to pockmarked secondary highways. A speed-sensitive rack, it lightened up at higher speeds. Throughout it all, we liked the stiffness of the suspension that offered little in the way of body lean. It did manage to transmit a bit more harshness when encountering poorly maintained grade crossings.

The EPA says our 3,124-pound sled should see 25 city/37 highway with a 30-mpg average. With the automatic, and an almost scientific test, we saw naught to 60 in about 7.5-seconds.

Leftlane’s bottom line
Volkswagen’s 2015 Jetta settles in with a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine that offers improvements in power and efficiency. Nestled within a still fresh looking body, it is a compelling package that combines good looks, and fuel efficiency at a not-unreasonable price.

2015 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T SE with connectivity, base price, $22,325. As tested, $23,145.
Destination Fee, $820.

Photos by Mark Elias.

Audi’s next-generation Q7, set to go on sale in 2015, will reportedly be the first production model in its lineup with a plug-in diesel hybrid option.
According to Automotive News, sources within Audi have confirmed that the hybrid powertrain will follow the gasoline and TDI options already slated for roll-out in the U.S. and Europe next year.

This past summer, Audi officials openly discussed the company’s development of an e-tron powertrain utilizing the company’s 3.0-liter diesel V6 paired with one or more electric motors, producing a total output of 368 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.

At the time, Audi Chief Technical Officer Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg confirmed that it would be available in “different cars,” but would not commit to which model would see it first.

Large vehicles, which would make the most use of the hybrid system’s torque and be less burdened by the additional weight, seem to be the ideal candidates for early introductions. And it is in these larger vehicles where even one- or two-mile-per-gallon improvements can represent double-digit percentage reductions in fuel consumption over the long term.

Having axed the slow-selling, gasoline-hybrid A6 from its global lineup earlier this year, Audi appears to be looking to a blend of battery-electric and diesel-hybrid cars to meet increasingly stringent global fuel economy requirements.

The 2016 Q7 will debut in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show in January.

Ford’s Lincoln luxury brand has announced a new partnership with loudspeaker maker Revel. The first Revel-branded Lincoln audio system will appear in the next-generation MKX crossover.
Established as a high-end division of Harman in 1996, the next Lincoln MKX will mark Revel’s first foray into the world of automotive audio systems. In order to get everything right on its first crack, Revel engineers worked closely with Lincoln to ensure the perfect calibration and tuning for the MKX’s audio system.

“The Revel system for Lincoln was created for the unique interior environment of each Lincoln model,” said Phil Eyler, senior vice president and general manager, Harman global car audio. “The system is tuned to create an immersive audio experience unlike any other on the road.”

Lincoln is hoping the new partnership with Revel will help elevate the brand’s status among the luxury ranks.

“The Lincoln collaboration with Revel is the next step in our commitment to build vehicles that exceed luxury expectations,” said Matt VanDyke, global director, Lincoln. “Revel is synonymous with the finest home speaker systems, and it’s that exceptional audio experience we want our Lincoln drivers to enjoy.”

Lincoln’s deal with Revel is exclusive for the next 10-years, ensuring no other automaker can get their hands on the company’s high-end audio equipment. Look for Revel-branded audio systems to roll out to the rest of the Lincoln lineup within the coming months.

Not to be outdone by General Motors’ new compact twins, Toyota plans to debut its next-generation Tacoma pickup at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show in January.
Despite falling gas prices and growth in the full-size truck segment, Toyota believes the small truck market is ripe for expansion.

“I believe you can draw the wrong conclusions just from looking at total [segment] sales,” said Toyota Senior Vice President of U.S. Sales Operations Bob Carter in an interview with Automotive News.

Despite its age, the Tacoma is a very strong seller in the compact truck segment. With more than 140,00 sold through November, it sells at twice the pace of its closest competitor, the Nissan Frontier.

With the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado back in the market, Toyota believes the segment will grow sufficiently to make investment in the Tacoma pay off.

Photo by Andrew Ganz.

Ford has issued a voluntary recall order covering nearly 20,000 Transit Connect cargo vans in North America.
The vans, built in the Valencia Assembly Plant in Spain between Aug. 9, 2013 and Sept 20, 2014 may have been produced with sliding door panels that were improperly adhered. This defect can potential result in noise, water intrusion, a loose panel or complete separation. If the panel separates while the vehicle is in motion, it could result in an accident or injury.

Ford is not aware of any incidents related to this defect. Dealers will replace the affected panels at no cost to consumers.

The Transit Connect remains a consistent seller for Ford despite new competition from the Ram ProMaster and Ford’s own full-size Transit van. More than 40,000 examples are expected to be delivered in 2015.

Chrysler announced Wednesday that it would expand its recall campaign for potentially defective Takata airbag inflators used in several Dodge, Ram and Chrysler models between 2003 and 2008.
The new parameters of the recall expand its geographical scope to include vehicles that were at any point sold or registered in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the Virgin Islands.

Federal regulators, who have been pressuring Chrysler to augment its recall, were not satisfied with the expansion, calling it “insufficient,” according to Bloomberg. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been insisting that Chrysler initiate a nationwide campaign since late November.

Chrysler insists that internal testing has not turned up any issues that would require further expansion of the campaign.

The recall, which may affect as many as 11 million Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Ford, General Motors, BMW, Mitsubishi and Subaru vehicles worldwide, covers the following Chrysler products:

• 2003 – 2008 Dodge Ram 1500
• 2005 – 2008 Dodge Ram 2500
• 2006 – 2008 Dodge Ram 3500
• 2006 – 2008 Dodge Ram 4500
• 2008 – Dodge Ram 5500
• 2005 – 2008 Dodge Durango
• 2005 – 2008 Dodge Dakota
• 2005 – 2008 Chrysler 300
• 2007 – 2008 Chrysler Aspen

Chrysler is also under pressure from NHTSA to expand outreach efforts in an unrelated recall campaign affecting Jeep SUVs susceptible to fuel tank fires in rear-end collisions.

Ford has issued a voluntary recall of the 2015 Mustang with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine. Affected vehicles may have had the sensor installed incorrectly, resulting in potential fuel leaks which could result in a fire.
The recall covers 728 examples of the new turbocharged pony car, and Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this defect.

This is not the first time the brand-new Mustang has been the subject of a safety recall. Shortly after 2015 models began to arrive on dealer lots, a recall was issued to address a potential problem with passenger airbag deployment. Only 53 vehicles were affected.

The rest of the news surrounding Ford’s new model has been far better. Initial sales are strong, with the new model nearly doubling the Chevrolet Camaro’s volume in November, carried by strong sales of the V8-powered GT model.

Photo by Bryan Joslin.

Audi has been dropping hints about its plans for a mainstream, all-electric vehicle for a while. Now, it seems the final product may be a crossover, rather than the previously-rumored sedan.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Audi AG CEO Rupert Stadler confirmed that development is underway, but added, “[i]t’s probably going to be a crossover, but development work is still ongoing.”

Given Audi’s flexible platform architecture (something Tesla has also touted as key to their product development strategy), it’s entirely feasible that both a sedan and a CUV could ultimately be delivered to consumers.

At the heart of any forthcoming product will be the powertrain confirmed for the Audi R8 e-tron, which Audi expects to launch with a 280-mile range. A larger sedan or CUV would likely have a correspondingly larger battery pack, allowing for similar (or perhaps longer) range.

Tesla’s Model X crossover is not expected until sometime in late 2015. However, the all-electric brand has promised that it will deliver all of the benefits of luxury CUV ownership (including towing) along with Tesla’s expected consumer experience, setting the bar high for any segment newcomers.