Peugeot 406

Friday 25 September 2009
The Peugeot 406 is a large family car from the French automaker Peugeot from 1995 to 2003. Available in saloon, estate and coupé bodystyles with a choice of petrol or turbodiesel engines, the 406 replaced the Peugeot 405 in Peugeot's lineup, and was itself replaced by the Peugeot 407. It used the same platform as the Citroën Xantia, though without that car's sophisticated hydropneumatic suspension system. The diesel versions were very popular, and the 406 became one of Europe's best-selling diesel-powered cars. Initially, the car was available with 1.8 L and 2.0 L petrol and 1.9 L turbodiesel engines, followed by a 110 bhp 2.1 L turbodiesel, turbocharged 2.0 L and 3.0 L petrol V6 engines. The 2-door coupé was both designed and built by Italian designer Pininfarina, with choices of a 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine or a 3.0 L V6, and from 2001, a 2.2 L HDi diesel engine.

Technical data:
- engine: 4 cylinders
- capacity: 1997 cc
- horsepower: 89 HP
- gearbox: 5+1
- top speed: 180 km/h

VW Polo III & IV

Friday 18 September 2009
The Mark III Polo (or Typ 6N, sometimes referred to as the "Mark 4") appeared in 1994, and was a completely new model (on a new chassis), available as 3- and 5-door hatchback versions. It shared its platform with the SEAT Ibiza Mark 2. This platform actually used the floorpan of the Volkswagen Golf Mk3 (a multitude of mechanical parts and all of the suspension components were interchangeable among the three models). Although the dashboard and a number of mechanical components, including engines, were shared with the Ibiza, outwardly the two cars were different, with no shared body panels.
Unveiled in September 2001, the all-new Mark IV (or Typ 9N, sometimes also referred to as the "Mark 6") model was put on sale in early 2002. It shares its platform with the SEAT Ibiza Mk3 , Škoda Fabia Mk1 and Škoda Fabia Mk2 . The car is all new compared to the Mark III/F, and bears more structural resemblance to the Typ 6KV than the Typ 6N; outwardly the most recognisable change is the use of quad round headlights similar to the Lupo's.

Technical data:
- engine: 4 cylinders
- capacity: 1400 cc
- horsepower: 65 HP
- gearbox: 5+1
- top speed: 175 km/h

Technical data:
- engine: 4 cylinders
- capacity: 1200 cc
- horsepower: 65 HP
- gearbox: 5+1
- top speed: 150 km/h

VW Passat B5 Variant

Friday 18 September 2009
The B5 was already described so this time just photos.

VW New Beetle

Thursday 17 September 2009
The Volkswagen New Beetle was introduced by Volkswagen in 1998, drawing heavy inspiration from the design of the original Beetle. Unlike the classic Beetle, the New Beetle has its engine in the front and luggage storage in the rear. Strong public reaction persuaded the company to move the car into production, and in 1998 Volkswagen launched the New Beetle, designed by J Mays and Freeman Thomas at the company's California design studio. The New Beetle is related to the original only in name and appearance (including the absence of a car emblem script with the exception of the VW logo): under the hood, it is a modern car in every way, based on the Volkswagen Group A4 platform (Volkswagen Golf Mk4). Still, it carried many design features related to the old Beetle: separate wings, vestigial running boards, sloping headlamps and large round tail lights, as well as a high rounded roofline that provides enough headroom for tall drivers. A convertible version of New Beetle started production in 2003, 5 years after launch, after many buyers had aftermarket conversions.

Technical data:
- engine: 4 cylinders
- capacity: 1781 cc
- horsepower: 150 HP
- gearbox: 5+1
- top speed: 203 km/h

VW Microbus

Thursday 17 September 2009
The Volkswagen Microbus Concept Car (also known as the Volkswagen New Microbus and Volkswagen Microbus Concept) was a concept car recalling the original Volkswagen Microbus and first presented at the 2001 North American International Auto Show.
The new Microbus was completely modern compared to its predecessor, featuring a 7-inch screen in the center console and a second ceiling-located 7-inch screen that allowed the driver to see behind the vehicle. In June 2002 Volkswagen announced that the Microbus, using the platform of the forthcoming T5 light van, was scheduled for production commencing during 2003 at the company's Hanover plant, ramping up to 80,000 units annually by 2005. The launch was defered, however, and the project was formally canceled in early 2005. In 2005, VW instead announced that Chrysler would build minivans for Volkswagen in the United States, while in Europe the VW Transporter Multivan would fill the niche previously intended for the reborn Microbus.
The replica by Hongwell is really ugly, but the car itself is very interesting. That is why I had to have it in my collection.

Technical data:
- engine: V6
- capacity: 3200 cc
- horsepower: 231 HP
- gearbox: 6+1
- top speed: 210 km/h