R32...It's Back!

In 2004, Volkswagen wowed the auto industry with the R32. A limited production vehicle using the golf platform fitted with a 3.2L VR6 engine, a sports tuned suspension, and all wheel drive. After a four year hiatus, its finally back.

Eich received its first 2008 R32 this week. It is similar to its 2004 counterpart in many ways, but greatly changed in others. Still using a 3.2L VR6, the horsepower has been tuned up to 250 and still delivers 236 lb./ft. of torque. To best capture all of the available power, the 2008 also uses VW's 4-motion all wheel drive. The 2008 sits on the redesigned Rabbit platform and comes standard with the amazing DSG automatic transmission.

I had the pleasure of experiencing a quick road test with the 2008 a couple days ago. Having very high expectations set by the original R32, I was excited to see how the improvements felt. I was not disappointed. The 3.2 engine felt very responsive at all different speeds and rpm's and the AWD held the road as well as the 2004 model.

The interior design was nailed again with deep bucket sport seats that don't let you move an inch as you're hugging the turns, a steering wheel that had me asking myself "Did Volkswagen measure my hands when they designed this?", and a diamond brushed aluminum trim that is both unique and eye catching.

The biggest change I wanted to experience was the DSG transmission. The 2004 R32 was only available with a manual, and the 2008 is only available with the DSG automatic. Even though a manual transmission is a lot of fun, and gives you great control, the DSG is really something to experience. So fast, it shifts with ridiculous precision that is almost scary at times, and the paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel give you a manual feel without ever having to take your hands off the wheel.

Having that said, if I had to pick the best part about the new R32, I'd have to say its the exhaust system. I could try to describe it, but you'd have to hear it to believe it.....



Chris Stumvoll

No Boundaries in the Boundary Waters

October 18th is the date in prospect for a weekend trip to the Boundary Waters that separate the state of Minnesota from Canada with vast stretches of lakes and rivers that all feed one into another. Never having been up to this part of Minnesota and enjoying the outdoors as much as I do, I'm excited to explore a part of Minnesota that's well-known for its remote canoe-in only camping sites, winding trails, and picture perfect scenery. I hope to bring friends from college as we've already begun a tradition of camping during the peak of the fall colors. The Boundary Waters seem like the perfect place to sent up camp this Fall. This means that the Camper has to be in tip-top shape. Carrying five other friends is going to be quite a haul for Champ. Not to mention lugging around our equipment--which we'll have to keep to a minimum.

There is really no better time to go camping than Fall. Bonfires are especially appreciated during this, the best time of year to enjoy staying bundled up in a tent or camper in the breaking hours of the morning. There should be more than enough room for us all with room for two on the bench seat that folds into a double bed and the original equipment tent that can sleep five in a pinch.

Other mandatory pieces of equipment that must be in good working order will be my 1960-era Coleman cookstove, 1945 Coleman single-mantle lantern (belonging to my grandpa), and the gas heater that came as an option with the camper. A replacement fuelpump for the camper heater ought to get it back in good operating shape. Aside from finding a perfect spot and not getting lost in the many lakes and rivers that run together, the only other worries will be who will make coffee first, and whether or not we'll have enough firewood for long-winded discussions. It should be quite the adventure--one I'm excited to watch unfold.

Stay tuned...

Andy

An Eich Motor Company Birthday Outing

It was a special week at Eich Motor Company. Both of the Chris' turned 25 within two days of each other. It seems to be a strange coincidence that the only two people that share the name, Chris, here at Eich, were born only 48 hours apart. A strange coincidence that called for a celebration. We decided to go bowling.

A group of about 20 co-workers and friends gathered for a night of ten pin. It was interesting to see all of the different bowling styles that were brought to the table. Erik's "launch the ball half-way down the lane before it lands" style proved to be amazingly effective, as did Jeff's "choose a lighter ball and throw it 80 m.p.h." style. Jackie had a great night relying on perfect placement. Tony and I didn't fair as well with our "too much spin for the dry lane conditions = a lot of gutterballs" style.

All-in-all, it was a great night and everyone had a good time.

I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing weekend. Until next time...

Chris Stumvoll

Diesels on the Horizon

The Diesels are coming! The Diesels are coming! This is certain. And while Eich Motor Company gears up for a Diesel Revolution, we both should be aware that there are myths hanging in the air regarding diesels, but Automobile Magazine can attest...there are nothing but advantages to this new line of clean diesels coming at us from over the horizon.

The new 2008 Volkswagen Diesel is already making headlines as Volkswagen refines its newest line of Diesel models for the US. Filling stations are already under regulations to supply ultra-low sulfur fuels. Volkswagen is prepared to sell the 2008 Jetta in the Spring, as well as the 2008 Tiguan and V6 Touareg later in the model year to satisfy 50-state emission regulations--not to mention keeping our air clean. In a recent article, Automobile Magazine was asked the question, "Don't Diesels Smoke?" To which they answered, "Not any more. Smoke coming from a diesel engine is partially unburned fuel, and the new engines run so efficiently they make sure there's no waste."

One other topic of interest in this article was the question of Hybrid vehicles over diesels, to which Automobile Magazine's Jason Cammisa, responded, "That's a really simple question with a really simple answer: if you want to save money, you don't want a hybrid. Studies have shown that people are buying hybrid cars to send a message - not to save money. This is a good thing, because while they do save a little bit of fuel, they don't save money."

To catch the rest of this excellent article link on the link below:
http://www.automobilemag.com/features/0707_diesel_feature.

Enjoy!

Softball Champs and Vikings Football

So this summer I joined a Wednesday night co-rec softball league with some great people from Eye Surgeons & Physicians here in St. Cloud. This week marked the Championship round of the playoffs and I'm glad to report we brought it home! We may not have been the strongest team in the league, but we can proudly call ourselves the Whitney Center Wednesday Night Co-Rec Lower Division Softball Champions...so to all the folks at ES&P thanks for a great time and congratulations. Now all we have to do is defend the title next year!

Its the second week of August and already its time for pre-season Minnesota Vikings football. Is it just me, or does the start of the pre-season keep getting earlier every year? Anyway, I will admit I am excited as I always am to see what the Vikings will look like. The question is how long can I stay excited before the losses start piling up and I start calling it a "rebuilding season". Adrian Peterson, the rookie from Oklahoma is what I'm most excited to see. He should be able to do some great things behind a very solid offensive line. Anyway...getting together with some friends and grilling meat and enjoying a few cold beverages is always the best part of a new season!

I hope everyone has a safe weekend and is able to keep cool. I'm out for now...

Chris Stumvoll

V-Dub doin' it Hollywood style...

Greetings again! Hopefully everyone had a safe weekend and had a chance to enjoy a bit of the beautiful weather and cooler temperatures.

The Bourne Ultimatum opened this past weekend and I was lucky enough to catch it opening night, Friday.
I was excited driving to the theater in anticipation for the third installment in the Bourne series as I had thoroughly enjoyed the first two. Let me just say that it was nice to leave the theater after watching a sequel NOT asking myself "why didn't they stop after the first one?" for a change. A great movie that grabs early and doesn't let go, I would recommend it to anyone that enjoyed the first two or just anyone that enjoys a good spy thriller.

If you do happen to see this movie, pay special attention to a few of the vehicles used. You might recognize a familiar VW emblem on a few of them. A European style GTI shows up about half way through the movie. Jason Bourne uses it as an escape vehicle. Even though the shot lasts only a few seconds, the car looks and sounds amazing as it speeds off.

The new Volkswagen Touareg 2 also makes a cameo appearance as a part of the obligatory climatic car chase scene, only this time, Bourne isn't driving. Its one of the better chase scenes I've seen in a while, made that much better by seeing a V-Dub involved. Without spoiling too much of the chase, the Touareg 2 takes quite a punishment and keeps on rolling. I know its Hollywood, but you can still see why its one of the most rugged and safest SUVs available today.

Anyway, that's enough for now. I'll be back soon.

Chris Stumvoll

P.S. I want to send my thoughts and prayers out to the all the people and the families of those involved in the tragic bridge collapse last week...

The Air-cooled Collection

Its already August and the weather has cooled a bit. I guess that's ok considering the projects I seem to have put off because of the recent outbreak of sweltering heat. I was finally able to tackle a small project this last weekend and am happy to report the addition of a new friend to my Volkswagen collection.

I own a '72 Volkswagen Campmobile I've parked at my parents house up in Park Rapids, MN--a fitting spot in the middle of lake country. Small putsy projects satisfy me more than most things and I decided to take the rear bumper off the Camper, nicknamed Champ, and try out my elementary auto body skills. The previous owner gave the bumpers on the camper several coats of cream paint as it turned out and I hope to return the bumpers to their original sharp, shiny luster. So far so good. One coat of primer is as far as I got, but prep work is the key. I enjoyed the time spent with Champ and the bruise on my right hand from breaking that rusty bolt off will be worth it when we're up in Itasca or Duluth this Fall.

Today marks the one week anniversary since I picked up my vintage '61 Beetle. The first year to add standard equipment windsheild washer nozzles, optional equipment when purchased at Schmelz Bros. Volkswagen on July 16th 1961 included leatherette seats for $30 and whitewall tires for $30. I tell you, I wish they only cost that much today. One is lucky to find whitewalls to fit a '61 Beetle and if one does, they won't cost under $150 a piece. However, this newest addition runs like brand new on a recently rebuilt 1200 CC engine and moves down the road with a whopping 36hp engine and only 49,000 original miles. Its quite the vehicle. Eventually something funny will happen and a nickname will make itself apparent.

Stay tuned...