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By Charles Krome
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November 4, 2011
Now that the VW Routan minivan has joined (at least) eight other Volkswagen models in being named a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Volkswagen has further secured its place as the brand offering the most 2011 Top Safety Picks in the industry.
“The Routan's performance demonstrates Volkswagen's ongoing commitment to safety," said Adrian Lund, president of the IIHS. "Vehicles earning Top Safety Pick status afford the best overall protection in the most common kinds of crashes, and have electronic stability control for avoiding many crashes altogether."
Specifically, and in addition to electronic stability control, Top Safety Picks need to achieve the highest possible scores in the IIHS’ testing for front, side, rear and rollover crash performance, as well as provide head-protection airbags. The Routan delivers all that and more, with standard anti-lock braking, hydraulic brake assist, engine braking control and a full suite of airbags, including front- and seat-mounted thorax side airbags for the driver and front-seat passenger, VW’s “Side Curtain Protection” airbags, and a standard knee air bag for the driver. And notably, the range-topping Routan SEL adds such cutting-edge safety technologies as blind-spot monitoring and cross-path detection, the latter of which is designed to help drivers pulling out of restricted-view parking spaces by alerting them if it detects another vehicle approaching.
Other Volkswagen models achieving “Top Safety Pick” status for 2011:• Jetta—Volkswagen’s all-new compact competitor, redesigned specifically for American buyers and capable of EPA ratings of 30 mpg city/42 mpg highway with a smooth and efficient TDI turbodiesel engine
• Jetta SportWagen—Adding a new level of versatility—and up to 66.9 cubic feet of storage room—to the traditionally superior Jetta package
• Passat—Also re-engineered from the ground up to meet the demands of U.S. owners, particularly those shopping in the competitive mid-size sedan market
• Golf/GTI (four-door models)—Offering a strong mix of efficiency, performance and versatility, with an available TDI engine that reaches 42 mpg highway in the Golf and a TSI I4 turbo that makes 200 hp in the GTI
• CC—Showcasing Volkswagen’s take on the sophisticated German-bred sports sedan, with available content that includes VW’s signature six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission and 4Motion all-wheel-drive setup
• Tiguan—Thoroughly refreshed for the new model year, with improved fuel efficiency and substantial style upgrades, including available LED daytime running lamps and new 19-inch custom-look wheels
• Touareg—More than 350 lbs. lighter for 2011, boasting more rear-seat legroom, better fuel-economy ratings, a stiffer body structure, standard eight-speed automatic transmission and three powertrain choices, including a hybrid system
“We’re delighted that the Routan has been given this prestigious award—and even more delighted that Volkswagen now has industry leadership with nine IIHS Top Safety Picks,” added Jonathan Browning, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “It’s a great reward for the emphasis we place on safety in the development of our German-engineered vehicles.”