Dengkul Menonjol Pada Pria Muda, Pertanda Apa?

Dr. Andri Primadhi, SpOT
Staf Divisi Foot and Ankle
Departemen Orthopaedi dan Traumatologi
FK Universitas Padjadjaran / RS Hasan Sadikin
Jl. Pasteur 38, Bandung 40161 Jakarta, Saya punya masalah dengan dengkul yang terlihat menonjol ke depan. Saya mendapati kondisi ini saat bermain bola 10 tahun yang lalu, dan pada saat itu terasa ada yang bergerak pada dengkul saya.

Awalnya hanya kaki kanan, tapi karena masih merasa kuat akhirnya keduanya mengalami hal yang sama. Yang ingin saya tanyakan adalah:
1. Apakah ini termasuk cedera yang parah?
2. Apakah ada pengaruhnya cedera ini pada tinggi badan?

Oleoleleo (Pria, 22 tahun)
leo_bataXXXXXXX@yahoo.com
Tinggi 165 cm, berat 60 kg

Jawaban

Dengkul yang terlihat menonjol, bila terjadi pada anak muda, biasanya diakibatkan karena adanya peradangan pada perlekatan tendon patellar ke tulang tibia, dinamakan penyakit Osgood Schlatter. Peradangan tersebut terjadi pada tulang yang masih dalam masa pertumbuhan, sehingga menimbulkan nyeri akibat tarikan tendon pada perlekatannya ke tulang.

Baca juga: Lutut Sering Nyeri Saat Musim Hujan? Bisa Jadi Ini Penyebabnya

Apabila berlangsung lama, bisa timbul pengapuran pada lokasi nyeri tersebut, yang tampak seperti tonjolan yang Anda ceritakan. Mengingat usia Anda sekarang, kemungkinan tulang sudah mengalami maturasi (kematangan). Apabila mengganggu, tonjolan tersebut bisa dibuang melalui operasi, atau dibiarkan saja sampai nanti hilang sendiri.

Dr. Andri Primadhi, SpOT
Staf Divisi Foot and Ankle
Departemen Orthopaedi dan Traumatologi
FK Universitas Padjadjaran / RS Hasan Sadikin
Jl. Pasteur 38, Bandung 40161

(hrn/vta)

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Balita 2 Tahun yang Ngeyel Sehingga Bikin Bingung Ortu

Konsultasi Psikologi Anak dan Remaja
Ratih Zulhaqqi, M.Psi
Psikolog Anak lulusan Magister Profesi Klinis Anak Universitas Indonesia. Saat ini berpraktik di Klinik Terpadu Fakultas Psikologi UI Depok dan Pusat Layanan Tumbuh Kembang KANCIL. Follow Twitter Ratih : @ratihyepe Jakarta, Siang. Saya baru punya anak 1 cowok usia 2 tahun. Dia begitu aktif tidak bisa diam dan sama hewan saja tidak ada rasa takut. Semua menganggap dia anak nakal. Kadang saya sampai malu. Kalau diingatkan suka ngeyel diberi peringatan keras juga tidak bisa. Bagaimana Mbak solusinya?

Herry Eddy
herryeddyXXXXXX@gmail.com

Jawaban

Halo Pak Herry yang sedang kebingungan memiliki anak yang aktif. Anak memiliki tugas perkembangan sesuai dengan usianya, dan saat ini tugas perkembangan anak Bapak salah satunya adalah motorik kasar dan pembentukan kestabilan gerakan sehingga wajar jika ananda terlihat aktif.

Baca juga: Jangan Salah, Teman Khayalan Berkaitan dengan Kreativitas si Kecil Lho

Jika dikaitkan dengan perasaan tidak takut dengan hewan, kemungkinan besar hal itu karena rasa ingin tahunya yang cukup tinggi sehingga ia ingin mengetahui banyak hal.

Baca juga: Begini Akibatnya Kalau Remaja Bandel Main Gadget SeharianNext

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Sakit dan Ngilu di Siku Tangan Kanan, Apa Sebabnya?

dr. Dito Anurogo, medical doctor at Indonesian Young Health Professionals' Society (IYHPS). Jakarta, Saya mengalami sakit pada siku tangan kanan, rasanya ngilu dan sakit (kemeng). Untuk mengangkat beban yang agak berat rasanya sakit atau tidak kuat. Kadang rasa sakitnya terasa cuma sedikit, tapi kadang-kadang juga terasa sangat ngilu. Sakit apa sebenarnya saya, Dok? Terimakasih.

Sophiana (Wanita menikah, 49 tahun)
sof_0976XXXXXXX@yahoo.co.id
Tinggi badan 150 cm, berat badan 55 kg

Jawaban

Beberapa kondisi, cedera, dan penyakit yang menyebabkan sakit di siku:
1. Tendinitis, berupa: lateral epikondilitis (tennis elbow): radang di urat daging (tendon). Epikondilitis medial (golfer's elbow).
2. Bursitis olekranon, sebagai hasil dari penyakit sistemik seperti gout atau artritis rematoid.
3. Patah/retak tulang siku (broken elbow).
4. Siku keseleo (elbow sprain).
5. Artritis.
6. Selulitis.
7. Infeksi sendi siku (septic arthritis).
8. Tumor; dapat terjadi kanker tulang primer.
9. Jebakan saraf ulnaris.
10. Distal biceps tendinitis.
11. Triceps tendinitis.

Sedangkan nyeri di siku dapat disebabkan oleh karena:
1. Nyeri alih: spondilosis servikal.
2. Gangguan sendi: artritis rematoid, gout, pseudogout,  osteoartritis.
3. Gangguan periartikuler: bursitis olekranon, epikondilitis lateral, epikondilitis medial, kompresi saraf, tendinitis.

Baca juga: Hati-hati Memeras Baju Terlalu Kuat Bisa Picu Masalah Pergelangan Tangan

Yang perlu diketahui pula, sebelum mendiagnosis tennis elbow, dokter akan memertimbangkan diagnosis banding: radial nerve entrapment, cervical osteoarthrites, abnormalitas intra-artikuler, kelemahan sendi.Next

(hrn/vit)

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Mengobati Jamur di Lidah

dr. Dito Anurogo, medical doctor at Indonesian Young Health Professionals' Society (IYHPS). Jakarta, Dok saya pria berumur 27 tahun. Saya menderita penyakit jamur pada lidah 2 hari yang lalu. Jamur terdapat pada pangkal lidah dan hampir memenuhi seluruh lapisan atas lidah, namun di sisi kiri dan kanan dan ujung lidah tidak terdapat jamur, dan juga tidak tidak terdapat luka pada lidah, namun rasanya sangat hambar sekali.

Saya seorang perokok yang lama berhenti namun kembali lagi merokok selama 1 bulan, apa ada pengaruhnya ya Dok? Sebelumnya juga saya sedang melakukan pengobatan penyakit kencing nanah (gonore) pada dokter spesialis kulit dan kelamin di daerah saya, (telah sembuh). Obat yang diberikan juga telah habis, penyakit apa yang sedang saya alami ya Dok? Terimakasih.

Dan Muhyidin (Pria menikah, 28 tahun)
dh13nz6869XXXXXX@gmail.com
Tinggi 170 cm, berat 63 kg

Jawaban

Mencermati keterangan Bapak di atas, kemungkinan besar menuju ke diagnosis kandidiasis oral (jamur di rongga mulut dan sekitarnya) et causa konsumsi antibiotik jangka panjang.

Kandidosis/kandidiasis adalah infeksi jamur di membran mukosa dan kulit, termasuk mulut. Kandidiasis disebabkan oleh jamur spesies Candida, terutama Candida albicans.

Baca juga: Tak Cukup Cuma Sikat Gigi, Agar Mulut Sehat Lidah Juga Harus DibersihkanNext

(hrn/vit)

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Anak 9 Tahun Masih Alami Kejang Demam, Bagaimana Penyembuhannya?

Jakarta, Dok, anak saya yang pertama umur 9 tahun, Desember kemarin sempat demam dan kejang lagi, padahal umurnya sudah lebih dari 7 tahun. Setelah saya bawa ke RS, dari dokter spesialis anak disarankan perawatan berkala selama 2 tahun dengan meminum obat Depaken.

Yang ingin saya tanyakan:
1. Apakah obat itu berbahaya tidak untuk kesehatan anak saya, karena sepertinya ini obat keras untuk epilepsit?
2. Apakah akan dengan minum obat depaken secara berkala selama 2 tahu akan menjamin anak saya sembuh total dari step atau kejang?
3. Mohon saran dan masukkannya untuk kesembuhan total anak saya. Terimakasih.

Ady Santosa (Pria, 40 tahun)
adysan4745XXXXXX@gmail.com
Tinggi 163 cm, berat 61 kg

Jawaban

Saya membutuhkan informasi lebih detail tentang diagnosis penyakit anak Bapak. Karena usia anak Bapak sudah lebih dari 7 tahun, dan kejadian anak dengan kejang demam sangat jarang dilaporkan pada anak lebih dari 7 tahun. Sebaiknya dilakukan pemeriksaan penunjang untuk mengetahui penyebab kejangnya seperti EEG (Electroencephalogram), CT scan dan MRI jika diperlukan. Serta pemeriksaan darah untuk memgetahui adanya gangguan metabolik.

Baca juga: Pertolongan Pertama pada Anak Kejang Demam

Jika memang hasil pemeriksaan menunjukkan diagnosis putra Bapak adalah epilepsi, maka pengobatan lini pertama salah satunya adalah asam valproat (Depakene salah satu mereknya). Obat ini tidak berbahaya asalkan dosisnya sesuai dengan berat badan putra Bapak.Next

(hrn/vit) 1,341 share this. 1,186 share this. 1,157 share this. 1,124 share this. 1,105 share this. 1,027 share this. 995 share this. 977 share this. 964 share this. 870 share this.

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Penyebab Dubur Sakit dan Berdarah

dr. Dito Anurogo, medical doctor at Indonesian Young Health Professionals' Society (IYHPS). Jakarta, Saya mau bertanya, dokter Dito. Sehabis bangun tidur saya menggerakkan kaki keterlaluan, sehabis itu terasa perih di bagian dubur dan ketika jongkok pun terasa perih.

Bila buang air kecil terasa perih kalau air kencingnya terkena dubur. Setelah itu saya cek ternyata ada keluar darah. Kira-kira itu kenapa ya Dok? Apakah berbahaya juga? Sebelumnya terimakasih.

Novia Dwi (Wanita lajang, 23 tahun)
kinanti_XXXXXXX@yahoo.co.id
Tinggi badan 155 cm, berat badan 47 kg

Jawaban

Dubur terasa sakit dan keluar darah itu berarti pertanda ada infeksi. Untuk menentukan penyebab infeksi dan diagnosisnya, maka perlu diperiksakan ke dokter terdekat. Dokter akan memberikan terapi sesuai indikasi. Kemungkinan lain selain infeksi masih ada, misalnya: wasir, keganasan, cedera, gangguan pencernaan, dsb.

Baca juga: Tak Cuma Wasir, Perdarahan pada Tinja pun Bisa Jadi Gejala Kanker Usus Besar

Saat ini yang dapat dilakukan:
1. Perbanyak konsumsi buah dan sayur segar
2. Perbanyak minum air putih
3. Hindari terlalu mengedan saat BAB
4. Berpola hidup sehat, seimbang, serasi, selaras
5. Hindari makanan junk food, beraroma pedas, dan soft drink.Next

(hrn/vit)

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Menaikkan Berat Badan dengan Asam Amino, Adakah Efek Sampingnya?

dr. Michael Triangto, SpKO
Dokter Spesialis Kedokteran Olahraga
Direktur Klinik Slim and Health di RS Mitra Kemayoran dan Mal Taman Anggrek Jakarta
Koordinator Kedokteran Olahraga di PB Persatuan Bulu Tangkis Seluruh Indonesia (PBSI)
Anggota Tim Ahli Persatuan Golf Indonesia (PGI) Jakarta, Saya ingin sekali menambah berat badan, saat ini saya gym minimal tiga kali dalam seminggu dan konsumsi bcaa dan amino, berat badan saya sebelumnya 49 kg dan sekarang menjadi 53 kg. Yang saya tanyakan apa ada efek samping konsumsi Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) dan amino? Terimakasih.

Arisdwis3184 (Pria menikah, 31 tahun)
abankglendohXXXXXX@yahoo.co.id
Tinggi 167 cm, berat 53 kg

Jawaban

Setiap produk bilamana dikonsumsi dalam jumlah berlebih baik itu melebihi kebutuhan ataupun takaran yang diberikan biasanya akan menimbulkan efek samping, oleh karena itu batasi penggunaan suplemen sesuai dengan kebutuhan Anda dan senantiasa memonitor hasil yang diperoleh dari penggunaan tersebut.

Baca juga: Ingin Gemuk dengan Cara Sehat? Ikuti 5 Langkah Ini

Pengunaan asam amino secara berlebihan berpotensi untuk menggangu kerja ginjal oleh karenanya kecukupan cairan harus menjadi prioritas dan ingat keinginan Anda untuk sehat jangan sampai malah menimbulkan ganguan kesehatan yang tak perlu terjadi.

dr. Michael Triangto, SpKO
Dokter Spesialis Kedokteran Olahraga
Direktur Klinik Slim and Health di RS Mitra Kemayoran dan Mal Taman Anggrek Jakarta
Koordinator Kedokteran Olahraga di PB Persatuan Bulu Tangkis Seluruh Indonesia (PBSI)
Anggota Tim Ahli Persatuan Golf Indonesia (PGI)(hrn/vit)

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Efek Pakai Kawat Gigi Meski Gigi Tak Bermasalah

drg. Yulia Prapti Lestyaningsih
drg. Yulia Prapti Lestyaningsih
Praktik di Klinik An-Nur, Setiabudi, Bandung.
Dokter Mobil Sehat CT Foundation Jakarta, Dok, apa efeknya jika kita menggunakan kawat gigi padahal tidak ada masalah dengan struktur gigi kita? Karena anak saya berusia 16 tahun memaksa ingin pakai behel padahal menurut dokter giginya tidak bermasalah. Terimakasih.

Ria Banyu (Pria menikah, 50 tahun)
rial0v3banyuXXXXX@yahoo.com
Tinggi 150 cm, berat 70 kg

Jawaban

Pemakaian alat orthodonti atau alat pemerataan gigi sudah semakin banyak digunakan karena pasien menginginkan susunan gigi geligi tampak teratur dan rapih sehingga berpengaruh pada penampilan seseorang untuk menjadi lebih cantik atau tampan.

Baca juga: Gigi Renggang, Perlukah Dirapatkan?

Pada kondisi susunan gigi geligi yang sudah teratur dan rapi tidak perlu penggunaan pemakaian alat pemerataan gigi. Tetapi bila pasien menginginkan pemakaian alat tersebut, maka boleh saja digunakan asal tidak dilakukan penarikan gigi dengan alat tersebut.

Baca juga: Hati-hati, Pasang Behel Palsu Bisa Bahayakan Kesehatan Mulut

Jadi alat tersebut bersifat pasif, hanya untuk maintenance. Selama alat tersebut bersifat pasif tidak akan mempengaruhi susunan gigi geligi yang sudah baik. Sebelum pemasangan dapat didiskusikan dengan dokter giginya terlebih dahulu.

drg. Yulia Prapti
Praktik di Klinik An-Nur, Setiabudi, Bandung.
Dokter Mobil Sehat CT Foundation(hrn/vit)

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Balita Sering Tidur Larut Malam karena Nonton TV, Adakah Efeknya?

Jakarta, Saya ingin bertanya apakah tidak masalah bila anak saya yang baru berusia 15 bulan bila tidur malam mendengarkan suara TV atau musik? Mengingat bila malam hari terkadang suami saya menonton acara televisi di tempat tidur hingga larut malam terkadang sampai subuh. Karena info yang saya dengar bahwa di saat tidur otak kita tetap bekerja hanya tubuh kita saja yang beristirahat.

Nurbaiti (Wanita menikah, 30 tahun)
bettymaharanyXXXXXX@yahoo.com
Tinggi badan 156 cm, berat badan 47 kg

Jawaban

Untuk menperoleh kualitas tidur yang baik, batasan suara yang diperbolehkan untuk anak adalah suara dengan derajat kebisingan kurang dari 50 desibel. Sedangkan batasan untuk orang dewasa adalah kurang dari 85 desibel. Sebaiknya televisi dijauhkan dari posisi anak ibu tidur sampai derajat kebisingannya minimal, atau posisi suara dimatikan.

Baca juga: Bermain Sambil Belajar, Ini Kegiatan Sederhana yang Bisa Dilakukan si Kecil

dr Melisa Anggraeni, SpA
RS Siloam Lippo Cikarang(hrn/vit)

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1975 JC Whitney catalog: A bonanza of aftermarket Volkswagen goodies

 Drop one of JC Whitney's hot cams into your Beetle and you'd get THIS! Photo by JC Whitney

Back before there was the Internet, or even big car-parts chain stores, there was the JC Whitney catalog. Printed on cheap, pulpy paper and featuring tens of thousands of tiny, hand-drawn illustrations, these thick books gave me many hours of enjoyment in the early 1980s, as I fantasized about how I'd modify my incredibly sketchy and hooptified '58 Beetle. Now I've picked up a 1975 JC Whitney catalog, and the Volkswagen section is even better than I remembered! Let's check out a few highlights.

You had to split open the engine case to install a cam in an air-cooled VW engine, so these kits were not for the faint of heart. Photo by JC Whitney

POWER for your Volkswagen! Yes, for 50 bucks, you could get a complete camshaft kit, including one with an absurd 342-degree duration and a (probably optimistic) idle of 2,000 rpm. The illustration showing a Beetle exploding into a berserk wheelie tells the whole story here.

 I have never seen one of these in the wild, though I have seen a few Beetles with Ford 2300 Pinto engines. Photo by JC Whitney

Back when junkyards were overflowing with Chevrolet Corvairs, this Corvair-to-VW engine-swap kit might have made sense. Actually, no, it never made sense. Overheating? Lethal oversteer? No problem!

 Why should the Econoline guys have all the fun? Photo by JC Whitney

When customizing your Beetle back in 1975, you really needed some groo-oovy bubble windows. Which is best: the funhouse-mirror-style, hallucino-vision double-bubble rear window or the Sawzall-the-roof bubble skylight?

 You saw these two kits EVERYWHERE in California during the mid-70s through the early 1980s. Photo by JC Whitney

I don't recall ever seeing a Beetle with bubble windows back in the 1970s, but I sure saw plenty of Beetles with these Baja Bug kits during my Northern California childhood. You could stick with the quasi-street-legal "wide-eye" kit (which gave you headlights and taillights in roughly the factory locations), or you could let The Man know you weren't following his stupid rules and get the "basher" kit.

 Want to make your Karmann Ghia into an Alfa Romeo Giulietta? No problem! Photo by JC Whitney

These accessories were also very popular. Beetle owners were always bashing in their sheetmetal hoods, so the fiberglass replacement sold well. The air scoops for Transporters and Beetles allegedly helped with those vehicles' chronic overheating problems, and I'm sure someone still makes them. And how about the "grille" that turned your Karmann Ghia into an Alfa Romeo Duetto?

 Want your Beetle to look like a 911? Only $19.98! Photo by JC Whitney

A set of 911-influenced hubcaps would make any air-cooled Volkswagen look sportier.

 You still see the occasional "Rolls-Royce" Beetle, but the "1940 Ford" Beetles have all been crushed. Photo by JC Whitney

If you were ready to shell out close to 200 bucks, your Beetle could have had a Rolls-Royce- or '40 Ford-influenced body kit, complete with Continental-type engine cover. These kits were surprisingly common back in the middle 1970s, and you still see them from time to time.

Murilee Martin See more by this author»

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Volkswagen shows off new 1.8-liter engine for Jetta, Passat, and Beetle

 The Passat, Jetta, and Beetle will receive a new and more economical 1.8 liter engine Photo by Volkswagen

Volkswagen is rolling out a new 1.8-liter turbocharged and direct-injected TSI engine which will debut in the Jetta, Beetle, and Passat later this year. This thrifty new engine will replace the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine now available in those models.

But the 1.8-liter is no slouch: it produces the same 170 hp as the outgoing five-cylinder engine, while adding 7 lb-ft torque for a total of 184. It is worth noting that the 2013 Jetta hybrid features the exact same power figures. Most importantly, the new 1.8-liter engine will offer a 16 percent improvement in fuel economy for the Jetta and the Passat, and a 17 percent improvement for the Beetle.

The addition of this new engine is a reflection of Volkswagen's move into smaller, more economical gas and diesel engines which are designed to offer savings at the pump, as well as a simpler alternative to hybrid-powered cars made by other manufacturers and VW itself.

The new 1.8-liter engine will first be available in the Jetta model range, and the Passat SEL. The engine will then spread to the entire Passat range, and will later become available in the Beetle.

Speaking of new Volkswagen powerplants, we tried the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid back in November of last year. The 1.4-liter direct injection four-cylinder gas engine in the hybrid model is coupled with an electric motor making 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, channeled through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The hybrid employs a stop/start system as well, saving fuel at traffic lights. We liked the Jetta hybrid, noting at the time that it was one of the sportiest hybrids that we had driven, not including much more expensive alternatives from Fisker which don't compete with the Jetta directly.

The upcoming 1.8-liter engine is slated for 2014 model year cars, so we'll be seeing it in dealerships quite soon.

Jay Ramey - Jay Ramey is an Associate Editor with Autoweek, and has been with the magazine since 2013. Jay also likes to kayak and bike. See more by this author»

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VW recalls 2014 vehicles for oil-cooler issue

 The recall affected certain 2014 Jettas, Passats, Beetles and Beetle Convertibles. Photo by Volkswagen

Volkswagen notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently of an issue affecting the automatic transmission oil cooler in certain 2014 models.

The recall has affected 26,452 vehicles overall, including the 2014 model year Passat, Jetta, Beetle and Beetle convertible, made between Feb. 1, 2014 and April 6, 2014.

The issue is limited to the German automaker’s 1.8T engines and is caused by a bad O-ring. Volkswagen says the O-rings do not completely seal between the oil cooler and transmission, and, as a result, leaking fluid has the potential to cause a vehicle fire.

Volkswagen says it will replace the O-rings free of charge. So far, no vehicle fires, accidents or injuries have been reported, and VW is planning to notify owners.

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Top car commercials to be honored at Detroit auto show: With special bonus: The most-watched car commercials of 2012

 Volkswagen's Super Bowl commercial has garnered the most YouTube views this year compared to other car commercials.

1.Volkswagen -- The dog strikes back. More than 41 million views

Capitalizing on the popularity of car commercials, the advertising competition known as the One Show will make an appearance during the Detroit auto show next month to reveal its picks for the 10 greatest car commercials of the last 25 years.

A panel of more than 100 advertising and journalism professionals will judge 60 entries, and the top 10 will be announced on Jan. 15 during the press preview days for the Detroit auto show. The One Show will also announce a people's choice award for the car commercial most loved by the public. Go to its website to cast your vote.

If thinking back over the past 25 years sounds a bit daunting, here's a list of the most-watched car commercials of 2012 -- most which debuted during the 2012 Super Bowl broadcast -- provided by Visual Measures. Which was your favorite?

10. Hyundai -- What a Hyundai can do. More than 10 million views

In order to send the message that the Mercedes-Benz F-cell vehicle would be invisible to the earth by producing zero emissions, Mercedes actually made the car disappear. By covering the car with LED light panels and attaching the LED panels to cameras that reflect the car's current surroundings via the LED panels, Mercedes-Benz succeeded in making a car “invisible.”

11. Ford -- Plugged in. More than 6 million views

By speeding up and stopping repeatedly in quick succession in the Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-spec, a young business professional is able to resuscitate his passenger -- an older business mentor -- using the pressure provided by the seatbelt. The closing line of the commercial is: “It'll get your pulse going. The 348 horsepower Genesis Coupe R-spec from Hyundai.”

12. Bridgestone -- Performance balls and puck. More than 6 million views

This is actually the trailer for the reality show Plugged In. The show featured teams of contestants crisscrossing the United States in true road-rally style behind the wheel of the all-electric 2012 Ford Focus.

This campaign to launch Bridgestone sports equipment, including basketballs and pucks, involved several ads leading up to the actual press conference featured here. The 6-million-plus views are the total for all of the spots combined.

2. Honda -- Matthew's day off. More than 26 million views

Who wouldn't fall in love with this adorable pooch? One day he discovers he's let himself go. He can no longer fit through his doggy-door en route to doing what all dogs do best -- chase cars! With steadfast determination he gets himself back in shape, slips easily through the doggy-door and darts after the first car he sees, a bright red Volkswagen Beetle.

3. Chrysler -- It's halftime in America. More than 23 million views

Reminiscent of '80s hit Ferris Bueller's Day Off, a more mature Matthew Broderick decides to buck his bland routine for a day of adventure. After telling his boss he is too sick to come in, Broderick and his trusty sidekick, the Honda CR-V, stop at a local fair, take a tranquil drive along the coast and visit a museum for some culture before getting trapped within a parade that happens to be being broadcast on TV. Of course Broderick's boss is watching the parade on TV. Doh!

4. Acura -- Jerry's NSX. More than 21 million views

Clint Eastwood stars in this dramatic ad recounting the despair Detroit's manufacturers and citizens have experienced in recent years. The dark commercial ends on a positive note showing people back to work and promising that better days are ahead as the auto industry rebounds. It's also refreshingly devoid of empty chairs.

5. Audi -- Vampire party. More than 12 million views

After learning he is second in line to receive the new Acura NSX, Seinfeld makes numerous attempts to bribe the guy who actually holds the first-place spot. Just when Seinfeld has nearly won him over, Jay Leno drops by with a better offer.

6. Kia -- Drive the dream. More than 11 million views

Running late to the vampire party, an Audi S7 driver pulls up with a fresh case of blood to share. Little does he know, the bright light of the LED headlights is ready to fry everyone in attendance. The driver, in shock after watching all of his friends go up in smoke, slowly walks around the car before he too meets his demise by stepping into the beam of the headlights.

7.Chevrolet -- Chevrolet Silverado “2012.” More than 11 million views

When the sandman accidently dumps too much dream dust onto the sleeping main character, his dreams bolt into high gear. Suddenly he is racing a new Kia Optima around a track during a Mötley Crüe concert. In the end he heroically “rescues” his wife from a handsome man on a white horse in the ultimate happy ending.

8. Toyota -- It's reinvented. More than 11 million views

In this ad, a Chevrolet Silverado surfaces from beneath the rubble following the “2012 Apocalypse” predicted by the Mayan calendar. As the driver and his dog make their way through streets piled with debris he discovers more survivors, all of whom also had a sturdy Chevrolet Silverado by their side. And to think: This wasn't even the redesigned 2014 Chevy Silverado!

9. Mercedes-Benz -- Invisible Mercedes. More than 10 million views

Toyota isn't at the top of this list and we think we know why: The commercial is weird. In the beginning the viewer is introduced to the new Toyota Camry, a car so amazing it inspired Toyota to continue re-inventing other products. After being introduced to a series of outlandish new and improved items including rain that melts fat and curtains made of pizza, the viewer is re-introduced to the new Toyota Camry. Insert crickets chirping here.

By Sherrice Gilsbach

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One Lap of the Web: Rags to riches, Beetles to Porsches

 You can own your very own Porsche 917! Well, not this one. Or a "real" one. Photo by Flickr

-- Joseph MacDonald parked his 1965 Beetle in front of a restaurant 41 years ago, and that was the last time he saw it. He might yet see it again today, as his stolen car -- now painted white, and with even more rust -- will reunite with him, through the providence of border patrol officers actually performing some due diligence. Jason Torchinsky -- who knows a thing or two about stolen Beetles -- notes that he was lucky enough not to have waited 40 years for his car to come back. Forty years is a long time. It tempers the anger over stolen property, it washes away the fury of memories and bids those to move on, giving them no other choice -- that is, until current owner buys it through the twists and turns of honest ownership and then realizes that it might have to go back to a man he's never even heard of. If it wasn't heading to Finland for restoration, neither party would be in this situation.

-- If you think the simplest car in India is the Tata Nano, then meet the Bajaj Auto RE60: it's a quadricycle on wheels, a tuk-tuk that won't fall over no matter how hard you crank it around the block. It weighs 880 pounds and can go up to 40 mph. It has four doors, four wheels, and paint. It resembles the sort of cartoonish, skyscraper-tall future-car we're all supposed to be driving when the Earth falls into a terrible dystopia. And it'll be so cheap that those rolling around on three-wheeled autorickshaws can scrabble together not much more cash to enjoy luxuries such as doors and a roof. Truth is, this kind of simple thinking is a logical step from an already motorized country, whose citizens deserve safer and more comfortable cars for not much more than what they're already able to afford. And for around $3,200, still less than the iconic Maruti Alto, the RE60 deserves to be a success.

-- A man wakes up in a desert, next to a brand-new compact German luxury crossover. He has no idea why he's in the desert. Furthermore, he has no idea when he became the target demographic for a brand-new compact German luxury crossover. Mercedes-Benz hopes you'll be intrigued enough by that premise to check out their moody interactive website for the GLA where you can help some smarmy fellow figure out why he's suddenly been trapped in a Kanye West video. Eagles, jawlines, and a bride in a dirty wedding gown all make an appearance. Maybe Ryan was dead the whole time?

-- Next time your officemate goes through his macho-posturing Elkins-aping Steve McQueen phase and buys Rikki Rockett's Triumph Scrambler, one-up him at the office holiday party in this: a Porsche 917 replica by Werkz Cars with a Sebring Martini livery. Ignore the high school circa-AOL "z" naming scheme. The Werkz (not Werke, mind you; you're thinking of another German) car shows great fit and finish with upwards-opening doors and a tube-frame chassis (then again, we're looking at Craigslist photos here.) Werkz suggests any flat-six engine from a 2.0 to a 3.8, but true connoisseurs of flying death machines won't accept anything smaller than a flat-eight, or the full monty boxer twelve. Jeez, where would you even find a flat-12? Weld two Super Coupe motors together? Hey, Ford did that with the GT90, a car once voted by Autoweek editor Blake Z. Rong as the "Greatest Car Ever" in the "I'm 9 And This Is Awesome" category. Shockingly few cars have won such a vaunted award. Put one of those rare engines in this, and this will sweep it.

Image via Flickr.

Blake Z. Rong - Associate editor Blake Z. Rong has been with Autoweek since 2012 as an Associate Editor in Los Angeles. He drove his Mazda Miata across the country and believes that no man needs a car any larger or faster. Well, ok, faster, certainly. See more by this author»

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LA Auto Show recap

 The Bentley Continental GT3 made it's North American Debut in LA.

The 2012 LA Auto Show is behind us. It wasn't quite as exciting as the LA show has been in the past, but there were plenty of interesting cars on display. We've compiled the highlights below:

Production Cars

A diverse set of production vehicles debuted at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, with everything from the refreshed 2013 Honda Civic to the 2014 Jaguar XFR-S appearing for the first time.

This gallery provides a taste of the view from the floor. To read up on all of the production and concept vehicles making their debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, head to our special show coverage section.

1. 2013 Honda Civic

—The 2013 Honda Civic, which debuted at the LA Auto Show, gets a mid-cycle refresh after the last update was met with a lukewarm public reception. The 2013 model gets a modified exterior and a substantially reworked interior.

2. 2014 Mazda 6 diesel

—American buyers will have one more oil-burner to choose from following the stateside debut of the 2014 Mazda 6 diesel at the LA Auto Show.

3. 2014 Porsche Cayman

—The second-generation Porsche Cayman, revealed to the public at the LA Auto Show, is both lighter and larger than its predecessor.

4. 2013 Toyota RAV4

—The popular Toyota RAV4 gets a styling update and loses its V6 engine as it enters its fourth generation. The 2013 Toyota RAV4, which we saw for the first time at the LA Auto Show, also gains a rear liftgate. What did Kanye say about the RAV4? Never mind.

5. 2014 Kia Forte sedan

—The 2014 Kia Forte sedan ably demonstrates that economy cars don't need to be completely bland. The attractive compact, which debuted at the LA Auto Show, gets 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter inline-four engine options.

6. 2013 Fiat 500L

—If you like the styling of the Fiat 500 but need a bit more interior space, the 2013 Fiat 500L—26 inches longer than the original—might be the car for you. We got a good look at the vehicle at the LA Auto Show.

7. 2014 Acura RLX

—The 2014 Acura RLX is considered by the automaker to be its luxury flagship. The front-wheel drive version gets a 310 hp V6, while the all-wheel drive RLX gets a 370 hp engine. A hybrid will be available as well.

8. 2014 Jaguar XFR-S

—The very blue 2014 Jaguar XFR-S sedan unveiled in Los Angeles promises lots and lots of carbon fiber-trimmed performance courtesy of a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 good for 550 hp.

9. 2013 Volkswagen Beetle convertible

—With a turbocharged inline-four diesel option complementing available inline-five and turbo four gasoline engines, the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle convertible isn't a complete drag to drive. The public got its first official taste of the car at the LA Auto Show.

10. 2014 Nissan GT-R

—Changes to the 2014 Nisan GT-R are evolutionary, not revolutionary. The North American version of the car, which debuted at the LA Auto Show, features stiffer suspension and improved engine response.

Concept Cars

The Los Angeles Auto Show has historically been a popular venue for automakers to unveil their newest green concepts. This year was no different: BMW brought its i3 coupe concept, while Mercedes-Benz re-imagined the iconic G-class with the Ener-G-Force.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Bentley showed off its glorious, Continental GT3 racing prototype. This is the first time the track-prepped concept has been shown in North America.

Get a preview of some of the concepts on display in this gallery, and be sure to visit our special Los Angeles Auto Show section for a full breakdown of all the concept and production vehicles on display.

1. BMW i3 coupe

—The BMW i3 coupe concept, which debuted at the LA Auto Show, strongly suggests that that the German automaker intends to expand its fledgling alternative-power i-brand.

2. Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force

—No production date was given for the Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force concept vehicle. Rather, the futuristic SUV is meant to preview what might come as the German automaker rethinks the iconic G-class.

3. Hyundai C3 Roll Top

—The Hyundai Veloster C3 Roll Top concept attempts to capitalize on the nationwide fixed-gear bike craze that you may or may not be aware of. The car, which was debuted at the LA Auto Show, features a fabric convertible top and a cargo area meant for transporting a bicycle.

4. Bentley Continental GT3

—The North American public gets a good look at the Bentley Continental GT3 racing concept at the LA Auto Show. The car, which represents the luxury automaker's return to motorsport, will hit the track next year.

5. LA Auto Show Design Challenge 2012: Highway Patrol Edition

—The 2012 LA Auto Show Design Challenge asked automakers to develop the highway patrol vehicle of 2025. Results ranged from “plausive” to “wild Anime fantasy.”

Graham Kozak - Graham Kozak drove a 1951 Packard 200 sedan in high school because he wanted something that would be easy to find in a parking lot. He thinks all the things they're doing with fuel injection and seatbelts these days are pretty nifty too. See more by this author»

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The first Volkswagen Beetle in America looked like this

On Jan. 17, 1949, the Holland America Line Westerdam pulled into New York Harbor from Rotterdam carrying the seed of an automotive empire. It had been only four years since Volkswagen resurrected operations in Wolfsburg, the factory heavily ruined by Allied forces and now under the command of Major Ivan Hirst. The Wolfsburg plant itself was nearly dismantled under war reparations until Hirst persuaded the British Army to use its product as light transport. Successfully bowled over, the British placed an order for 20,000, the first of which went to occupying forces. 1,785 Type 1s were made that first year in 1945.

The Type 1 Beetle was a car that the British, in an official report, had deemed too ugly and noisy, "...quite unattractive to the average motorcar buyer." Hell, the Brits had tried to unload Volkswagen to Ford -- for free. The response from a Mr. Ernest Breech, chairman of the Ford board, was: "I don't think what we're being offered here is worth a damn!"

Oh, how they laugh now.

Max Hoffman, importer of all Europe's glamour, was the first official Volkswagen dealer in America. He, of course, is both famous and infamous in the automotive business, and his thriving showroom on Park Avenue would become legend. But there remains another figure much less known who was instrumental in bringing Volkswagen to America: Ben Pon, a former race-car driver from the Netherlands who was the first man to bring Volkswagens out of Germany.

On a wintry day in January 1949, Pon actually beat Hoffman to the chase. The entire operation was nearly derailed from the start. Pon held a press conference on the Westerdam to a small group of assembled journalists, who, in their trademark snark and smarm, derided the goofy Beetle as "Hitler's car." In a footnote all too familiar to us today, Pon called the VW the "Victory Wagon." We did win, after all! Pon peddled the car up and down the East Coast, hoping to strike a deal with any interested dealers. The Volkswagen was successful in his native Rotterdam; why wouldn't it be here? Three weeks later, he gave up. He hastily unloaded one Beetle, for exactly $800, just to settle his bill at the Roosevelt Hotel. 1949 ended with exactly two Beetles sold.

The next year, Hoffman showed up and became the official importer. He sold 157 Beetles.

Sixty-five years later, Volkswagen has announced plans to celebrate the car that, in essence, beat the odds. From 1949 to 1977, precisely 21,529,464 Beetles rolled out of dealer showrooms around the world. And so has the company expanded with it -- from the humble Beetle, Volkswagen has become the monolithic empire we know it to be today -- 11 models of Volkswagen and 10 brands within Volkswagen Group, the second largest automotive empire in the world.

"Since its arrival in the United States 65 years ago, the Volkswagen Beetle has preserved its reputation of being more than just a car but a symbol of uniqueness and freedom," said Michael Horn, the newly appointed president and CEO of Volkswagen in America (who has a big job ahead of him). "The Beetle has become part of the cultural fabric in America, and we are proud that its rich heritage continues to live with fans around the States."

A 1949 Volkswagen Beetle, looking forlorn in the corner. Photo by Volkswagen

Rare photos of that first Beetle are shown above -- similar to this dark blue split-window, whose sales on both continents boomed under the efforts of former Opel manager Heinz Nordhoff. By 1955, the same year Volkswagen established a base of operations in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., the Wolfsburg plant had already churned out one million cars. ("If Beetles drove in three rows," proclaimed a German commercial in 1955, "They would form an uninterrupted row from Prince Edward Island to Gibraltar.") Like the Citroën 2CV and the Fiat 500, Volkswagen was smart enough never to underestimate the demand for cheap, affordable postwar transportation. As the fourth most influential car in history, the Beetle proved it.

It's worth noting that on this anniversary of the Beetle, Volkswagen mourned a loss of its own. The last Type 2 Kombi bus ever made rolled into permanent storage in Germany, as the final chapter of Volkswagen's second influential car -- a story that lasted from the roots of the Beetle all the way to Brazil. Pon, again, makes a notable appearance here: In 1947 he sketched what would later become the Type 2 van, an act that would neatly make up for his initial failure selling the Beetle.

Blake Z. Rong - Associate editor Blake Z. Rong has been with Autoweek since 2012 as an Associate Editor in Los Angeles. He drove his Mazda Miata across the country and believes that no man needs a car any larger or faster. Well, ok, faster, certainly. See more by this author»

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2013 Volkswagen Beetle Fender Edition starts at $25,235

 The Volkswagen Beetle Fender Edition goes on sale this month. Photo by VW

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle joins the automaker's family of Fender Edition cars.

The Fender Edition starts with the base model Beetle and sunroof package. It uses the 2.5-liter five-cylinder for power, with an output of 170 hp.

The sound system is the selling point of the Fender Edition, which uses proprietary Panasonic speaker technology and dual-voice speakers that VW says reproduce the sound of a live performance. The system consists of a 10-channel, 400-watt amplifier with four Fender tweeters, two Fender Twin speakers, two Fender rears and a Bassman subwoofer.

Other unique equipment includes black metallic paint, chrome mirrors, Fender badges, daytime running lights and a few other bits and pieces.

The 2.5-liter Beetle Fender Edition is priced at $25,235, including $795 destination. That's only $370 more than last year's special edition. The 2.0-liter Fender Edition starts at $28,925. The special models will hit dealerships this month.

Jake Lingeman - Jake Lingeman is Associate Editor at Autoweek, reporting on cars, car tech and the world at large. See more by this author»

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Visionary tech

 Adaptive lightingGeneral Motors developed the photoresistor-based high-beam-controlling Autronic Eye in 1952. Photo by GM Heritage Center

Ignore the marketers: There's nothing new under the technological sun. Cost and reliability concerns may have hindered the early adoption of these auto-tech breakthroughs, though you'd never know it based on their present-day ubiquity.

1941: Crossovers

The combination of a fully enclosed, carlike body and all-wheel-drive underpinnings got its start with the Volkswagen Type 87 Kommandeurwagen.

Built in limited numbers during WWII, the Kommandeurwagen hopped up a basic Beetle with a 4x4 system borrowed from the amphibious Schwimmwagen—making the rugged Bug the conceptual, if not direct, predecessor of today's faux-SUVs.

1952: Adaptive lighting

Move over, Mercedes-Benz Adaptive Highbeam Assist: General Motors developed the photoresistor-based high-beam-controlling Autronic Eye in 1952.

Today's systems are better able to distinguish between traffic and false positives like street lamps. Still, with the addition of the Twilight Sentinel automatic lighting control feature, GM products had a functionally modern lighting setup before we reached the moon.

1959: Continuously variable transmissions

CVTs are becoming increasingly prevalent, but they have been around for half a century: Dutch automaker DAF put a CVT in its two-cylinder 600 family car way back in 1959, marking the first successful commercialization of the tech.

Better yet, each 600 came with two CVTs—one for each rear wheel.

1966: Heated seats

Heated aseats are now as affordable as they are widespread across all automotive segments. But there was a time when you had to go to the very top—to Cadillac, the Standard of the World—to heat your buns. Even then, it cost a not-inconsiderable $60.20 on top of the 1966 Cadillac Fleetwood's roughly $5,000 base price to enjoy the option.

1981: On-board navigation

Before GPS, in-car navigation was limited to paper maps and gas-station directions. It didn't have to be that way.

Honda devised an inertial guidance system (similar to those used in interncontinental ballistic missiles) as an option for the Accord back in '81. Called the Electro Gyrocator, it used a motion-sensing helium gas gyroscope to calculate location.

No records exist of how many Gyrocators were purchased and installed, but at $2,800 a pop, it probably wasn't many. Today's navigation systems might do more for less, but they lack the Gyrocator's analog feel.

Graham Kozak - Graham Kozak drove a 1951 Packard 200 sedan in high school because he wanted something that would be easy to find in a parking lot. He thinks all the things they're doing with fuel injection and seatbelts these days are pretty nifty too. See more by this author»

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2014 Volkswagen Beetle gains Premium package

 The premium package will be available on 1.8-liter turbo and 2.0-liter TDI versions of the Beetle Coupe and Convertible. Photo by Volkswagen

Volkswagen will now offer a Premium package as an option on the 2014 Beetle coupe and convertible models. Starting in July, Beetles that are coupled with the 1.8-liter turbo engine or the 2.0-liter TDI engine will offer this package, in addition to options that were previously available on the R-Line cars.

Buyers of the Beetle coupe and convertible coupled with the 2.0-liter TDI engine can now order bi-xenon automatic headlights, gray door sills and mirror caps, R-Line bumpers with fog lights, 18-inch wheels finished in Galvano gray, Climatronic automatic climate control system, rain-sensing wipers, an auto dimming rearview mirror, unique seating surfaces with leather inserts, and the Fender Sound system all in one package. Buyers of the 2.0-liter will also receive the iPhone 5 cradle, which is new to the Beetle, in addition to seats with contrast stitching and three exterior colors: oryx white, platinum gray, and deep black.

The 2.0-liter version of the 2014 Beetle coupe with the Premium package will be priced at $30,175, while the Beetle convertible coupled with this engine and Premium package will be available at $33,575

Buyers of the 1.8-liter model will also be able to order all of the options above as a package, with the additional availability of a sport suspension and 19-inch wheels in white, instead of the 18-inchers. Both models will also have the RNS 510 voice-controlled navigation system and satellite radio.

The 1.8-liter version of the Beetle coupe coupled with the Premium package will be offered at $28,175, while the convertible version will be a bit more expensive at $31,575.

Jay Ramey - Jay Ramey is an Associate Editor with Autoweek, and has been with the magazine since 2013. Jay also likes to kayak and bike. See more by this author»

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This was the first Volkswagen in California...ever

 Young Marshall Roath in 1949, soon after fixing the Beetle's engine and transaxle. Photo by Marshall Roath / Autoweek

Last week, we ran a story detailing Volkswagen's first foray into America. It was nearly a disaster, as you might recall: Ben Pon's 1949 Beetle was run out of every town up and down the East Coast. Pon soaked up the derision of journalists and dealers, sold one of his "Victory Wagons," paid for his room at the Roosevelt Hotel and booked it back to Rotterdam -- only to be replaced by the domineering Max Hoffman.

Marshall Roath paid close attention to these proceedings. In 1952, Roath was fresh out of high school, living in Southern California and more than a little obsessed with foreign cars and sports cars. What's a high-schooler supposed to do? He bought a basket case of a Beetle for $200 -- and in the process, became the owner of the first Volkswagen ever registered in California.

It was a black 1946, split window, only the second year of production for the car. A GI stationed in Germany had bought it new that year and added cream paint to the sides. When he came back to the States, he brought it with him and gave it to his father who, according to Roath, "used it in a traveling road show along with a Mercedes staff car, and billed them as Hitler's cars." When Roath found the Beetle, it had been partially disassembled, the mechanical brakes were shot, and the GI had attempted to track down and replace a chipped ring gear. Neither he nor his father knew much about Beetles and the GI didn't know where to get parts.

 "The former owner put the Ford headlights on to meet the US sealed beam requirement. When parts became available I put the original type units back in." Photo by Marshall Roath

Roath knew. He took the car to John von Neumann, a race-car driver who ran one of the first Volkswagen facilities in America, on Ventura Boulevard in North Hollywood. Von Neumann was "the only person who knew anything about VW at that time," Roath said via email. "I took my problem and the transaxle to him," said Roath. "He had a Porsche or two on his lot, and knew that the Porsche gears were the same and came from VW, so ordered Porsche parts from Max Hoffman in New York. John put the transaxle back together and I put the car back together, as all good hot-rodders did, by guesswork." Roath later painted the Beetle greenish gray and installed hydraulic brakes, using parts from Ford and a Nash Metropolitan; his current existence reflects his claim that the brakes "worked very well." Von Neumann's mechanics affectionately nicknamed the Beetle "das junk box."

Later, von Neumann would hit it big with Volkswagen, making enough to afford the franchise for a small Italian concern called Ferrari -- and whose hot-rodded Testarossa would find its way into the hands of a Mr. Bruce Meyer. (One gets the impression that early European car importers were a small, fiercely loyal fraternity.) 

Roath enrolled in the Art Center College of Design and drove the Beetle through college, including a memorable road trip with his European car-nut classmates (including a young Robert Cumberford) to the 1953 Pebble Beach Road Race. They drove up the 101 at night, camped by the beach, and photographed 17 Mile Drive. They witnessed the U.S. debut of the Austin-Healey 100, and a nuclear explosion: "One of the memorable events occurred while driving west of Santa Barbara toward Gaviota," he wrote. "In the 'dark hour before the dawn,' there was a great flash of light. Everything was lit up as if it were daylight. We later found out that there was an atomic test in the Nevada desert and we could see the flash 350 miles away."

When Roath left the Art Center, he sold the Beetle. It disappeared, like so many others, into the used-car ether. But for a brief, all-too-memorable moment in Roath's life, he played curator to Volkswagen history.

Blake Z. Rong - Associate editor Blake Z. Rong has been with Autoweek since 2012 as an Associate Editor in Los Angeles. He drove his Mazda Miata across the country and believes that no man needs a car any larger or faster. Well, ok, faster, certainly. See more by this author»

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LA Auto Show has long list of debuts: Porsche Cayman, Jaguar XFR-S, Mercedes SLS, Acura RLX expected at Los Angeles auto show

 The 2014 Acura RLX will be at the Los Angeles auto show before it goes on sale in spring 2013.

Other Los Angeles auto show debuts

The redesigned Porsche Cayman, a new i concept from BMW, Honda's Civic redo and Ford's people-mover version of the Transit Connect will vie for attention at the Los Angeles auto show that begins this week.

The Cayman is based on the same platform used for the redesigned Porsche Boxster that went on sale earlier this year. And BMW is looking to generate more interest in its eco-focused i subbrand as the launch of its first vehicle, the electric-powered i3, is now about a year away.

Ford's seven-passenger minivan uses sliding doors and boasts enough interior space to hold some 270 soccer balls. The new Subaru Forester offers more space inside than the version it replaces but is no bigger on the outside.

The Civic's midcycle revamp is ready to roll just 18 months after Honda's much-criticized 2012 redesign hit the market. A new instrument panel and center cluster are meant to address the gripes.

Other Los Angeles debuts include redesigns of the Acura RLX sedan, Kia Forte and Toyota RAV4. Electrics will be there, too. Chevrolet will unveil an electric version of the Spark and Fiat has an electric version of the 500.

Here's a brand-by-brand rundown of world debuts expected at the L.A. auto show:

ACURA

The production version of the RLX sedan will be shown here after a prototype was unveiled at the New York auto show in April. The base V6 engine, which shares the Acura TL's new Earth Dreams powertrain technology, is combined with a front-wheel-drive transmission and a four-wheel steering system.

The RLX will have an optional 3.5-liter direct-injection V6 engine with variable valve timing and Honda's Sport Hybrid All-Wheel Drive system. That engine puts out more than 370 hp by way of a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The sedan is about the same length as the RL that it replaces, but with two inches more wheelbase and with the front overhang shaved by the same amount. The track and vehicle width will increase by about two inches.

AUDI

No world debuts are planned, but Audi will announce a new diesel engine strategy for the United States. Diesels will be offered in the A6, A7, A8 and Q5 starting in the first quarter.

BMW

A sporty, coupelike variant of the i3 four-door electric car is expected to debut as the i Concept. The car hasn't been approved for production but shows "the potential for possible variants," a spokesman says.

CHEVROLET

Chevy will unveil an electric version of the Spark minicar that it launched in July. General Motors will tout the Korea-built EV as a pocket rocket--it zips from 0 to 60 mph in less than 8 seconds. Initially, GM plans to sell the car only in California, starting in the summer, as well as Korea. Sales in other overseas markets likely will follow.

CHRYSLER

Chrysler will show a new S trim version of the Town & Country minivan, which keeps the same powertrain but dresses up the interior.

FIAT

Fiat will introduce the North American version of its new five-door 500L wagon, along with an electric version of the 500 minicar and a 500 Abarth convertible.

 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon

FORD

Ford Motor Co. hasn't sold a minivan since the slow-selling Freestar died in 2007. And Ford isn't using the M word for the Transit Connect Wagon, even though it is meant to compete with the likes of the Toyota Sienna, Dodge Grand Caravan and Mazda5. Rather, Ford calls it a people mover.

The Transit Connect Wagon goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2013 and will be offered with a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a top-of-the-line 1.6-liter EcoBoost four, both combined with a six-speed automatic. Customers get a choice of two wheelbases: five- or seven-seat versions. The second and third rows of seats fold flat and there's even a 2,000-pound towing package.

HONDA

A year and a half after the redesigned 2012 Civic's interior layout and materials were roundly panned, Honda has come back with an updated version that has a new instrument panel and center cluster. Sources say the two-tone instrument panel color combinations are gone, as are the hard plastics and faux "piano-black" surfaces.

The midcycle change has some exterior touch-ups as well.

The CR-Z hybrid hatchback adds a more powerful lithium ion battery. The increase from 10 to 15 kilowatts results in an 8-hp bump to 130 hp and a rise in torque of 12 pounds-feet to 140 pounds-feet. Honda also added an on-demand electric boost via a steering wheel-mounted button that gives five seconds of increased thrust.

HYUNDAI

Designers at Hyundai's design studio in California have been at work on a concept vehicle that will debut at the show. A spokesman says the concept will have a "California" theme.

JAGUAR

A high-performance version of the XF sedan, called the XFR-S, is expected on the Jag stand. Powered by the 5.0-liter, 550-hp V8 from the XKR-S coupe, the new sedan would compete with the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. The XFR-S may go on sale by mid-2013.

A coupe version of the new F-Type roadster also is rumored to be headed for the show.

 2014 Kia Forte

KIA

The redesigned 2014 Kia Forte is lower, longer and wider than the outgoing compact.

The sedan is expected to go on sale early next year, with two-door coupe and five-door hatchback versions due in showrooms later in 2013.

MERCEDES-BENZ

The SLS AMG Black Series debuts as a limited-edition, high-performance version of the gullwing supercar. The car has aerodynamic bodywork giving it a more aggressive appearance than the SLS AMG. It is powered by a 6.3-liter V8 engine with 622 hp. Sales begin in June.

Mercedes-Benz will also show a futuristic police vehicle for 2025 based on the G-class SUV. The Energ-G-Force study was made for the Los Angeles Design Challenge.

MINI

The Clubvan small delivery wagon will debut, based on the five-door Clubman passenger wagon, but with only two seats and a flat floor. It goes on sale in the first quarter of 2013.

PORSCHE

The redesigned 2014 Cayman coupe is expected to debut, sharing a platform with the 2013 Boxster that went on sale last summer. Porsche has confirmed only that a compact sports car will be at the show.

The Cayman is likely to share the Boxster's revised 2.7-liter 265-hp base engine and the 3.4-liter 315-hp engine on the S model. The third-generation Cayman is expected to be slightly longer than the current version and mimic the Boxster's new styling with shorter front and rear overhangs and a more aggressive stance.

SUBARU

The redesigned 2014 Forester crossover is roomier than its predecessor but exterior dimensions are unchanged. It will be offered with a new six-speed manual transmission and an optional continuously variable transmission. A new 2.0-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine that makes 250 hp will also be available. The Forester goes on sale in January or February.

TOYOTA

A redesigned RAV4 will debut before going on sale in early 2013. The sheet metal will differ from the RAV4 EV that debuted this year because that vehicle was derived from the old platform. The new compact crossover will maintain a larger footprint than many in the highly competitive segment.

Sources say the V6 version will be deleted. The new RAV4 will probably just come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder as the focus turns to weight reduction and improved aerodynamics for fuel efficiency.

 2013 Volkswagen Beetle convertible

Los Angeles debuts

VOLKSWAGEN

The redesigned 2013 Beetle Convertible will debut with three engines, including a 2.0-liter TDI diesel with 140 hp. VW stayed with the traditional soft-top rather than a retractable hardtop. The convertible goes on sale next month.

Diana T. Kurylko, Ryan Beene, Mark Rechtin, Bradford Wernle, Larry P. Vellequette and Mike Colias contributed to this report

About the Los Angeles Auto Show

Production vehicles

-- Acura RLX

-- Chevrolet Spark EV

-- Chrysler Town & Country S trim version

-- Fiat 500L

-- Fiat 500e

-- Fiat 500 Abarth convertible

-- Ford Transit Connect Wagon

-- Honda Civic

-- Honda CR-Z

-- Jaguar XFR-S

-- Jaguar F-Type coupe?

-- Kia Forte

-- Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series

-- Mini Clubvan

-- Porsche Cayman

-- Subaru Forester

-- Toyota RAV4

-- Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

Concept vehicles

-- BMW i Concept

-- Hyundai concept

-- Mercedes Energ-G-Force

The 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show takes place Nov. 28 through Dec. 9. In keeping with the Southern California lifestyle, the LA auto show is usually a showcase for green cars, hybrid vehicles and electric transportation. But sports cars – especially convertibles – also command the spotlight. Check out Autoweek's complete coverage of the Los Angeles Auto Show here.

By Automotive News

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VW issues stop-sale order on some Passat, Beetle, Jetta models

 Starting in model year 2014, the engines include the American-made Passat sedan and Mexican-made Beetle, and was available in the Mexican-made Jetta sedan. Photo by Volkswagen

Citing the risk of a leak in the transmission oil cooler, Volkswagen of America has ordered U.S. dealers to stop selling newer cars equipped with an automatic transmission and VW's most common engine, the 1.8-liter EA888.

The stop-sale order, sent to dealers Tuesday and obtained by Automotive News, applies to cars produced after Feb. 1. VW spokesman Scott Vazin said the problem arose when a supplier changed the specifications of an O-ring linking the transmission oil cooler to the transmission.

Vazin said VW noticed the leak at the port of entry and decided to issue the stop-sale order. VW has not issued a safety recall, but the company is in talks with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about how to handle cars that have already been sold.

“In extreme cases, it could cause a fire,” Vazin said of the leaky O-ring. “That's why we're notifying NHTSA to see where the process goes.”

The German automaker started making the turbocharged four-cylinder engine last year in Silao, Mexico, hoping its fuel economy would help VW expand U.S. sales.

Starting in model year 2014, it was the base engine in the American-made Passat sedan and Mexican-made Beetle, and it was available in the Mexican-made Jetta sedan.

VW has not yet disclosed the number of cars affected by the stop-sale order, but Vazin said it is about 25,000. Automotive website Jalopnik first reported the order.

The memo says “a follow-up communication will be released to dealers as soon as possible," and that the required parts will be available "within the next week."

The article, VW orders U.S. dealers to stop selling cars with new engine originally appeared at Automotive News.

By Gabe Nelson, Automotive News

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