Volkswagen will have arguably the most aggressive new-vehicle warranty in the United States when it rolls out its 2018-model-year vehicles. The coverage will span six years or 72,000 miles, whichever comes first, and will be fully transferable to subsequent owners. Called the People First Warranty, it’s an extension of coverage that is currently found on the Atlas and three-row Tiguan SUVs. “We are the people’s car, and we are putting people first,” Volkswagen Group of America president and CEO Hinrich Woebcken said Friday at a media event in Michigan. The warranty will cover every 2018 model except the e-Golf, which has a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage. The e-Golf’s battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. The extended coverage for every other model is part of Volkswagen’s strategy to move from a niche player to a higher-volume brand in the United States. Most automakers’ bumper-to-bumper coverage is for three years or 36,000 miles, although there are some exceptions. New Hyundais and Kias come with bumper-to-bumper coverage of five years/60,000 miles, which is transferable, and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which is not transferable. This more robust warranty coverage, launched in 1998, has been a key reason the previously fledgling Hyundai brand has gained more of a foothold in the U.S. 30 billion. The company is still in the process of fixing TDI vehicles that were sold back to Volkswagen as part of a settlement with U.S. Woebcken told reporters that the process is about 67 percent complete. In the meantime, thousands of VW and Audi TDI models are sitting in some 30 makeshift storage lots around the country. Despite the scandal, Volkswagen’s new-vehicle sales in the United States have been solid this year, growing 6.4 percent to 220,334 units through August, even as industry-wide sales fell by 2.7 percent. We see no reason why a healthier warranty would get in the way of that momentum.
Doak throws convention out the window by having two par threes in a row but what else could he do when presented with land this good? Wind is a major factor here, even though most players will utilize nothing more than a short iron to navigate earth, sand and sea. The bunkers needed a lot of work but the mastery of Doak and his Renaissance team is in full effect here, as you'd never guess that this hole wasn't completely natural. David Elvins for this great photo! The second three-shotter at Pacific Dunes and perhaps the easiest birdie opportunity on the course. There is a wide fairway and the green is slightly offset to the left with a sizeable dune framing the back of the green. The putting surface is shallow but very wide, meaning approach shots from the right have the optimal line into the green. You know you are playing one of the greatest holes in all of golf when the Pacific Ocean, which runs hard down the entire left side of the hole, isn't even the most spectacular hazard!
That title is reserved for the massive and completely natural sand dune on the right side up near the green. This hole is sensory overload but you have to maintain your composure because a big score is always lurking with this much trouble. Wind plays a major role here as well, as this is likely the most exposed area on the entire course and thankfully, Doak realized that a large green would be necessary to help offset the difficulty of the elements. One of my favourite par threes at the resort. The yardage certainly doesn't intimidate but it's a very tough green to hit, with wayward strikes seeing balls propelled either well left or even worse, down the huge hillside right of the green. This is a pretty straight-forward par five that is definitely reachable for longer hitters. This may be one of the most unheralded holes at Pacific Dunes, an innocent looking mid-length par four that doesn't really bare its teeth until the approach. Here's a prime example of a shortish hole that can really come up and bite you if you aren't giving it your full concentration.
A par three that plays much shorter than the yardage due to the redan characteristics of the design. The player must deal with a long par five finisher, one that is most certainly a three-shotter for all but the finest players in the world. There is a cavernous bunker down the left side near the corner of the dogleg that likely eats many balls and must be avoided at all costs if you want to finish on a high note. There are other bunkers to contend with up the entire length of the hole and approach shots that are hit slightly left may get a generous kick back toward the pin on the right. A worthy finisher and pars will always be welcomed. All I can say is that the course had me from the moment I hit my first shot. 16. Unlike Bandon Dunes, there is nothing average or below average - there isn't a real weak moment on this golf course in my opinion. The best compliment I can give Renaissance is that the inland holes are just as strong or perhaps even stronger than the ocean holes.
