Shows first images of Volkswagen NMS concept 2010

Volkswagen Sets Its Eyes on NASCAR

Volkswagen has released the first three official sketch of the new mid-size sedan NMS, which should be placed between the VW Jetta and Passat, and become full-fledged competitor to the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

In the U.S. Volkswagen NMS cost will be 27,665 dollars and 29,095 dollars per wagon, this means that in some countries the cost of a sedan can not exceed $ 25 000.

The presented images illustrate the design of the new model and its modern guise. The front is a stylish hood, with characteristic lines at the sides, new stands and "shoulder", as well as the three sectors of windows.

Unique front and rear lights only emphasize the unique and sporty design is recognizable Volkswagen. NMS sedan will be presented at the Auto Show in Detroit next year, and selling it will appear in the third quarter of 2011.

General Motors, the Ford Motor Company and Chrysler have long underpinned NASCAR with Toyota being a recent participant in American-based motorsports. This iconic sport, unique to America and quite different from Formula 1 Racing, is one of the most popular sports in the country. Stadiums filled to capacity whet the appetite of advertisers who flock to these venues throughout the season which begins in February and lasts into November.

NASCAR Appeal

Other manufacturers have considered NASCAR given its broad heartland appeal. The old saying, "Win on Sunday, sell cars on Monday," doesn't ring true anymore, but it does lift the visibility of your brand if your cars are at the track week in and week out. Mentioning Ford, Chevy, Dodge and Toyota over and over again eventually seeps into the brain. Besides, the gear related to Motorsports racing and the driver personalities are big too.

Honda owns Indy Racing as their engines power every single car on the track. Nissan seems to be a natural fit for NASCAR given its Skyline GT-R is hot, but its relationship with Renault could be keeping it from making the leap. Hyundai seems logical now that everyone knows the Korean automaker can compete across the board, but the quiet giant seems content to grow sales in more traditional ways.

Volkswagen Dreams

So, what about Volkswagen? Will they enter NASCAR? That rumor has been circulating for much of 2010 and could prove to be true. Volkswagen is hungry for new customers and is about ready to open up its first U.S. manufacturing plant since closing its Pennsylvania plant in 1988.

That plant, slated to go online in spring 2011 near Chattanooga, Tennessee will build a yet named midsize sedan. That sedan, designed exclusively for the North American market, will compete against three cars already getting track time through NASCAR: the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion and the Toyota Camry. The fourth model, a Dodge Charger, is a full-size model, but VW does compete against the midsize Avenger.

Scirocco Cup

Volkswagen has experience racing as it sponsors the Volkswagen Scirocco Cup, a racing event consisting exclusively of VW Scirocco models. Formerly known as the ADAC Volkswagen Cup, this event is an annual favorite. VW's racing history goes back decades and includes the Formula V race that got started in 1966. Golf GTIs have been raced too, demonstrating VW racing prowess.

Naturally, the NMS will be a bit larger and it really won't be based on a VW body as NASCAR vehicles use customized bodies, oftentimes created for different tracks. Yes, you'll still see the familiar company logo, but it is what is under the hood and underpinning the car that matters.

Will VW enter NASCAR? Let's hope so! More competition means everyone raises their game, lifting up the sport while giving Volkswagen some much needed buzz.