Motor Authority - blog Tag: Hatch

America's love affair with diesel is just being rekindled, but in Europe, it's already in full swing. But even now diesel isn't typically associated with high-performance. JE Design is hoping to change that perception with its new Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI.

To make its case, JE starts with boosting the 2.0L TDI engine's output from 140hp (103kW) to 180hp (133kW) and 295lb-ft (400Nm), enough to push top speed on from the stock 128mph (207km/h) to 132mph (213km/h). Not a huge improvement, but the gain in torque and power makes performance more accessible at every-day speeds. Zero-62mph (100km/h) times are cut by almost a full second to 8.4... America's love affair with diesel is just being rekindled, but in Europe, it's already in full swing. But even now diesel isn't typically associated with high-performance. JE Design is hoping to change that perception with its new Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI. To make its case, JE starts with boosting the 2.0L TDI engine's output from 140hp (103kW) to 180hp (133kW) and 295lb-ft (400Nm), enough to push top speed on from the stock 128mph (207km/h) to 132mph (213km/h). Not a huge improvement, but the gain in torque and power makes performance more accessible at every-day speeds. Zero-62mph (100km/h) times are cut by almost a full second to 8.4 seconds. Tuning the slightly more potent 2.0 TDI GT trim offers an even bigger power jump: up to a maximum of 205hp (171kW) and 302lb-ft (410Nm) of torque. That's good for 0-62mph times of just 7.1 seconds - matching the Audi A3 2.0T S-line, a legitimately hot little hatch in its own right, and a petrol burner. In addition to the performance aids, JE Design also throws in a complete body kit made of ABS plastic and CNC milled to ensure a good fit. Gullwing doors can also be had if the rest of the kit just isn't enough, starting from €1,549. For those Europeans in the market for a diesel sportser, the price may be a bit of a sticking point once it's all added up, but it's availble piecemeal too, starting off at €1,249 for the 180hp kit, €1,449 for th 205hp kit, and another €919 for the body kit. Throw in the €899 exhaust and €299 lowering springs, however, and the grand total coems up to about €6,300 ($8,800). That's a steep premium, and the €2,810 ($4,000) 19x8in wheels aren't even added in yet, much less the 235/35 19in tires that wrap them. JE Design has already taken on the standard Scirocco, which you can check out here.2010 Volkswagen Scirocco GT TDIJE Design Volkswagen Scirocco TDI Read More

Volkswagen may already be in the midst of preparing a new three-door version of its 2010 Polo hatchback, but a rumored coupe version due late next year promises to be even more attractive. The car would slot into VW’s lineup as a smaller sibling to the Scirocco coupe, with which it will share most of its styling, and there may even be some influence from the recently revealed Bluesport roadster concept.

As a more aggressive variant to the Polo family, as well as a stepping stone to the higher-spec Scirocco, the Polo coupe will be getting the carmaker's impressive 1.4L supercharged and turbocharged engine. According to AutoExpress,... Volkswagen may already be in the midst of preparing a new three-door version of its 2010 Polo hatchback, but a rumored coupe version due late next year promises to be even more attractive. The car would slot into VW’s lineup as a smaller sibling to the Scirocco coupe, with which it will share most of its styling, and there may even be some influence from the recently revealed Bluesport roadster concept. As a more aggressive variant to the Polo family, as well as a stepping stone to the higher-spec Scirocco, the Polo coupe will be getting the carmaker's impressive 1.4L supercharged and turbocharged engine. According to AutoExpress, the compact engine will be churning out close to 180hp (140kW) in the Polo coupe, and this should provide for some spirited performance, especially when matched with VW’s new 7-speed DSG. This same engine will also appear in the Polo GTI, which was recently previewed in concept form at the 2009 Worthersee tuner show. Throwing in a new Polo coupe into the current VW lineup may make the Polo range look a little cluttered, especially with the new three-door coming soon, but the coupe’s alternate styling should see it popular with those who don't want to upgrade to the Scirocco but still want more performance and aggressiveness than the regular Polo GTI.2010 Volkswagen Polo 3-door renderings2010 Volkswagen Polo Read More

The small-car surge in the U.S. was cut short last year when once-high fuel prices dropped as suddenly as they'd risen, but the future of the market seems clear: prices will rise again, and small cars will be the best solution. To that end, Volkswagen is planning to bring its 2010 Polo compact car to the U.S. but the story is not so simple.

The Polo sold in the U.S. will be different to the one unveiled earlier this month at the Geneva Motor Show. Firstly, a new sedan model will be offered, while the regular hatch will also grow in size to suit American tastes. The size difference is due to greater height and a longer wheelbase than other... The small-car surge in the U.S. was cut short last year when once-high fuel prices dropped as suddenly as they'd risen, but the future of the market seems clear: prices will rise again, and small cars will be the best solution. To that end, Volkswagen is planning to bring its 2010 Polo compact car to the U.S. but the story is not so simple. The Polo sold in the U.S. will be different to the one unveiled earlier this month at the Geneva Motor Show. Firstly, a new sedan model will be offered, while the regular hatch will also grow in size to suit American tastes. The size difference is due to greater height and a longer wheelbase than other versions of the Polo, said VW’s American boss Stefan Jacoby during a recent interview with Automotive News. It will be a "cross between a compact minivan and a hatchback," Jacoby explained, something like the Honda Fit. Pricing is expected to be around the $14,000 and to maximise profits the American versions will be produced in Mexico. While an actual launch date hasn’t been pencilled in, production will most likely start in 2011. VW's current smallest car in the U.S. is the Rabbit (Golf to the rest of the world), which sits around the middle of the carmaker’s global range. The smaller Polo could offer even smaller and more efficient engines, which could also help bring a new premium entry to the small car market while at the same time help VW meet tougher CAFE standards.2010 Volkswagen Polo 3-door renderings2010 Volkswagen Polo Hatchback Read More

Volkswagen is set to expand its BlueMotion range of fuel misers with the launch of a new version based on the recently revealed fifth-generation Polo hatchback. While the Polo BlueMotion isn’t due to hit the streets until next year, a concept version of the car has made an appearance at today’s Geneva Motor Show.

If the concept’s initial mileage figures are anything to go by, VW may just have its hands on one of the world’s most fuel efficient five door hatchbacks. The Polo BlueMotion concept has a claimed fuel economy figure of 71mpg (3.3L/100km) – blasting the 60mpg (3.9L/100km) 2009 model completely out of... Volkswagen is set to expand its BlueMotion range of fuel misers with the launch of a new version based on the recently revealed fifth-generation Polo hatchback. While the Polo BlueMotion isn’t due to hit the streets until next year, a concept version of the car has made an appearance at today’s Geneva Motor Show. If the concept’s initial mileage figures are anything to go by, VW may just have its hands on one of the world’s most fuel efficient five door hatchbacks. The Polo BlueMotion concept has a claimed fuel economy figure of 71mpg (3.3L/100km) – blasting the 60mpg (3.9L/100km) 2009 model completely out of the water. The key to its miserly ways is a brand new 1.2L TDI engine that reduces the Polo’s CO2 emissions to just 87g/km. Development work on the 1.2L TDI powertrain is yet to be completed but the head engineer of the project, Dr. Hackenberg, insists that it will be ready by February of next year. Other systems that help to the car save fuel include an automatic engine start-stop system and regenerative brakes. These two technologies alone reduce fuel consumption of the 75hp (55kW) three-cylinder direct-injection diesel by up to 0.2L per 100km. But that is not all that is being done. On the Polo BlueMotion concept car, which weighs in at just 1,080 kilograms, VW is calling upon an entire array of efficiency measures, including an aerodynamic package for the body that is lowered by 10mm (including modified front end), an aerodynamically optimized underbody and low rolling resistance tires on 15in alloy wheels. Altogether, these modifications yield fuel savings totaling 0.8L/100km and has lowered CO2 emissions by about 20%. Other features being presented on the Polo BlueMotion concept car include a custom interior and a splay for indicating optimal shift times and tire pressure.2010 Volkswagen Polo2009 Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion Concept Car Read More

In January, Volkswagen development chief Ulrich Hackenburg explained to reporters at the Detroit Auto Show that the small car segment in the United States is likely to surge in the coming years, and that his company was intent on taking advantage of that growth. Already confirmed is the Mark VI Golf, which will make its way Stateside this September, but Hackenburg was hinting at bringing over an even smaller model - the all-new Polo, officially revealed today at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.

Weight savings is one focus of the new car, cutting 7.5% of the weight of its predecessor despite growing in size. Mated to a new 7-speed DSG dual-clutch... In January, Volkswagen development chief Ulrich Hackenburg explained to reporters at the Detroit Auto Show that the small car segment in the United States is likely to surge in the coming years, and that his company was intent on taking advantage of that growth. Already confirmed is the Mark VI Golf, which will make its way Stateside this September, but Hackenburg was hinting at bringing over an even smaller model - the all-new Polo, officially revealed today at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Weight savings is one focus of the new car, cutting 7.5% of the weight of its predecessor despite growing in size. Mated to a new 7-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox, the new Polo is considerably more efficient than the outgoing car. For example, the new 1.2L TSI variant of the Polo gets 42.7mpg US (5.5L/100km) while still generating 103hp (77kW). Carbon dioxide emissions are 19% lower as well, clocking in at 129g/km. A total of three new TDI variants are also available, including a 1.6L unit cranking out 88hp (66kW) and turning in a remarkable 62mpg (3.8L/100km). That translates to 96g/km CO2 in emissions. In total, seven engines will be available for the Polo in Europe. Beyond the powertrains, VW has made strides forward in safety in the new Polo as well, adding a complement of advanced airbags and improving crashworthiness by 50% in frontal impacts and 20% in side impacts. The goal is a 5-star EuroNCAP rating. Under the new system, that means that all Polos will be equipped with ESP standard. Sales there will start at the end of June. So far, no further word has been released on U.S. sales, however. The next-generation Polo, positioned just below the Golf in VW's lineup, could come to the U.S. by 2011 if greenlighted for American sale. Previous reports peg VW building North American versions of the Polo at its plant in Pueblo, Mexico, which has advantages both logistically and financially. The new Polo features a more chiseled look as seen on the recently launched Mark VI Golf. The new model is also slightly bigger than the current version, helping to it compete with the recently updated Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit – both of which have grown in size. A high-performance GTI model is also in the works but it’s still unknown if this model will reach U.S. showrooms, even if the standard Polo does. VW is keen to triple its U.S. sales to 800,000 units by the end of the decade and plans to launch two new sedan models designed specifically for the American market and to be built at the company’s new plant Chattanooga, Tennessee. The addition of smaller models like the Golf and Polo will only help VW attain this goal quicker. 2010 Volkswagen Polo2010 Volkswagen Polo Hatchback Read More

The small-car surge in the U.S. was cut short in 2008 when once-high fuel prices dropped as suddenly as they'd risen, but the future of the market seems clear: prices will rise again, and small cars will be the best solution. To that end, Volkswagen now appears to be contemplating bringing the Polo to the U.S. to help meet the expected demand.

VW's current smallest car in the U.S. is the Rabbit (Golf to the rest of the world), which sits around the middle of VW's global range. The smaller Polo could offer even smaller and more efficient engines, which could help bring a new premium entry to the small car market while at the same time... The small-car surge in the U.S. was cut short in 2008 when once-high fuel prices dropped as suddenly as they'd risen, but the future of the market seems clear: prices will rise again, and small cars will be the best solution. To that end, Volkswagen now appears to be contemplating bringing the Polo to the U.S. to help meet the expected demand. VW's current smallest car in the U.S. is the Rabbit (Golf to the rest of the world), which sits around the middle of VW's global range. The smaller Polo could offer even smaller and more efficient engines, which could help bring a new premium entry to the small car market while at the same time helping VW meet next-generation CAFE standards. The report of VW's consideration of the Polo for American sale originates with a VW executive interviewed on the floor of the Detroit Auto Show by Automotive News Europe. VW development chief Ulrich Hackenburg said, "The small car segment is the fastest growing segment in the U.S. Oil Prices will rise again and that will drive small car sales up further." Talk of the Polo coming to the U.S. has been ongoing for more than a year, however, so it will remain to be seen if the car makes it here before it gets its next-generation upgrade, if it comes at all. An upcoming MPV variant might suit American tastes well, and offer stiff competition to the likes of the Honda Fit and Yaris five-door. If the Polo does come to the U.S., expect them to originate in the company's Mexican plant at Puebla. No time-line for production or sale has yet been announced, and official commentary from VW's public relations department remains noncommittal.2010 Volkswagen Polo 3-door renderings Read More