Motor Authority - blog Category: Volkswagen

  • Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Hitting Dealerships Soon

    Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Hitting Dealerships Soon November 4th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, November 4th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 3 Comments

    Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Hitting Dealerships Soon

    For those that don't know about it, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup is VW's foray into grassroots motorsports in the U.S., finding and giving an outlet for younger drivers to get into road racing, raising the profile of diesels as more than green machines at the same time. First revealed as a concept at the 2008 SEMA show,  2010 Jetta TDI Cup "Street" Edition is the road-going version of the race car used in the spec series, and it's due to hit dealerships soon.

    The Jetta TDI Cup series has run since 2008, and the replica vehicle has been called for since the start--the race cars are, after all, based on production cars. Upgrades to the...

    For those that don't know about it, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup is VW's foray into grassroots motorsports in the U.S., finding and giving an outlet for younger drivers to get into road racing, raising the profile of diesels as more than green machines at the same time. First revealed as a concept at the 2008 SEMA show,  2010 Jetta TDI Cup "Street" Edition is the road-going version of the race car used in the spec series, and it's due to hit dealerships soon. The Jetta TDI Cup series has run since 2008, and the replica vehicle has been called for since the start--the race cars are, after all, based on production cars. Upgrades to the standard Jetta TDI include a unique front bumper, side skirts, and rear valance, plus larger brakes with red calipers, upgraded anti-roll bars and a "European" sport-tuned suspension from the "performance oriented" GLI. The powerplant is the usual 2.0-liter, 140-horsepower TDI diesel engine. The real fun of the little oil-burning four-banger is its 236 pound-feet of torque. Either a standard six-speed manual or the DSG dual-clutch transmission can be fitted to the TDI Cup Street Edition. Pricing for the special edition car is set to start "around $25,000" when it hits dealerships in January, 2010. Read More

  • Volkswagen Releases Official Sketch Of New Midsize Sedan

    Volkswagen Releases Official Sketch Of New Midsize Sedan October 28th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, October 28th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 11 Comments

    Volkswagen Releases Official Sketch Of New Midsize Sedan

    Earlier this month while at the official drive event for the new Golf, High Gear Media managed to get an exclusive take on VW's plans for the still unnamed New Midsize Sedan (NMS), and how it will effectively replace the Passat for North America. Today, VW released a second sketch of the NMS that shows the first sketch's design theme carried forward, but reveals little of what we can expect of the production sedan outside of general themes.

    The new sketch shows a fairly short hood, a more sedan-like profile than the previous sketch, and the same basic corporate front end that's become familiar with the new Mark VI Golf. The roofline is...

    Earlier this month while at the official drive event for the new Golf, High Gear Media managed to get an exclusive take on VW's plans for the still unnamed New Midsize Sedan (NMS), and how it will effectively replace the Passat for North America. Today, VW released a second sketch of the NMS that shows the first sketch's design theme carried forward, but reveals little of what we can expect of the production sedan outside of general themes. The new sketch shows a fairly short hood, a more sedan-like profile than the previous sketch, and the same basic corporate front end that's become familiar with the new Mark VI Golf. The roofline is somewhat reminiscent of the Passat, but not enough to be confused for one. Which is a good thing, considering the Passat is going away with the arrival of the NMS. The problem, says VW's U.S. president Stephan Jacoby, is that the Passat simply isn't suited to the distances Americans drive or the size of vehicle we prefer. That's why the NMS, a four-door built at the Chattanooga, Tennessee plant, will offer a wider cabin and more rear seat legroom. It is also expected to start around $20,000. The car has been previewed in sketches before (pictured), but a trio of new sketches were previewed in Germany today, revealing that the car will resemble the VW Quantum, meaning a lower rear roofline, tightly integrated front end and angular headlamps like those seen on the Mark VI Golf. The Phaeton large sedan will also return to the U.S. soon, as we confirmed in Germany earlier this month. The Phaeton has been under consideration for a U.S. return for some time, with Jacoby thinking the market is once again primed, provided the maker learns from its past mistakes. Read our previous story for more on the return of the Phaeton and what VW plans to do differently this time. Read More

  • Report: Volkswagen Looking To Acquire Karmann

    Report: Volkswagen Looking To Acquire Karmann October 25th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, October 25th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1 Comment

    Report: Volkswagen Looking To Acquire Karmann

    Last year a spate of bankruptcy threats and possible acquisitions or closures hit the coachbuilding industry, and then earlier this year Karmann, perhaps most famous for the Karmann Ghia conversion, shut its doors before heading into bankruptcy.

    While there was some initial hope from reports claiming Karmann may live on due to a $14 million deal with Volkswagen to help with the development and supply electric vehicles, neither firm confirmed the news.

    Today, however, a spokesman for Karmann has revealed that Volkswagen wants to buy the bankrupt independent vehicle manufacturer.

    "There have been talks for some time," Roland Leithaeuser told...

    Last year a spate of bankruptcy threats and possible acquisitions or closures hit the coachbuilding industry, and then earlier this year Karmann, perhaps most famous for the Karmann Ghia conversion, shut its doors before heading into bankruptcy. While there was some initial hope from reports claiming Karmann may live on due to a $14 million deal with Volkswagen to help with the development and supply electric vehicles, neither firm confirmed the news. Today, however, a spokesman for Karmann has revealed that Volkswagen wants to buy the bankrupt independent vehicle manufacturer. "There have been talks for some time," Roland Leithaeuser told The Associated Press on Sunday, confirming a report by weekly Der Spiegel. According to the new reports, Volkswagen and Karmann have been negotiating the deal terms for several weeks but are yet to come to an agreement. [Drive] Read More

  • VW Launches 2010 GTI With iPhone and iPod Touch App

    VW Launches 2010 GTI With iPhone and iPod Touch App October 22nd, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, October 22nd, 2009 Nelson Ireson 0 Comments

    VW Launches 2010 GTI With iPhone and iPod Touch App

    In Pebble Beach, we saw the 2011 Infiniti M become the first car launched "virtually," thanks to a high-tech projection display system. Today, Volkswagen is the first carmaker to launch a car in the App Store, with the availability of the new Real Racing GTI game.

    If you're a fan of VW or iPhone gaming in general, the app is available now, for free. The best part? Users of the app can compete for the chance to win one of six real, fully customized, limited-edition 2010 VW GTIs.

    Why launch a car on a phone app? "The GTI customer is a tech-savvy consumer who enjoys social networking, playing games and spending time on mobile devices - most...

    In Pebble Beach, we saw the 2011 Infiniti M become the first car launched "virtually," thanks to a high-tech projection display system. Today, Volkswagen is the first carmaker to launch a car in the App Store, with the availability of the new Real Racing GTI game. If you're a fan of VW or iPhone gaming in general, the app is available now, for free. The best part? Users of the app can compete for the chance to win one of six real, fully customized, limited-edition 2010 VW GTIs. Why launch a car on a phone app? "The GTI customer is a tech-savvy consumer who enjoys social networking, playing games and spending time on mobile devices - most often an iPhone. Launching the all-new 2010 GTI via the Real Racing GTI App allows us to connect with this savvy GTI consumer within his or her everyday life in a way that no 30-second spot ever could," explained Tim Ellis, vice president of marketing for VW of America. The way to win yourself a brand-new custom GTI is to play, play, play--the more time you spend in the game, the greater your chance of winning. The contest will run for six weeks, starting today, with a new car being given away each week. Interestingly, the Real Racing GTI app isn't just a car-driving game. It also has built-in functionality to use Twitter to capture and upload game screenshots, allowing competitors to message each other about their progress. The Real Racing GTI App is available now in the App Store (iTunes link). Read More

  • Rendered: 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan Facelift

    Rendered: 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan Facelift October 15th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, October 15th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1 Comment

    Rendered: 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan Facelift

    The Volkswagen Tiguan has only been in production for a little over two years but a facelift for the compact SUV is planned. The changes are designed to bring the styling of the Tiguan in line with the rest of Volkswagen family. Other models getting the same corporate styling treatment include the Phaeton flagship sedan and the next-generation Touareg SUV.

    The changes to the Tiguan will be mainly cosmetic, with a redesigned front grille and new bumpers, plus a more pedestrian-friendly reshaped bonnet. As the previous spy shots reveal, the rear of the Tiguan will remain unchanged. This latest computer-generated rendering gives a good...

    The Volkswagen Tiguan has only been in production for a little over two years but a facelift for the compact SUV is planned. The changes are designed to bring the styling of the Tiguan in line with the rest of Volkswagen family. Other models getting the same corporate styling treatment include the Phaeton flagship sedan and the next-generation Touareg SUV. The changes to the Tiguan will be mainly cosmetic, with a redesigned front grille and new bumpers, plus a more pedestrian-friendly reshaped bonnet. As the previous spy shots reveal, the rear of the Tiguan will remain unchanged. This latest computer-generated rendering gives a good indication as to what the final version may look like when it hits the streets next year. The powertrain lineup will also likely be revitalized, with a range of more fuel-efficient engines introduced in line with more stringent fuel economy and emissions regulations. A hybrid variant may also be introduced, though its release wouldn’t be for several years still and possibly not until the launch of the second-generation of the model. Meanwhile, expect to see the facelifted Tiguan debut late next year as a 2011 model. Read More

  • Spy Shots: 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan Facelift

    Spy Shots: 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan Facelift October 14th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, October 14th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 5 Comments

    Spy Shots: 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan Facelift

    The Volkswagen Tiguan has only been in production for a little over two years but a facelift for the compact SUV is planned. The changes are designed to bring the styling of the Tiguan in line with the rest of Volkswagen family. Other models getting the same corporate styling treatment include the Phaeton flagship sedan and the next-generation Touareg SUV.

    The changes to the Tiguan will be mainly cosmetic, with a redesigned front grille and new bumpers, plus a more pedestrian-friendly reshaped bonnet. As the spy shots reveal, the rear of the Tiguan will remain unchanged.

    The powertrain lineup will also likely be revitalized, with a range of...

    The Volkswagen Tiguan has only been in production for a little over two years but a facelift for the compact SUV is planned. The changes are designed to bring the styling of the Tiguan in line with the rest of Volkswagen family. Other models getting the same corporate styling treatment include the Phaeton flagship sedan and the next-generation Touareg SUV. The changes to the Tiguan will be mainly cosmetic, with a redesigned front grille and new bumpers, plus a more pedestrian-friendly reshaped bonnet. As the spy shots reveal, the rear of the Tiguan will remain unchanged. The powertrain lineup will also likely be revitalized, with a range of more fuel-efficient engines introduced in line with more stringent fuel economy and emissions regulations. A hybrid variant may also be introduced, though its release wouldn’t be for several years still and possibly not until the launch of the second-generation of the model. Meanwhile, expect to see the facelifted Tiguan debut late next year as a 2011 model. Read More

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