Volkswagen News
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Even as fuel prices slide back down to pre-crunch levels, the automotive industry knows it's only a temporary respite and continues its gear-up for a new layer of high-quality small cars. On the German front, BMW is thought to be working on a sub-1-series minicar, Daimler already has its Smart, and soon the Volkswagen Group will have its own family of minicars, all based around its recent up! concept vehicle. Last week we reported about a family of minicars for the VW brand, which will be grouped under the Lupo name and serve as a replacement for the econo-hatch in 2011. Now, we have new...
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VW reveals Red Bull Baja Racing Trophy Truck, launches Touareg V6 TDI in U.S.Volkswagen showcased the breadth of its diesel powered technology today, with the unveiling of two different vehicles both carrying the Touareg nameplate. One is a new clean-diesel version, which meets the most stringent emission requirements of California and will be available in all 50 U.S...
Alex Kaufmann -
Shanghai-Volkswagen to showcase hydrogen fuel-cell Passat Lingyu at L.A. Auto ShowVolkswagen’s partnership with Shangai Auto to build cars and develop new technology together will be showing off the fruits of its labor at this week’s Los Angeles Auto Show, with the unveiling of a hydrogen fuel cell powered Passat Lingyu sedan. The Passat Lingyu has been built by the...
Jeremy Weber -
Report: Expanded Audi R range back on the tableRumors of the demise of the R4 - a sort of 'baby R8' - may have been premature, as a new report indicates that not only is it still in the works, but it will be joined by a range of R models. The new R4 is expected to ride on the same platform that underpins the next-gen Porsche Boxster and Cayman...
Nelson Ireson -
Mirror-Finish Bugatti Veyron On Display At VW ‘Premium Clubhouse’To mark the opening of the new Autostadt pavilion in the ‘Premium Clubhouse’ section of the popular Volkswagen Group visitor center in Wolfsburg, Germany, the company unveiled a new mirror-finish Bugatti Veyron that sits in a room full of mirrors. The Premium Clubhouse is a display of...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Seat launches Leon Linea R hot hatchThe Seat Leon hatch is in the midst of its second generation, with a facelift expected early next year. The all-new Linea R version of the car has come early, however, featuring a range of engines and a fresher design. Two four-cylinder petrol engines - a 1.8L rated at 160hp (119kW) and a 2.0L...
Nelson Ireson -
The Volkswagen Scirocco may not be coming to the U.S. due to unfavorable exchange rates, but that doesn't make it any less interesting as a car. That's doubly true once it's seen the improving touch of a tuner, and the MCCHIP modifications add tastefully to the Scirocco, leaving its basic essence intact. The primary modification is the ECU tune, which adds almost 25% more power, bringing output up from 200hp (149kW) to 246hp (183kW) thanks to a more aggressive use of the 2.0L TSI engine's turbocharger. Aside from the big boost to power, the car gets a set of 19" OZ alloy wheels wrapped in...
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Volkswagen confirms roadster concept for NAIASVolkswagen is reportedly working on an affordable mid-engine sports car, which it plans to release sometime early next decade. A concept of the car was originally slated for debut at this month’s Los Angeles Auto Show, however a company spokesman has now revealed the concept’s released...
Alex Kaufmann -
VW share trading sees Porsche post record profitsThe saga concerning Porsche's progressing takeover of the Volkswagen Group has been reported in the media for months now, and despite the headaches involved Porsche's financial manoeuvring with the German giant’s stock has enabled it to declare the highest pre-tax profit in the company's...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
VW shows CC Eco Performance Concept at SEMAHeralded as the car that will bring the haute four-door sedan form factor to the masses, the VW CC sedan has already been the basis for the CC Gold Coast Edition, and now it gets a green power treatment as the Eco Performance Concept. Using an adjustable turbocharger system for a range of power and...
Nelson Ireson -
Analysts predict a ‘reverse takeover’ for Porsche and VWTwo of Germany's most important carmakers are at odds over who will control day-to-day operations once a planned stock acquisition is completed. Volkswagen has been fearing its imminent takeover from Porsche for some time now, with even the carmaker’s usually stoic CEO, Martin Winterkorn...
Kenneth Hall -
VW will build its own hybrid assemblies, not outsource themBucking an industry trend toward outsourcing the construction of motors and hybrid assemblies to high-tech companies with similar experience in non-autmotive fields, a new report indicates Volkswagen will be building its own hybrid internals. The decision is based is the idea that the company will...
Alex Kaufmann -
Volkswagen is joining the throngs headed out to Las Vegas for the SEMA show starting tomorrow. Among its offerings will be a 2009 Jetta TDI Cup Car, a TDI Cup 'Street' Edition concept, the CC 'Gold Coast' Edition shown at Pebble Beach this year, and the Tiguan Performance Concept. The race car is the highlight of the show, offering an insight into the series founded this year to help build motorsports careers for young drivers. Bringing the car to SEMA is also likely in part a marketing ploy for the series itself, which just completed its first season in operation. Featuring a range of...
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Report: Volkswagen Golf R32 dropped from U.S. lineupVolkswagen has confirmed today that its sporty R32 Golf won’t be offered in the United States in the 2009 model year. The information comes from company spokesman Thomas Wegehaupt, who said the main reason for dropping the model after only one year was because of the debut of the Mark VI Golf...
James Martinez -
Volkswagen shares spike over $1,250 to become most valuable company in worldInfighting with new owner Porsche has led many to fret over Volkswagen's future, but company officials insist the struggles are being blown out of proportion, just today releasing a statement of cooperation that appears to have put the fighting to an end. Whatever the case, the stock markets are...
Nelson Ireson -
Porsche-VW announce united front after months of feudingThe feud that started up between the two German companies since Porsche purchased a controlling interest in Volkswagen last month has met what appears to be an end in the aligned leadership of both companies and the Porsche and Piëch families declaring, "We stand united behind all decisions." The...
Nelson Ireson -
VW prepping Race Touareg 2 for 2009 Dakar RallyThis year's Dakar Rally was at first delayed, then relocated to South America due to terrorist threat. The first-ever iteration of the historic race to take place in South America, it will start in Buenos Aires January 3, 2009, and Volkswagen will be at the line with its new Race Touareg 2, built...
Nelson Ireson -
Volkswagen's Car-2-Car system begins testingVolkswagen is claiming to have reached an automotive milestone today as tests begin on its Car-2-Car communications system. The system aims to increase the levels of communications between cars of all makes and models eventually, and to hopefully improve road safety. The enlistment of a number of...
Alex Kaufmann -
Volkswagen has one of the widest and most interesting engine range in the automotive industry but in the United States its offering consists of a paltry line of four, five and six-cylinder units that are mostly petrol. That is set to change, however, as construction of a plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, will soon see VW manufacturing a new-generation of U.S.-specific clean diesel engines and possibly an advanced diesel-electric hybrid powertrain. The information comes from the carmaker’s American chief Stefan Jacoby, who confirmed to the Chattanooga Daily that VW will build a diesel...
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Jaguar XK facelift due for early 2009 revealRumors are circulating of a possible Los Angeles Auto Show reveal for the upcoming facelifted Jaguar XK, but according to the company, there will be nothing new from Jaguar in Los Angeles. Nevertheless, the new car is expected to make its debut sometime during the first quarter of 2009, meaning...
Nelson Ireson -
Porsche slams government bailout for auto industryPorsche is expected to release another set of high profit figures for this financial year on the back of its growing stake in VW and its own successful sports car range, but despite this success the carmaker is critical of the poor performance of some of its rivals and the U.S. government bailout...
Alex Kaufmann -
Early look at VW’s upcoming ‘Robust’ pickupThe long-awaited and much anticipated Volkswagen Robust pickup truck has been canceled for European and North American sale, but the project is still alive and kicking as indicated by the recent ‘Pickup’ concept vehicle unveiled at last month’s 62nd IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in...
Alex Kaufmann -
More details on planned Volkswagen, Audi mid-engine roadsterVolkswagen is reportedly working on an affordable mid-engine sports car along the lines of the Lotus Elise and Toyota MR2, which it plans to release sometime early next decade. A concept of the car is slated for debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month, and now Audi is also reported to be...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Volkswagen gearing up for new U.S. sales pushThe downturn in vehicle sales around the world is affecting nearly every carmaker in some way or another, but not equally in each market. Volkswagen, for example, has been on a four-year downturn in the U.S., with 2008 merely marking a particularly rough spot. But the company is working to turn...
Nelson Ireson