Volkswagen

Report: Volkswagen Golf R32 dropped from U.S. lineup

2008-10-28T20:41:00.000-07:00

Volkswagen 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 in Europe.The Mark VI is expected to arrive in the U.S. sometime next year as a Rabbit and will once

Porsche-VW announce united front after months of feuding

2008-10-28T20:34:00.000-07:00

The 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 announcement comes just a day after Porsche increased its holding in VW to 42.6%.How long the detente

Volkswagen working on New Midsize Sedan (NMS) for U.S.

2008-10-27T20:29:00.000-07:00

The Passat has been a relative success for Volkswagen in the U.S., but the company is already hard at work on a New Midsize Sedan, not-so-cleverly codenamed NMS, to replace it. Expected for a 2010 arrival, the new car is intended to offer a high degree of liveability in a fun and dynamic package - but what that means once all the marketing-speak has been stripped away remains somewhat unclear.The

VW prepping Race Touareg 2 for 2009 Dakar Rally

2008-10-27T20:18:00.000-07:00

This 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 especially for the purpose.Four factory teams will vie for the crown, piloted by some of the best the

U.S. to get limited edition Volkswagen Scirocco with more power

2008-10-27T04:34:00.000-07:00

Volkswagen has consistently dismissed rumors the new Scirocco would be sold in the United States and recently the carmaker’s sales and marketing chief Detlef Wittig confirmed the bad news. Despite the high level of interest in the car, VW has stated that the Scirocco was ruled for U.S. sale because of the weak dollar against the strong euro and fears that it could cannibalize sales of the

Volkswagen's Car-2-Car system begins testing

2008-10-25T03:51:00.000-07:00

Volkswagen 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 different manufacturers means that research regarding the "Car-2-Car" communication is being conducted

North America to get a VW Beetle-based pickup?

2008-10-18T03:42:00.000-07:00

Volkswagen recently unveiled the Concept Pickup, a concept that will enter production mid-2009 and will go on sale in South America, South Africa, Australia and Europe. What about the U.S.? If a report by Automotive News and a fear by the rest of us and PickupTrucks.com are to be believed, North America will get a next-generation Beetle-based pickup.It may just happen. If you’ve been following

Volkswagen confirms diesel car production for U.S. plant

2008-10-17T03:38:00.000-07:00

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

Early look at Volkswagen’s upcoming ‘Robust’ pickupks

2008-10-15T02:33:00.000-07:00

The 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 Hanover, Germany.The United States was expected to be the vehicle’s single biggest market but analysis of fuel prices

Volkswagen gearing up for new U.S. sales push

2008-10-07T02:26:00.000-07:00

The 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 that around, planning the launch of several new models and aiming for the 'sweet spots' of the U.S.

Volkswagen Golf Mark VI limited to three year product cycle

2008-10-07T02:01:00.000-07:00

Volkswagen’s Mark VI Golf has just made its world debut to much fanfare at the recent Paris Motor Show but confidential papers leaked from the carmaker’s Wolfsburg headquarters reveal that the car has already been marked for ‘End of Production’ by December 2011.The new Mark VI essentially rides on a warmed over Mark V platform but VW is working on a much more efficient platform and engine lineup

ABT Sportsline joins growing list of Volkswagen Scirocco tuners

2008-10-07T01:58:00.000-07:00

The first Volkswagen Scirocco coupes are just starting to appear in showrooms in Europe but some of Germany’s top tuners are already working on the car, releasing initial styling mods and mild power upgrades in the process. Earlier this week we saw Oettinger's 350hp power kit for the Scirocco and now we have the latest kit from ABT Sportsline.The modifications to the car’s exterior include a new

Volkswagen upgrades Phaeton for 2009

2008-10-07T01:41:00.000-07:00

Despite the weak performance of the Phaeton, Volkswagen has persisted with the car in the belief that there is a place for it in the lineup. Less-than-inspired styling, high pricing and nagging quality issues are in part to blame, and VW hopes to cure these in the next iteration of the car. Until then, however, it is forging ahead with updates to the current model.Key among the updates for the

Volkswagen's BlueMotion II concept the most fuel efficient Passat ever

2008-10-07T01:37:00.000-07:00

For the next week or so, the Paris Motor Show will be playing host to some of the most fuel-efficient cars in the world. While the Passat BlueMotion II may not be at the sharp end of the rankings, it's certainly in the thick of things at 57.3mpg (4.1L/100km), and it's the most efficient Passat ever, according to Volkswagen.The new Passat is also the first to meet the Euro-6 emissions standard,

Oettinger releases one of the first tuning kits for Volkswagen’s Scirocco

2008-10-07T01:13:00.000-07:00

he first Volkswagen Scirocco coupes are just starting to appear in showrooms in Europe but one of Germany’s top tuners, Oettinger, has already developed a bodykit and mild performance upgrade for the car.The modifications to the car’s exterior include a new bodykit for the coupe, with an aggressively styled front bumper, sporty side sills, a rear diffuser and a subtle rear spoiler. Rounding out

Volkswagen to add R-Line trim to sixth-generation Golf

2008-10-07T01:09:00.000-07:00

Just a few days ago we learned of Volkswagen's plans to introduce a new, more powerful version of the Golf GTI, dubbed the GTI Plus. An all-new R-model, the R42, is reportedly in the works as well. Now it has been revealed that VW is also working on a new trim and appearance package called R-Line, which will offer both interior and exterior modifications to add an aggressive, sporty look from

Volkswagen Jetta TDI used to set new Guinness fuel economy record

2008-10-07T00:57:00.000-07:00

The Guinness World Record for lowest fuel consumption has been claimed by hypermiling power couple John and Helen Taylor at the wheel of a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Burning diesel across the lower 48 United States, the pair averaged 58.82mpg (3.99L/100km) over 20 days.Previously the record for lowest fuel consumption on a transnational trip had been set at 51.58mpg (4.56L/100km), making the new

More details on Volkswagen's Up! minicar

2008-10-07T00:46:00.000-07:00

Since its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year, the Volkswagen up! has spawned a number of concept variants and a planned production car. Now more details about the upcoming up! minicar have surfaced, revealing it will first troll the streets of Europe before cruising to other continents.Despite a switch from rear-engine, rear-drive configuration to a more conventional front-drive,

Report: Volkswagen working on Golf GTI ‘Plus’ and R42 models

2008-10-07T00:44:00.000-07:00

With only a 10hp boost in power over the current model and no change in torque implemented for the next-generation Volkswagen Mark VI Golf GTI, fans of the hot-hatch would understandably be less than impressed with the new car’s numbers.According to latest reports, however, VW won’t be neglecting its much admired Golf GTI. Sources in Germany familiar with the carmaker’s plans have revealed to

Volkswagen working on sporty Golf 'GTD' turbodiesel

2008-10-07T00:41:00.000-07:00

Set to make its debut next week at the Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen’s new Mark VI Golf (pictured) is destined to become one of the more popular generations of the longstanding nameplate thanks to three new sporty variants in the works. We’ve already seen the unveiling of a new GTI model, albeit in concept form, and read details about a new cult-favorite R branded flagship.Now, latest reports

Volkswagen unveils Mk6 Golf GTI "Concept"

2008-10-07T00:28:00.001-07:00

Volkswagen has unveiled a thinly disguised "concept" of the next-generation version of the Golf GTI, one of the most acclaimed hot hatches on the market. As expected, its styling remains similar to the previous model and is differentiated mostly by a new front bumper design. The last generation Golf GTI was purchased by 1.7m people and it’s expected that this new model will do just as well.The

Volkswagen unveils concept version of upcoming pickup

2008-10-06T23:56:00.000-07:00

The 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 carmaker’s latest 'Pickup' concept vehicle. Set to be unveiled later this week at the 62nd IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany, the new Pickup previews a four-door dual-cab utility that will go on

Volkswagen announces three sport-oriented Golf models

2008-10-06T23:50:00.000-07:00

A mix of old and new, Golf's Mark VI GTI will also spawn some old, and some new, names when the first of three sporty versions makes its debut in October. Renewing the famous GTI, reviving the cult-favorite R brand and introducing the diesel GTD, VW is angling for just about every segment of the hot-hatch market.First up will be the familiar GTI, refreshed for the new generation and sporting

VW takes preemptive steps to protect against Porsche

2008-10-06T22:36:00.000-07:00

Already tension and hostility between two of Germany's most important carmakers is reaching the boiling point. Boardroom dramas and stock acquisitions have supplanted spy scandals as Porsche continues its takeover of Volkswagen, and the latest development involves VW building barriers between Porsche and its internal operations.Central to the new policy is a document drafted by VW's lawyers

Report: VW, Porsche teaming up for 914 revival?

2008-10-06T06:36:00.000-07:00

Though the lightweight, mid-engined Porsche 914 of the late 1960s and early 1970s was far from a perfect machine, it has developed a cult following that keeps it active in the streets and on tracks around the world to this day. Now the Volkswagen-Porsche joint effort looks primed for a revival as economic and business conditions line up just right for the rebirth of a four-cylinder