Volkswagen
VW Beetle R Concept Sure Doesn’t Look Like One: 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show
Auto shows are known for their wild and wacky concept cars, and while a high-horsepower turbocharged AWD Volkswagen Beetle might sound like the stuff concepts are made from, the Beetle R unveiled today at the Frankfurt Auto Show looks production ready. While VW didn’t release any hard specs, the German automaker has said the car…
Volkswagen Polo R WRC is One Mean Little Hatchback [2011 Frankfurt Auto Show]
Ask someone from Volkswagen what their most important reveal is at the Frankfurt Auto Show and the answer will be simple: the Up!, the diminutive city car with a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine. That’s all well and good, but what about a car (another small car we might add) that’s just awesome. We are, of course,…
2011-2012 Volkswagen Jetta Recalled Over Tail Pipe Burn Hazard
In a country where people can sue restaurants over coffee being too hot, the latest recall for the 2011-2012 Volkswagen Jetta is dubious, but legally sound. According to NHTSA, some vehicles built between March 18, 2010, and Aug. 22, 2011 had a stainless steel exhaust tip installed at the port. The exhaust tip may stick out past the…
Suzuki/VW Alliance Dies Over Fiat Engine Deal
Nonetheless VW believes that an alliance is still possible, though the company’s Chief Financial Officer Hans Dieter Poetsch said on a July 28 conference call that the partnership is currently “under review.”
Volkswagen Claims Suzuki Broke Partnership Rules by Doing Business with Fiat
With the Volkswagen/Suzuki tie-up all but officially over, the latest move by Volkswagen is sure to end it. After its first full review of the “partnership” Volkswagen has announced it is, “serving notice of an infringement by Suzuki of the cooperation agreement.” The reason for the notice is a result of Suzuki’s decision to purchase…
Volkswagen, Suzuki Tie-Up Unravels
Young love can turn into a bitter divorce faster than you can say “Rocktan.” That at least appears to be the case with the relatively recent partnership between Germany’s world-domination seeking Volkswagen and the minicar experts from Japan, Suzuki. Like many a relationship gone sour, the problem appears to be communication. “Volkswagen is not talking…
Volkswagen Brings Cylinder Deactivation Technology to the 4-Cylinder Engine
Cylinder shut off technology has been a staple in fuel-saving technology for many years now but it has yet to make its way into a four cylinder engine. At least not until now. Volkswagen‘s 1.4 liter TSI engine will be the very first four cylinder to feature cylinder deactivation as two of its cylinders will…
Volkswagen NILS Concept Is A Commuter Vehicle For One
Volkswagen‘s NILS Concept won’t ever qualify for the HOV lane, since the single seat concept was designed as VW’s vision of a future commuter that’s a bit like the proverbial “table for one”. Sporting a single seat – and a curb weight of just under 1000 lbs – the NILS has a 40 mile range…
2012 Mazda CX-5 Hits U.S In Early 2012, Will Get Diesel Option In 2014
The Mazda CX-5 will enter the highly competitive compact crossover segment in the U.S when it debuts in early 2012. The CX-5 prototype was equipped with 165-hp 2.0-liter engine producing 150 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and the American version will likely use the same setup. A diesel variant available…
Volkswagen Admits Poor Quality, Assures American Consumers Of Improvements
Despite poor showings in various quality surveys, not to mention anecdotal evidence abound, Volkswagen is tackling its vehicle quality problems head on, and is openly discussing the steps it will take to remedy them. The J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey, regarded as the gold standard among industry types, pegged VW at 29th out of 32…
Pop Your Top with a Custom Beer Can Car
You never know what you’re going to find on Ebay. For example, look at this custom beer can car that recently went up for auction. Originally built for the beer company Stroh, this brew-mobile is a piece of promotional nostalgia. Built in the early 1980s by Florida-based Automotive Innovations, this fiberglass can car was initially…
VW Planning New SUV Above Touareg in Size, But Below it in Price
Volkswagen‘s next big move in the U.S. marketplace will come with an equally big vehicle; a new crossover SUV targeted squarely at the likes of the Toyota Highlander. The new 3-row, 7-seater crossover will be designed for American consumers, and priced for them too. Volkswagen of America Chief Executive Jonathan Browning has confirmed the new…
Volkswagen To Unveil Single Seat Electric Car
Volkswagen is set to unveil a single seat electric car at a special event in Berlin next month, as the company explores the future of mobility and personal transportation. A VW spokesman confirmed that the vehicle would be shown at an event in Berlin on September 8th. VW said that the new car would surpass…
Production Volkswagen Up! Shown Before Frankfurt Debut
Set to launch in December in the European market, Volkswagen‘s up! looks to be the next great small car in the segment, especially since it’s the first with City Emergency Braking. The up! features a 1.0L three-cylinder gasoline engine with BlueMotion Technology and a Stop/Start system, allowing the powerplants to get 56-mpg from its 59-hp…
BMW May Revive 5-Series Wagon For America
With the passing of the Volvo V70 and VW Passat in North America, European wagons are becoming harder to come by. But BMW is considering bringing the 5-Series Touring back to our shores to make up for disappointing 5-Series Gran Turismo sales figures. Nothing has been confirmed, however some sources have learned that the comeback may…
Suzuki Disatisfied With VW, May Collaborate With Fiat Instead
In 2010, Volkswagen took a twenty-percent stake in Suzuki, and virtually no progress has been made from the alliance since then. Neither side has been thrilled with the coalition and the two automakers have even stated cultural differences as being a factor in the failed relationship. Both automakers had different goals: VW wanted to expand…
Lego VW Camper Van Is Far Out, Man
You’re never too old to play with Lego. And that’s a good thing, because we can’t wait to get our hands on Lego’s new VW Camper Van. Styled after the 1962 T1 Camper, this red Lego VW camper van set is super trippy and looks just like the real thing (only in block form). It…
VW Bulli To Join Beetle In “Heritage Range”
Volkswagen executives are reportedly “very serious” to add the Bulli to their production lineup, as part of a “Heritage Range.” So far, this range consists of the Beetle, and…well, nothing else. But given the cult status of the old Microbus, and the overwhelmingly positive response of the Bulli at various auto shows, and VW is…
Bentley Looking To Build SUV
This is it for SUV lovers, the piece de resistance. Bentley is working on a design and engineering project to launch a very high-end £150,000 SUV by 2014, according to CEO Wolfgang Durheimer. Design chief Dirk van Braeckel and engineering boss Uli Eichhorn are spearheading the project with Durheimer to get the SUV ready. “I…
Diesel Car Sales Up 38.5% with Volkswagen Jetta TDI in the Lead
Diesel sales have vastly improved through the end of July, up 38.5 percent, compared to the same seven- month cycle in 2010. Volkswagen has been leading the sales with the Jetta TDI and Golf TDI. Volkswagen sold 5,206 Jetta TDI models in July, bringing the diesel powered sedan’s year-to-date total to 56,717. On the other…
Suzuki’s Fragile Relationship With Volkswagen Is Not Over Yet
Suzuki’s rocky relationship with Volkswagen has not ended, the Japanese automaker stated today. Even though Suzuki has made public remarks against VW’s role in the two automakers’ joint-venture, there are no plans for the Japanese automaker to pull out. Recently, a newspaper in Germany reported that the tenuous relationship was set to end, but a…
Ford Mustang, VW Jetta TDI Under Investigation for Safety Issues
Both the new Ford Mustang and the new VW Jetta are facing possible recalls as a result of ongoing investigations by safety officials. The Mustangs in question are those from the 2011 and 2012 model year equipped with a manual transmission, with reports from owners stating an inability to shift into gears while merging into…
Volkswagen Still Looking for Changes to 2025 CAFE Standards
Volkswagen was one of several large automakers that did not sign off on the Obama Administration’s proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for 2025. “We still have a dialogue going on with the administration in terms of how we think the policy needs to be adjusted,” said Jonathan Browning, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America….
General Motors World’s Largest Automaker, Volkswagen Second, Toyota Third
General Motors is back on top as the world’s largest automaker, outselling Toyota in the first 6 months of 2011. Both GM and Volkswagen managed to surpass the Japanese automaker in sales, with March’s earthquake and tsunami blamed for severely hampering Toyota’s overall production. GM moved 4.536 million cars in the six-month period ending June…
