Volkswagen
Volkswagen Planning Larger SUV, Smaller Car for North America
With Volkswagen now having launched the new Jetta and Passat on our shores, the automaker has pretty much run out of cars to Americanize and so it will soon look to deliver some all-new models designed to appeal to our less sophisticated tastes and larger beltlines. One of the first will be a three row…
2012 Volkswagen Beetle: Totally Manlier [2011 NYAS]
Volkswagen‘s main goal for the redesigned, sleeker Beetle was to appeal to the less fairer sex. So they’ve ditched the flower vase, lowered the roofline, employed turbo power, and even made it more fuel-efficient. Will manly men drive to steakhouses, gun ranges and the gym in the 2012 Beetle? It’s an evolved look, but it’s…
Volkswagen Beetle R to Get More Power, Remain Front-Wheel Drive
Now that Volkswagen has unveiled the upcoming 2012 Beetle to the general public, it’s exciting to hear that the German automaker will also be bringing a Beetle R version, as well as a Beetle convertible to America. The convertible version will be available next year while Volkswagen hasn’t confirmed when the Beetle R will arrive….
2012 Volkswagen Beetle Revealed With More Retro Look
Volkswagen has just revealed the all-new 2012 Beetle, returning the ‘Bug’ to its retro-styled ways. You’ll have to pardon the poor photos though. Officially that isn’t supposed to have debuted yet, but Motor Trend busted the embargo so we’re using their grainy pics. The replacement for the ‘New Beetle’ the car is set to debut…
Volkswagen Bora Protect Is A Bulletproof Mexican Jetta
We often take our own personal safety for granted, but in Mexico, the situation is quite different to say the least. While full-size SUVs are generally the vehicle of choice when armoring comes in to play, they’re not always the most discrete, and Volkswagen is cognizant of this. For about $70,000, Volkswagen will sell you…
Volkswagen Rumored to Acquire Isuzu
With Volkswagen‘s recent tie-up with Suzuki not going so well, a new report suggests the German auto giant may look to partner or acquire another Japanese company in its bid to become the world’s largest automaker. Rather than put a focus on small passenger cars, however, this tie-up would explore furthering VW’s commercial truck empire….
Audi Q3 Sketches Released
Audi has released a number of sketches showing their forthcoming Q3 crossover, based on the Volkswagen Tiguan, that will serve as an entry-level vehicle for the brand. The Q3 is unlikely to come to North America, but its unveiling at the Shanghai Auto Show should give a clue as to where Audi anticipates a fair…
Volkswagen Jetta Finishes Dead Last in Consumer Reports Small Sedan Comparo
The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta just got a lower base price, but it all came at a cost: a lower ranking to boot. Among small sedans, the Jetta came in dead last among its competitors in a Consumer Reports test. The $15,995 base price meant that VW skimped on minor details such as the interior and suspension,…
Volkswagen Looking To Overhaul American Dealer Network
With its target of 800,000 sales still firmly in mind, Volkswagen is taking its next step towards achieving their goal, and the company is looking to their dealers for help, as they continue to roll out all new vehicles designed with American consumers in mind. With the new Passat and Beetle set to be launched…
2012 Volkswagen Beetle to Debut Simultaneously on Three Continets Courtesy MTV
Volkswagen has announced a partnership with MTV to help debut the all-new 2012 Beetle simultaneously on three separate continents. Premiering first in Shanghai om April 18th, VW will then reveal the car in New York and Berlin with ‘World Stage’ events with performances by The Black Eyed Peas and Belgian duo 2manydjs. “The Beetle is…
Bugatti Galiber Super Sedan Headed to Production
For those well-heeled enthusiasts looking to take their friends up to 250+mph, take heart—Bugatti has announced plans to build the Galiber four-do0r, four-seater sedan. Consider the Galiber a Sybartic, jewel-encrusted amusement park ride, then—with room to impress the neighbors and the same 1000+horsepower W16 engine as in the Veyron. Though because it’s a sensible family…
Kia To Build Volkswagen Golf GTI Rival, Front-Drive Convertible By 2014
Kia is forging ahead with plans to build a rival to the Volkswagen Golf GTI, complete with a turbocharged engine and class-leading driving dynamics. The new car will be part of Kia’s effort to differentiate itself from Hyundai by focusing on performance and excitement. The GTI rival will likely be based on the well-received Cee’d, which…
Report: Asian Cars Preferred by Women, But Not Asian Women
Yesterday, we told you about the rising influence women of different ethnicities have when it comes to vehicle purchases. And now, R.L. Polk & Co. has released new information about the correlation between women and the Asian automakers. The Asian OEMs in question are Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura, Hyundai, KIA, Nissan, Infiniti, Subaru and Mazda,…
Volkswagen Celebrates 3.5 Million DSG Transmissions Sold
Dual-clutch transmissions are becoming increasingly popular offerings by all automakers in the search to save every drop of fuel. But the auto-boxes have another benefit: not only do they shift faster than a traditional slushbox, they easily out-match your best manual-transmission heel-toe efforts. Combine those two qualities and you’ve got a solution that will please…
SEAT Plant In Spain To Produce Audi Q3, 700 Jobs Added
Volkswagen‘s Spanish subsidiary SEAT is preparing to take on the task of assembling Audi‘s Q3 compact crossover, at their plant outside of Barcelona. The move comes as a bit of a quid pro quo for Audi, since SEAT’s Exeo flagship is a re-badged Audi A4, and with SEAT’s flagging sales presenting an issue for Volkswagen’s…
2012 Volkswagen Beetle To Debut At New York Auto Show
After teasing the public with a Superbowl ad hinting at the new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, the new coupe will almost certainly bow at the New York Auto Show in April. Arriving in showrooms this fall, the Beetle will get simultaneous unveilings at both the Shangai and New York Auto Shows, with a convertible version bowing…
SEAT To Launch In China
Despite the misfortunes of the SEAT brand, Volkswagen is planning to bring the Spanish automaker to China, where the appetite for cars seems limitless. Volkswagen is planning to erect a booth for SEAT at the upcoming Shanghai Auto Show, and eventually produce the cars at its assembly plant in Foshan around 2013. SEAT has faltered…
Volkswagen Strengthens Electric Car Plans, Plans New Hybrid Models
Volkswagen is now swimming in extra money, and has decided to put it into their electric car program—despite their initial reluctance to enter the EV market. VW’s plan originally was to focus on hybrids, and they’re still sticking with it: they will introduce five new hybrid versions of the Touareg, Golf, Jetta, and the Audi…
Porsche Casts Doubt Over Volkswagen Merger
Porsche is looking increasingly unsure over a potential takeover by Volkswagen, which currently holds a 49.9-percent stake in the sports car maker. Porsche Automobil Holding SE is the company that holds the 50.1% majority of Porsche AG, the manufacturing arm that actually builds the cars. But Volkswagen is looking to exercise an option that allows…
VW Jetta Leads Pack of Cars Worse Than Their Predecessors Says Consumer Reports
In the auto-industry it’s all about moving forward, building cars with more safety, fuel economy, features and space. In other words: more value for your money. Never one to shy away from having an objective opinion on cars, Consumer Reports has earned a reputation for reviews you can count on, so when the outlet announces…
Volkswagen-Suzuki Partnership Off to a Rough Start
Volkswagen took a 20-percent stake in Suzuki a year ago, and virtually nothing has come from the alliance since then. The two companies blame cultural differences, but Suzuki hasn’t exactly been open to Volkswagen as they like. The two company’s goals are different: VW wants to make a dent in the Asian small-car market, while…
Volkswagen Sales Up, Lamborghini, Bentley And Seat Down
2010 was overall a very good year for Volkswagen, but it could have been even better if some of the other brands they own also made a profit. While Volkswagen had the most successful year in its history, selling 7.2-million units globally and making 7.1-billion Euros along the way, its brands such Bentley, Seat and…
Alfa Would Get Porsche Engines Under Volkswagen Ownership
Despite claims by Fiat that its not letting go of Alfa Romeo, Volkswagen is continuing to put pressure on the powers-that-be to acquire the premium brand. Most recently VW chairman Ferdinand Piech commented that under the German automaker’s ownership sales of the Italian brand would quadruple. Now comes word that Volkswagen already has a complete…
Volkswagen Bulli Microbus Concept Headed to Production
Remember the retro-tastic Bulli from Geneva? If not, then this link should refresh your memory. Well, Volkswagen research and development boss Ulrich Hackenberg says it wasn’t just a snazzy show concept—the company plans to put it into production, under the MDS (modular design system) platform. The platform, previously known as the MQB, will enter production…
