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VW Going WRC??

admin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:18:43 +0000

What? Can this be true? More manufacturer involvement in the world Rally Championship? Be-still my heart.

It seems that rumors are running rampant that VW is considering getting in the WRC game. Now, I do understand that VW, as an umbrella company, already is sort of involved in the WRC with Skoda. Specifically they give limited factory support to teams running the Skoda Fabia, which is I think, and correct me if I’m wrong, essentially a Golf variant. So if VW wanted to, they could probably just start running Golfs, but sources point to more than doing just that, possible running the upcoming Scirocco.

It gets even better though, the rumors are picking up steam, and now point to WRC involvement from Fiat and Renault going WRC as well.

Renault getting in the game seems like an easy deal, given their great success in the series in years past … but Fiat getting involved? Hm, what car would the run? The new 500 is too small (the WRC actually has size rules), so maybe the Grand Punto? I’m coming up with blanks on what Fiat could put on stage, but if any of you out there have any knowledge, please fill me in.

Car companies getting involved in the WRC seems like SUCH a no brainer. The technology migrates directly into the cars we drive, think Subaru or Audi to see the technology transfer.

We all benefit from this kind of activity, so c’mon VW (and Fiat & Renault), just do it.

Volkswagen’s ’one-litre’ car coming in 2010

admin — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:08:23 +0000

Volkswagen announced that its one-liter car, capable of one litre per 100km, will be launched as a limited edition in 2010. The car was revealed as a prototype in 2002.

The production is possible as the cost of the carbonfibre monocoque dropped from €35,000 (£28,000) to €5000 (£4000).

The car will be powered by a new two-cylinder unit that will offer more refinement, more torque and more power. The car will have a weight of only 300 kg.

The price for the one-liter car will be between €20,000 - €30,000.

Read more from the source here

2010 Volkswagen Polo will be inspired by Scirocco car news and reviews

admin — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:05:55 +0000

Volkswagen will unveil its fifth-generation Polo next year. Its design will be inspired by the newly launched Scirocco. The car’s nose reflects the styling of VW’s sleek coupé – and inside, there is a classier cabin.

Future Polo will drop the large chrome grille seen on recent VWs for a simpler design with twin horizontal air intakes and angled headlights.

It will be built on the new PQ25 small car platform – first used by the latest SEAT Ibiza. Engine line-up will include 1.4 and 1.6-litre FSI direct-injection petrol units, plus new TDI turbodiesels. The 1.4-litre supercharged and turbocharged TSI motor, available in a 138bhp ‘warm hatch’ and a 168bhp GTI variant will also be used.

Read more from the source here

Hailstorm Disaster strikes VW plant: 30,000 vehicle damaged!

admin — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:43:23 +0000

Every week, we bring you pictures and videos of new cars taking a beating by inattentive drivers, buildings collapsing, drunken driving and sinking ships. Those incidents can be blamed on humans or mechanical failures but not this one.

A major hailstorm over the course of the last weekend harmed up to 30,000 brand new Volkswagen cars awaiting delivery to domestic and foreign customers. Little or nothing could be done by the staff at the VW assembly plant at Emden on the North Sea coast, as the number of vehicles were gigantic, and driving them or transporting them to a safe location was out of question.

Though VW declined to comment on the estimate of the damages, a German press report confirms it would be hundreds of million of dollars.

The affected vehicles will be put under the scanner and will be inspected closely by 100 VW staff members. By sending the vehicle through a special light tunnel, even the smallest of damages can be detected.

VW is insured against hail damages, so the manufacturer won’t be bothered much by this accident. Pain will only be felt by customers, who now have to wait for a longer time to drive home their new cars.

Read more from the source here

Polo Volkswagen SUV coming in 2010,car news and reviews.

admin — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:59:24 +0000

Volkswagen will unveil a SUV version of its compact Polo in 2010. It will replace the current Polo Dune and will compete with models like the forthcoming supermini 4×4 class rivals such as the Vauxhall Corsa SUV and its planned Chevrolet-badged sister model.

Its design will be inspired by the its bigger brother Tiguan. It will feature bold chrome grille and Eos-style headlights, plus protective cladding for the bumpers, wheelarches and side skirts. Roof rails and sporty alloy wheels also feature.

The SUV will be built on the current Polo’s chassis, same that will be used for the standard next-generation supermini, which is due on sale here in 2009.

The SUV will be 20mm higher than the regular Polo and will be fitted with VW’s 4MOTION four-wheel-drive system.

Under the hood there will be the same range of engines as the standard car: a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with either 60bhp or 70bhp, a 85bhp 1.4-litre, a 105 hp 1.2-litre TSI turbocharged. Diesel options will include a 1.6-litre TDI in 75bhp, 90bhp and 105bhp forms.

Read more from the source here

Volkswagen Passat CC by H&R

admin — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:36:10 +0000

Although few people have seen the new Vw Passat CC in flesh, H&R wanted to be the first company offering a new set of springs for the Mercedes CLS rival. With the new H&R components, the vehicle is lowered with up to 40 mm in order to deliver better handling while keeping the same level of comfort. For those who want more, H&R can also improve the chassis of the car, keeping the same TUV approval! Read more from the source here

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sedan and SportWagen Pricing Announced

admin — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:24:25 +0000

The numbers are in and will no doubt add fuel to the Great Diesel Debate of 2008. Volkswagen is bringing a diesel Jetta back to the U.S. after a brief hiatus. The new 2.0-liter four-cylinder is more powerful - it generates 140 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque - and will be cleaner thanks to a new after-treatment system. What price power and cleanliness, you ask? The Jetta TDI sedan will start at $21,990 - a $2000 premium over a similarly equipped gasoline-engined Jetta SE. Interestingly, that’s only a $700 increase over the last diesel Jetta sold in the U.S., the not-so-clean 2006 model. A TDI SportWagen will also be available, with prices starting at $23,590. Jetta TDIs will be available beginning in August. We recently told you about the EPA fuel mileage numbers, which come in at 30/41 mpg city/highway for models equipped with a manual transmission (VW’s DSG is an option, and lowers both mileage numbers by 1 mpg). Volkswagen was apparently not happy with those figures so it asked AMCI, an independent certification company, to test the cars for real-world fuel mileage. The results are a big improvement: 38/44 mpg city/highway. Read more from the source here

Volkswagen Scirocco European prices announced

admin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:50:08 +0000

The countdown is running for the new era Scirocco: the third generation of the sports car will already be arriving on the European market in August. Volkswagen is staging the comeback of a legend with the debut of the two-door car – Scirocco generations I and II wrote history as the most successful Volkswagen coupe of all time with about 800,000 units sold. Prices will start at €27,490 for the 1.4L TSI petrol variant with 120hp.

The engine line-up will be as follow: gas - 1.4L TSI, 160hp TSI and 200hp TSI and diesel: 140hp TDI, and a new 122hp TDI early next year.
Read more from the source here

Volkswagen Touareg by Hofele

admin — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 17:32:23 +0000

If you liked the latest Porsche Cayenne by Hofele, then you’ll definetely like the customization kit for the facelifted 2008 Vw Touareg.

The new kit offers a fresh new look for the German SUV consisting in a re-designed front bumper, new hood, additional side sills, rear apron with integrated tailpipes, rear roof spoiler, bonnet scoop “Power Dome” and a rear door panel.

Also, new 22 inch alloy wheels and a new suspension kit ,which lowers the car with 40 mm, were added in order to make the car more stable on the roads. Price of the kit: around 1,500 euros.

Read more from the source here

Porsche’s VW takeover puts Audi R4 on hold

besthidxenon — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:43:26 +0000

Development of the much-rumored Audi R4 sports car is unlikely to go ahead, according to German media reports. Porsche, which is planning to take over Volkswagen (Audi’s parent company), is reportedly concerned the mid-engine R4 will harm sales of its Cayman and Boxster. Last week, an Audi spokesperson told trade publication Automotive News the R4 was not in the company’s product plan. The statement marked the first time an Audi representative has ever mentioned the R4. In March, an internal production roadmap leaked from Audi, revealing the R4 was planned as a 2011 model. Constant rumors for the past 17 months also confirm the R4 was, at least at one time, on the drawing board. Porsche is expected to expand its 31 percent stake in Volkswagen to 51 percent or more, giving it complete control of the company. Executives from both sides have insisted the two companies will remain separate, but the demise of the R4 might be the first evidence this is not entirely true. Like the R8, the R4 was expected be a two-seater with a mid-engine configuration. The base model would have at least 200 horsepower, and pricing would start around 40,000 euros. The car would be contracted of aluminum and steel, weighing around 2,600 lbs. High performance models with power between 280 horsepower and 350 horsepower are also likely, the magazine said. It would compete with the Porsche Cayman and Boxster.
[ Porsche’s VW takeover puts Audi R4 on hold Via Hidstores Car Reviews Blogs ]