Volkswagen introduces the Cross up! ahead of the Geneva Motor Show

The small city car gained a tougher look thanks to the new silver roof rails, black plastic cladding for the wheel arches, side skirts and the lower part of the front and rear bumpers. Also new are the 16 inch wheels with a tire size of 185/50 with a higher suspension.

Mechanically the Cross version is equal to the normal version, with the same three-cylinder gasoline engine producing 75hp (55kW) mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Volkswagen didn't reveal if there were any changes to the car's traction control system, so we can't say if you can go to a dirt road or not.

On the inside we have a special trim for the seats in red or dark gray, besides a new matching instrument panel, floor mats, a leather package for the steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake, plus chrome surrounds for the air vents and speedometer.

The public presentation will take place at the Geneva Motor Show., with sales starting in late summer from 13.950 euros ($18.650 or £11.800).

Volkswagen presents the Beetle GSR Limited Edition in Chicago

This Limited edition, with only 3500 produced, was presented at the Chicago Auto Show and is based on the 40 year old Beetle 1303 S which was the sportiest series production Beetle at that time. The Beetle GSR, just like its predecessor, has a yellow/black paint making it easily recognizable.

While the original model had a 50hp engine, the new version is equipped with an engine that produces 210hp (155kW) and 280Nm (207lb/ft) from 1700rpm, making it capable of accelerating from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in just 7.3 seconds. It has a top speed of 229km/h (130mph) but an average consumption of just 7.3l/100km.

Regardless of where you buy it, it is available with an automatic six-speed, dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) as an alternative to the six-speed manual transmission.

Inside we also have R-Line racing track sports seats (with fabric covers and contrasting yellow stitching; US version in black leather), a high-grip leather sports steering wheel (it also has the contrasting yellow stitching) with the R-Line logo and a limited edition badge with the special edition number (1 to 3,500).

Spain will get another major investment from a carmaker

The German company Volkswagen said last week it would invest around 785 million euros ($1 billion) in a plant in northern Spain over the next five years, making it the third company in recent months that announced a major investment in that country with severe economy problems.

First it was Ford that said they were going to move production from their Belgium factory to Spain, then Renault announced it was hiring 1.300 new people, but just last week Nissan canceled the plans to expand production of a new model in Spain because they didn't reach an agreement with union workers adding that Spain was losing 4.000 jobs and an investment of 130 million euros.

The Volkswagen plant is in Pamplona in the region of Navarra, can produce up to 1.400 vehicles every day and provides work for 4.600 people, so this was good news for the struggling country. But the Spanish government boasted that these investments happen because "they are the result of a labour market reform that makes the country more competitive for businesses and also makes it cheaper for companies to hire and fire employees.".

I am not sure if its a good thing to make it cheaper to fire people but it seems that's what the companies want.

Source: reuters

Volkswagen CrossBlue diesel plug-in hybrid SUV concept

Yesterday I showed you an image of a concept that Volkswagen would reveal at the Detroit Auto Show, and today the German brand revealed the name, in addition to more pictures and information about their future SUV.

The concept has room to sit six people, but if it gets built, it will have room for seven. It was designed specially for the North American market, and contrary to what was stated earlier, this concept is 5m long and will not be slotted between the Tiguan and Touareg, but above the Touareg (4.8m).

The powertrain comprises a diesel engine, two electric motors and a siz-speed dual-clutch transmission and is good for 225kW (306hp) and up to 700Nm of torque. And you need all of that torque to move such a big car, yet it does 0 to 100km/h (32mph) in 7.5 seconds.

When the lithium-ion battery, with a capacity of 9.8kWh, is fully charged you can drive it using only electric power for up to 14miles (22km) with a top speed of 120km/h (75mph), while using the diesel engine (EA288 140kW/190hp) it can reach 204km/h (127mph).

You can use it as a FWD, AWD or RWD car. Front-wheel drive via the TDI engine and the front electric motor (40kW), four-wheel drive with the TDI engine and both electric motors, and rear-wheel drive when using the rear electric motor (80kW).

This is SUV is big, really big, with 4,987mm its length is greater than the Range Rover, and with 2,015mm wide and 1,733 mm tall, it also wider and shorter, making it look more aggressive. The boot has room for 335liters and with all the seats down, almost 2000liters.

Short News: Volkswagen shows a drawing of a seven seat SUV concept

This new SUV will be slotted between the Tiguan and Touareg, which has room for only five people, and should reach dealers within a few years.

The SUV, which has no name for now, will be built in the German company's factory in Tennessee which also manufactures the Passat and therefore is expected to also use the same MQB platform.

The render you can see below was shown by the English magazine, autocar, and according to them the price will be around €22.500 ($30.000). My bet is the name of this SUV will start with a "T".

Source: carscoop

Volkswagen USA also announces R-Line versions of the Tiguan and Touareg

Volkswagen will introduce the Touareg and Tiguan R-Line at the Detroit Auto Show, starting next week, for the North American market. Both SUVs will join the recently presented Beetle and the older CC with their respective S-Line trims.

The changes are only cosmetic, with no modifications or new offerings for the engines available. Both cars have new 19 and 20inch wheels available, new front and rear bumpers, side skirts, rear spoiler and LED lighting.

On the inside we also have specially design parts, including a flat-bottom R-Line multi-function steering wheel with paddle shifters, unique high-gloss black and brushed aluminum trim on the dashboard, center console and doors, aluminum sport pedals, and a black headliner.

Source: vw usa

Volkswagen USA announces the Passat Performance Concept for Detroit

This was a surprise, but I can not quite understand why this concept. Is it to show the future Passat R-Line? To publicize the new engine? No idea, but the car looks good.

The concept has a new engine from the EA888 family with 1800cc, 250hp, and will replace the 2.5liter inline-5 later this year in the U.S.A. It also has 19inch Luxor wheels, a redesigned front bumper with honey-comb inserts, HID headlamps and LED tail lamps equal to the ones in the Chinese market Passat.

Find out more when the North American International Auto Show next week.

Source: vwvortex

Volkswagen Polo R WRC - The limited edition

Besides the actual rally car that will compete in next seasons WRC, Volkswagen presented the most powerfull Polo ever, with 220hp and 350Nm, limited to only 2.500 units.

It has 18-inch ‘Cagliari’ rally-inspired rims with bumpers designed specifically for this version in a blue, grey and white paint scheme for the car. Underneath the car has a 2liter engine connected to a six speed manual gearbox driving all four wheels.

It will do 0 to 100km/h (0 to 62mph) in just 6,4 seconds, which means it is faster than a Golf GTI, and will have a top speed of 243km/h (151mph).

No interior shots have been released but i am sure it will have the same outside treatment, with a special trim and colored stitching and still keep all the amenities like air conditioning and satellite navigation.

The price is €33.900 ($43.850 or £27,350) in Germany, but there won't be a "normal" VW Polo R version, atleast for now...

Source: AutoExpress

Volkswagen Polo R WRC introduced in Monte Carlo

Today Volkswagen held a press conference in a casino at Monte Carlo in order to indroduce to the press the new Polo R WRC that will compete next season, with the first race taking place precisely in Monte Carlo.

The drivers were already known, Sébastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen has the third pilot. But only now VW released information about the technical aspects of the car. It has a 1.6 liter TSI engine producing 315hp and will do 0 to 100km/h (0 to 62mph) in 4.1 seconds, probably in all types of terrain.

From mid January the WRC will start with a new contender, Volskwagen, but will only have Citroen as a real adversary, and even Citroen won't have Loeb to make it easy for them.

 

Please come back Mitsubishi, Subaru, Ford, Peugeot, Lancia, Toyota,....

 

Marchione re-elected president of the ACEA. Peace with VW CEO Martin Winterkorn? No.

Fiat SpA Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne and Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn aren't what you would call good friends, i would say that they are precisely the opposite of that but seemed to have made ​​peace at the Paris Motor Show on September, 28.

This all started when Marchionne started criticizing the VW Group for creating a "bloodbath" in Europe thanks to the prices and discounts they were giving to their clients, thus remaining the number one and aggravating the situation of other companies.

Both brands threatened to leave the ACEA, and VW even called for the resignation of Marchione but in September peace was made, or it seemed that way. The Italian company, which owns Chrysler, has a market share of 11,4% in the U.S.A., almost 8% more than Volkswagens' 4%, and they will take advantage of that by giving $1,000 rebates to current VW owners in the U.S.A..

Still Sergio Marchionne was re-elected yesterday as the president of the Europe's main carmaking lobby group, European Automobile Manufacturers Association. In great difficulties, French companies continue to remain without a word to say about the domain of VW and the problems with falling car sales in the European market, so it seems it's up to Fiat to do something about that.

Volkswagen had a market share rise to 24,8%, while Fiat dropped to 6,4% in the old continent, so this fight is still not over.

Source: DetroitNews

Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid, can now be ordered in Germany. And the rest of Europe?

Seems that Volkswagen has started to accept orders in Germany of the Jetta hybrid that is already sold in the U.S.A. for some time. Deliveries begin from mid April.

 

The car is driven by the front wheels which are connected to a turbocharged gasoline engine (TSI) developing 147hp (110kW) and an electric engine with 27hp (20kW), for a total of 174hp (130kW).

To help drive the car is a seven speed dual-clutch gearbox that also helps achieve a 20% drop in the fuel consumption to a cool 4.1litres each 100km which are equivalent to 95 g/km CO2. It also gets to 210km/h. The Jetta can be driven purely on electric power, but only for 2km.

The price starts at €31.300 in Germany.

 

 

Volkswagen Cross Up! testing in the snow

Back in 2011, in the Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen introduced several models based on the little city car, Up!. One of them was the Cross Up!, an all-terrain version of the small car.

Now CarScoop has revealed pictures of the new ultra small "SUV" testing in the snow. The car is similar to the concept introduced at the beginning of the year (below you can see more photos of that vehicle that was shown in the Geneva Motor Show), and it stands out particularly for its 'off-road' appearance via the black plastic extensions on the fenders, bumpers with specific design, roof rails and 16inch wheels that help raise the car 15mm.

Engines choices will probably be the same 1.0liter three-cylinder petrol engine driving the front wheels with 60 and 75hp. Later, an 1.2TDI engine with 75hp might be an option.

Source: CarScoop