Next Golf to feature smaller engines
By Yoann Besnard on 5 June 2008 | 
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The next-generation Golf will be launched within one year, but technical details still remain scarce. A new report gives more information about the engine range.
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VW CEO threatens to resign
By Yoann Besnard on 3 June 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Martin Winterkorn is more and more upset by Porsche’s will to interfere with the VW’s operations and has threatened to resign.
Karmann won't build the future VW Golf Cabriolet
By Yoann Besnard on 28 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
For the German coachbuilder, the future looks rather gloomy. After the end of the Chrysler Crossfire last year and the planned termination of the Audi A4 at the end of the year and the Mercedes-Benz CLK convertible next year, Volkswagen has decided to keep in-house the production of the next Golf convertible.
See also : Industry News | VW
VW Passat R36 Variant Styling Study unveiled at Worthersee Tour
By Yoann Besnard on 28 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Like Audi, Volkswagen has unveiled a special edition of the Passat R36 at the Wörther Lake in Austria. But VW engineers had less freedom than their counterparts at Ingolstadt.
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China first quarter saloon sales figures
By Yoann Besnard on 17 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here are the results of saloon sales for the first quarter of 2008 in China.
See also : Buick | Chery | Chinese manufacturers | General Motors | Honda | Hyundai | Toyota | VW
VW to choose its US factory in July
By Yoann Besnard on 13 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen's CEO has finally announced that the company will choose its US factory in July before the company's mid-July meeting.
See also : Industry News | VW
Volkswagen announces pricing For The Passat CC
By Yoann Besnard on 12 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen has announced prices for the Passat CC. The The entry-level powered by the 1.8-litre TSI petrol engine will cost £21,040, while the range-topping 3.6-litre version will cost £31,120.
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Skoda to produce the Up! in India
By Yoann Besnard on 12 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Skoda has announced it will build a budget car in India which will be launched within two years.
Future A1 and next-generation Polo to get AWD
By Yoann Besnard on 8 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
An Audi model isn’t a true Audi without an all-wheel drive and the future small A1 won’t avoid its fate. The Volkswagen Group is currently working on a four-wheel drive variant of the PQ25 platform shared Bentley
the future Audi A1 and VW Polo, and the new Seat Ibiza.
US to be biggest market for Volkswagen CC
By Yoann Besnard on 29 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen is expecting the US to become the largest market for the new Passat CC.
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Volkswagen debuts the 296bhp Passat in the UK
By Yoann Besnard on 29 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
VW has launched the most powerful Passat ever, the R36 powered by a 296bhp 3.6-litre engine.
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Volkswagen “Park Assist Vision” video
By Yoann Besnard on 28 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here is a video of the astonishing “Park Assist Vision” that Volkswagen unveiled at Hanover.
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Volkswagen rules out Mexico and Canada for its future factory
By Yoann Besnard on 26 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
According to company sources, the German carmaker has ruled out Mexico and Canada as location for the future factory.
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Volkswagen's designer talks about the Scirocco
By Yoann Besnard on 25 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The German carmaker has released video showing the Scirocco’s head designer March Lichte trying to convince us that the latest German coupé is as sexy as a German sausage.
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Volkswagen unveils “Park Assist Vision”
By Yoann Besnard on 21 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen has unveiled the “Park Assist Vision” which independently guides the equipped vehicle, a Passat, into any parking space.
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VW Up to achieve 80-90mpg
By Yoann Besnard on 21 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen is working hard on its small budget car which will be close to the three concept cars unveiled last year according to a AutoExpress.
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VW to build a SUV based on next-generation Passat
By Yoann Besnard on 17 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The German carmaker is planning to build a new model based on the Passat to reinforce its SUV lineup.
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Spyshots: VW Lavida
By Yoann Besnard on 8 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The VW Lavida was surprised during testing by Chinese spy photographers. The future saloon will be unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show.
Volkswagen Recalling 410,000 Passats in the U.S
By Yoann Besnard on 7 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen has announced it will recall every petrol-powered 410,000 Passat sold in the US between 1999 and 2005 to fix a few defects which might cause concern for safety.
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VW Passat CC to be called CC
By Yoann Besnard on 6 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Unveiled as a Passat CC, the Volkswagen four-door coupé will finally drop the Passat moniker to be simply called CC. By dropping the Passat link, Volkswagen hopes the CC will move upmarket and sit between the Passat and the future Phaeton.
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New Tiguan TDI goes on sale
By Yoann Besnard on 5 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The Tiguan meets a strong demand and the new engine, the 168bhp 2.0-litre TDI will likely boost its credential in terms of brand image when the Kuga only comes with a 136bhp 2.0-litre diesel unit.
See also : VW
Skoda might build the Up!
By Yoann Besnard on 1 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Along with the production site due to be built in India to produce the future Up! model, Volkswagen is seriously considering manufacturing the budget small car in a Skoda facility.
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First official leaked picture of the scirocco
By Yoann Besnard on 29 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Two official pictures of the Scirocco have leaked on the Internet less than one week ahead of is official launch at the Geneva Motor Show. As predicted the final model is close to the Iroc concept car unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.
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Next-generation Phaeton to be less expensive
By Yoann Besnard on 19 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In an interview given to Automotive News, Volkswagen Group of America CEO Stefan Jacoby talked straight about the Phaeton model: "We did a lot of things wrong with the car." He also gave some hints bout its replacement.
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VW to recall 510 New Beetle due to a faulty roof spoiler
By Yoann Besnard on 18 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen has announced it will recall 510 New Beetle due to the use of an incorrect adhesive that may have been used to attach the roof spoiler to the rear glass of the car.
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New details about the VW Scirocco
By Yoann Besnard on 17 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen has released some information about the engine range of the Scirocco coupé due to be launched at Geneva.
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Stefan Jacoby confirms the return of the Phaeton to the U.S.
By Yoann Besnard on 12 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
VW Spokesman Andreas Meurer recently confirmed that the Phaeton will return to the U.S. The spokeman’s statement has been confirmed by VW’s U.S. Chief Stefan Jacoby.
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Volkswagen to sell small cars in the U.S.
By Yoann Besnard on 12 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen is determined to increase its sales on the American market whatever it takes to achieve such an ambitious goal. After the Passat CC, the return of the Phaeton, the German car maker is seriously considering bringing the small VW derived from the Up! concept car.
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Next-generation Beetle confirmed
By Yoann Besnard on 11 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In an interview with Automotive News, Martin Winterkorn has confirmed that the German car maker is currently working on the next-generation Beetle which will go on sale from 2010.
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Volkswagen Routan unveiled
By Yoann Besnard on 8 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen has unveiled its new people carrier, the Routan, intended for the American market while the Sharan is at its of life in Europe.
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One million DSG milestone
By Yoann Besnard on 8 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen has reached an important milestone: one million vehicles sold with the DSG gearbox since its introduction in 2003.
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100,000th Eos rooled off the production line
By Yoann Besnard on 6 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Day after day, car makers always seem to be announcing new production milestones. This time, Volkswagen has announced that the 100,000th Eos model had rolled off the production line.
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The Phaeton will return to the US
By Yoann Besnard on 6 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
VW Spokesman Andreas Meurer confirmed that the next-generation Phaeton luxury executive will return to the US.
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Spyshots: VW Routan
By Yoann Besnard on 1 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here are the first spyshots of the VW Routan which will be unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show. With this minivan, Volkswagen aims at expanding its lineup in the US in order to increase its sales there.
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Chrysler to adopt Mercedes engines for its small Diesel cars
By Yoann Besnard on 29 January 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In an interview with Auto,Motor und Sport magazine, Chrysler Executive Vice President - Product Development Frank O. Klegon revealed that the troubled American company will stop sourcing diesel engines from Volkswagen.
Volkswagen to build engines and transmissions in North America
By Yoann Besnard on 28 January 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In an interview with Automobilwoche, Volkswagen of America CEO, Stefan Jacoby, said that the German car maker has plans to produce engine and transmissions in North America in order to reduce its exposure to the weak U.S. dollar.
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Volkswagen's first seven-speed DSG for Golf and Golf Plus
By Yoann Besnard on 21 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In a previous post I talked about the two awards given to Volkswagen for its TSI family engine and I mentioned that the 1.4-litre petrol engine was associated with a DSG gearbox. At that tine, I was wrong as it was only available with a manual gearbox, but I'm now right as Volkswagen has announced that its seven-speed twin clutch gearbox will be featured as on option with the 1.4-litre TSI petrol unit and the 1.9-litre TDI diesel engine on the Golf and Golf Plus models.
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Strong sales result for Volkswagen in November
By Yoann Besnard on 18 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen has increased its global sales by 10.3% in November over the same period last year. A total of 324,000 vehicles were delivered to customers.
See also : Industry News | VW
Volkswagen to unveil a roadster at Detroit?
By Yoann Besnard on 14 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
This might be the biggest and most unexpected surprise at Detroit: according to rumours, Volkswagen might unveil a roadster concept car that previews a future production model whose release date remains unknown.
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Volkswagen TSI receives two awards in Japan
By Yoann Besnard on 12 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen has received two awards in Japan for its TSI engines in the Car of the Year categories of “Most Advanced Technology Award 2008” and “Technology of the Year”.
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German battery could jump-start electric cars
By Yoann Besnard on 11 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
A German company might have found the solution to the biggest problem encountered by current batteries: too large, overheating and limited power. Indeed, Li-Tec unveiled new batteries which “take up 30% less volume than those from Toyota“ and “allow you to go three times further for the same weight than French models, “ according to Li Tec director Tim Schaefer.
See also : Industry News | VW
Martin Winterkorn plans to stay CEO until 2018
By Yoann Besnard on 11 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In a recent interview Volkswagen group CEO Martin Winterkorn said that he planned to stay until the 2018 goal has been reached. In other words, he will leave his position only if Volkswagen catches up with Toyota or if the board fires him. He also said that he wants VW in 2010 to be where Toyota is today. It means that the group will have to sell 3.3 million more cars by 2010. Quite a challenge for the group!
See also : Audi | Industry News | Seat | Skoda | VW
Volkswagen to produce the Up! in India
By Yoann Besnard on 11 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
A big part of the 2018 world domination planned Volkswagen focuses on increasing sales in emerging markets. While the German group is a strong leader in China, it still needs to build its nest in the other largest emerging market, India. Volkswagen announced that it will build 240,000 vehicles per year there by 2012. It plans to produce two small cars there: the next-generation Polo and a a model derived from the Up! concept car.
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Teaser: VW Passat coupé
By Yoann Besnard on 4 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The picture you see here is from the teaser of the future Passat Coupé which will be unveiled either at the Detroit Motor Show in January or at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
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VW Group to develop four new platforms
By Yoann Besnard on 27 November 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In an interview given to Automotive News Europe, VW brand board member for development, Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg revealed that Volkswagen group will release four new platforms in the coming years in order to achieve the 2018 target. With those new platforms, the German carmaker expects to reduce its cost by 40% thanks to components shared between the platforms and development times by one year.
The most important platform will be the MQB which will underpin up to 6 million vehicles every year. The platform will be flexible enough to equip a large range of vehicles from small cars to upper-premium models. According to some insiders, the MQB platform will be used as in many as 20 different models.
See also : Audi | Bentley | Industry News | Lamborghini | Seat | Skoda | VW
Video: forgotten VW Nardo
By Yoann Besnard on 22 November 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
At the end of the '90s and beginning of this century, Volkswagen unveiled two supercars concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show designed by Giugiaro at the request of Ferdinand Piech. The first was a bright yellow W12 coupé. The second was the Nardo and this video is about it.
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Volkswagen and Proton ended their talks
By Yoann Besnard on 22 November 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen and Proton ended their talks about a potential partnership a few days ago according to a statement released by Volkswagen. This is not the first time the situation occurs between the Malaysian government, which owns Proton, and several carmakers. PSA Peugeot Citroen and GM also ended their negotiations.
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VW Scirocco will stay in Europe
By Yoann Besnard on 21 November 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In an interview with Car and Driver, VW of America CEO Stefan Jacob declared that the future four-passenger coupé will not cross the Atlantic Ocean to join the American range. He justified this choice by explaining that VW needed to focus on the current range. At this moment, Volkswagen offers the Golf, dubbed Rabbit there, the Jetta, the Passat and soon the Tiguan.
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VW will invest £20 billion between 2008 and 2010
By Yoann Besnard on 20 November 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen Group has announced that it will invest £20 billion between 2008 and 2010 in manufacturing and new models. With the goal to overtake Toyota in 2018, the German manufacturer has to modernize its factories in order to cut cost and produce more with less.
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Touchscreens for all VW models next year
By Yoann Besnard on 13 November 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In an interview given to Automotive News Europe, Walter de' Silva announced that all VW cars will feature a touchscreen next year, either as standard or as an option.
He explained that “Touchscreens are the most intuitive interface between humans and machine”. He also said: “We want to build naturalness, not only in the design, but also in functionality all future Volkswagen models.”
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15 Million Passats in the world
By Yoann Besnard on 13 November 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Following the recently-delivered 25 millionth Golf, Volkswagen marks a new milestone with the 15 millionth car produced in the Emden factory. The car is a silver Passat Variant BlueMotion 1.9 TDI 105 bhp which was donated to the DKMS (German Bone Marrow Donor Center).
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Volkwsagen is working on a 10-year plan to catch up with Toyota
By Yoann Besnard on 5 September 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
According to Automotive News, Volkswagen is working on a 10-year strategy plan that aims to catch up with the Japanese carmaker. Backed by Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn wants to close the gap between both carmakers. Although at a draft stage, the plan will focus on increasing sales and improving productivity.
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VW finalises Proton buyout
By Yoann Besnard on 3 August 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Despite its struggle to survive, Proton and its owners, the Malaysian state, are handling difficult negotiations over a buyout, with Volkwagen the only bidder. According to some Malaysian newspapers, Proton, whose situation is becoming worse by the day, is now a bit more conciliatory towards Volkswagen.
See also : VW
Video: Volkswagen intensive tests
By Yoann Besnard on 25 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here is a funny video of Volkswagen engineers testing cars in the kind of silly situations encountered by drivers every day. Together with the German music, it is makes entertaining viewing.
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Expanded range for the next Polo
By Yoann Besnard on 25 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Remember the time when the Polo was the black sheep of the Volkswagen family? Well, those days is over. For the next Polo generation, Volkswagen harbours great ambition. It wants to cover as many segments as the leading Peugeot 207. To do this, it plans to expand the Polo range with a coupé, a convertible and a MPV variant.
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Volkswagen may unveil a low cost car in Frankfurt
By Yoann Besnard on 24 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
According to the Germancarblog website, Volkswagen will unveil a low cost car at the next Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Due to be sold in 2009, the car will have a price of less than £5,300/€8,000/$11,000. The car will be sold first under the VW badge and then under the Skoda and Seat badges. The Volkswagen variant will feature improved equipment, including air conditioning and a CD player. It will retain the carmaker's typical look and feel, which customers have come to expect.
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VW China will design and build a saloon for the US
By Yoann Besnard on 23 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
According to Automotive news, VW will sell a saloon designed and built in China on the American market in coming years.
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Spyshots: future Volkswagen Scirocco
By Yoann Besnard on 20 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here are the first spyshots of the future Scirocco hatchback, due to be launched in 2009. Based on the concept car unveiled at the latest Paris Motor Show in September 2006, the production car preserves the general design. The aggressive face of the concept car will be kept and will be a further step towards Volkswagen's new identity, initiated by the head of Volkswagen design Walter Da Silva.
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New logo for Volkswagen?
By Yoann Besnard on 20 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
According to Auto, Motor und Sport, Volkswagen is currently working on a new logo. Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn apparently thinks it is time to refresh the company's logo to reflect the new direction that the German carmaker is taking.
According to insiders, the new logo will be bigger, the letters will be separated from the circle and Volkswagen will use 3D technology to design it.
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Record figures for Volkswagen group
By Yoann Besnard on 18 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The German group has announced records sales figures for the 2007 semester. It built 3.09 million cars, an increase of 7.8 percent over the same period last year.
1.62 million vehicles were sold in Western Europe while 238,000 cars found a buyer in Central and Eastern Europe. The figure for Central and Eastern Europe is 22.8 percent more than last year. Germany is still its biggest market with 515,000 delivered vehicles but its supremacy will soon be contested by China, since VW group sold 431,000 cars there in the first 6 months.
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Passat CC
By Yoann Besnard on 4 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In its last issue, the German weekly magazine Automobilwoche provides further information regarding the mysterious and long-awaited Passat CC. Internally known as the CC or I/O 511, the 4 doors coupé will be sold in May 2008 after a preview at the next Detroit motor show.
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Golf GTI V W12 in motion
By Yoann Besnard on 20 June 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen revealed an astonishing Golf V GTI powered by a W12 one month ago. This Golf inherited its engine from the Phaeton at which engineers added two turbo. The potion produced 650 bhp at 6000 rpm. Unfortunately we only had pictures ... Until yesterday. There is now a video in which we can listen to the W12 at small speed. It is not like a circuit but it is still enjoyable.
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Jetta, Vento, Bora and... Jetta!
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 22 June 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
As odd as it may seem, not only is the Jetta VW’s best seller in the USA, but it’s also the best selling European car there. Besides, the Golf-based saloon has always been tagged Jetta there, while in old Europe, it was successively called Jetta, Vento and Bora. The latter’s successor, first launched in America, now arrives in Europe. Stretched to 455cm, and widened to 178, the Jetta has been sized up, following the example of the Golf V. As a consequence, it offers better accommodation and boot space, with 527 litres. 7 engines are available, with power outputs varying from 102 (1.6 FSI) to 200bhp (2.0 T-FSI ). Of course, this range includes TDI engines, which can be coupled with the DSG robotized gearbox. Anyway, even if 6.5 million Jettas have been built since 1979, it’s not thanks to the European Market where it is challenged by the Passat. VW expects to see it sold in the US mostly, which explains why it’s built in Mexico.
The new Jetta will reach the British shores early 2006.
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VW unveils Passat Estate
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 8 June 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
VW has just unveiled the Passat Estate, whose sales will debut on August 18 in Germany. The rear of the car has been totally redesigned, doors included. Thus, the stowage space totals 1,731 litres or 603 if the rear bench is not folded. It's less than the Vauxhall Vectra's, which offers up to 1,850 litres though. As it is possible to load up to 638kgs in the boot, a hydraulic self-levelling system is available for the rear suspension.
The front passenger seat backrest can fold and a cargo rail system can take place in the floor. In addition to this, you get an electric opening system for the tailgate.
Besides, the length remains identical to that of the Sedan, and so is the engine range. Prices will debut at 22,300€ in Germany.
After 4.3 million copies produced so far, the Passat Estate seems likely to meet success again, especially as the number of its direct rivals has shrunk. Contrary to Peugeot, with the 407 SW, and Renault, with the Laguna Estate, VW continues to make a high-capacity executive Estate.
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The VW New Beetle gets face-lifted
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 5 June 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The face-lifted New Beetle will be launched next September at the Frankfurt Motorshow.
Externally, we notice new lamps and bumpers as well as redesigned wings, conferring the car a more aggressive look.
In the cockpit, there are minor changes only: a new trim, a new console and a few aluminium-like ornaments.
Sadly enough, the new 2.5-liter five-in-line engine delivering 150bhp as well as the DSG transmission should be reserved to the American market.
Indeed, VW has noticed European customers prefer cheaper New Beetles with smaller engines.
As a consequence, 1.4, 1.6, 2.0 and turbocharged 1.8 units will be offered in Europe, along with a 1.9 TDI 105.
Fortunately, prices should remain more or less steady.
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A new New Beetle in 2008?
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 5 June 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Renewing the myth of the legendary Beetle, the New Beetle, launched in 1998, has been far more successful in the US than in Europe.
Volkswagen intends to replace it in 2008, as the Ragster concept-car shown in Detroit last January lets us guess what it’s going to look like.
Built on the same platform as the Golf V’s, the 2008 New Beetle should also be fitted with the same engines, including the powerful 2.0 TDI 140 and petrol FSI units.
It should also remedy his predecessor’s biggest drawback: the lack of rear and boot space.
Still built in Mexico, it’s not sure it’ll be more affordable than the actual New Beetle, especially if it still has no direct opponent, unless the new Mini – which is expected in 2006 – significantly grows…
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