Tokyo 2011: Volkswagen Unveils Cross Coupe Concept

"We knew Volkswagen would probably have something up its sleeve at the Tokyo show, but this one surprised us all. The Cross Coupé concept takes the wacky proportions from cars like the BMW X6 and Acura ZDX, grafts on VW’s newest design language, and applies it to a compact, Tiguan-sized package.

Volkswagen claims this is the first vehicle based on its new modular transverse matrix (MQB) plantform. And rather than TDI power, which VW has become synonymous for over the past decade, the Cross Coupé is powered by gas-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain. The specific displacement of the engine wasn’t divulged in the release, but based on the power output of 148 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque, we’re lead to believe it’s the company’s 1.4-liter TSI gasoline turbo engine."  [Continue reading...]

VW is working on new 7-seat SUV for the U.S.

"The German based automaker Volkswagen is planning to introduce a new seven-seat SUV for the United States auto market, which will rival models like the Honda Pilot or the Ford Explorer.

According to blog.caranddriver.com, the three-row SUV will most likely be built at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant or a company facility in Mexico, and rumors say that the automaker will use the new Passat’s platform as a starting point, which should ensure that the upcoming SUV will be big enough to satisfy its future American owners’ tastes and make them choose the “European” model over the Ford Explorer or the Honda Pilot, but the company might have some problems with its Asian competitor because the Japanese automaker is moving ahead with its Pilot."  [Continue reading...]

2012 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack World Premiere for 2011 Tokyo Motor Show

"Now, Volkswagen is extending the Passat model series with the new ‘Passat Alltrack’. Passat Alltrack has higher ground clearance and new off-road design. Basically, the new Passat Alltrack unites passenger car and SUV world altogether. The Alltrack will debut in a world premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show (3 to 11 December, 2011) and market launch for the new versatile Alltrack begins in early 2012."  [Continue reading...]

Cooking a Perfect Turkey

"Preparing and serving a centerpiece turkey can create anxiety for even the most seasoned cook. Each year, turkey hotlines receive thousands of calls from desperate cooks looking for answers on everything from cooking to carving. We’ve put together the following cooking tips and recipes to help guide your once-a-year turkey preparations and assure success.

Choosing the Turkey

Working with the highest quality ingredients makes it easier for any cook to produce a great meal. When ordering your whole turkey, allow at least 1 pound per person, plus 1/2 pound per person for leftovers. (Remember to take into account the size of your fridge and oven!) For turkey breast, plan on 3/4 pound per person. If it is a boneless breast, allow 1/2 pound per person."  [Continue reading...]

Volkswagen eT! Concept delivered

"The new Volkswagen eT! Concept van has nothing to do with a cute alien from an early-1980s Steven Spielberg movie but everything to do with the German car maker’s vision of a fully electric van designed for use in logistics and commercial transport.

The eT! Concept features a layout that could be very appealing to those in the transport industry, such as postal services and couriers. With the electric motors mounted within the wheel hubs, there are fewer major mechanical components to interfere with the height and length of interior cargo space."  [Continue reading...]

Volkswagen Considering New SUV Model for U.S. Market, FTD Says

"Volkswagen AG (VOW) is considering building a new sport utility vehicle for the U.S. market which would be built at its plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Financial Times Deutschland reports in a preview of an article to be published tomorrow, citing unnamed industry people."  [Continue reading...]

Volkswagen’s New Super Bug: The Beetle R Concept

"Known as a love bug, not a fighter, the original Volkswagen Beetle was never pitched as an all-out performance vehicle. Though the highly produced German people’s car gripped many owners with the Beetle’s unique abilities, the rear-mounted, air-cooled engine never clicked as a go-to sports vehicle. Even the 1997 introduction of the new Beetle did not immediately step out of their normal commuter car footprint until 2001. Developing the 221-horsepower Beetle RSI, the limited edition Volkswagen stunned the marketplace unaccustomed to seeing such a modded version of the vehicle. Ten years later, Volkswagen has proceeded to pay an indirect homage to the Beetle RSI with a performance-tailored show car. Debuting at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the Volkswagen Beetle R joins the extensive list of cars on display at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show."  [Continue reading...]

Volkswagen and Achtung! Build The Most Social Car Ever

"If Volkswagen and Facebook had a love child, what would it look like? Dutch agency Achtung! puts an end to the mystery with its new digital-meets-the-real-world campaign for VW. The Fanwagen campaign invites fans to vote on Facebook for their favorite cla

ssic VW model -- the T1 Camper or the Beetle -- for a chance to score the car that wins. But the car itself will be tricked out with some very special social media amenities: a corkboard Wall that shows off your friends, the ability to display -- and change -- your relationship status via your license plate, privacy settings in the form of adjustable curtains on the windows and a built-in printer that will spit out the latest status updates off your Feed. The sheet metal too will also feature some familiar stylings, painted in a bright white and blue.

The brief was to increase social media engagement for Volkswagen in the Netherlands. Until this campaign came along, the brand had mostly been posting spots and pictures of its cars. Achtung! got the assignment to come with a campaign that would increase the number of fans on its Facebook page."  [Continue reading...]

Volkswagen offers new features in the Vento Diesel highline

"Somber, yet stylish the Volkswagen Vento has in its short two year stint in India gained a fan following as solid as its build quality. Since joining India’s then blooming compact sedan arena, the Vento very quickly made a mark, and its sales since being introduced to the Indian masses have pretty much held the Volkswagen India fort together, well along with the amicable support of the Polo hatch of course!

But, that being said, it’s the cosmetic characteristics of this car, unlike its competition crushing performance attributes that have kept many of its potential customers at bay, at least till now.

In a move to silence countless cries about its staid and unexciting interior gadgetry, Volkswagen has just introduced a number of driver comfort and convenience upgrades to its Vento Diesel highline (top) variant."  [Continue reading...]

2012 Volkswagen Beetle mans-up with new design, available at dealerships now

 

"We brought you the first photos of the newly-redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Beetle and its special Black Turbo edition over the summer, but now the car is starting to roll into dealerships in its all-new form. The company has moved away from the feminine-leaning smooth round curves and semi-circle design in favor of a longer, leaner, and sportier look. The manlier new look, which was inspired by the iconic car’s original design, comes with the specs to match for a sporty, powerful drive.

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, which starts at $19,800, comes with your choice of 2.5L 170-hp engine or 2.0L TSI 200-hp turbo-charged engine for the sportier model, and features like DSG performance transmission, Bi-Xenon lights, keyless access and push-button start, multi-function sport steering wheels, a touchscreen Fender sound system with navigation, Bluetooth capability, iPod/iPhone connectivity, customizable interior ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and LED daytime running lights."  [Continue reading...]

Volkswagen Up review

"Before we become stupefied with excitement over the up!, Volkswagen’s new motoring minnow, we’ll drag in a few suspects to check VW’s claim that this is its first-ever A-segment car. The Up (sorry, we can’t sustain pointless lower-case letters and exclamation marks dressed up as marketing gimmicks any more), is just 11ft 7in long.

So what about the 1998 VW Lupo, an 11ft 6in, cut-down Polo? Or the original Polo of 1975, an 11ft 6in rebadged Audi 50? Or maybe the 2005 Fox, a rebodied Brazilian Gol, measuring 12ft 6in?

But if its dimensions are nothing new, then VW says the Up’s safety, accommodation and driving qualities make it so – as do its costings, with a new floor pan and driveline, which is built in Bratislava, Slovakia.

When we first saw the Up at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show, it was an innovative, rear-engined, rear-driven hatchback, a configuration that maximised cabin space and economy. It looked pretty good; too, inspired by industrial design classics such as the original VW Variant models."  [Continue reading...]

Driving on Snow and Ice: 10 Safety Tips

"The best tip for winter driving: Sometimes it's best to stay home, or at least remain where you are until snow plows and sanding crews have done their work. If you crash on a snowy or icy road, you'll certainly be late — or worse. But since you can't always call in to work claiming a "snow day," it's better to learn how to correctly deal with driving in the snow.

I've battled snow- and ice-covered highways in two-dozen states behind the wheel of both passenger vehicles and 18-wheelers. I've performed hundreds of tire tests on snow-covered roads, attended snow-driving schools and done precision (translation: "barely in control") driving in the snow for videos and still photos. From this experience, here are some snow driving tips the average driver can follow to reduce the chances of a crash."  [Continue reading...]

Volkswagen of America Sales Increase 39.6 Percent in October

"HERNDON, Va., Nov. 1, 2011 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) today reported 28,028 units sold in October 2011, a 39.6 percent increase over prior year sales.  Year-to-date sales are up 23.8 percent."

'"As the all-new Passat and Beetle start to enter the market place, demand for Volkswagen vehicles has already exceeded last year's annual volume in the first 10 months of the year, " said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.  "With the right products in the heart of key segments, and now the most Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICKS in the industry, our momentum continues as customers are increasingly recognizing and embracing the quality and value of our vehicles."'

"The Routan is the latest Volkswagen to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK rating for 2011, the highest possible from the non-profit safety research organization. This means that Volkswagen now has no fewer than nine TOP SAFETY PICKS, giving the brand leadership in the U.S. industry. The other 2011 Volkswagen models to receive the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK rating are: the Chattanooga-built Passat, CC 2.0L TSI®, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Tiguan, Touareg, and four-door Golf and GTI models."

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/11/01/4021872/volkswagen-of-america-sales-increase.html#ixzz1ca0Tecud