Volkswagen joins Sea Otter Classic as Title Sponsor
"North America's largest cycling festival has a new partner for 2012, as automaker Volkswagen of America, Inc. joins the Sea Otter Classic as the title sponsor. The event, which takes place April 19-22 at Laguna Seca Recreation Area near Monterey, Calif., is now the Volkswagen Sea Otter Classic Powered by SRAM.
"It's an incredible opportunity for Sea Otter to welcome one of the most recognizable brands in the world to the event," said Frank Yohannan, president and CEO, Sea Otter Classic. "This partnership speaks volumes about Volkswagen's commitment to our sport and the culture of cycling. And as a corporate leader in promoting safe cycling, Volkswagen is the perfect partner for Sea Otter racers, riders, and fans."
A new title sponsor is the latest in a series of updates for the iconic festival. These include the introduction of cyclocross racing, an expanded kids riding area, an invitational downhill skateboarding exhibition, and enhanced outreach for female cyclists." [Read more]
VW Aims to Start Selling Golf Plug-In Hybrid in 2015
"Volkswagen, a German automobile manufacturer is the biggest-selling brand of the Volkswagen Group, which at preset also owns Audi, Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini. The latest news regarding the car maker is that the firm will begin to sell a plug-in hybrid-electric (PHEV) version of the Volkswagen Golf in 2015. It is estimated that the car will be able to go as far as 30 miles in electric-only mode which is considered to be the major attraction of this new version.
The Golf PHEV features a unique power train architecture which integrates elements of both series and parallel hybrid configurations. The new sedan will likely pair a 1.4-liter turbocharged gas engine along with a 107-horsepower electric motor. The German automaker aims to show off the concept of a Golf PHEV vehicle at the Paris Motor Show this September, according to the reports in the website. UK-based AutoExpress website cites a review on PlugIn cars saying that the prototype that the German automaker designs was “very impressive” as they spotted it in a test drive.
Volkswagen, last July, publicized a station-wagon prototype of the Golf “Twin Drive” PHEV. That coupe too paired a 1.4-liter gas engine along with an electric motor that provided 161 horsepower as well as 35 miles of electric-only range and more than 550 miles of range on a full tank which was widely approved by the car aficionados. The company estimated the prototype’s fuel economy at 112 miles per gallon-equivalent and planned at the same time to make 20 Golf Twin Drive vehicles for testing." [Read more]
Volkswagen Sponsors The Museum of Modern Art's Presentation of Eight-Night Live Performance Exhibition
" Volkswagen Group of America today announced it will sponsor The Museum of Modern Art's eight-night live performance exhibition, featuring 3-D visualization and a selection of original compositions by electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk. The sponsorship of Kraftwerk – Retrospective 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8, is part of a multi-year partnership between Volkswagen, MoMA and MoMA PS1 that began in May 2011 to foster and inspire innovative thinking through important exhibitions and education programs.
The performances will take place in MoMA's Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Atrium, from April 10 –17, 2012. Each of the eight consecutive evening performances will feature one of Kraftwerk's eight albums, showcasing the group's historical contributions and contemporary influences on sound and image culture. The albums will be performed in chronological order: Autobahn (1974), Radio-Activity (1975), Trans Europe Express (1977), The Man-Machine (1978), Computer World (1981), Techno Pop (1986), The Mix (1991) and Tour de France (2003).
Organized by Klaus Biesenbach, director, MoMA PS1, and chief curator at large, MoMA, with the assistance of Eliza Ryan, curatorial assistant, MoMA PS1, the exhibition will mark the museum's first ever live, time-based retrospective." [Read more]
The performances will take place in MoMA's Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Atrium, from April 10 –17, 2012. Each of the eight consecutive evening performances will feature one of Kraftwerk's eight albums, showcasing the group's historical contributions and contemporary influences on sound and image culture. The albums will be performed in chronological order: Autobahn (1974), Radio-Activity (1975), Trans Europe Express (1977), The Man-Machine (1978), Computer World (1981), Techno Pop (1986), The Mix (1991) and Tour de France (2003).
Organized by Klaus Biesenbach, director, MoMA PS1, and chief curator at large, MoMA, with the assistance of Eliza Ryan, curatorial assistant, MoMA PS1, the exhibition will mark the museum's first ever live, time-based retrospective." [Read more]
Volkswagen targets 100 production plants by 2018
"The head of production at Volkswagen Group says the automotive giant will have 100 vehicle production plants around the world by 2018 and is targeting an annual capacity of 10 million vehicles.
Volkswagen’s takeover of German truck manufacturer MAN, which has 31 production plants, pushed its initial projection from 70 factories by 2018 to 100.
The group is currently building three new production plants in China, the manufacturer’s largest market in the world. It is also looking closely at Malaysia to expand its Southeast Asia operations, and is examining the potential for an Audi plant in Mexico to strengthen its North American presence." [Read more]
Now available in (Think) Blue: VW reveals the Beetle TDI Clean Diesel at the Chicago Auto Show
"The Volkswagen Beetle is known for inducing smiles, and the latest addition to the Beetle family is no exception. Today at the Chicago Auto Show Volkswagen announced that a TDI Clean Diesel model of the 2013 Beetle will be available this summer.
The 2013 Beetle TDI is the first TDI Clean Diesel Beetle we’ve offered since 2006, but we think you’ll agree that it was worth the wait. It’s the most fuel-efficient Beetle yet, with a predicted fuel economy of 29 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. Besides its excellent efficiency, what sets this model apart is what’s under the hood.
The Beetle TDI makes the most of Volkswagen’s innovative 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injection Clean Diesel engine, which puts out 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. That’s great news for your right foot, because all that extra torque equals substantially more responsive driving.
We don’t use the term “Clean Diesel” lightly. Like our other TDI models, the Beetle TDI features an exhaust system with a particulate filter and no less than three catalytic converters: one for oxidation, one for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and one for hydrogen sulfide. For those of you who aren’t chemistry majors, that means that engine emissions are reduced. For that, we can all breathe easier.
The Beetle TDI will be available in three trim levels, including a TDI with Sunroof and a TDI with Sunroof, Sound, and Navigation. All three levels are very nicely equipped, with standard features like power windows with one-touch up/down; cruise control; V-Tex Leatherette seating; the Kaeferfach secondary glove box; Bluetooth®; a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel with audio controls; three auxiliary gauges; Keyless entry with push-button start; and a Media Device Interface with iPod® cable."[Read more]
Volkswagen Begins Building Cars in US
"The new Volkswagen Passat seems very European. It has subtle styling, firm seats, taut steering and suspension - all quite German.
But this VW isn't built in Germany. It's built in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Volkswagen has joined countless other international automakers and started building cars in the U.S.
VW will add 200 jobs at its plant.
Aimed to better compete with mid-size sedans like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, this latest Passat is more American-sized. There's lots of room in the seats and the trunk is huge. Options include a sound system by a very American name in music: Fender.
The Passat's base price is $19,995. Higher-end versions get fake wood trim that seems right out of Detroit, though perhaps from another era.
This actually isn't the first time Volkswagen has operated a plant in the U.S. An ill-fated effort decades ago in Pennsylvania resulted in the factory closing down after 10 years.
This is Volkswagen's new plant in Tennessee is a state-of-the-art green facility. Modern manufacturing standards mean that, in theory, quality control here is as good as in Germany.
Other German brands have already shown that it can be done successfully. If you drive a Mercedes-Benz ML Series, it was made in Alabama.
BMW builds every one of its X3, X5 and X6 crossovers in South Carolina, no matter where in the world they're sold."[Read more]
2012 Volkswagen Beetle TDI: Oil-Burning Bug to Have Debut at Chicago Auto Show
The Beetle TDI is powered by the same 2-liter turbodiesel currently available in the Jetta, Golf and Passat, rated at 140 horsepower. Low-speed torque is abundant, with 236 pound-feet available at less than 2,000 r.p.m. Volkswagen projects fuel economy of 29 miles per gallon in city and 39 m.p.g. in highway driving. Such numbers, though competitive with compact models like the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Chevrolet Sonic, would not make the vehicle a contender for the small-car economy crown, let alone among the other diesel models produced by VW.
Volkswagen did not offer projected sales figures for the TDI, but Corey Proffitt, a spokesman for VW, said in a telephone interview that the model was expected to account for a similar portion of total Beetle sales as the Passat TDI does for overall Passat sales, about 20 percent.
Pricing has not been announced, but Volkswagen’s other diesel models command a premium of roughly $4,500-$6,000 over their gasoline-burning equivalents. Should the same hold true for the Beetle TDI, a sticker topping $25,000 would be likely.
Like most modern oil burners, the Volkswagen engine relies on direct-injection and turbocharging to generate power far in excess of the normally aspirated diesels of yesteryear. An iron cylinder block, forged-steel crankshaft and piston oil cooling help manage the high cylinder pressure and combustion temperature inherent to diesels.
To meet the stringent nitrogen oxides emission standards of the United States, the engine utilizes an exhaust after-treatment system consisting of three catalytic converters and a particulate filter. The need for after treatment and stout underpinnings contribute to the premium price typically commanded by diesel-powered automobiles in America." [Read more]
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