Volkswagen Unveils CC R-Line, Available Late 2012 in U.S.
"We might not get a downsized version of the Volkswagen CC, but we will get an R-Line trim level of the saucy sedan later this year. VW will officiallly pull the wraps off at the Auto Mobil International show in Leipzig, Germany on June 1st. Powered by the 2.0-liter, 200-horsepower four-cylinder and riding on the same 18-inch Mallory alloy wheels featured on the Sport Plus, the R-Line adds the option of a six-speed manual on top of the six-speed DSG transmission." [Read more]
VroomGirls review the 2012 Passat
Volkswagen to offer Fender edition Beetle
"Volkswagen worked with Fender, its stereo partner, to put together the concept Beetle shown at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show. The concept had an iPod dock set into amp-like mesh, a tube amp, sunburst-patterened wood trim and a trunk-mounted sub you could plug your guitar into." [Read more]
Volkswagen previews 220-hp Polo WRC Street special ahead of Wörthersee debut
At the heart of VW's motorcade for this year's pocket-rocket fest is the Polo WRC Street, a preview of a special edition modeled on the actual rally car which Volkswagen Motorsport will be fielding in the top-level rally series next year. The street version features a 220-horsepower 2.0-liter TSI four-cylinder – significantly more than the existing 180-hp Polo GTI and a whole lot of muscle for such a little car – with an aggressive aero package and of course the requisite decals. In other words, it is, for all intents and purposes, a Polo R with some stripes." [Read more]
Volkswagen Group Maintains Growth Trajectory: 8.6 Percent Increase in Deliveries From January to April to 2.89 Million Vehicles
"The Volkswagen Group continues to go from strength to strength, delivering 2.89 (january-april 2011:2.66)* million vehicles to customers from January to April, representing an increase of 8.6 percent. Europe's largest automaker therefore once again outperformed the overall market which grew by some six percent. The Group also reported a rise in deliveries for the month of April, handing over 732,000 (april 2011:690)(april 2011:800)(april 2011:+6.0 percent)* new vehicles to customers. "The Group's worldwide deliveries continue to develop in the right direction. We are benefiting from our convincing model range and are looking to keep up the momentum over the coming months as well," Group Board Member for Sales Christian Klingler said in Wolfsburg on Friday. "We expect the markets in Western Europe to deteriorate further. Our current projection has been adjusted downward and we are therefore keeping an even closer eye on market developments."
The Group brands delivered a total of 1.25 (1.23; +2.3 percent) million vehicles on the overall European market from January to April, of which 661,400 (703,000; -5.9 percent) units were delivered in Western Europe (excluding Germany) where conditions remained difficult. In contrast, Europe's largest automaker grew deliveries in its home market of Germany by 5.6 percent to 387,500 (367,000) units. The company once again reported vigorous growth in the Central and Eastern Europe region, handing over 205,100 (155,300; +32.0 percent) vehicles to customer there." [Read more]
The Group brands delivered a total of 1.25 (1.23; +2.3 percent) million vehicles on the overall European market from January to April, of which 661,400 (703,000; -5.9 percent) units were delivered in Western Europe (excluding Germany) where conditions remained difficult. In contrast, Europe's largest automaker grew deliveries in its home market of Germany by 5.6 percent to 387,500 (367,000) units. The company once again reported vigorous growth in the Central and Eastern Europe region, handing over 205,100 (155,300; +32.0 percent) vehicles to customer there." [Read more]
Volkswagen Passat Travels 1,626 Miles on One Tank of Diesel
"Self proclaimed mileage experts John and Helen Taylor are considered to be “The world’s most fuel efficient couple” by Volkswagen. The recently drove from Houston, Texas to Sterling, Virginia without having to stop for fuel at all, that is a distance of 1,626.1 miles on 19.3 gallons of fuel. There were driving a 2012 Passat TDI SE which, with this information means it got 84.2 miles per gallon. This is a new record in the high mileage game from the couple who currently holds the Guinness World Record for fuel economy in the 48 Contiguous United States.
John Taylor was happy to comment with, “We’re excited to have broken the record for the longest distance driven on one-tank of fuel. The Passat TDI was the perfect car for the trip. It offers plenty of interior and cargo space, yet is frugal enough to help us achieve this record.”
The Taylors took meticulous records of their three day trip from Houston to Sterling to use in the workshops they facilitate on driving efficiently. They carried 120 pounds of luggage with them and drove during daylight hours in order to replicate the most normal driving conditions during the fourteen hours per day of driving they shared with their own turns at the wheel. This was a serious record for them and add to the more than 90 world fuel economy and vehicle-related records from drives around the globe that they currently hold." [Read more]
John Taylor was happy to comment with, “We’re excited to have broken the record for the longest distance driven on one-tank of fuel. The Passat TDI was the perfect car for the trip. It offers plenty of interior and cargo space, yet is frugal enough to help us achieve this record.”
The Taylors took meticulous records of their three day trip from Houston to Sterling to use in the workshops they facilitate on driving efficiently. They carried 120 pounds of luggage with them and drove during daylight hours in order to replicate the most normal driving conditions during the fourteen hours per day of driving they shared with their own turns at the wheel. This was a serious record for them and add to the more than 90 world fuel economy and vehicle-related records from drives around the globe that they currently hold." [Read more]
Part of the People's Car Project, in which Chinese citizens submit designs to VW, the Hover Car is one of the more compelling ideas to appear so far
"The People's Car Project was launched last year in China as a way to engage Chinese designers in the future of VW in their country. Meant to run for a year, the project was so successful that it's been extended indefinitely. One of the more compelling ideas to emerge from the initiative is the Hover Car concept.
Several example concepts are on display at Auto China 2012, including this one by an unnamed Chinese designer. The Hover Car is a two person commuter shaped like a sphere with a boot-heel-type tail at the back. The car would be very aerodynamic as well as relatively simple to manufacture - at least in terms of body work.
It's most unique property is the fact that it hovers. It uses magnetic levitation (MagLev) to both hover and propel itself, making it completely electric. How exactly the MagLev would work is not detailed, but the People's Car Project is about dreaming up the future, not explaining it. The idea behind the initiative and the designs it produces is to give long-term direction to Volkswagen in the important Chinese auto market.
Another design in the Project is the Music Car, which has organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) on its surface that react to the music the driver is playing. If you thought teenagers with their loud, bumping cruisers were annoying already, wait until they have light shows to go along with that..
Also displayed was an interesting idea called the Smart Key. What it's name lacks in originality, it makes up for in cool functionality. It's a slim key (9mm) similar to the key fobs currently used for many cars on the market, except it has something new: a small touch screen display in high resolution that uses a 3G network connection to get information from the car, allowing the driver to see fuel status, climate conditions, and security (door lock status, windows up or down)." [Read more]
Several example concepts are on display at Auto China 2012, including this one by an unnamed Chinese designer. The Hover Car is a two person commuter shaped like a sphere with a boot-heel-type tail at the back. The car would be very aerodynamic as well as relatively simple to manufacture - at least in terms of body work.
It's most unique property is the fact that it hovers. It uses magnetic levitation (MagLev) to both hover and propel itself, making it completely electric. How exactly the MagLev would work is not detailed, but the People's Car Project is about dreaming up the future, not explaining it. The idea behind the initiative and the designs it produces is to give long-term direction to Volkswagen in the important Chinese auto market.
Another design in the Project is the Music Car, which has organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) on its surface that react to the music the driver is playing. If you thought teenagers with their loud, bumping cruisers were annoying already, wait until they have light shows to go along with that..
Also displayed was an interesting idea called the Smart Key. What it's name lacks in originality, it makes up for in cool functionality. It's a slim key (9mm) similar to the key fobs currently used for many cars on the market, except it has something new: a small touch screen display in high resolution that uses a 3G network connection to get information from the car, allowing the driver to see fuel status, climate conditions, and security (door lock status, windows up or down)." [Read more]
Volkswagen Reports 31.5 Percent Increase In April U.S. Sales
"Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) today reported 37,525 units sold in April, a 31.5 percent increase over prior year sales, 38 percent increase year-to-date and the best April since 1971.
"The demand and enthusiasm for our products continues at a strong pace and we are beginning to see the fruits of our investments pay off, marking the best April in over forty years," said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. "As our sales continue to outpace the industry, we are investing in our infrastructure to ensure sustained growth."
Last month, the company announced expansion plans for VW Credit Inc. (VCI) facility in Libertyville, IL. The ground breaking took place on April 20 for a 30,000-square-foot expansion of the facility. The multimillion-dollar expansion, to be completed early next year, will accommodate approximately 150 new jobs that VW Credit, Inc. expects to create through 2018. This comes on top of the additional 1,000 jobs that the company announced it would add at its manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, TN to meet growing demand of the 2012 Passat.
Jetta sedan, including the enthusiast GLI model, remains the volume leader for Volkswagen with sales totaling 13,754, while Jetta SportWagen totaled 1,904. Sales of the Chattanooga-built Passat continue to rise with record sales of 10,096 units in April, the second month breaking 10,000 units.
The 2012 Beetle, recently named to Ward's list of "10 Best Interiors," sold 2,065 units. The Beetle TDI Clean Diesel Coupe will go on sale late summer 2012. The Tiguan continued to see strong sales with 2,333 units sold and the Golf saw a 14.6 percent increase in sales with a total of 3,876 units sold." [Read more]
"The demand and enthusiasm for our products continues at a strong pace and we are beginning to see the fruits of our investments pay off, marking the best April in over forty years," said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. "As our sales continue to outpace the industry, we are investing in our infrastructure to ensure sustained growth."
Last month, the company announced expansion plans for VW Credit Inc. (VCI) facility in Libertyville, IL. The ground breaking took place on April 20 for a 30,000-square-foot expansion of the facility. The multimillion-dollar expansion, to be completed early next year, will accommodate approximately 150 new jobs that VW Credit, Inc. expects to create through 2018. This comes on top of the additional 1,000 jobs that the company announced it would add at its manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, TN to meet growing demand of the 2012 Passat.
Jetta sedan, including the enthusiast GLI model, remains the volume leader for Volkswagen with sales totaling 13,754, while Jetta SportWagen totaled 1,904. Sales of the Chattanooga-built Passat continue to rise with record sales of 10,096 units in April, the second month breaking 10,000 units.
The 2012 Beetle, recently named to Ward's list of "10 Best Interiors," sold 2,065 units. The Beetle TDI Clean Diesel Coupe will go on sale late summer 2012. The Tiguan continued to see strong sales with 2,333 units sold and the Golf saw a 14.6 percent increase in sales with a total of 3,876 units sold." [Read more]
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