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Report: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen won't be based on new Jetta

Autoblog — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:27:01 +0000

2010 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen - Click above for high-res image gallery

Those of you unenamoured of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta have an alternative if you're still interested in procuring one of V-Dub's entry-level runabouts.

The current SportWagen variant of the Jetta will carry on unchanged for the 2011 model year, complete with better materials, a more sophisticated rear suspension and that useful hatch.

According to TheCarConnection, the decision not to migrate the wagon over to the all-new platform of the 2011 Jetta sedan was a cost-saving measure, so it will continue to be built in Germany using the Mark V's underpinnings.

But it's not all wine and roses. While the gas-fed 170-hp five-cylinder and 140-hp TDI diesel four will carry over (the Reagan-era Two-Point-Slow won't be an option), you'll still have to deal with the somewhat cramped rear legroom of the current model, as VW has no immediate plans to utilize the new Jetta's architecture anytime soon. However, expect a few cosmetic upgrades to happen at some point next year to bring the styling more in line with the rest of the VW lineup.

Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagon

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[Source: Wagon4]

Wagon5 originally appeared on Wagon6 on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our Wagon7.

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Volkswagen turns its latest Fox inside-out

Autoblog — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:26:37 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Volkswagen, South America

An automobile's interior is just as important as its exterior when the time comes to close the sale. Keenly aware of this, Volkswagen has redone the Brazilian-market Fox and put a special emphasis on evolving the interior from low-rent to high-end. And a clever ad by agency AlmapBBDO puts it front and center.

Masterful advertising instantly grabs your attention, and seeing a Volkswagen Fox turned inside-out like a sock in the laundry basket is cause for a double-take. As the Fox shares plenty with the Euro-market Polo, there's been talk of the Fox heading to the U.S. market, but since the Polo has been all but canned for Stateside consumption, don't count on it.

Regardless of any migration north, Volkswagen has lavished some attention on the Fox by updating the exterior to keep the looks in line with the rest of the family. The interior, a source of previous criticism, has been changed, and is a point of pride for Volkswagen, hence its prominence in the advertising. The sharpened Fox is now wearing a more premium look as it continues to battle with the Budget0 and Budget1 in the Latin American market.

[Source: Budget2, Budget3]

Budget4 originally appeared on Budget5 on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our Budget6.

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Volkswagen releases initial pics, details on all-new Caddy

Autoblog — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:26:40 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Budget, Minivan/Van, Europe, Work, Volkswagen

2011 Volkswagen Caddy - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's been nearly six years since Volkswagen took the knife to its workhorse Caddy, but starting next year, buyers can expect a host of changes. The company has just dished the details on its next-generation van before the vehicle gets its official unveiling at the IAA Hanover Commercial Vehicle Show this November. Don't expect anything too wild to crop up design-wise. The Caddy will swipe a few cues from the rest of the VW family up front, and new taillights will pop up as well. VW says that it will also offer roof rails for the first time on the new generation.

Take a peek under the hood, and you're likely to see one of four turbo-diesel engines, all of which are 13 percent more efficient than their predecessors. The range starts with two 1.6-liter mills producing either 75 or 102 horsepower depending on which model you choose, both of which come with start/stop technology. If you click off a little higher up the option sheet, you'll wind up with one of two 2.0-liter engines. Those produce either 110 or 140 horsepower depending on your needs and your budget. Budget0 for the full press release.

Gallery: Budget1

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[Source: Volkswagen]

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Budget6 originally appeared on Budget7 on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:26:00 EST. Please see our Budget8.

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MTE rolls out 785-hp Volkswagen Golf R32 [w/video]

Autoblog — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:26:17 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Volkswagen

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mte-volkswagen-golf-r32-biturbo/">Europe0

MTE Volkswagen Golf R32 BiTurbo - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Volkswagen scientists at MTE recently decided that their Golf R32 BiTurbo just wasn't quite up to snuff. While the company had already managed to drag staggering amounts of power out of the little German hatch, the project simply lacked that certain muchness that a true tuner purebred needs in order to stand out of the crowd. The solution? Yank 785 horsepower and 586 lb-ft of torque from the car - a 55 horse jump over the previous iteration of the project.

Yeah, we think that'll do just fine.

How'd they do it? For starters, there's a pair of mammoth Garrett G28/71 turbos under the hood pushing on forged internals. The team also reworked the cylinder heads, bolted on a water/methanol-injection intake manifold and unique cast-iron exhaust manifold. The whole kit breathes through an up-sized stainless steel exhaust system, and MTE says that it has limited the wicked little Golf at 193 mph. In order to cope with that kind of speed, the VW wears Brembo six-piston calipers and KW Variant 3 coilovers along with semi-slick tires. Aftermarket0 for a look at the car back when it was in its lowly 730-horsepower guise.

Gallery: Aftermarket1

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[Source: MTE via Aftermarket7]

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Aftermarket9 originally appeared on Performance0 on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our Performance1.

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First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta gets with the (American) program

Autoblog — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:26:45 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Volkswagen, First Drive

2011 Volkswagen Jetta - Click above for high-res image gallery

For Volkswagen of America, it doesn't get more brot-und-butter than the Jetta. Forced into the shadow of the best-selling Golf, the refrain from Germany was always "Sell more Golfs!" To which VoA would steadfastly reply, "Americans don't want hatchbacks!"

This went on for over two decades until the corporate mothership finally recognized that its compact sedan was what the people wanted Stateside. So for 2011, the Jetta has been restyled, reformed and reinvigorated with a new purpose: to take on the Honda Civic and Budget0, not to mention the Budget1.

How? This story begins and ends with price. A 2011 Jetta in "S" trim will set you back just $15,995. Compare that to the 2010 model, which starts at $17,735, and the Civic and Corolla which clock in at $15,655 and $15,450, respectively. The "German premium" has finally been addressed. But at what cost? We trekked to San Francisco to find out.

Gallery: Budget2

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Budget9 originally appeared on Sedan0 on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our Sedan1.

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Volkswagen reconfirms EVs for 2013, next-generation vehicles to reduce weight

Autoblog — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:26:18 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Hatchback, Volkswagen, Electric

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Speaking outside its Electronics Research Lab in Palo Alto, California, Volkswagen chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn reconfirmed the automaker's commitment to bring electric vehicles to market in 2013, beginning with the eGolf compact and eUp! city car.

Drawing a faint parallel to the original Beetle, Winterkorn told the assembled media that "Volkswagen is working on the electric car for everyone." And one of the first electrified V-Dubs will be its bread-and-butter Golf hatchback.

"The automotive industry is reinventing itself," Winterkorn continued, "and Volkswagen will be the first automaker to mass produce the electric car for everyone." VW believes that electric vehicles are the next great revolution in the automobile, and in order to achieve its goal of becoming the world's top automaker by 2018, it believes it has to dominate the EV segment.

In addition to bringing two EVs to market in the next three years, the Touareg Hybrid (shown above) is being produced, with the hybrid Golf and Jetta due later that year and the hybrid Hatchback0 following in 2012. All of which VW considers to be interim products.

Although current battery technology has limited the eGolf to a 100-mile range when fitted with a 26.5 kWh battery pack, Winterkorn asserts that "Our customers are not willing to compromise. They expect the same thing from a standard [internal-combustion engine] Golf as they would from an electric Golf." But until its partnerships with Samsung, Toshiba and other battery manufacturers pan out and develop lighter, smaller, less expensive and higher capacity batteries, they'll have their work cut out for them.

When asked what VW plans to do about vehicle weight, Winterkorn rattled off a litany of advanced materials - from carbon fiber to magnesium - and told Autoblog that the next generation of Volkswagen products will undergo a weight loss program.

[Image: Sean Gallup/Getty]

Hatchback1 originally appeared on Hatchback2 on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our Hatchback3.

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2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition: Getting intimate and egged

Autoblog — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:25:57 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Sedan, Volkswagen, Diesel, Long-Term Garage

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There's no better way to get to know a vehicle than washing it yourself. So rather than sending it through the local hand-wash last weekend, I pulled out a bucket and got sudsy for the first time... in a while.

After a run through the Altamont Hills the previous day, our long-term Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition was coated from windshield to air dam with crickets - something that happens in the hills the same time each year. While I expected the massive grille to be covered in the little bastards, what I didn't expect to find (after I toweled everything down, natch) was hundreds of the buggers wedged in between the lower bumper and the underbody tray. A small gap in between the two panels allowed the loud-legged Gryllidaes to go antenna-first into the slot, requiring a strong hose and a flathead screwdriver to get them out. Messy - but the again, genocide normally is.

Make the jump for the rest.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition

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Sedan4 originally appeared on Sedan5 on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our Sedan6.

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Patents filed for Volkswagen Jetta Coupe

Autoblog — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 01:25:07 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Spy Photos, Coupe, Budget, Europe, Volkswagen, Rumormill, Design/Style

Volkswagen NCC patents - Click above for high-res image gallery

Take a look at what Detroit Auto Show0. It seems Volkswagen's been busy securing patents for its Detroit Auto Show1. Do these filings mean Detroit Auto Show2 is seriously considering the addition of a Detroit Auto Show3 Coupe to the lineup? Probably. After all, the coupe concept VW teased us all with last winter looked very production-ready, and it was quite well-received.

The images here show that the car has evolved somewhat since we last saw it at the Detroit Auto Show4. There's now a traditional-style grille and exhaust, indicating that gas and diesel iterations are obviously in the works for the launch. If and when we'll see a hybrid version in keeping with the Detroit Auto Show5 remains to be seen. So, keep your fingers crossed that these patents foreshadow a classy little coupe from VW. This is a sharp-looking ride, and since it's larger than the Detroit Auto Show6, it just might find an audience here in the land of the free.

Gallery: Detroit Auto Show7

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Gallery: Spy Photos3

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[Source: Spy Photos9]

Coupe0 originally appeared on Coupe1 on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:52:00 EST. Please see our Coupe2.

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Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 teased, confirmed and under development

Autoblog — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:24:39 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Motorsports, SUV, Volkswagen, Off-Road, Racing

Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 teaser - Click above for high-res image

While the latter years of the Dakar rally (when it was actually held in Dakar) may have belonged to the Mitsubishi Pajero, in the past two years since the premiere rally-raid event was moved from its namesake in North Africa to South America, Volkswagen has dominated with its Race Touareg. But if the German automaker hopes to make it a hat-trick, warned their winning driver Carlos Sainz (a two-time World Rally Champion to boot), they'd need a significantly improved vehicle.

Our spy photographers caught a glimpse of the new Race Touareg undergoing testing in the Alps last month, and although they've only released this singulae teaser image, Volkswagen has now confirmed the vehicle's development.

Dubbed (predictably enough) the Race Touareg 3, the new rally-raid machine closely follows the mechanical formula laid out by the victorious Race Touareg 2, but will sport some vital improvements. These will principally center around the aerodynamics, picking up design cues from the new production Touareg 2 along the way.

Desert testing is slated to commence later this month in Morocco, after which the Race Touareg 3 will endure its first real trial by fire in campaigning the Silk Way Rally across Russia in September before hitting the Dakar Rally next January. Official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Motorsports0

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[Source: Volkswagen]

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Motorsports7 originally appeared on Motorsports8 on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our Motorsports9.

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2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition: Supreme steering but awkward shifting

Autoblog — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:24:10 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Sedan, Volkswagen, Diesel, Long-Term Garage

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

Since we took delivery of our 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition - henceforth know as the Jetta TDI Cup, for the sake of brevity - we've managed to rack up a little over 1,100 miles on our long-term Salsa Red tester.

We've bounced around the Bay Area, made it out to the coast, logged several trips into San Francisco and made the trek to Infineon raceway. In the process, we've experienced the normal post-delivery phases: honeymoon, discovery and finally, annoyance. On the whole, however, the Jetta TDI Cup has proven to be a perfectly balanced package, with a smattering of tech-rich amenities and a surprisingly sporty demeanor - diesel or not.

We mentioned in our review that the Jetta's offers one of the best tillers in the compact sports sedan segment. The electric power assist steering feels like it's been slightly tweaked compared to past Jetta models we've driven, although the 18-inch wheel package is surely helping the matter. While it's not as communicative as the Sedan0, you get a good sense of what the tires are doing both on-center and while loaded up, and the rate of return when powering around corners is perfectly matched to the 236 pound-feet of torque being channeled to the front wheels. Our only gripe remains the Sedan1 Sedan2 and the placement of the paddle-shifters. Sedan3 to see what we mean.

Gallery: Sedan4

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Volkswagen1 originally appeared on Volkswagen2 on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our Volkswagen3.

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Report: 2013 Volkswagen E-Up! city car headed for select U.S. markets

Autoblog — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:24:03 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Electric

Volkswagen E-Up! Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to the scribes at Automobile Magazine, Volkswagen isn't planning to offer its diminutive Up! city car here in the United States. Boo! Interestingly enough, though, the electric version, imaginatively known as the E-Up!, is said to be earmarked for select U.S. markets.

What those U.S. markets may be is unknown, but we'd imagine it would be something like the five markets where Nissan plans to initially offer its Leaf Stateside... and you can bet Southern California (as always) will be on the list.

Last we heard, the E-Up! being developed for America wold likely be a bit larger than the model sold overseas and wouldn't be offered for sale for another few years. Sure, you may want your zero-emissions goodness earlier than that, but we can stand to wait a little while longer for the "Budget0," right?

Gallery: Budget1

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[Source: Budget7]

Budget8 originally appeared on Budget9 on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our Hatchback0.

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Report: Volkswagen Bluesport gets the green light

Autoblog — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:23:57 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Budget, Performance, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Volkswagen, Rumormill, Diesel

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Volkswagen BlueSport Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Now this is interesting. Hot on the heels of rumored Concept Cars1 over the BlueSport roadster, AutoExpress is reporting that Concept Cars2 has given the droptop concept the green light for production. Color us skeptical. It's not that we don't want to believe that VW has told its squabbling children to cool their jets so that ze people's automaker can bring the world an efficient and entertaining ragtop, it's just that there's a noticeable lack of details baked into the AutoExpress piece. Specifically, which of the three automakers will get to build the thing.

An "unnamed source" has confirmed the car for production and given the publication a quick peek at the final version of the car. Lucky them. AutoExpress goes on to say that the Concept Cars3 will come with a 178-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo-diesel engine as standard equipment, though a variety of other power plants will also be available. Those include the twin-charged 1.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine from the Concept Cars4 as well as a turbo 2.0-liter gasser from the Concept Cars5.

It all sounds great as it floats around the vast vacuum of the internet, but until we see something from Volkswagen itself, we're not exactly ready to call this one a done deal.

Gallery: Concept Cars6

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[Source: Convertible2]

Convertible3 originally appeared on Convertible4 on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our Convertible5.

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Autoblog Long-Term Garage Introduction: 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition

Autoblog — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:23:43 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Volkswagen, Diesel, Long-Term Garage

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

We hinted at it in our review, but it's time to make it official. Welcome the newest entrant to the Autoblog Long-Term Garage: the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition.

So why, with the Sedan0 right around the corner, would we bring the TDI Cup into the hallowed halls of Autoblog Towers? Simple. We want to get intimate with diesel. Not only do we want to reap the high-mileage benefits of ultra-low sulfur dino-juice, we want to see if something with a TDI badge can, in fact, be an entertaining drive over the long haul.

We explored the Cup's backroad prowess in our review, but how will it fare at the track? Will a new set of tires and wheels make a world of difference? How about some upgraded brake pads? In stock form, does it have what it takes to compete with the latest and greatest in the new fuel-conscious sporty car segment? How will it hold up after thousands of miles, a few road trips and stints across the country with our editors? All these questions and more will be answered over the course of a year.

We'll be keeping you updated on the TDI's progress with weekly and monthly posts, highlighting the finer points and questioning the logic of others. More importantly, we're interested in what you want to know about the Jetta TDI Cup Edition. Tell us in Comments and we'll get cracking.

Additionally, we've set up a Sedan1, complete with updates, specs and other useful info. Check it out and follow us on Twitter at Sedan2 for 140-character morsels of insight tagged Sedan3.

The fun is about to begin, and the only question now is: What's first?

Gallery: Sedan4

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Performance0 originally appeared on Performance1 on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our Performance2.

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BMW and Volkswagen demonstrating safety technology for AKTIV project in Germany

Autoblog — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 23:23:15 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Europe, Safety, Technology, BMW, Volkswagen

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This week BMW and Volkswagen are demonstrating the results of their work on the four-year German government funded Adaptive and Cooperative Technologies for Intelligent Traffic (AKTIV) project. AKTIV includes a group of German automakers, suppliers and communications companies to develop and test systems that will improve traffic flow, safety and fuel efficiency.

The various sub-projects within AKTIV utilize car-to-car, car-to-infrastructure and in-vehicle technologies to help inform the driver of what's transpiring around the vehicle and, in some cases, the vehicle will respond autonomously. Among the technologies in use are cameras, radar and laser sensors all developed to automatically brake the vehicle to prevent collisions, along with messaging systems that can warn of pedestrians or vehicles coming from around a corner.

Volkswagen has also incorporated communications messages about road work and other congestion into the adaptive cruise control (ACC) to help improve the traffic flow by adjusting the control strategy for the ACC. Cars are taken through the narrower section of road at constant speed and a safe distance and then accelerated out on the other side to keep things moving along. BMW has even incorporated the communications systems into motorcycles to allow riders to be more aware. Get the full details in the press release after the break.

Gallery: BMW AKTIV Technology

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[Source: Volkswagen, BMW]

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Safety1 originally appeared on Safety2 on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:26:00 EST. Please see our Safety3.

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Report: Volkswagen's Stefan Jacoby coming to Volvo in August

Autoblog — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:23:04 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Etc., Volkswagen, Volvo

According to a report out of Germany, President and CEO of the Volkswagen Group of America Stefan Jacoby is set to leave the automaker this August to take the top spot at Volvo.

Jacoby, who has led VW's U.S. arm since 2007 and enjoyed a brief stint at Mitsubishi Motors Europe, is set to replace Volvo's current CEO Briton Stephen Odell. Odell will reportedly become the new head of Ford's European operations when Jacoby takes over the Geely-owned Swedish marque in August.

[Source: Reuters | Image: Ramin Talaie/Getty]

Etc.0 originally appeared on Etc.1 on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:15:00 EST. Please see our Etc.2.

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Report: Volkswagen Routan might not be back for an encore

Autoblog — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:23:14 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials, Rumormill

Volkswagen Routan - Click above for high-res image gallery

"No decisions have been made regarding the Routan." This according to a source from Volkswagen. Unsurprisingly, the re-branded Chrysler minivan is rumored to be receiving less-than-enthusiastic support from Volkswagen's current management, and the ambivalence might spell doom for the Routan. Volkswagen's sales are down, though it's not necessarily the Routan's fault. The people mover has a consistent four percent of the minivan market and Volkswagen thinks that can be grown.

For now, Volkswagen's concentrating on launching its latest Jetta and Minivan/Van0 to assemble the majority of its U.S.-market cars. The Minivan/Van1 will also be returning to the U.S. market, indicating an intent to foster growth on the top and bottom of its model offerings. Volkswagen has set a goal for itself of tripling U.S. sales numbers, and the Routan puts the brand in a segment it would not otherwise be in here in the U.S., though its small market share may not make it worth the effort.

Gallery: Minivan/Van2

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[Source: Minivan/Van8]

Minivan/Van9 originally appeared on Volkswagen0 on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our Volkswagen1.

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Video: Volkswagen puts subway riders in the fastlane

Autoblog — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:22:48 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Volkswagen, Humor

VW brings the fast lane to the subway - Click above to watch video after the jump

In the manner of its Fun Theory videos from last year, Volkswagen is up to old viral hijinks again. The Fun Theory experiments were about seeing whether you could encourage people to do the right thing if you made doing the right thing fun. This time, there's no right or wrong involved, just a racy bit of red, a lot of speeding and a little bit of tsk-tsking at the Alexanderplatz subway station. Etc.0 to see what they've done this time.

[Source: Volkswagen via Etc.1]

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Etc.3 originally appeared on Etc.4 on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our Etc.5.

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Volkswagen goes soft-roading with new CrossPolo

Autoblog — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:21:57 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Crossover, Hatchback, Volkswagen

2012 Volkswagen CrossPolo - Click above for high-res image gallery

Smaller cars may be taking over from larger SUVs around the world, but that hardly means that the go-anywhere, rough-and-tumble image of the sport-ute has disappeared from buyers' minds. That's where softroaders come in. Vehicles like the Volkswagen CrossPolo blend off-road styling with a small form factor.

VW gave us a sneak peek at the new CrossPolo back in Geneva, but is only officially revealing the full range now. Based on the new Polo hatchback, the CrossPolo gets a boost in ride height and some tasteful body cladding to give it that backcountry appeal. A new front end - treated in dark gray and blending into the wheel arches, quarter panels and rear bumper - plus 17-inch alloys and roof rails complete the package, which can be ordered by non-U.S. types with six engine options - three gasoline and three diesels - in any of six exterior shades, including two colors unique to the CrossPolo.

Intrigued? There's plenty more information where that came from in the press release after the jump, and a fresh batch of high-res photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen CrossPolo

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[Source: Volkswagen]

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Crossover4 originally appeared on Crossover5 on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:26:00 EST. Please see our Crossover6.

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Volkswagen New Beetle still number one with the ladies

Autoblog — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:23:19 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Etc., Hatchback, Volkswagen

Volkswagen New Beetle - Click above for high-res image gallery

Men, take note: According to a new survey from research firm TrueCar, the Volkswagen New Beetle is (still) the ultimate car for women. Apparently, its combination of cute-as-a-button looks and affordable pricing make the reborn Bug a total hit with the fairer sex.

This data was determined not by some silly woman-on-the-street clipboard survey, but rather by looking at the registrations of more than 13 million vehicles over the past two years. We could have saved them quite a bit of work if they wanted to know that the New Beetle was a chick car, but whatever. There was some other interesting info gleaned from the research, including the revelation that 64% of all cars are registered by men despite the fact that there are more women (at 51% of the population, just a tad) than men in America.

Rounding out the top five vehicles that scored well with the mono-chromosomed gender were the Nissan Rogue, Hyundai Tucson, (saw this one coming) Car Buying0 and Car Buying1.

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2011 Volkswagen Jetta live from its Times Square debut

Autoblog — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:21:59 +0000

Source: Autoblog

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Volkswagen

2011 Volkswagen Jetta live - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen of America descended upon New York City this morning and, much to the chagrin of native New Yorkers, plugged up Times Square with the world premiere of its 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. For being inconvenienced, Manahattanites were treated to a free Katy Perry concert on VW's Urban Oasis stage after the sheets were finally yanked from three sixth generation Jettas. We had a man on the scene who battled the crowd for live shots, which you can view in the high-res image gallery below, as well as video of the car's reveal after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta: Times Square reveal

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