At first glance you might look at the $27,195 MSRP for the 2010 VW Passat and suffer from a bit of sticker shock. But then you will notice something. This car isn't just well equipped it comes with most any toy you can imagine all as standard equipment (barring navigation). VW has even been nice enough to throw in 3 years/36,000 miles of free maintenance. What a thoughtful gift, VW!

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The Jetta TDI that emerged is clean enough to satisfy the emissions laws of all 50 states without resorting to urea injection, plus, it is powerful (140 horses) and quick enough (0 to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds) to satisfy us. In fact, our TDI proved to be as quick to 60 as a manual five-cylinder gas Jetta.

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Nominations for World Car of the Year have been announced.

The 10-strong shortlist has been chosen by 59 jurors and is spearheaded by the 2010 European Car of the Year, the Volkswagen Polo.

The winner will be announced at the Geneva motor show next month.

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It might not have the bragging rights of a six-cylinder, big-capacity engine anymore, but the R lacks absolutely nothing in performance. Actually, its delivery is relentless, with 258lb.ft making itself felt from the depths of the rev counter before the turbo properly kicks in about half way up, surging the car forward with brutal tenacity and a lovely four-cylinder fizz. Every high-rev gearchange is rewarded with a boom-like cough from the tailpipes too.

But when it comes to putting its power down, there's just so little drama. It's quicker than the Focus RS - and feels it too - yet where the Focus demands a gentle arm wrestle to wring the most from it, the R stays as straight and true as a National Geographic documentary, no matter how you mistreat the throttle. What's so exceptional about it, though, is that there's still a fluidity and poise about the way it changes direction. During second gear corners you can feel the four-wheel drive's brain directing traction to the wheels that need it, pulling the car around, yet it does that while allowing you the sense that you're still in control. It really is phenomenally rapid, but despite its unfussy power delivery and clinical four-wheel drive traction it's surprisingly interactive.

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Although the New Beetle used this name in many markets around the world, reports suggest that it will lose the "New" prefix and return to being just a Beetle.

The car will gain quite a notable amount of interior space, especially at the rear. It will be bigger both inside and outside, and feature LED technology in the front and rear exterior lights clusters. Muscular wheel arches will underscore its intentions of attracting a younger, feistier set.

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The goal was to create a Smart Fortwo-sized/like mini capable of accommodating two people plus some luggage in similar comfort to the VW Fox supermini.

The team came up with several proposals to power the 2.48 meter (97.6-in.) long car including VW's current 1.0-liter engine and various two-cylinder units (inline, V-shaped and boxer versions), all mounted at the rear, plus a plug-in version equipped with four in-wheel electric motors.

The vehicle's design is simple, but in a cool, 'Apple' sort of way, and is heavily influenced by the Volkswagen Up! concept series.

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In the futuristic action-thriller Repo Men, humans have extended and improved our lives through highly sophisticated and expensive mechanical organs created by a company called The Union. The dark side of these medical breakthroughs is that if you don’t pay your bill, The Union sends its highly skilled repo men to take back its property…with no concern for your comfort or survival. Jude Law plays Remy, one of the best organ repo men in the business. When he suffers a cardiac failure on the job, he awakens to find himself fitted with the company’s top-of-the-line heart-replacement…as well as a hefty debt. But a side effect of the procedure is that his heart’s no longer in the job. When he can’t make the payments, The Union sends its toughest enforcer, Remy’s former partner Jake (Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker), to track him down. Now that the hunter has become the hunted, Remy joins Beth (Alice Braga), another debtor who teaches him how to vanish from the system. And as he and Jake embark on a chase across a landscape populated by maniacal friends and foes, one man will become a reluctant champion for thousands on the run.

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What's so great about the TDI anyway? Mostly torque and great mileage. Its 236 pound-feet of torque tops the gasoline-powered 2.0-liter engine by a healthy margin (207 lb-ft) and the TDI's EPA ratings of 30 mpg city and 42 mpg highway make it one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the road. And what do you lose in terms of performance? See what our test drivers had to say after some track time.

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The official announcement is expected at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March. After that, it'd be reasonable to expect additional performance models to come out of the new R GmbH. So far we've got the new Golf R (which is expected to arrive in North America early next year), the Scirocco R (which, to our eternal chagrin, remains grounded overseas), and there are reports of an upcoming Jetta R (previewed by the New Compact Coupe concept unveiled in Detroit), to say nothing of appearance-only packages like the CC R-Line.

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The toy cars have been leaked onto the internet and show just how the new SUV will look ahead of its official launch at the Geneva Motor Show in March. As you can see, the new Touareg gets a front end inspired by the latest Golf and Polo hatchbacks and also a full length glass roof. The rest of the shape is a softer evolution of the current Touareg.

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The redesigned Volkswagen Polo edged the Toyota iQ as Europe's Car of the Year 2010, in a surprisingly close vote that saw winner and runner-up separated by only 10 points. The redesigned Opel/Vauxhall Astra finished a distant 3rd.

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Notwithstanding these relatively minor gripes, the GTI has in fact been a pleasure in its first weeks here. The traditional plaid cloth seats have charmed everyone who has sat in them, and several drivers have praised the smooth manual gearbox. We're also still amazed with the new GTI's level of refinement. Writes road test coordinator Michael Ofiara: "The car is amazing; so much more refined than my wife's Mark 5 GTI. It's going to be a fun year." Even a nitpicker would have to agree with that sentiment.

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While General Motors opted for a highly optimized version of its 6.0-liter V8 for its hybrid trucks, Volkswagen is instead using one of the newest engines in the group in the Touareg. The new 3.0-liter TSI V6 debuted in 2009 in the Audi A6 and S4. The new hybrid gets the engine in the more powerful 333 horsepower / 324 pound-foot form used in the sporting S4. VW gets this output from a comparatively small engine through a combination of direct fuel injection with a mechanical supercharger. Even before factoring in the hybrid system, the V6 already benefits from the advantages of engine downsizing. The six cylinder engine has output on a par with the larger 4.2-liter V8 also offered in Touareg, but in more efficient package. In addition to the smaller displacement, the engine also features other enhancements like a water pump that can be switched off during engine warm-up. This reduces the parasitic draw while speeding up the warm up.

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Although VW has yet to confirm that the fastest ever Golf is headed to the U.S., the word on the street is that the 265-hp, all-wheel drive hatch is on its way to the Colonies later this year, with a choice of either a six-speed manual or dual-clutch gearbox.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI four-cylinder's performance stats are almost enough to make us forget about the Scirocco, if just for a moment, with a 155 mph top speed and a 5.5-second run to 60 mph (5.7 seconds with the manual gearbox).

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The four-door sedan was a hot topic a year ago, and Volkswagen's Passat CC remains one of the only offerings in the affordable end of the spectrum. But apparently buyers, while intrigued by the look, were put off by the four-seat configuration. VW has listened, however, and is offer a new bench rear seat that expands seating to five.

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First Impressions: We are very impressed. We recently asked you guys whether or not you would consider a diesel powered vehicle over gasoline – with most of you leaning towards diesel (which was a bit surprising to us). There are some obvious benefits to buying a diesel powered car over a gasoline powered car including a boost in fuel-economy, a boost in torque and the final price differential over gasoline models is generally much smaller than that for hybrids vehicles.

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The Wolfsburg based brand therefore remains the only manufacturer to have won the car category of the Dakar Rally with diesel power. TDI technology was already dominant in 2009 in Argentina and Chile. In addition to the efficiency of the Volkswagen Group's diesel direct injection technology the Race Touareg's reliability was the key to the 2010 "Dakar"; victory. The powerful 300 hp Race Touareg won seven of 14 possible stage victories and eleven days in the lead were credited to the four-wheel drive racers from Wolfsburg.

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Triumphant title defence in South America: Volkswagen has won the legendary Dakar Rally for the second time in succession and including 1980 for a third time.

After a ‘showdown in blue' the Volkswagen duos and their TDI powered Race Touareg prototypes celebrated a one-two-three podium lockout at the finish of the toughest challenge worldwide in motorsport. In the process, Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (E/E) triumphed by only 2 minutes 12 seconds ahead of his team mates Nasser Al-Attiyah/Timo Gottschalk (Q/D) in a thrilling finale on the closing 202 kilometre sprint on the 14th and final rally day. Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/ZA) claimed third position. Last year's winners Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (ZA/D) finished seventh.

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Since Volkswagen relaunched the Jetta TDI in late 2008 with an updated 50-state legal engine, diesel has been a major sales driver for the German company and CEO Stefan Jacoby expects that trend to continue in the coming years. Speaking at the Automotive News World Congress last week, Jacoby told the audience that VW expects new diesel introductions to account for a hefty 20-30 percent share of each model that comes to market.

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The definition of perfect is: exactly fitting the need in a certain situation or for a certain purpose, entirely without any flaws.

Perfect is the word you would use to describe the Mark V Volkswagen Golf GTI. Everything about it was sound and exactly as it should be. Like most other motoring enthusiasts I was left scratching my head, wondering how Volkswagen could possibly improve on the Mark V GTI.

Enter stage left, the Mark VI Volkswagen Golf GTI.

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The Volkswagen New Beetle was shown at the LA Auto Show in various Final Edition guises, and the second word on the next edition is that it will be built on the Jetta platform. The first word was that Volkswagen wants the bubbleback's next design to be more masculine.

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Following on the heels of last week's word that Audi will appear in Super Bowl XLIV, Volkswagen on Monday confirmed that it will roll out a 30-second spot during the third quarter of the game. This marks the first time in nine years that VW has advertised during the Super Bowl.

Few details about the VW ad were released. "The spot will debut a new approach to the "Das Auto" tagline and positioning and is the first step in a much larger multifaceted campaign to increase model awareness and familiarity by reminding consumers of all the new Volkswagen products on the road," said Volkswagen of America in a statement.

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Not only does it put the segment stalwarts to shame in both style and space, VW took pains to make the rear seats actually habitable. There's ample leg room and a trick center console with independent climate controls for both passengers, a quad-zone setup we hope makes the transition to production.

Although there's sure to be countless variants of the Coupe when it arrives in production guise (were sure a few versions of the 2.0T will find their way underhood), in the "concept" motivation is provided by a 1.4-liter TSI inline-four, putting out 150 horsepower and 110 pound-feet of torque. However, when partnered with its hybrid system (a 20-kilowatt electric motor drawing pour from a lithium ion battery), output is boosted by 27 ponies to 177 hp and an equal amount of torque. VW estimates that U.S. mileage should average around 45 mpg and with its hybrid setup, the Concept Coupe can be driven in full electric mode for an unspecified range. With it's seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, VW pegs the Coupe's 0-60 time at 8.1 seconds, with a top speed of 141 mph.

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The Scirocco feels similar to the GTI to drive, too, with the same elastic surge of power from the willing 2.0-liter TSI under the hood that helps make the sporty Golf one of the most entertaining small cars on the market in America today. But again, it's not quite the same -- with bigger tires and a wider track, the Scirocco GT doesn't feel quite as nimble as the GTI through the turns. There's less clarity in the steering, and less feedback from the tires as you approach the limits of adhesion. The Scirocco GT also comes with adaptive shocks with normal, comfort or sport settings, and like most such systems never feels quite as impressive as the GTI's well sorted one-size-fits-all suspension tune.

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Bluemotion tech has only previously been available on diesel models, including the Golf and Polo, but VW has now applied some of the technology to the 1.4-litre TSI Eos.

Bluemotion technologies cars stop short of being full Bluemotion models as there are no aerodynamic changes. Instead, the car gets regenerative braking, a stop-start system, a hill hold system and a gearchange indicator.

These changes help reduce the car’s CO2 emissions from 152g/km to 144g/km, which puts it into VED band F, saving £25 per year over the standard car. Combined fuel economy is 45.6mpg.

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Europe’s most environmentally friendly vehicle is a Volkswagen Passat powered by natural gas, according to the FIA-backed Eco Test.

The Passat scored 92 points out of a maximum 100, a score only matched by the new Toyota Prius, which relies on expensive hybrid technology.

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The VW Polo race car will compete in the Indian Polo Cup, which commences this year. The race Polo is powered by a 130bhp 1.6-litre common rail diesel engine, linked to a six-speed manual gearbox.

It will race on 200/60 section slick tyres and has 17-inch alloys, adjustable race suspension and an aerodynamic body kit that includes a front and rear spoiler, side skirts and rear wings.

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The camouflaged prototype model seen in the spy video suggests that the new Jetta will boast all-new sheetmetal with a pinch of Audi A4 styling cues in the profile and rear-end.

Underneath the skin, the German firm's new compact-size sedan will most likely use bits and pieces from the Golf VI which in turn is largely based on the fifth-generation Golf.

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Available initially as a four-door crew-cab only, the German designed one-tonner will be built predominantly in Argentina. A single-cab variant will follow in early 2011.

Styling is typically Volkswagen with cues inside and out pointing to those of the brand’s highly-favoured passenger models.

Under the bonnet Amarok is available with a choice of two four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engines – single and twin turbocharged – developing 90kW/340Nm and 120kW/400Nm respectively. Both are mated exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission. Fuel consumption is said to be 7.6L/100km from the low-output model with CO2 figures cracking the sub-200g/km barrier (199g/km).

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VW’s R&D boss has denied that the company is about to embark on making Formula One engines.

But Ulrich Hackenberg has revealed that the company is keen on getting more involved with lower formulas of motorsport.

Speaking to Autocar at the LA motor show, Hackenberg said: "There’s been no concrete decision [on Formula One] but we are developing a global 2.0-litre engine for different racing categories.

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A new entry-level Volkswagen Scirocco will go on sale next year priced from £18,860 - £800 less than the current lowest-price model.

The new car will be powered by a 121bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine, in contrast to the current entry-level model, which has a 158bhp engine.

The new model’s 0-62mph time of 9.7 seconds is almost two seconds slower than the more powerful car’s, but its CO2 emissions of 146g/km make it the cleanest petrol-engined model in the Scirocco range.

The 121bhp car also returns 44.1mpg – better than the 158bhp car’s 42.8mpg with the same six-speed manual gearbox.

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Toyota will stop distributing VWs to its domestic dealers by the end of 2010, “due to Volkswagen’s review of its global sales structure,” says the Nikkei [sub]. Which is a polite way of saying “if you Germans want to overthrow Toyota’s rule, you can sell your own cars yourself.”

Which is exactly what will happen. The Japanese customer will not be bothered by the divorce, because Volkswagen will market their products directly through Toyota dealers, in addition to their own sales network. A Toyota spokesman said the termination of the contract wasn’t related to Volkswagen’s recent decision to snuggle-up with Suzuki.

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Volkswagen’s new Touareg has been spied in the final stages of its development ahead of its official launch at the Detroit motor show.

Our spy photographers have already captured the large SUV in the mid-California deserts as well as on European urban roads, and it has now moved to northern Scandinavia to finish its development.

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VW will make a decision on its motorsport future next March, with its competitions boss saying it will commit to the World Rally Championship if its promoters can convince him of the series' strength.

The company has been linked to running Scirocco cars in WRC from 2012, but motorsport boss Kris Nissen said that a Polo or Golf rally car are also possibilities if VW decides to enter the championship.

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The 2010 Volkswagen GTI Road Test Video reviews the latest iteration of the original hot hatch.

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Included in the modifications is a new, body-colored front spoiler with fog lights, and matching side skirts. The only change at the back are smoked coverings over rear lights. 17-inch Mallory alloys with 235/45 tires are also added, but 18-inch wheels are also available.

Inside, technicians add a three-spoke, multifunction, leather-wrapped steering wheel. Aluminum tread plates, and park assist are also added.

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So which of these hot hatches is now the best choice for the most consumers to own and drive every day? While our Face-Off was more about pontificating and voting than actual impressions, this full Edmunds Comparison test of the 2010 Mazdaspeed3 and 2010 Volkswagen GTI will unleash the full gamut of instrumented testing, back-to-back driving and number crunching to determine the top hot hatch. This time, however, the margin of victory wasn't so narrow.

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Well, it seems like Volkswagen is doing it the right way, by making an announcement that it is offering LED rear lights that will make your Golf R, Golf, GTI or GTD just a little more sexier. The night design rear LED tail lamps are standard on the Golf R and optional on all other Golf models.

Setting your Golf apart from the rest, the new LED tail lamp design features smoked rear light with two curved right angles, each angle containing eleven LEDs. Each of these angles forms the outer border for a distinctive LED centre dot, bringing your grand total to 48 LEDs.

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The 38,225 Euro (AUD$62,000) machine bridges the gap between the existing Tiguan range and the entry-level Audi Q5, appealing to those who prefer a dressed-up cheapster over a base model premium car.

The Track & Avenue scores new 19in alloys, fog-lights, bi-xenon headlights, wheel flares, an off-road front end and a silver-coloured diffuser.

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Just when we had forgotten all about the Scirocco R, Volkswagen goes and unloads another batch of photos. The shots were destined for European outlets, of course, as they're the only ones who will get a chance to buy the 261-horsepower coupe.

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Volkswagen Group of America President, Stefan Jacoby, has confirmed that the next-gen New Beetle, due to hit North American as a 2012 model, will be offered with a clean diesel engine. The current New Beetle was last offered with a 1.9-liter TDI in 2006, but was discontinued the following year due to tougher emissions requirements.

In addition, the U.S. market will reportedly get an electrified version of the Up! hatchback in 2014, but it will not be the gasoline version (the diesel/electric Up! Lite concept debuted at the LA Auto Show last week).

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Animation showing the inner workings and technology in tomorrows car. Combined fuel consumption: 2.44 l/100 km or 70 mpg/highway! No other car is more sustainable. With a drive concept consisting of a TDI (turbo-diesel), electric motor and 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) as well as top aerodynamics (Cd value: 0.237), Volkswagen is driving CO2 emissions down to a sensational 65 g/km.

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The cornerstone of Volkswagen’s U.S. strategy is the new Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant, which will build VW’s Camry-fighter, a.k.a. NMS (New Mid-Size Sedan). It will make its debut at the 2011 Detroit auto show. While this large sedan of over 192 inches is yet unnamed, Jacoby confirmed the smaller, Mexico-built NCS (New Compact sedan) will be called Jetta. Slated for a U.S. debut in June 2010, it will be exported to Europe in late 2010, where it might receive a different name. VW will continue to offer a GLI, based on the new Jetta.

But VW might offer another model—a two-door coupe with a notchback, targeting specifically the U.S. market and likely over 180 inches in length. Gauging public reaction to the concept car that will hint at a possible series production model is so important that VW has decided to push back the debut of the new Touareg by several weeks.

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The Up Lite! is openly based on many of the production parts of the forthcoming 2011 Up range, dubbed New Small Family. Originally, the Up had been engineered to be rear-engined and rear-drive, but the matrix has swapped to a more conventional front-engine, front-drive layout.

This particular Up is also the biggest one yet: at 3840mm long, it's only 14cm shorter than a Polo. Hence there's space for four seats, wrapped up in the long-tail three-door bodystyle.

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Volkswagen of America CEO Stefan Jacoby announced at the L.A. auto show that we can expect a replacement for the New Beetle to arrive in 18 months. Yes, that means the current model is finally on its way out—a 2010 Final Edition series limited to 1500 coupes and 1500 convertibles (shown above) will mark the end of the run. However, Jacoby added that the car may not carry on the New Beetle name.

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Speaking at the LA motor show, he said: "We’re looking at a hybrid version of a compact car for Europe and it will come on the next Golf, and an EV version."

Hackenberg also admitted that diesel hybrid technology, previewed on the Up Lite concept, could be upscaled to bigger cars.

The Up Lite has a two-cylinder diesel engine, assisted by a 10kW electric motor, but Hackenberg revealed that a 30kW motor with a bigger engine was easily achieveable.

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Volkswagen's head of R&D, Ulrich Hackenberg, says he will find out in the next few months if the VW Bluesport roadster will be given the production go-ahead.

“It’s a personal favourite car of mine,” he said at the LA motor show, “and I would expect a final commitment to its future to be made by the VW Group within the next few months.”

If it is given the go-ahead, the VW Bluesport roadster would go on sale within the next three years.

Powered by a transversely mounted 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine, the VW Concept Bluesport is a sports car designed with current emissions and budget-sensitive times firmly in mind.

With a kerb weight of less than 1200kg, the roadster has been conceived to appeal to keen drivers. It’s capable of cracking 62mph from rest in 6.6sec and hitting 140mph flat out.

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VW's US market saloon will be sold as a hybrid by summer 2012, a company source has revealed.

The new car, codenamed NMS (new mid-sized sedan), is set to go on sale at the end of 2011 and will also be available with the same 2.5-litre diesel that's offered in US-market Jettas.

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In fact, should Volkswagen decide to green light the unfortunately named Up! Lite, it would be the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly four seat vehicle on the planet. Again, if the Up! Lite comes to fruition, we'll all be impressed. Interestingly, this concept isn't the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly car on earth is because another Volkswagen -- the L1 from Frankfurt – is. But it only seats two.

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Spartan, too – especially the no frills interior. And here's the really good part for you truck dudes – it's a real-deal, honest-to-goodness body-on-frame worker bee. Meaning it can haul 2,300 pounds and tow nearly three tons (5,600 pounds) when equipped with VW's 2.0-liter common-rail turbo diesel four-cylinder that's good for 163 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

A smaller diesel motor with 122 hp and 250 torques will be an option, as well as a direct-injected gasoline engine.

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The VW Polo is the Car of the Year 2010.

The supermini narrowly beat the Toyota iQ in the final voting, earning 347 points versus 337.

The Polo received 59 scoring votes in total from the 59-strong judging panel, including 25 selections as the number one car. In contrast, the iQ received 58 votes, with 20 selections as the best car.

The result is determined from a list of 33 new cars which are voted on by European car journalists.

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The group's motorsport chief, Hans-Joachim Stuck, told Autosport that new engine regulations to be introduced to the sport aimed at cutting costs are making the sport more attractive for the firm.

VW was linked to buying into the Red Bull team a few years ago, but Stuck insisted any VW entry now would be as an engine supplier to multiple teams and not as a partner to a team in the same way Brawn has teamed up with Mercedes and BMW partnered Sauber.

"If you're the world's largest manufacturer it is natural that we're thinking about [F1], but not before 2012," he said. "We're looking for innovative things, and F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport. Two years ago there was some talk that Volkswagen was going to buy the Red Bull F1 team, which we didn't need to buy. Why should we stick with one team if we can give our engines to more teams?

"If you buy Red Bull and Adrian Newey wants to go flying or fishing, the team is not successful any more. Look at BMW. They bought this multi-million-dollar wind tunnel and a supercomputer and they now close the doors. Building an engine and providing it to a team is the best way."

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Assuming it gets the green light, Golf Cabrio will compete with such models as the Ford Focus CC and Peugeot 308CC, but unlike so many folding tin-top cabrios, Golf will instead offer a more traditional fabric top – technology shared with its Audi A3 cousin.

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This week at egmCarTech, we are test-driving the new 2010 Volkswagen GTI. While at first we were surprised when the car won the 2010 Automobile of the Year by Automobile magazine over cars like the BMW Z4 and the Porsche Cayman S, we soon realized why after taking our first spin in the new V-dub hot hatch.

First Impressions: It is stonkingly fast and handles exceptionally well. Power for the 2010 Volkswagen GTI comes from a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine making 200-hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. 0 to 62 mph comes in 6.7 seconds when mated to Volkswagen’s 6-speed automatic DSG with Triptronic. The GTI also has a top speed of 149 mph.

The car offers nonstop torque in any gear at any speed and the front-wheel-drive setup never seems to be an issue. One bone we do have to pick with the GTI is the subpar braking – it almost feels sedan-like, which is a bit annoying for a car with this much zip and power. Nonetheless, the EPA-rated fuel-economy of 24/32 mpg (city/highway) is sure to make your wallet happy.

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Despite its saloon-like styling, the Golf CC will have a hatchback and folding rear seats to maximise practicality. The interior will feature more premium materials, too, distancing it from the cheaper hatchback version. Whereas the MkVII hatch has been slated for a 2012 debut, the Golf CC won’t make it to showrooms until two years later.

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It's incredible that Volkswagen is testing the car without any camouflage. Why? Our first though was that this prototype is a mule with some details from the new model, but a closer inspection told us that this is the new Volkswagen Touareg. Ok, the taillights still doesn't fit so well, but if you look at the rear bumper the thrunk etc you can see that these are very much different from the old Touareg.

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Publications have also referred to as the Jetta VI. The Jetta name will likely be carried over, and assembly will continue to take place at Volkswagen's Puebla, Mexico, plant, but the new Jetta will measure in slightly longer and a bit wider. Volkswagen plans to sell 160.000 units annually as it hopes to convert some potential Corolla and Civic buyers with its lower base price.

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According to AutoCar, Volkswagen may end up building the production version of the BlueSport Concept at the facility. When it was unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show in January, Volkswagen said that the model was “production ready” although it isn’t expected to enter production until 2012.

Other reports from German media say that Volkswagen will build a convertible version of the new Golf in Osnabrueck.

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Sorry for the crappy pictures, they weren't exactly cooperating, but there was a line of about 9 Roxster's cruising by the beach this morning. Taken with my cell phone, but you get the idea. Size wise is about the same as an X3, looked pretty good

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What Is It?

Simply one of the most efficient five-seaters on the market today. The Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion (BlueMotion is VW’s term for its line of hyper-frugal diesel vehicles) is designed to be mass-market compatible, unlike most fuel misers. Indeed, until recently, the typical efficient car—especially in Europe, where this Polo is sold—has been the very definition of a penalty box, with little in the way of luxuries and barely more horsepower than an Amish buggy. This Polo is comfortable and at least has enough power to merge into traffic safely.

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The biggest degree of separation in the Jetta lineup lies beneath the hood. Base S and the uplevel SE trims rely on a 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque at the ready.

A more aggressive alternative can be had in the SEL and its stout turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter four. The gas burner is rated at 200 horsepower from 5100 to 6000 rpm and 207 lb-ft of torque from 1800 to 5000 rpm. Both gasoline variants produce 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway.

The turbodiesel of the TDI makes its presence felt on the torque side, where it pumps out 236 lb-ft along with 140 horsepower at 4000 rpm. The engine redlines at 4800 rpm, so don't blink when power-shifting. Once settled, the TDI purrs at 1900 rpm at a 60 mph cruise, racking up 40 mpg. Around town, the SportWagen TDI delivers 29 mpg — a number SUVs can't even dream about.

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The VW Polo sedan will share a more ‘family’ look, in line with Mark VI Golf and Tiuguan, and will be offered with the usual spread of diesel and petrol engines.

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According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Volkswagen plans to hire 2,000 workers overall; 1,200 for general assembly and another 800 for salaried and skilled positions. Since only one-in-32.5 applicants are likely to be hired, VW is being very selective. Prospective employees will need to pass an aptitude test and be able to perform some basic tasks in order to be considered. Once workers are able to prove their worth, the next step for applicants is to be entered into a lottery for the precious jobs. Only residents of Chattanooga and Hamilton County will be given preferential treatment.

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Power from the 2.0-liter, 200-horsepower turbo four-cylinder is smooth and abundant considering its niche. It’s a marked departure from the rest of the Golf range, and it’s enough to make the car feel sporty if not truly fast. Thanks to the quick-spooling turbo, torque is abundant from down low, and power keeps on coming without the peaky delivery of some turbos.

Shifting is made lightning-quick and easy with the optional six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, though purists can still have the car with a six-speed manual.

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. announced today that it is investing in flagship Audi and Volkswagen dealerships in New York City, as part of its strategic plan to grow business in the U.S. market. The $125 million deal is for the 265,000 square-foot building formerly housing Potamkin General Motors. The building is strategically sited in the highest traffic area of 11th Ave., making it a convenient location for Volkswagen and Audi customers.

"As Volkswagen and Audi move forward on our aggressive plan to increase sales in the U.S., there is no better place to demonstrate our commitment than in Manhattan -- a town synonymous for bold actions and big thinking," Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. "New York has always been a leading market for the Volkswagen and Audi brands, and these new store fronts will serve to strengthen our business even more. We are proud to be investing in the New York economy, excited to showcase our brands and look forward to seeing more Volkswagens and Audis on the streets of New York."

The new dealerships will showcase Volkswagen and Audi's new showroom concepts, known respectively as "white frame" and "terminal." The dealerships will be part of one of the largest and most prestigious dealers in the area, the Open Road Auto Group. The Group will target to begin selling vehicles in early 2010. Full renovations for the Volkswagen dealership are expected to be complete in the spring. The Audi transition will take place at the end of 2011.

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Viewed from outside, the GTI makes a striking contrast with the Mazda—taut, chiseled, no flab, no excess, minimal overhangs front and rear. It’s a look that says action-ready, and the GTI’s athleticism corroborates that impression. Aside from acceleration (we’ll get back to that), the GTI is a match for the Speed 3 in every performance category. The Continental SportContact 2 tires (225/40R-18) provide the grip of a professional greeter (0.93 on the skidpad) as well as a high level of confidence in wet conditions. Like the Speed 3, the GTI is quick on its feet, with eager responses. If there’s a distinction, it’s a stability-control system that can’t be completely disabled—that was the difference in the lane change—but the threshold is high, particularly in the “off” mode.

Add athleticism to smooth ride quality—essentially a BMW with front drive—and you have the winning combination.

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In Germany the Volkswagen Beetle is the most registered car produced before 1979, with 44,540 still driving the streets. The VDA (Automotive Manufacturer’s Association in Germany) provided this information:

From 1938 to 1980 15.8 million Beetles were manufactured in Wolfsburg, Emden and Osnabrück. 330,000 of these Beetles were Cabriolets built by Karmann. Volkswagen celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of the topless bug in 2009, the Cabriolet was produced till 1980 while the production of the Beetle Saloon stopped back in 1978.

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Volkswagen is set to unveil an all-new Touareg at the Detroit motor show in January - and the line-up will include a hybrid from the outset.

The petrol-electric Touareg - VW's first production hybrid - will be the first of several new hybrid and electric models the company plans to launch by 2013. CEO Martin Winterkorn is keen for VW to become an “innovator” in alternative-fuel vehicles, as he believes it to be a “crucial technology”.

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In Drive's comparison test, we have chosen three key rivals. The second-generation Mazda3 MPS is almost as new as the GTI, having arrived in July. It continues as the range-topping model of one of Australia's most popular cars.

Our next competitor is one of the cult performance cars of the past 15 years: the Subaru WRX.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, which rolled out last year, joins our test in hatch, or "Sportback", form to round out a quartet of circa-$40,000 five-doors.

As with the original GTI, all four are based on mainstream hatchbacks but with more powerful engines, firmer suspension and a sportier look.

So which hot hatch best excels at combining the key elements of price, practicality and performance?

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Volkswagen has ruled out bringing this grown-up saloon version of the new Polo to the UK.

The four-door, which is expected to be unveiled at the Delhi motor show in January, will be the third iteration after the three- and five-door hatch.

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Yes, the VW GTI is our Automobile of the Year. Again. The last-generation car got the nod only three years ago and now its successor, the sixth-generation GTI, walks away with the trophy as well. How is it that, for the first time since we started naming an Automobile of the Year exactly twenty years ago, we have deemed a single make and model vehicle worthy of our top award not once, but twice? It's very simple. Because the Volkswagen GTI continues to burn the affordable-enthusiast-car flame like no other vehicle in the world. Because the new, Mark 6 GTI, although only a mild update to the Mark 5 GTI, made a good thing even better. Because, as we pointed out in our February 2007 issue, the GTI is "the right car for our times. Hell, it's the right car for any time." And because, as we also stated three years ago, "what the world really needs now is not cars that are fast, but cars that are practical, fuel-efficient, and fast." Not to mention affordable and fun. The 2010 VW GTI is all this, and more.

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Like other models bearing the BlueMotion badge, the Passat has been optimized to drive down the fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. As seen in the photos, the BlueMotion gets optimized aerodynamics through rocker panel extensions, a deeper front air-dam and special alloy wheels. Mechanically, it uses the same new 1.6-liter common rail TDI four cylinder found in the smaller Golf BlueMotion along with the 7-speed DSG transmission. Automatic start-stop and brake energy recuperation are also included in the mix.

The starting price of the Passat in Germany is €27,850, which gets buyers a rating of 53.4 mpg (U.S.) on the EU combined cycle along with CO2 emissions of 114 g/km.

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I’m somewhere in the Victorian Alps with about forty-kilometres of clean, windy road ahead and I’m driving the new GTI at eight-tenths with former F1 driver Hans Stuck on my tail. Make that nine-tenths.

I’m carrying an awful lot of speed into these curves, and yet even in the tighter sections, the GTI is seemingly unflappable.

I mean I’m pulling a ninety-degree lock on the steering wheel through this hairpin, with more speed than I wanted with the right pedal still buried, and the GTI is refusing to understeer.

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The new Golf 7 will replace the Golf 6 at the end of its production run in 2011, being a short-lived version of this model. The Golf 7 should be a new chapter for the popular Golf, with a greater focus on environmental solutions and the possibility of a Golf hybrid being developed.

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We've had our fair share of diesels at ec, but our long-term Jetta TDI is the one that continues to impress (see page 88). So when VW offered to let us try the more socially conscious-but still adequately beefy-Touareg V6 TDI, we jumped at the chance. Green credentials aside, this latest Touareg made us TDI fans all over again. Here's a crossover with 225 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. A stout powerband, indeed. Now, it doesn't quite sip fuel like its Jetta counterpart, but it certainly doesn't gulp either. At 18 city/25 hwy, let's say it respectfully quaffs. With a zero-to-60 time of just 8.5 seconds, it only gets better.

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The replica won't be any quicker off the line, but it will stop and turn better than standard TDI models. The brake calipers are larger than standard and painted red to let observers know they are special. The suspension gets thicker sway bars and the retuned springs and dampers from the Jetta GLI along with 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Cup car gets a paddle shift steering wheel to go with the 6-speed DSG gearbox. The Cup Jetta starts at $25,000 and will be available in January.

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Swedish carmagazine Auto Motor & Sport did a test between four economical dieselcars. And drove them as long as possible on one tank of fuel, they had to have a average speed of 80 km/h or above. Winner was (the current 2.0 TDI) VW Passat Blumotion, it came fron Stockholm to Paris - 1954,7 km - on one tank of fuel! Wich means 3,4 l/100 km!

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The front seen here is the definitive Tiguan facelight with a long, narrow grill and elongated headlights. In fact, it looks just like the Golf. The rear should follow suit with no dramatic changes as it continues the family feeling theme. We should see some new engines, possibly the new 1.6-litre TDI and the 2-litre TSI with 210 hp, and a Bluemotion version will also appear.

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How does the new VW Scirocco ride? Like an over-firm pogo stick?

Nope. One of the key reasons for awarding this car five stars (it's that good) is its well modulated ride. The same pneumatically operated, three-way dampers feature, allowing Comfort and Sport modes, and it rides far better than a bobbly Focus RS or Audi S3.

Body control is never an issue and the uprated brakes are well up to the job of hauling down all that speed. And the Scirocco R is fast: 62mph passes in a brisk 6.4sec.

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There goes another one -- a Mercedes-Benz S-class, doing at least 100 mph, shoulders aside my Volkswagen Golf TDI on a rain-lashed German autobahn.

It's not like I can't keep up, as the diesel-driven Golf will soon prove. But for now, I'm transfixed by the trip computer, which displays a Toyota Prius-like 52 mpg, the result of a long 60-mph cruise. This is not my favored autobahn pace, but fuel-conscious minds back home need to know. And with the world joining hands in recession and energy anxiety, might the frugal-yet-fancy Golf finally speak international hatchback love in a language Americans can understand?

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The 2011 Touareg will go on a crash diet and be some 300 kilograms lighter! This should certainly help the Touareg’s less-than-stellar fuel economy and improve handling. Along with its weight loss, we’re also hearing the chassis has in fact been lengthened by a few centimetres for a more roomy interior and an optional third row of seats, though we expect that third row will probably amount to jump seats that fold flat.

Styling-wise, the Touareg will be somewhat more sporty and less utilitarian this time around. The most significant changes will appear in the front fascia, grille, headlights, rear fascia and taillights. A moderate update to the interior is likely in store as well.

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The new car will get a completely refreshed look at the front and rear, with revised lights and a set of daytime LED running lamps.

Under the skin, the Passat will use the same MQB flexible chassis from the latest Golf and Audi A3. Elsewhere, power will come from 1.4 and 1.6-litre TSI petrol engines, as well as 1.6 and 2.0-litre oil-burners, delivering 110hp and 204hp respectively.

A flagship, turbocharged V6 with around 300hp is expected to top the new Passat range, while reports also suggest that this large engine could make it onto a low-emissions hybrid Passat.

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Labels: VW

Volkswagen's released this fairly useless-for-determining-actual-design sketch of the automaker's forthcoming new mid-size sedan, set to be produced in their all-new production facility in Chattanooga, TN.

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We spent some time with the 2010 Volkswagen GTI, getting the opportunity to run it through a couple of autocross courses, a track marked out by cones with sharp turns that really test the car's handling. We also put the car through its paces on some public roads, and dug through the cabin electronics.

The GTI's ride is reasonably comfortable, which is actually impressive considering how it performed on the autocross course. As we threw it into hairpin turns and guided it through S curves, all the action was at the front wheels.

The power was a little iffy--when the engine speed dropped too far, for example coasting through a turn, it took a moment to come back on when we mashed the gas pedal to get power down a straight. That behavior is what we expect from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. But keeping some throttle on at all times helped combat that power loss.

The engine produces 200 horsepower at 5,100rpm, an engine speed difficult to come near during the tight maneuvering of autocross. The torque is a more accessible 207 pound-feet, peaking from 1,800rpm to 5,000rpm, but sometimes the engine speed dropped too low for the twist to come on right away. We also had a higher speed course to drive, and on that we were able to make better use of the available power, and experienced no lag. When we got the engine speed high during some fast starts, it produced a high-pitched growl.

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Braul drove the Touareg around town and on trips to Red Deer and Water Valley.

"It's beefy, so I was expecting it to be very lethargic and it's not. It felt fairly agile." The vehicle, he says, was "car-like" and tight.

The biggest new feature of the Touareg is its diesel engine, which Braul calls "the neatest thing about the whole vehicle. It pulls nice and hard off the line and it's tempting to dip into that torque because it's so readily available. It's very, very quick. The diesel itself is very, very quiet."

Just how far along VW has brought its diesel technology was illustrated by a simple test, Braul says.

"I put my finger inside the tailpipe and there's virtually no soot in there at all. Gas engines aren't any cleaner."

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The Polo’s a good motorway cruiser, maintaining decent silence and loping along beautifully. And you can have fun in its elsewhere, because it’s quick to change direction and agile with it.

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First introduced in 2008, the “Twin-Drive” is like a combination of the Chevrolet Volt’s Series and Toyota Prius’ Parallel drive-train systems, meaning, that Volkswagen mated a TDI diesel engine to an electric motor/generator to create what is essentially a Golf that runs on electric power up to about 35 mph and then switches to the diesel engine.

Furthermore, the battery is charged by both brake regeneration and plug-in methods. There are all sorts of other mechanical and computer doodads on the Twin-Drive that help to switch between the electric and diesel motors for maximum efficiency.

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The R’s engine gets a new head, uprated pistons and conrods, and higher-pressure injectors. The turbo produces more boost, and there’s a new intercooler to deal with the extra heat.

Combined, these changes give the new engine 261bhp and 258lb ft — and all of the torque is available from 2500rpm through to 5000rpm, one of the advantages of using direct injection on a petrol engine. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a six-speed, twin-clutch DSG is optional. The R turns in a 0-62mph time of 6.4 sec

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Engineers have tried to hide the newcomer beneath a modified previous-generation Polo body, but if you look at the wheel-at-each-corner stance and minimal front and rear overhangs, this is clearly a prototype for the model.

With a wheelbase that’s as long as the Polo, the up! should have a surprisingly spacious cabin given its small proportions.

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Labels: VW