VW may build Tiguan in North America

VW needs to expand North American production in order to reach its sales targets there profitably


It's no secret that VW wants to expand its production in North America beyond the current Passat, Jetta and Beetle models.

The German automaker has just christened a new plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee to build the North American-spec Passat (aka NMS) model, which is larger and cheaper than the Euro-spec Passat, and has a very ambitious plan to reach 1 million unit sales of its Audi and VW brand cars in North America by 2018. In order to do that, and do it profitably, it is going to need more local production. VW Group has been hit hard in North America due to declining sales of the VW brand and a strong euro which has hurt the profitability of its premium brand Audi which produces its vehicles in Europe.

According to German business magazine Wirtschafts Woche, VW is considering the Tiguan model for production at either the Chattanooga plant or the Pueblo plant in Mexico, where the Jetta and Beetle are assembled, to increase volume and sales of the model while reducing its costs of production. If VW pulls the trigger on North American production for the Tiguan, it would likely start in 2013.

Since its launch in 2007, the compact SUV Tiguan has sold more than 700,000 total unit’s world wide. The Tiguan received a facelift just this past February and the next-generation is due around 2013.

Source [worldcarfans]


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Volkswagen creates edible ad for the Golf R

Mmm... advertising

Volkswagen has been known to use some pretty memorable ads, but their latest effort certainly takes the cake.

Designed to promote the Golf R in South Africa, the edible "Eat the Road" ad was prominently featured in several local automotive magazines. While there's no word on how it tastes, the ad was made with glutinous rice flour, water, salt, propylene glycol FD&C color and glycerin.

Source [worldcarfans]


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Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet unveiled - Geneva Show

New Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet sports several different design features from the standard Golf model.

Volkswagen has taken the wraps off the new Golf Cabriolet model for its premiere at the Geneva auto show today.

The Golf Cabriolet has a long tradition for a convertible in this class and VW has a difficult challenge in maintaining the cachet of the model.

This next-generation Golf Cabriolet sports several design features that make it differ from the standard Golf model. That includes a more sloped windscreen, lower profile roof line and a new rear-end design.

A new soft-top was developed for this Golf Cabrio which can open or close at speeds up to 30 km/h (18.7 mph). Safety features include the automatically deploying roll-over bar, side airbags for the head/thorax and a knee airbag for the driver.

A slew of engines will be on offer with the Cabrio ranging in output from 105 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS) to 207 bhp (155 kW / 210 PS) for the 2.0 liter TFSI variant. Transmissions offered will be the six-speed manual or the DSG double-clutch gearbox. The 77 kW 1.6 liter TDI with BlueMotion technology has a fuel-economy rating of 4.4 liters/100 km (64 mpg imperial) and CO2 emissions of 117 g/km for clean driving.

The VW Golf Cabriolet goes on sale in Europe this spring with prices in Germany starting at €23,625.

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Source: [Worldcarfan]

VW Passat BlueMotion, even more efficient

Averages 4.1 L/100km

Following its unveiling at the Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen has announced final specifications for the Passat BlueMotion.

Available as a sedan or estate, the eco-minded family car is powered by a 1.6-liter TDI engine that produces 105 PS (77 kW / 103 hp) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque. This enables the sedan to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 12.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 198 km/h (0-100 km/h in 12.2 seconds and a top speed of 196 km/h in the estate). More importantly, thanks to a start/stop system, improved aerodynamics and a lowered ride height, owners can expect to average 4.1 L/100km with CO2 emissions of 109 g/km (4.3 L/100km and 113 g/km in the estate). That's an improvement of 0.1 L/100km for both sedan and wagon.

Currently available at dealerships, the Passat BlueMotion is priced from €26,450 in Germany.

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Source [worldcarfans]



Volkswagen confirms plug-in hybrids for 2013

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The best of both worlds

Volkswagen has announced plans to introduce a series of plug-in hybrids starting in 2013.

While the company declined to identify which models would gain the technology, Volkswagen has previously shown off a Golf TwinDrive plug-in hybrid and an Audi A5 e-tron plug-in hybrid prototype.

According to Volkswagen chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn, "Over the mid-term, the plug-in hybrid offers great potential because it combines the best of two worlds in one vehicle." 

Source: [Worldcarfans]

All-New Jetta GLI

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All-New Jetta GLI ReviewThe Jetta lineup as a whole is a bit lighter than before by about 100 pounds for comparable models, a slimming which could help the GLI’s performance numbers. Our best 0-to-60-mph time with the previous car was 6.4 seconds with a manual transmission. The GLI will again be offered with either a six-speed stick or six-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddles. VW estimates fuel-economy ratings of 31 mpg highway with the manual and 32 highways with the DSG.

Forever Plaid?
Beyond the extra power and more sophisticated chassis, the GLI’s look also sets it apart from its more pedestrian brethren. Chrome-framed honeycomb grilles sit above and below the bumper, dominating the front view. The front fascia is unique, which allows for the larger lower aperture and it houses fog lights behind vertical lenses that have been yanked from the GTI. In contrast to the previous GLI’s blacked-out look, extra chrome has been added to this model, and the red lettering and grille details have been dispatched. Red stitching and shiny accents spruce up the interior, but, sadly, the iconic plaid seats are gone. The visual changes don’t add up to much excitement, failing nearly completely in dressing up the new Jetta’s staid design.

VW will offer three trim levels for the car when it goes on sale in May. The base GLI comes in at $24,265 and includes cloth seats and 17-inch alloys. The GLI Autobahn, at $26,315, upgrades to 18-inch wheels and leatherette, and adds dual-zone climate control and VW’s Fender-branded audio system. The GLI Autobahn with Navigation trim adds—guess what?—nav to the standard touch-screen infotainment system, plus keyless entry and ignition, and rings in at $27,215. The DSG transmission adds $1100 to the bottom line of any model. The GLI thus sits at the top of the Jetta range, with its base price running $500 more than the entry-level, manual-equipped TDI diesel.

We haven’t particularly warmed up to the newest Jetta, but perhaps this new model and its sweet 2.0-liter turbo four will change that; we certainly look forward to getting behind the wheel. So the good news is that you’ll soon be able to buy a sportier, essentially Euro-spec Jetta in America.

Source [caranddriver.com]

2014 VW Passat could spawn coupe & convertible variants - report

With Volkswagen aiming to become the world's largest automaker by 2018, its clear the company will have to expand their product lineup.

We've already reported about several models under consideration, but a new report is indicating the next-generation Passat (Euro-spec) could spawn coupe and convertible variants. Details are vague, but the models - if approved - would slot below the Audi A5 and compete with the upcoming Opel Calibra.

We're taking everything with a grain of salt, but the redesigned Passat is due in 2014 and should be larger and more luxurious than the current model.

Source [worldcarfans]