Volkswagen earns $2.4B in rock-solid first quarter

Volkswagen has announced very impressive first quarter profits of €1.7 billion ($2.4 billion CAD based on current exchange rates). That's more than three times the profit the Volkswagen Group earned in the first quarter of 2010, as revenue climbed 31 per cent to €37.5 billion ($52 billion CAD). Profit from ongoing operations came in at an even more impressive €2.91 billion ($4.06 billion CAD). In total, VW managed to move a record two million vehicles in the quarter, up 14 per cent versus Q1 2010.

A big reason for VW's stellar sales is the automaker's continued success in China, where deliveries were up 20 per cent on the quarter. VW says that it made €557 million ($777 million CAD) from Chinese operations.

A 14 per cent increase in global Audi sales also helped the bottom line, bringing in €1.1 billion ($1.5 billion CAD). The Volkswagen Group reports Audi sales of 374,000 vehicles for the quarter. Interestingly, Audi brought in the same amount of money as the larger Volkswagen brand, which also brought in €1.1 billion.

VW has been spending big to expand and improve its lineup, but the German automaker's profits have helped keep the cash coffers stocked. The automaker currently has €19.6 billion in liquid cash ($27 billion CAD), up €1 billion from the end of 2010. Hit the jump to read over the VW press release.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Volkswagen brings 2013 Golf R to Canada

The Volkswagen Golf R

Click here for more information on the Golf R

People who love the Volkswagen Golf really love it. It's not the most popular car -- it doesn't rate in the top 10 of most lists in Canada -- but there are enough people around to buy it. Or are there? Volkswagen just released a pricing sheet for the 2013 Volkswagen Golf R and the numbers on the page are small. There will be 500 cars available in the country next year and some of those have already been pre-sold.

If dealerships don’t accept their cars, the cars are held in reserve for other dealers with stronger demand.
Remember we said that there were 500 cars planned? There's more: the cars only come in a five-door hatchback and with a manual transmission. You get only one trim level with no options and five body colours: rising blue metallic, candy white, deep black pearl, tomato red and carbon steel grey metallic.
The suggested MSRP is  $40,000 CAD and the dealers are not being allowed to put holds on the cars.

All-New 21st Century 2012 Beetle

The third generation of the internationally beloved Beetle is celebrating a transcontinental world debut simultaneously in Shanghai, Berlin and New York.

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Exterior
The 2012 Beetle is 71.2 inches wide (3.3 inches wider), 58.5 inches tall (.5 inches lower) and 168.4 inches long (6 inches longer). The new focal point is the C-pillar. The development team also increased the car’s track widths and wheelbase. All of this gives the Beetle a powerful appearance with muscular tension.The rear spoiler is integrated into the design (standard on 2.0L TSI engines with 200 hp). The top surface of the rear spoiler is black, while the underside is painted in body color.

The Beetle is sportier, offering both turbo-charged TDI Clean Diesel and turbo-charged gasoline engines, in addition to dual exhaust, performance-handling packages, 19-inch wheels, sport seats and new, sleeker styling. Volkswagen will offer a panoramic roof, a range of audio options, including the Fender Premium Audio System and a customization program for the 2012 Beetle with a large number of personalization options, including a wide variety of colors and wraps along with an annual theme model.

Interior
The shape and use of color in the painted or carbon-look dashboards harkens back to the design of the first Beetle.
Three round instrument gauges are arranged in front of the driver (tachometer, speedometer, fuel gauge) providing all key information at a glance. A multifunction display is integrated in the speedometer in middle position. The steering wheel is specially designed with optional painted accents in the spokes depending on the equipment line.

Framed by two air vents, the selected audio/navigation system is optimally located in the driver’s visual field on the dashboard. Within easy reach, climate controls are situated just below.
The new Beetle has an extra glove box integrated into the dash. The lid folds upward, while the standard glove box opens downward. Another feature: the optional auxiliary instruments above the selected audio/navigation system: oil temperature, clock with stopwatch function and boost pressure gauge.

The “cathedral ceiling” dome roof of the New Beetle has been replaced with a sleek and sporty roofline. Front and rear passenger headroom remains plentiful. In the rear seating area, the longer roof section results in more space. The trunk is significantly larger, offering 10.9 cubic feet of space. A split-folding rear seat and a wide opening trunk lid ease loading and unloading.

Engine and Transmission
The 2012 Beetle will offer three engines: the 2.5L gasoline five cylinder, the 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel and the 2.0L TSI turbocharged gasoline engine. Transmission choices will include a 5-speed manual or optional 6-speed automatic on 2.5L models. Volkswagen’s acclaimed DSG 6-speed dual-clutch transmission will be offered on the TDI Clean Diesel and 2.0L TSI turbocharged gasoline models, while a 6-speed manual will come standard.

The 2012 Beetle 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel is the most fuel-efficient Beetle ever. The quiet, four cylinder 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel engine produces 140 hp and 236 lb.-ft of torque. It offers manufacturer estimates of 40 mpg highway, 29 mpg city, and 33 mpg combined.

Fuel economy values are also improved up to 10 percent over prior 2.5L five cylinder engine models. Mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, it offers manufacturer estimates of 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. The optional 6-speed automatic offers manufacturer estimates of 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway. The five cylinder engine produces 170 hp and 177 lb.-ft of torque.

The Beetle 2.0L TSI is the sportiest model offered. With 200 hp and 207 lb.-ft of torque, power delivery will remain smooth and direct across the rpm range. The four cylinder turbo engine is estimated to provide 30 mpg highway fuel economy. The 2.0L TSI model features the XDS cross differential (limited-slip) system. The system electronically monitors input from various wheel sensors and, in the event of slippage, transfers extra torque to the wheel or wheels with the most traction.

Safety
The 2012 Beetle features both active and passive safety. It includes Volkswagen’s advanced Intelligent Crash Response System, which initiates automatic safety protection in some types of collisions — the electrical supply to the fuel pump is shut off, the doors unlock and the hazard lights switch on. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is standard, as are driver and front passenger airbags and Side Curtain Protection airbags in front and rear.

Did you know about the VW Tiguan?!!?

Tiguan


Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact crossover vehicle (CUV) built by VW, it was based on the PQ35 platform of the Volkswagen Golf. Production started in the winter of 2007 in Wolfsburg, Germany, and started selling shortly after. All Tiguans are four-cylinder powered.
The Volkswagen Tiguan was announced in 2006. The production Tiguan was released in 2007, and debuted as a 2008 model for Europe and elsewhere and in North America as a 2009 model. Sales of the Tiguan in Canada began in April 2008.


Naming process

Tiguan is a combination of the German words Tiger (“tiger”) and Leguan (“iguana”).


As part of a marketing strategy by Volkswagen the name was chosen by the public through the Auto Bild group with over 350,000 voters through Auto Bild's magazines and Web sites. The other possible names were Namib, Rockton, Liger, Samun and Nanuk.


The Tiguan is available in two body styles and three specification levels;
• Tiguan Trend & Fun
• Tiguan Sport & Style
• Tiguan Track & Field


The Trend & Fun and Sport & Style both have maximum approach angles of 18 degrees, while the Track & Field has a 28-degree maximum approach angle.
In The Netherlands another version is delivered namely the Comfort & Design. This is basically a Trend & Fun to which some accessories have been added. This version was created by the Dutch distributor for the Dutch market.
Tiguan was tested by the European New Car Assessment Program and received a five-star safety rating.

Trend & Fun

The Trend & Fun specification is the entry level Tiguan.


Features it includes;
• are six airbags
• ESP
• Trailer Stability Program integrated with the ESP
• Isofix child seat anchorages on the rear bench
• electronic parking brake with auto-hold function
• RCD 210 radio with integrated CD player
• “Climatic” semi-automatic climate control system
• four electric window lifts
• electrically-adjustable
• heated outside mirrors
• Multifunctional Display Plus (trip computer)
• RF remote control of central locking
• Various storage compartments and bins.


Sport & Style


In addition over the Trend & Fun the Sport & Style has these features;
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• chrome roof rail
• chrome strips on front bumper and surrounding side window lining
• tinted windows
• sport seats with height-adjustable lumbar supports
• center console with folding and height-adjustable armrest
• folding front passenger seat
• drawers under the front seats
• Folding table and storage pockets on the backs of the front seats
• Leather for steering wheel, gear shift knob and gear shift boot
• Fabric seats with Alcantara accents
• cruise control system
• Tire pressure indicator




Track & Field

The off-road oriented Tiguan features;
• a redesigned front module with a 28-degree approach angle
• hill descent assistant
• modified driving pedal characteristic
• EDS adaptation (electronic differential locks are activated at the slightest slip)
• ABS adaptation (which aids with braking on loose substrates)
• hill ascent assistance
• automatic transmission gear level pre-selection (including optimal engine braking effect)
• 16-inch “San Diego” alloy wheels
• tire pressure indicator
• black roof rails
• engine underbody protection
• compass display
• special door impact guard strips




The Tiguan Track & Field is also equipped with “Comfort seats” which feature adjustable lumbar support.

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Source: Wikipedia

Did You Know About the Volkswagen Golf

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Golf

The Volkswagen Golf is a small family car manufactured by Volkswagen since 1974 and marketed worldwide across six generations, in various body configurations and under various names such as the Volkswagen Rabbit  MK1 AND MK5(only in Canada and the United Sates) and the Volkswagen Caribe MK1(Mexico)

 The front wheel drive Golf was the first replacement for the air-cooled VW Beetle. It’s Volkswagen's best-selling model and the world's third best-selling model, with more than 25 million built by 2007.
Production of the Golf was initially in the 3-door hatchback style. Other variants include a 5-door hatchback, wagon (Variant, from 1993), convertible (Cabriolet and Cabrio, 1979–2002), and a Golf-derived notchback saloon/sedan, variously called Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Vento or Volkswagen Bora (from 1979). The cars have filled many market segments, from basic personal cars, to high-performance hot hatches.

The Golf name is derived from the German word for Gulf Stream. It was named during the period in its history when VW named vehicles after prominent winds, including the Passat (after the German word for Trade wind), Jetta (after the Jet stream), Bora (after Bora) and Scirocco (after Sirocco). "Golf" is also a sport, a theme that is shared with the Volkswagen Polo.

Golf/ Rabbit  Mk1(A1/Typ 17) (1974–1984)May 1974, Volkswagen presented the first-generation Golf as a modern front-wheel-drive, replacement for the VW Beetle.
Later Golf variations included;
• Golf GTI "hot hatch" (June 1976)
• Diesel-powered version (September 1976)
• Jetta notchback saloon version (October 1979)
• Golf Cabriolet (January, 1980)
• Golf-based pickup, VW Caddy
• Golf Mk1 was sold as the Rabbit in the U.S and Canada
• And the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico.
• A face-lifted version of the Golf Mk1 was produced in South Africa as the Citi Golf from 1984 to 2009.

Golf Mk2 (A2/Typ 19E) (1983–1992) September 1983 VW introduced the second-generation Mk2 that grew in terms of wheelbase, exterior and interior dimensions while staying in a more rounded form, the Mk1's overall look.
In 1985, the first Golf with four-wheel-drive (Golf Country) went on sale with the same Syncro four-wheel drive system being employed on the supercharged G60 models, exclusively released in 1989 with 160 BHP (120 kW) and ABS braking.
A Mk2-based second generation Jetta was unveiled in January 1984. There was no Mk2-based Cabriolet model; instead, the Mk1 Cabriolet was continued over the Mk2's entire production run.

Golf Mk3 (A3/Typ 1H) (1991–1999) The third-generation Golf Mk3 made its market début in August 1991 and again grew slightly in comparison with its immediate predecessor, while its wheelbase remained unchanged.
New engines included the first Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine in a Golf, and a narrow-angle 2.8 L VR6 engine.
For the first time ever, the Golf estate (Golf Variant/Golf Wagon) joined the line-up in September 1993 (although markets didn’t receive this model until early 1994), at the same time a completely new Mk3 Cabriolet was introduced, replacing the 13-year-old Mk1-based version.
With a similar body style to the Golf, it was continued until 2001 with only minor changes in 1999. The notchback version, called VW Vento (or Jetta III in North America), was presented in January 1992.

Golf Mk4 (A4/Typ 1J) (1997–2006) The Golf Mk4 was introduced in August 1997, followed by a notchback version (VW Bora or, in North America, VW Jetta) in August 1998 and a new Golf Variant (Wagon) in March 1999.
 There was no Mk4 Cabriolet, although the Mk3 Cabriolet received a facelift in late 1999 that comprised bumpers, grill and headlights similar to those of the MK 4 models. New high-performance models introduced in 2004 was the 3.2 L VR6 engined four-wheel drive  Golf R32 .

A 2.8 L four-wheel drive Golf VR6 4Motion version available succeeding the Mk3 VR6 which only had front-wheel drive, as well as the famous 1.8T (turbo) 4-cylinder used in various Volkswagen Group models.
As of 2008, certain versions of the Golf/Bora Mk4 were still in production in Brazil, China, and Mexico. Revised versions of the Mk4 are currently on sale in Canada marketed as the City Golf and City Jetta in 2009. They received a significant re-moldeling for the 2008 model year, including revised headlamps, taillamps, front and rear fascias, sound systems, and wheels. The production of Golf Mk4 for the U.S. market ended in 2006. But in the European markets, the production ended in 2003.

Because of the MK4's popularity and low cost, it is still in production in several countries, such as Brazil and Argentina.

Golf Mk5 (A5/Typ 1K) (2003–2009) In Germany, the VW Golf Mk4 was succeeded by the Golf Mk5 in 2003. This model did not reach the North American markets until model year 2006, where it was the Rabbit. The GTI version is powered by a turbocharged version of the 2.0 FSI engine, producing 200PS.
Volkswagen also introduced the "Fast" marketing ploy for the North American market, dedicated to the "fast" that lives inside every driver. Drivers who purchase new GTI Mk5s from a dealership are shipped a model of said Fast, which employs GTI-like features.
The sedan(saloon) version, again called Volkswagen Jetta in most markets and assembled in Germany, South Africa, as well as Mexico (In Mexico it is named Bora, in Europe again named Jetta) followed in 2004, a new Golf Variant (wagon) in 2006. The Jetta however, is not the only variant, as the notchback version of the GTI can also be had in the GLI version. The front ends of the car are the same, with the only difference being that the GLI is a sedan, while the GTI is a "hot hatch".
The Volkswagen Golf Plus model was also introduced in 2004. This was a slightly larger version of the Golf Mk5 with a higher roofline.

 Golf Mk6 (A6/Typ 5K) (2009–present)Volkswagen based the latest Golf Mk6 on the existing PQ35 platform from the Golf Mk5.
The design is more aerodynamic, helping fuel efficiency, and is quieter than its predecessor. Volkswagen opted to overhaul the interior to match the quality with the Mk4 Golf, while maintaining the same user friendliness from the Mk5. The car is also cheaper to build than its predecessor; and will be able to pass these savings on to the customer.
The Mk6 Golf was introduced for sale in the UK in January 2009. The car was introduced in North America in October 2009 as the 2010 Golf, rather than Rabbit. The Mk6 Golf also reintroduces the North American market to an available diesel engine in the Golf.

In April 2010 Kelley Blue Book included the VW Golf TDI (clean diesel) among its Top 10 Green Cars for 2010.

Source: Wikipedia

Did you know!!!??

Eos

The name Eos is derived from Eos, the Greek goddess of the dawn.
The Volkswagen Eos is a four-seat retractable hardtop coupe convertible, introduced in 2006 as the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet. The Eos is Volkswagen's first production coupe since the last Volkswagen Corrado in 1995.

The Eos incorporates into its five-piece folding roof an integrated and independently sliding glass sunroof — making the Eos the only retractable hardtop of this kind. The roof folds automatically into the trunk in 25 seconds, thereby reducing trunk space from 10.5 to 6.6 cubic feet (300 to 190 L)
The roof was designed and is built by Open Air System, a subsidiary of Webasto Germany.
Prior to production, the Eos was shown as the Concept C concept car at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show — designed by a team headed by Peter Schreyer, Head of Volkswagen Design in Wolfsburg. Other sources attribute the design of the Eos specifically to Slovenian Robert Lešnik.
The production Eos, produced at the AutoEuropa plant in Portugal, was presented in September 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, with the North American introduction at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January, 2006.

Unlike the Cabrio, which was a convertible version of the Golf hatchback, the Eos is a standalone model with all-new body panels, although it shares the platform and components from the Passat (Mark 6 (B6 now PQ46 platform) (2005–present)). The wheelbase matches the Golf Mk5 and Jetta.
The Eos is produced in Volkswagen's AutoEuropa factory in Palmela, Portugal. Although production started in late 2005, first deliveries were delayed due to a wind noise problem.

Source: Wikipedia