New Car Review : Lamborghini Supercar Coming

Automotive News

The Internet chat forums are buzzing with news about a $1.6 million Lamborghini flagship reportedly going on display next month at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show. Underscoring the high-octane occasion will be its unveiling by German supermodel Nadine Gerhardt.

Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann showed a scale model and a video to selected dealers and VIP customers at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance last weekend. Details are sketchy, but word is that the car's styling was inspired by Lockheed Martin's latest F22 Raptor fighter jet, including its gray paint job and fancy instrument panel.

Several reports claim that only 20 will be built and all of them have already been sold. Potential buyers reportedly handed over $300,000 deposits for the privilege.

Lamborghini is on a roll: It sold 1,239 cars during the first six months of 2007, an increase of more than 30 percent compared with the same period last year. The Italian company is also hugely profitable, making its owner, Volkswagen, fairly happy.

Special Tuner : H&R Golf GTI

Automotive News

Suspensions are H&R's forte, and the tuner's handling expertise has now been applied to the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

H&R's Project GTI benefits from extensive chassis modifications, including new coil-over springs, wheel spacers and stabilizer bars (26mm front, 24mm rear). Brembo disc brakes are fitted, along with Bridgestone 225/40R18 RE01R performance tires mounted on 18-inch OZ Ultraleggera silver-finish wheels.

H&R painted the car in two-tone racing silver, adding a front spoiler and a rear diffuser. Inside, the Project GTI gets aluminum trim from the R32, plus silver leather sport bucket seats with matching door panels.

A full Pioneer audio system includes a touchscreen head unit, 300- and 600-watt amplifiers, coaxial speakers and a compact subwoofer.

Automotive News : VW Embraces TDI, Bails Out of Bluetec Diesel Alliance

Automotive News

Volkswagen has decided to return to its own TDI branding for diesel vehicles, rather than bringing out its own Bluetec-equipped cars here in 2008. The German magazine Wirtschaftswoche said VW is abandoning the diesel alliance because the Bluetec brand is too closely linked with rival Mercedes-Benz.

TDI has been used on diesel-engined VWs for many years. "We already have 800,000 diesel vehicles running in the U.S.; for that reason we want to go ahead with our TDI brand," VW spokesman Hans-Gerd Bode told Thompson Financial.

Last fall, BMW AG decided not to join the alliance, preferring to launch its own clean-diesel vehicles in the U.S. next year. It is expected that Chrysler vehicles with diesel engines co-developed with DaimlerChrysler will still use Bluetec badging in the near future.

New Car : The VW Ultimatum

The VW Ultimatum

Just in time for the release of the wildly popular movie The Bourne Ultimatum, Volkswagen has created an online stunt stimulator as part of a product tie-in that includes placement of several VW vehicles, including the Touareg and the Golf GTI, in the film. Aspiring directors and stunt drivers can go to Bourne Stunt Stimulator to test their skills in creating a series of stunts similar to those in the movie. Users can combine any of six VW vehicles with different explosions, speeds, props and sound effects; employ hundreds of different camera angles; or edit various sequences, and then play back the results for friends.

The stunt simulator is part of the automaker's ongoing "See Films Differently" marketing campaign. In its opening weekend, The Bourne Ultimatum grossed more than $70 million to displace The Simpsons Movie. (www.edmunds.com)

New Car Preview: VW Claims Eight

New Car Preview: VW Claims Eight

Volkswagen aims to trump the competition with a show-stopping display of 50 vehicles, including eight "world premieres," at this fall's 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show. Among the eight debuts is the Tiguan, a compact crossover that was previewed last year in concept form at the Los Angeles show and already has been driven by Inside Line. Frankfurt marks the first time the production model will be formally unveiled to the public.

A surprise is a compact concept called the City Expert, which VW describes as "sensationally flexible" and which it says, using sensationally flexible English, "will beat where the flat-4 'Boxer' engine once did in the Beetle." VW says the car is its response to the Frankfurt show's theme of "see what's driving tomorrow." More important for European customers, VW will exhibit six new BlueMotion models at the show, bringing to nine the number of clean diesels it will market in 2008.

New Car Review : Volkswagen Rabbit

Spy photographers caught up with the 2010 Volkswagen Rabbit during hot-weather testing in California's Mojave desert. As expected, it doesn't appear much different from the current Rabbit, with which it shares a platform, although it is expected to grow a bit.

The Rabbit currently suffers from high build costs, so this version is expected to focus on making the car cheaper to build rather than delivering major design or engineering upgrades.

Expect sales to begin in Europe in 2009 under the Golf name, with U.S. Rabbit sales starting around 2010.

Review and comparisons Volkswagen Passat Wagon 2.0T

Review and comparisons Volkswagen Passat Wagon

Passat Wagon is a 4-door, 5-passenger wagon, be available in 4 trim, ranges from Base to 36L 4Motion.

For recognition, The base equiped with a 20-liter which standard, I4, 200-horsepower, turbo engine that reaching 23-mpg in the town and 31-mpg in roadway. An automatic radiation that 6-speed by means of … speed adder is directive, and a radiation of manual that 6-speed by means of … speed adder is optional variant. 36L 4Motion equiped with a 36-liter which standard, V6, 280-horsepower engine that reaching 18-mpg in the town and 26-mpg in roadway. An automatic radiation that 6-speed by means of … speed adder is directive. (www.volkswagen.com)

New Car Review VW NEW Polo, Security Feature and Safety is More Inovatif

New Car Review VW NEW Polo
Generation of newest VW from this Polo model steps into Indonesia with features security and safety is more inovatif compared to the predecessor. Besides exterior design is more dynamically and sporty. Feature security and safety equiped with water bag in front and side put down at front chair and back. Besides, fitur security and safety added is Brake assist which is functioning adds effectiveness when braking. Peripheral park pilot applies censor at back bumper assisting driver when parking car. Tire pressure monitor, be feature giving information to driver when pressure one of tire decreases and function of coming Home at headlight.

The first details of Volkswagen's trendy new compact car, the Polo, have begun to trickle through, and the car's new look will go a long way to re-popularising the German runabout. In time for its 30th birthday, the new Polo appears visually more dynamic than ever before, yet still adheres to VW's contemporary new design ethos.

The new front end with its V-shaped radiator grille, in particular, lends the Polo a significantly more striking look and together with the rounded-off headlights borrows elements from the new Passat. Based on its well-known virtues, the most recent generation of this all-round talent will remain the benchmark in its class.

The Polo's cute demeanour is still intact, although its exterior appears more mature, more modern, and pre-sales of the new Polo have just begun in Germany, with the rest of Europe to follow suit. Despite its improved convenience and safety equipment, the Volkswagen will keep the Polo's prices at the same level as its forerunner, and the official market launch in Europe will take place at the end of April.

Following the new Passat, the Polo will be the second Volkswagen to display the new brand face. The entirely redesigned front end bears the shield grille and re-interprets the V topic, and from the A-pillars, a striking curve stretches via the bonnet to the radiator grille, which is somewhat reminiscent of the Golf GTi.

However, the new Polo's face is essentially characterised by its headlights. These are defined as a trapezoidal element, enhanced by the eye-catching, circular element of the main headlights, which houses the indicator bulbs. In comparison with the predecessor, its redesigned front extends the new Polo by 19 millimetres to 3916mm. Its width (1650mm) and height (1465mm) correspond to the previously available model.

Regarded from the side, the Polo stands out thanks to a design which is both clear and convincing. Accentuation of the two available body versions is typical of the Polo: whilst the two-door's ascending lateral curve bears coupé-like features, the four-door reveals stature and solidity in its clear design and third side window in the C-pillar. This most recent generation of the Polo will be available in three equipment levels: "Trendline", "Comfortline" and "Sportline", just like the Golf range. In addition to all the convenience and safety features familiar from these equipment levels, the new Polo is fitted with new details as standard.

These include an anti-lock brake system with dual-rate brake assist, electric window lifters in the front, air conditioner (as of Comfortline) and central locking. Until recently, features such as Park Distance Control, Tyre Pressure Monitor and the dipped-beam's "Coming Home" function were exclusively available for luxury class models, but the Polo is set to change this, setting new standards in the compact class. The new Polo is fitted with front and side airbags on both front seats as standard. An optional head airbag system, in which the curtain airbags inflate to provide protective padding covering the entire side window area, is also available. The Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), which is fitted as standard in models with the 74kW (100hp) engine, and is optionally available for the other engines.

The new Polo demonstrates its first-class qualities as an all-round talent in the diversity of its engines. Five petrol engines with outputs ranging from 40kW/55hp to 74kW/100hp – including an FSI direct injection engine – and four state-of-the-art TDI engines with outputs from 51kW/70hp to 96kW/130 hp are available. Access to the Polo's diesel world is provided by a modern 1.4-litre three-cylinder TDI with 51kW/70hp, which replaces the familiar 1.9 SDI. Another new engine, a dinky 3-cylinder 1.4-litre TDI with 59kW/80hp, will meet customers' wishes for a higher output.

More Chinese Cars in the Pipeline

Volkswagen and its local partner Shanghai Auto said they are jointly developing a new car that will be aimed at North America as well as China. Separately, VW's other partner, First Auto Works, said it plans to spend $1.7 billion over the next eight years to build a range of vehicles it can sell around the world under its own brand name.

The two announcements are merely the latest in a series of moves that are expected to reposition China as a major source of vehicle exports to global markets.

The aggressive export plans of smaller companies such as Geely and Chery have been well publicized. Chery recently enhanced its global image by signing a major deal to supply Chrysler with small cars in various markets.

Now, the big companies are beginning to weigh in with equally ambitious export schemes.

The SAIC-VW sedan will be a follow-up to the recently introduced Passat Lingyu, the partners said.

Independently of VW, SAIC also has developed its own range of vehicles, using technology acquired from the defunct MG Rover group. Those cars will be sold in China under the Roewe brand name and, if SAIC is successful in forging an alliance with rival Nanjing Auto, the same models could reach export markets branded as MGs.

FAW has been developing a broad range of vehicles, primarily for the China market, under the brand name Hongqi (Red Flag). Now the Changchun-based company, one of China's largest automakers, wants to expand its presence overseas with higher-grade models.

Volkswagen Rolls Out New Jetta

Volkswagen has rolled out its face-lifted Jetta in Mexico. The new model is the one that was created by FAW-Volkswagen in China. Its addition to the Mexico lineup is part of a major hike in production capacity at VW's plant in Pueblo. Realized with an investment of $40 million, it means that in 2008 the facility will be able to churn out 450,000 cars a year.

The Mexican Jetta had been around for many years and it was time for an update. Volkswagen tapped its FAW-Volkswagen joint venture in China, which had already come up with an attractive Jetta update, and is producing the same car in Mexico.

In addition to sales in its home market, the Mexico-produced car will be exported to certain Central and Eastern European markets. It will be powered by either a 2.0-liter gas or a 1.9-liter diesel engine.

Volkswagen manufactures the New Beetle and both the current and previous-generation Jettas in Mexico. In order to distinguish between the latter two, the previous generation is called Jetta, while the current one is called Bora. To make things a bit more complicated, Bora is known as Jetta in North America.

Separately this week, VW confirmed German media reports that it might consider setting up another North American plant if the dollar remains as weak as it currently is in relation to the euro. Volkswagen previously had a plant in Michigan but sold it to Chrysler in 1983.

Volkswagen Magotan Enters China Market

Volkswagen, already buoyed by a nearly 25 percent growth in its company's China sales, has just rolled out its midsize Magotan sedan made by its FAW-VW joint venture. The new car is expected to be a strong competitor to the popular Toyota Camry in China, Bloomberg News commented.

The car, China's version of the Passat, was unveiled at the Shanghai auto show in April. It will be priced at the equivalent of $25,480, slightly cheaper than the starting price of the China-market Camry.

VW says the Magotan was developed in Germany to "fulfill all requirements of the Chinese market and be relevant to the tastes of contemporary Chinese society." The Magotan will be available with 1.8-liter or 2.0-liter engines.

Volkswagen saw its Chinese sales increase nearly 25 percent, to more than 430,000 units in the first half of the year, and the company expects sales to be up 20 percent for the year as a whole. The automaker has said it will add more than a dozen new models to its lineup in China by the end of 2009.

Volkswagen RaceDesign Sharan

Volkswagen's extended family of brands and products is the focus of German tuner RaceDesign.

The company has just released aero body kits for the VW Sharan multipurpose vehicle and its European sibling, the Seat Alhambra.

A choice of front fascias are available, including a single-frame design inspired by Audi, as well as such accessories as foglamps and grille.

RaceDesign also bundles side skirts that give the vehicles a lower appearance, plus a rear fascia and apron with a more sporting flavor.

Volkswagen of America Names Stefan Jacoby as CEO

With sales of the Volkswagen brand flat in the U.S. this year, the German automaker has decided to reshuffle its top management here.

VW said Stefan Jacoby, 49, a troubleshooter who has headed global marketing and sales for the VW group, will become president and CEO of Volkswagen of America on September 1. "The objective is to achieve further significant expansion in the position of Volkswagen and Audi on the U.S. market through attractive and competitive products," the company said in a statement on Thursday.

Jacoby succeeds Frank Witter, 48, who is moving to Volkswagen Credit, where he will become co-president, sharing the post with Kevin Kelly, 60.

Jacoby is a former CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Europe. He is executive vice president for global marketing and sales for the Volkswagen Group.

Audi has been poised to smash last year's U.S. sales record of more than 90,000 units. But VW lost $827 million in North America last year.

Volkswagen Reveals Production Tiguan

Less than 18 months after first signaling its intent to enter the burgeoning market for compact sport-utilities with its fanciful Concept A showcar, Volkswagen has pulled the wraps off the definitive production version of its new all-wheel-drive Tiguan.

The new five-seater is based on the platform of the Golf and will feature the turbocharged, 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from the GTI plus the Haldex all-wheel-drive system from the R32.

With the Tiguan, VW intends to lock horns with popular compact SUV offerings like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, while providing buyers with a cheaper alternative to more prestigious entries such as the BMW X3 and the upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLK.

The Tiguan is set to make its public debut at the Frankfurt auto show in September before going on sale across Europe in November. It will arrive in North American showrooms next June priced at around $27,000, slightly above the Japanese competition, Wolfsburg-based sources say.

The Tiguan will be assembled at Volkswagen's Wolfsburg factory in Germany alongside the Europe-market Touran. Capacity is put at 120,000, including 40,000 per year for North America. This target sounds modest considering the popularity of the CR-V and RAV4 in the U.S.

Volkswagen Gets Into Travel Business With "Touareg Adventure"

If your fantasy vacation involves putting a Volkswagen Touareg through its paces in an off-road setting, Volkswagen of America has a proposition for you.

Taking a page from the playbook of luxury competitors such as Land Rover, the German automaker rolled out new vacation packages to Moab, Utah, called "TouaregAdventure." The three-day packages start at $2,000 per person, not including airfare. The program starts in July and runs through October 31.

"Participants do not need to be experienced off-road drivers, as experienced guides will coach guests through the challenging Moab terrain," the company said.

The 2007 Touareg SUV comes with a choice of three engines: a 280-horsepower 3.6-liter six-cylinder; a 350-hp 4.2-liter V8 or a 310-hp 5.0-liter V10 TDi. All engines are linked to a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic.

For more information about the vacation packages, check out the TouaregAdventure Web site or call (877) 420-2007.