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Volkswagen hits Qatar with a pair of special Touaregs

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows, Middle East, Luxury, Racing

Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 Qatar

Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 Qatar (above) and Touareg Gold Edition (below right)
Click either image for high-res image gallery

After three consecutive wins in the famously brutal Dakar Rally, Volkswagen is no stranger to cresting dunes and speeding across desert terrain. And now the German automaker has rolled in to Qatar with a pair of very special Touaregs.

Most enticing of the two is the Race Touareg 3 Qatar. Envisioned as a street-legal version of the rally raider that recently locked out the podium at Dakar, the Race Touareg 3 Qatar looks every bit the beast it’s based on, with a few nods towards usability. It packs the same 300-horsepower 2.5-liter TDI, with the 16-inch wheels of the rally machine swapped out for gold-colored BBS wheels complimented by the “Race Touareg” wording in gold across the “Magic Morning” white flank.

Inside is where the real changes have been made, however, upgrading on the bare-bones race cabin with one designed after the cockpit on a stealth aircraft. The ergonomics and appearance of the interior have been thoroughly worked over, characterized by matte carbon-fiber trim and a Serpetino Grey Metallic role cage, with Recaro racing buckets and door panels trimmed in Nubuk and perforated Nappa leather in black, grey and red.

Volkswagen Touareg Gold Edition The Race Touareg 3 Qatar is joined on Volkswagen’s show stand in Doha by the Touareg Gold Edition. As you might have guessed, the Gold Edition is decked out in 24-karat gold trim inside and out. The shiny stuff coats the 22-inch wheels, roof rails, window frames, door mirrors, grille surround and more. The interior is likewise distinguished by gold trim, “complimenting” (as it were) the Luna trim color, Alcantara roofliner, Nappa leather seats, natural brown leather and Walnut Burr veneers.

The gold-trimmed SUV is bound to be a hit with the Persian Gulf crowd, but halfway around the world we’re hoping the Race Touareg 3 Qatar makes its way from the show floor to the showroom and onto our streets as a compelling import alternative to the Ford Raptor. Too much to wish for? Only time will tell, but you can follow the jump now for the full press release and scope out the two concept vehicles in the pair of high-resolution image galleries below.

Gallery: Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 Qatar

Gallery: Volkswagen Touareg Gold Edition

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen hits Qatar with a pair of special Touaregs

Volkswagen hits Qatar with a pair of special Touaregs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen brings XL1 Concept a step closer to reality

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Technology, Volkswagen, Diesel

Volkswagen Formula XL1 Concept

Volkswagen Formula XL1 Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen has taken another step towards making the one-liter car a reality, and this 200 mile-per-gallon dream could be on the roads within the next few years.

The Formula XL1 Concept combines a two cylinder TDI engine, electric motor, lithium-ion battery pack and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to achieve an astonishing 0.9L/100 km – just over 260 mpg to us Yanks. The included plug-in system, along with the XL1’s low drag and extensive use of lightweight materials has the potential to make the concept the most efficient vehicle to ever grace public roads.

The XL1 is making its debut at the Qatar Motor Show this week, and while it might look familiar to previous iterations, this latest version is more production read than its predecessors. Check it out from every angle in the gallery below and click past the jump for the full details.

Gallery: Volkswagen Formula XL1 Concept

[Source: Volkswagen]

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Volkswagen brings XL1 Concept a step closer to reality originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen’s U.S. boss wants Scirocco in the States

Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, Volkswagen

Volkswagen Scirocco R

Volkswagen Scirocco R – Click above for high-res image gallery

Whenever anyone brings up the Scirocco, we still can’t help but wince a bit at the fact that the United States was snubbed from the car’s second coming. Apparently we’re not alone. According to USA Today, Volkswagen America head honcho Jonathan Browning wouldn’t mind seeing the low-slung three-door on our shores, either. Browning said that while Volkswagen was unable to make a solid business case for bringing the Scirocco to the U.S. market the last time around, he still wants to see the car in our neck of the woods. Unfortunately, we may have to wait a few years before that happens.

Browning said that there were a few other more pressing items on his plate at the moment, including improving his company’s quality and making the dealer experience more tolerable. Those seem like plenty noble goals, but we still wouldn’t mind seeing the ‘Rocco on American soil sooner rather than later. While we love the Golf GTI as much as the next lead-footed American, there’s just something about a Scirocco that flips all the right switches.

We’re waiting, VW.

Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco R

[Source: USA Today]

Volkswagen’s U.S. boss wants Scirocco in the States originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Volkswagen Passat is German bred, Chattanooga born [w/video]

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Volkswagen

2012 Volkswagen Passat

2012 Volkswagen Passat – Click above for high-res image gallery

As part of the Volkswagen quest to carve out an ever-larger slice of the American auto market, the German manufacturer has unveiled the newest addition to its lineup – the 2012 Passat. Penned specifically to cater to big-boned tastes of American buyers, the next-generation sedan wears a 110.4-inch wheelbase to make it larger than any of its predecessors. Even so, VW says that when the Passat goes on sale later this year, it will arrive with a price tag of less than $20,000. Buyers will be able to choose one of three different power train options, including two gasoline engines and one diesel powerplant.

Things get started with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder gasoline engine with 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, followed by a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 140 ponies and 236 pound-feet of twist. Those who opt for the top-of-the-line mill will be rewarded with a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

The 2012 Passat will be built at the new VW manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee later this year. Check out our high-res image gallery below, then hit the jump for a video and full press release.

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Passat

2012 Volkswagen Passat

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading 2012 Volkswagen Passat is German bred, Chattanooga born [w/video]

2012 Volkswagen Passat is German bred, Chattanooga born [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Confirmed: Volkswagen NMS will be named Passat

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Volkswagen

2012 Volkswagen Passat

2012 Volkswagen Passat – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’re less than 24 hours away from Volkswagen’s big reveal at the Detroit Auto Show and while our man Paukert was staked out at a media gathering at VW’s corporate headquarters in Herndon, VA he learned that the NMS will carry the Passat badge when it goes on sale later this year.

Up until now, there was some question whether V-Dub would continue to use Passat for its new mid-size sedan, but after the NCS (New Compact Sedan) debuted with the Jetta badge, it was all but assumed that the Passat nameplate would carry on. We’ll have all the details on the 2012 Passat later tonight and live shots from the floor when the wraps come off tomorrow.

Gallery: Volkswagen NMS Renderings

Volkswagen NMS

Confirmed: Volkswagen NMS will be named Passat originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Volkswagen New Beetle Limo

Filed under: Auctions, Etc., Work, Volkswagen, Humor, Luxury

New Beetle Limousine

New Beetle Limousine – Click above for high-res image gallery

We all may be up to our eyebrows in holiday cheer at the moment, but prom season is right around the corner. Thanks to the wonder of the Internet, now you can be ready to rake in the cold, hard cash of parents desperate to please their teenage daughters. Behold, the Volkswagen New Beetle limousine. This fine piece of machinery is up for bid right now from New Jersey’s Route 22 Limousines. Inside, this stretcher has everything you’d expect from an engorged Beetle, including a grey leather interior, television, minibar and trippy mood lighting.

Miraculously enough, this machine gets its power from the Beetle’s stock 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine bolted to the same four-speed automatic gearbox that it used from the factory. Loaded with screaming teens, we have to imagine that this thing gets to 60 mph in about the same time frame as our grandmother. On foot.

Still, a limo as unique as the one above could be a genuine money-maker. Or at least it would be if it didn’t have a $45,000 Buy It Now price. Check it out on eBay.

Gallery: New Beetle Limousine

[Sources: Carscoop, eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: Volkswagen New Beetle Limo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen offering lockable sat-nav system abroad

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Volkswagen

Volkswagen Navi Lock – Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen has come up with an unconventional solution for a rash of navigation thefts afflicting Dutch vehicle owners. From what we can gather, thieves are particularly fond of the company’s RNS 310 and RNS 510 navigation systems, resulting in an apparent break-in epidemic. To help get the situation under control, VW is now offering its customers an RNS Navi Lock. The system locks a large metal plate over the entire navigation system, theoretically obscuring the hardware and making it more difficult to steal in the process. When owners are ready to use their nav screen, they simply unlock the plate using a key and go about their business.

The system is available for the Golf, Passat and CC in Europe, but it’s not exactly cheap. Buyers hoping to protect their precious navigation systems can expect to shell out around 219 euro for the armor plating. Pricey? Sure, but it’s likely less than the cost of repairing break-in damage and replacing the whole system.

Gallery: Volkswagen Navi Lock

[Source: Autoblog.nl]

Volkswagen offering lockable sat-nav system abroad originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen crafts a London Black Taxi for the future

Filed under: Concept Cars, Work, Volkswagen, UK

Volkswagen London Taxi Concept

Volkswagen London Taxi Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen is putting it’s own unique spin on a London icon. The VW London Taxi Concept, which is built upon the Up! city car platform, is an electric cab with an estimated range of 186 miles. Though the overall length of 3,730 millimeters means the Taxi concept is shorter than a VW Fox, its minimal front and rear overhang allow for plenty of room to accommodate the driver and two full-size adult passengers plus luggage. Inside, the Volkswagen London Taxi Concept features touchscreen displays that provide information on the surrounding area and the route being traveled.

Since this is just a concept, it doesn’t conform to current London taxi regulations. However, it does provide a glimpse at what the future might hold for emission-free urban transportation choices.

Gallery: Volkswagen London Taxi Concept

Volkswagen London Taxi Concept

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen crafts a London Black Taxi for the future

Volkswagen crafts a London Black Taxi for the future originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen Transporter takes to the hills with the Rockton 4Motion

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Europe, Work, Volkswagen, Diesel, Off-Road

Volkswagen Transporter Rockton 4Motion – Click above for high-res image gallery

Need to transport a lot of people or stuff overseas? You could do worse than the Volkswagen Transporter. Need to take a lot of people or stuff off road? Then you’ll need this: the Transporter Rockton 4Motion.

The go-anywhere van from Volkswagen’s Commercial Vehicles division packs a 4th-generation Haldex all-wheel drive system with a locking rear differential and a 1.2-inch ride-height boost over the standard Transporter. Heavy-duty springs and damper help it carry over three metric tons of payload, while a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine with either 138 or 178 horsepower does the pushing/pulling duties through a six-speed manual transmission.

There’s a more extreme Expedition package available straight from the factory with 16-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, a heftier transmission and a heavy-duty floor-rail system for variable seat and cargo configurations. Details in the press release after the jump, along with the high-resolution images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Volkswagen Transporter Rockton 4Motion

[Source: Volkswagen]

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Volkswagen Transporter takes to the hills with the Rockton 4Motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen recalling nearly 380,000 cars over fire risk

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Volkswagen

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI – Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen AG has just issued a recall of nearly 380,000 cars due to the potential for fuel leaks which could lead to a fire. According to The Detroit News, A total of 266,936 Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Golf and Rabbit models from the 2007 to 2009 model years are affected, as well as an additional 110,350 New Beetle models (both hardtop and convertible).

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued an official recall bulletin, stating:

“The Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Golf and Rabbit vehicles may have a small plastic tab located on the windshield washer fluid reservoir that may chafe against an underhood fuel supply line. The New Beetle and the New Beetle Convertible vehicles may have a fastening clamp on a hydraulic hose of the power steering system that may be located in an improper position which could cause chafing against an underhood fuel supply line.”

In both instances, chafing could result in a fuel leak, which in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

NHTSA states that dealerships will either remove the plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid reservoir or, in the case of the New Beetles, inspect the position of the fastening clamp. Either way, the fix won’t cost owners a thing, and the recall is expected to ramp up by the end of January.

Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

[Sources: The Detroit News, NHTSA]

Volkswagen recalling nearly 380,000 cars over fire risk originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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