2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn
December 5, 2011
The Volkswagen Jetta is the least expensive German sedan/wagon in the North American market, now in its sixth generation. The Jetta SportWagen helps to bridge the gap between the Golf and the Tiguan in VW’s lineup.
The Jetta sedan and SportWagen offer four different engines, a 115-hp 2.0-liter gas four-cylinder (sedan only), a 2.5-liter gas five-cylinder generating 170 horsepower, a 140-hp 2.0L TDI clean-diesel four-cylinder for those looking for maximum fuel economy, and a 200-hp 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder in the GLI. Buyers that go with either gas engine can choose between a five-speed manual transmission or six-speed Tiptronic automatic; while TDI and GLI buyers select from either a six-speed manual transmission, or a six-speed DSG auto with Tiptronic. All Jetta’s are standard with safety features such as six air bags, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, electronic stability program, tire pressure monitoring, brake assist, seatbelt pretensioners, traction control and head restraints at all seating positions.To set the GLI apart, it includes sport bumpers and side skirts, tinted taillights, red brake calipers and 17-inch alloy wheels. The GLI Autobahn trim adds features such as 18-inch wheels, a power sunroof, heated seats and an all new Fender premium sound system.
For 2012, the Jetta GLI returns to the line-up for the first time since 2009.
Volkswagen Buggy Up concept
November 25, 2011
Typically an automaker releases information on its latest concept cars in the days and weeks running up to the auto show where it’s set to be unveiled. But when we got to Frankfurt this year, Volkswagen had a few surprises up its sleeve that were neither previewed beforehand nor unveiled at the VW Group event the night before the Messe opened its doors to the gathered press.
Not only did Volkswagen unveil the new production Up! city car, it also showcased a whole mess of Up-based concept cars as well. Included on the company’s sprawling show stand were the Up! Azzurra, the Cross Up!, GT Up!, Eco Up!, e-Up! and this, the Buggy Up!, which the German automaker has just now detailed to satisfy your curiosity.
Drawing its inspiration from the iconic Meyers Manx and other such Beetle-based beach buggies, the Buggy Up! concept takes the new urban hatchback’s mechanical bits and covers them in a new shape that has no doors. Instead, there’s a waterproof cockpit with two neoprene bucket seats, drain holes, a grab-handle for the passenger, a removable infotainment module and a fabric roof. The hatchback, meanwhile, has been replaced with a trunklid that splits to fold up and down for easy access.
Volkswagen fighting new CAFE rules
November 21, 2011
Which automaker still doesn’t like the new CAFE rules? Volkswagen, that’s who. After claiming the proposed 2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards were biased back in August, VW is again saying, hey, wait a minute, let’s not be so dismissive of diesel engines.
When the original 54.5 mpg CAFE proposal was announced (which will actually be around 40 mpg in the real world), Volkswagen did not sign on to the agreement. The reason is that VW says the current plan helps U.S. automakers by being lenient on big pickups but doesn’t have much love for modern diesel vehicles.
Make that “enough love,” since the EPA says the rule does give “credits for technologies with potential to achieve real-world CO2 reductions and fuel economy improvements that are not captured by the standards test procedures.” According to Reuters, since August, Volkswagen America’s general counsel and VW representatives have met with the White House and “transportation and environmental regulators” to express the company’s concerns. We haven’t heard that VW’s efforts are bearing any fruit, but that doesn’t mean we won’t hear more about them in the future.
Official: Volkswagen eT Van
November 19, 2011
The writer F. Scott Fitzgerald once opined that using an exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the latest work van concept from Volkswagen. The German Automaker has partnered with the German Post Office and the University of Art at Braunschweig to create the eT! electric delivery van. The company says that vehicle offers zero-emissions driving and can be operated by a joystick-type device on the passenger side if necessary. We aren’t entirely sure how that second feature lends itself to making deliveries any easier, but we applaud the automaker’s efforts toward facilitating practical jokers everywhere.
Perhaps more impressive is the fact that VW says that the eT! can be operated semi-autonomously. The vehicle can follow a delivery person from house to house or return to the driver after being parked. While there are no details currently available on the vehicle’s drivetrain, Volkswagen does say that the eT! is equipped with electronically opening doors
2013 debut Volkswaden CC nip/tuck
November 15, 2011
Without a doubt, the big story from Volkswagen this year was the launch of its all-new, American-built 2012 Passat. And while the sun is about to set on 2011, Volkswagen is now announcing some updates for the Passat’s svelte sister, the CC, which will make its official debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month.
For the 2013 model year, the CC benefits from a refreshed front and rear fascia, both of which are more akin to the styling direction seen on the larger Passat sedan. Up front, bi-xenon headlamps with LED running lamps are now offered as standard equipment – part of the CC’s reworked nose that incorporates a new grille and lower fascia. Around back, the taillamps have been redesigned to look more like the new units found on the Jetta and Passat.
Volkswagen hasn’t released any information – yet – about powertrain or interior upgrades, but we don’t expect things to change too much here. The one interior photo that VW released looks almost identical to the current model, though we won’t rule out some packaging or color combination changes. Under the hood, expect both the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder and 3.6-liter V6 with 4Motion all-wheel drive to carry over unchanged.
Pricing for the 2013 CC will likely be announced closer to the car’s on-sale date next spring. We’ll have more details at the LA Auto Show in just a few weeks.
By the Numbers: The Great Long-Term Vehicle Swap of 2010
October 21, 2010
Filed under: Sedan, Subaru, Volkswagen, Diesel, Long-Term Garage
Like two ships passing in the night, our long-term 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT and 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street edition briefly met in person last Saturday morning before their driver – myself and Senior Editor Lavrinc – swapped keys, turned around and headed back to our respective ends of the country.
The Great Long-Term Vehicle Swap of 2010 went off without a hitch, and because we know more than a few of you are curious, you’ll find a table after the jump that shows fuel consumption results for each vehicle on my own portion of the trip. But first, here are some other interesting factoids.
Miles Traveled: 4,938 total for both vehicles
Days: 4
Hours Driven: 10+ per day, per person
Starting Points: Cleveland, OH (Neff in Legacy), San Francisco, CA (Lavrinc in Jetta)
States Neff Traveled Through: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming
States Lavrinc Traveled Through: California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming
Meeting Point: Cheyenne, WY
Continue reading By the Numbers: The Great Long-Term Vehicle Swap of 2010
By the Numbers: The Great Long-Term Vehicle Swap of 2010 originally appeared on VW Top News on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
VW to build stretched version of new Passat in China
October 20, 2010
Filed under: Sedan, China, Volkswagen
China is getting its own version of the new Passat, and, big surprise, it’s going to have a stretched wheelbase. China Car Times is reporting that the embiggened version of the next generation Passat will be 120mm (about 4.5 inches) longer than the sedan other markets will receive to allow for a roomier back seat.
The stretched version of the Passat makes sense because in the Chinese market, there exists a bigger group of customers more eager to be driven in luxury than to have a vehicle that is fun to drive. And since V-Dub’s sedan is used in China as a livery vehicle, the extra 4.5 inches will come in handy. The stretch Passat, which will be built in China, will reportedly arrive in dealerships early in 2011.
Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Passat
Source: China Car Times
VW to build stretched version of new Passat in China originally appeared on VW Top News on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Volkswagen opens floodgates on 2011 Passat
October 15, 2010
Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen, Diesel
Fresh after the 2011 Volkswagen Passat unveil at this year’s Paris Motor Show, VW has unleashed a deluge of information and photos of the new sedan and its wagon counterpart. As with most manufacturers, Volkswagen seems bent on giving buyers all the tech they can stand. The 2011 Passat will ship with goodies like a fatigue detection system, the VW equivalent of the Volvo City Safety system and adaptive cruise control, among other tricks. Volkswagen says that it has also made the new Passat as quiet as can be thanks to in the dash and doors to keep exterior noise at bay.
The 2011 Passat will launch with a variety of engines depending on the market, including three diesel mills and four gasoline plants. The company also says that two DSG gearboxes will ship along with those mills in both six- and a seven-speed configurations. For those that prefer to row your own cogs, a six-speed manual will also be available.
We mustn’t forget, however, that the United States will not be getting this version of the Passat. Instead, Volkswagen has an all-new sedan (tentatively called “NMS” or “new mid-size sedan”) slated for U.S. consumption in the not-too-distant future. The 2011 Passat you see here is scheduled to go on sale in Germany at the beginning of November. The rest of Europe will have to wait a few more months after that. Hit the jump for the full press release.
Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Passat
Source: Volkswagen
Continue reading Volkswagen opens floodgates on 2011 Passat
Volkswagen opens floodgates on 2011 Passat originally appeared on VW Top News on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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