» Volkswagen

VW Going WRC??

admin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:18:43 +0000

What? Can this be true? More manufacturer involvement in the world Rally Championship? Be-still my heart.

It seems that rumors are running rampant that VW is considering getting in the WRC game. Now, I do understand that VW, as an umbrella company, already is sort of involved in the WRC with Skoda. Specifically they give limited factory support to teams running the Skoda Fabia, which is I think, and correct me if I’m wrong, essentially a Golf variant. So if VW wanted to, they could probably just start running Golfs, but sources point to more than doing just that, possible running the upcoming Scirocco.

It gets even better though, the rumors are picking up steam, and now point to WRC involvement from Fiat and Renault going WRC as well.

Renault getting in the game seems like an easy deal, given their great success in the series in years past … but Fiat getting involved? Hm, what car would the run? The new 500 is too small (the WRC actually has size rules), so maybe the Grand Punto? I’m coming up with blanks on what Fiat could put on stage, but if any of you out there have any knowledge, please fill me in.

Car companies getting involved in the WRC seems like SUCH a no brainer. The technology migrates directly into the cars we drive, think Subaru or Audi to see the technology transfer.

We all benefit from this kind of activity, so c’mon VW (and Fiat & Renault), just do it.

Volkswagen’s ’one-litre’ car coming in 2010

admin — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:08:23 +0000

Volkswagen announced that its one-liter car, capable of one litre per 100km, will be launched as a limited edition in 2010. The car was revealed as a prototype in 2002.

The production is possible as the cost of the carbonfibre monocoque dropped from €35,000 (£28,000) to €5000 (£4000).

The car will be powered by a new two-cylinder unit that will offer more refinement, more torque and more power. The car will have a weight of only 300 kg.

The price for the one-liter car will be between €20,000 - €30,000.

Read more from the source here

2010 Volkswagen Polo will be inspired by Scirocco car news and reviews

admin — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:05:55 +0000

Volkswagen will unveil its fifth-generation Polo next year. Its design will be inspired by the newly launched Scirocco. The car’s nose reflects the styling of VW’s sleek coupé – and inside, there is a classier cabin.

Future Polo will drop the large chrome grille seen on recent VWs for a simpler design with twin horizontal air intakes and angled headlights.

It will be built on the new PQ25 small car platform – first used by the latest SEAT Ibiza. Engine line-up will include 1.4 and 1.6-litre FSI direct-injection petrol units, plus new TDI turbodiesels. The 1.4-litre supercharged and turbocharged TSI motor, available in a 138bhp ‘warm hatch’ and a 168bhp GTI variant will also be used.

Read more from the source here

Hailstorm Disaster strikes VW plant: 30,000 vehicle damaged!

admin — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:43:23 +0000

Every week, we bring you pictures and videos of new cars taking a beating by inattentive drivers, buildings collapsing, drunken driving and sinking ships. Those incidents can be blamed on humans or mechanical failures but not this one.

A major hailstorm over the course of the last weekend harmed up to 30,000 brand new Volkswagen cars awaiting delivery to domestic and foreign customers. Little or nothing could be done by the staff at the VW assembly plant at Emden on the North Sea coast, as the number of vehicles were gigantic, and driving them or transporting them to a safe location was out of question.

Though VW declined to comment on the estimate of the damages, a German press report confirms it would be hundreds of million of dollars.

The affected vehicles will be put under the scanner and will be inspected closely by 100 VW staff members. By sending the vehicle through a special light tunnel, even the smallest of damages can be detected.

VW is insured against hail damages, so the manufacturer won’t be bothered much by this accident. Pain will only be felt by customers, who now have to wait for a longer time to drive home their new cars.

Read more from the source here

Polo Volkswagen SUV coming in 2010,car news and reviews.

admin — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:59:24 +0000

Volkswagen will unveil a SUV version of its compact Polo in 2010. It will replace the current Polo Dune and will compete with models like the forthcoming supermini 4×4 class rivals such as the Vauxhall Corsa SUV and its planned Chevrolet-badged sister model.

Its design will be inspired by the its bigger brother Tiguan. It will feature bold chrome grille and Eos-style headlights, plus protective cladding for the bumpers, wheelarches and side skirts. Roof rails and sporty alloy wheels also feature.

The SUV will be built on the current Polo’s chassis, same that will be used for the standard next-generation supermini, which is due on sale here in 2009.

The SUV will be 20mm higher than the regular Polo and will be fitted with VW’s 4MOTION four-wheel-drive system.

Under the hood there will be the same range of engines as the standard car: a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with either 60bhp or 70bhp, a 85bhp 1.4-litre, a 105 hp 1.2-litre TSI turbocharged. Diesel options will include a 1.6-litre TDI in 75bhp, 90bhp and 105bhp forms.

Read more from the source here