Volkswagen wants to buy Alfa Romeo
You'll notice that Volkswagen AG is driving directly into the oncoming traffic of convention when it comes to business practices. While other automakers are trying to shrug off - or outright kill - struggling brands, VW is just picking them up whenever it pleases [...]
VW's Phaeton Coming Back to America
Volkswagen will reportedly be bringing its extra-large people's car, the recently facelifted Phaeton, back to the US. Initially introduced to help VW compete with BMW, Mercedes and Lexus (isn't that what Audi is for?), it was pulled from shelves in 2006 due to dismal sales resulting from its very un-VW price point [...]
Volkswagen Scirocco vs Peugeot RCZ
The Peugeot RCZ and Volkswagen Scirocco may seem like unusual track buddies, but any excuse to take a couple of cars out for a spin, we say. The cars are on a par for curvy looks and the price tag, and while the Peugeot is equipped with a 1.6-litre and the VW with a 1.4, the former has 156 hp and the latter 160.
The supercharger helps the lack of ‘litres’ on the Scirocco and so they’re both taken out for a track drive [...]
Volkswagen reports biggest quarterly profit in 2 years on U.S., China demand
Volkswagen has been saying for some time now that it plans to take over Toyota’s spot as the worlds leading car manufacturer, and seem to be headed in the right direction as the company just announced its biggest quarterly profit in 2 years based on increased demand in China and the U.S. for the Golf and Audi A5.
Q2 net income quadrupled to 1.25 billion euros from 283 million euros a year previous [...]
VW Jetta hybrid due in 2012, Up EV in 2013
According to a recent report, Volkswagen will introduce a Jetta hybrid in 2012 and an Up EV (or Golf EV) in 2013.
While details are limited, the vehicles are considered an important part of Volkswagen's plan to become the world's largest automaker. Despite this, the company thinks hybrid and electric vehicles will only account for three percent of global annual sales by 2018.
According to VW's CEO, Martin Winterkorn, "Our goal is clear and ambitious [...]
Indian Car Commercials: The Volkswagen Phaeton
Whenever I see one of these ads using iconic international sights, I always wonder how they go down with the local population. This is the Indian car commercial for the Volkswagen Phaeton using a dubious connection between the Taj Mahal and the luxury of the Phaeton, fit for kings (or emperors in this case).
We’re not disputing the quality of the car but it’s drawing a long bow between India’s history and beautiful building, and the Volkswagen sedan.
Source [...]
Volkswagen Polo Production Line Video
Here’s official Volkswagen footage of the Polo production line at the company’s Pamplona factory in Spain. The video describes the assembling of the Polo from body manufacturing, dip priming of the body, painting,engine assembly, ceiling, door and front end assembly and final inspection and vehicle testing.
Pamplona is totally dedicated to the Polo line, which is available in the three and five door versions, including the new BlueMotion, with regenerative braking technology and electronically controlled components, the GTI model and the CrossPolo.
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Volkswagen's autonomous vehicle performs reverse power-slide into parking spot
Volkswagen and academic partners at the Stanford Racing Team have continued to push forward with their autonomous car project, as these videos show. While, at times, we are pleased we are not standing next to the rubber cones on the road, the ability of this car to "learn" is rather impressive.
The first 30-second video shows a car reversing at about 25 mph, before applying the brakes, giving a quick turn of the steering wheel, and skidding 180-degrees into a parking spot [...]
Volkswagen Bik.e electric-driven micro mobility concept revealed in Beijing
Volkswagen has unveiled the Bik.e concept at Auto China 2010.
While details are limited, the bike features an electric motor and a small battery pack. This combination allows the concept to travel up to 20 km (12.4 miles) at speeds of 20 km/h (12 mph) [...]
Williams courting Volkswagen into Formula One?
Williams is intent on bringing another major automaker into Formula 1, but which will get the call? Volkswagen has toyed with the idea of entering F1 for some time. The German auto giant is one of the largest carmakers never to participate in the sport, notwithstanding Porsche and Lamborghini, which have in the past and which have since fallen under the VW umbrella [...]
2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI Snow-Sliding
Hoping to repeat the success of its Golf GTI series, Volkswagen applied the same spicy recipe to its smaller Polo hatchback with the launch of a GTI version that was unwrapped at last week's Geneva Motor Show. And this here is the first official video of VW's hot supermini on the move.
The second and smallest member of Volkswagen's GTI family gets a punchy 1.4-liter twin-charged petrol engine pumping out 180 horsepower and a 250Nm or 184 lb-ft of torque.
Power is sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual clutch transmission with the German firm announcing 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 228 km/h (142 mph).
Source [...]
2011 VW Touareg SUV Having Fun in the Desert
Aside from VW's own test drivers, certain members of the media and maybe some carefree folks from the Middle East, we seriously doubt that anyone else would have the opportunity (and deep enough pockets) to enjoy the new 2011 Touareg SUV in the desert. Nevertheless, if you follow the jump, you can get an idea of what you're missing out on.
We remind you that the world premiere of the second generation Touareg will take place at the Geneva Motor Show on March 2 [...]
VW Group Considering Audi R4 Platform for New Entry Level Porsche - speculation
The R8 started an exciting journey for the Audi brand when it launched into a segment its maker had not competed in before. Soon after rumours of a smaller R8, thought to be called the R4, surfaced [...]
Volkswagen Scirocco R vs Ford Focus RS
Here are three videos of the Volkswagen Scirocco R vs the Ford Focus RS. The first two come from the Germans at D-Motor and the second, after the jump, is Autocar’s verdict on how the Scirocco R compares to the Focus RS [...]
Volkswagen takes 49.9 % of Porsche AG
Volkswagen AG announced today that it has taken a 49.9 percent stake in Porsche AG.
“The next important step on the way towards the integrated automotive group with Porsche has therefore been completed, as announced, before the end of the year,” Volkswagen said in a statement. “The price for the stake is €3.9 billion ($5.8 billion USD) and is based on the enterprise value for Porsche AG calculated under a careful due diligence and valuation procedure.”
The acquisition of the trading business of Porsche Holding Salzburg is planned for 2011, said the German automaker.
“The creation of the integrated automotive group is then to conclude with the merger of Volkswagen AG and Porsche SE during the course of the same year,” V-Dub said.
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