CleanTDI Tiguan purported to be delayed in the US

With crude hitting an all-time high of $135 per barrel, it is no surprise that the BlueTDI Tiguan is becoming fast a highly anticipated model for those who need the space but want their gas dollars to go further. So to anyone who fits those criteria, this bit of news won't make you happy. Apparently, the BlueTDI Tiguan launch is delayed in the US, making it not available for the MY2009.

Sadder still is the fact that the delay may be due to the Tiguan's success in Europe and the fact that the weak US dollar cuts into Volkswagen's profits. This coupled with the fact that a diesel option adds to the price of a Tiguan, things really start to look bleak.

Source: Autoblog

Speed Racer's secret weapon is...a Mk. III GTI?!

Apparently, and I have the video to prove it. In time for the highly anticipated Speed Racer movie that comes out tomorrow (hands up if you're going to see it!), I found this while digging through the thousands of old Volkswagen commercials on YouTube. The Mach 5 was sabotaged so Speed uses a Mark III GTI to finish the race and win! Speed Racer driving a Mk. III? That's nostalgia at its best.

See the video after the jump and don't forget to see Speed Racer, out in theatres tomorrow.

Source: YouTube

Buy a Routan, get into college

Ok, so maybe it isn't that simple. To launch the Routan in the US, Volkswagen has partnered with Upromise, the largest private source of college funding contributions in the US. The partnership will work this way: anybody who preorders a Routan by August 31 and takes delivery by November 30 can be eligible to receive $1,500 towards a college fund for Junior.

Talk about incentives. This is a great way to promote the Routan as a real family's minivan.

Press release is after the jump.

Source: Volkswagen

PURCHASE VOLKSWAGEN'S ALL-NEW ROUTAN AND HELP FUND YOUR CHILD'S COLLEGE TUITION

HERNDON, VA.-Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today a partnership with Upromise, the country's largest private source of college funding contributions, to provide $1,500 to customers who purchase or lease a new 2009 Routan for their child's future education savings.

"We know parents are concerned about saving for their kid's future. To help families tackle this challenge of saving for college, we're excited that we are able to partner with Upromise," said Tim Ellis, Vice President of Marketing, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "We're aware that the cost of college continues to rise exponentially, far outpacing inflation, and our hope is to help our customer's off-set that cost, while getting a great new vehicle."
Upromise members can get $1,500 in college savings when they pre-order a Routan by August 31, 2008 and take delivery by November 30, 2008. To do so, members should log on to www.upromise.com/vw, print their unique Upromise VW Savings Code, and present it to their preferred Volkswagen dealer at the time the pre-order deposit is made. Anyone can join Upromise at no charge simply by visiting www.upromise.com. Signing up is fast, simple and completely free.

The Routan, Volkswagen's all-new seven-passenger minivan, delivers families the best of both worlds: a vehicle that combines German sensibilities in design, fit and finish, and handling characteristics with market relevant features and outstanding value. The Routan is instantly recognizable as a member of the Volkswagen family, with its stylized front grille and exterior treatments. The interior enhancements create an environment that is visually pleasing, modern, and meticulously detailed. The high quality materials, beautiful textures and rich luxurious colors are combined with exacting tolerances and superb fit and finish.

While pleasing and contemporary, the Routan's interior also follows the traditional Volkswagen design philosophy that form follows function. The Routan comes with a host of functional features, including: conversation mirror, rear seat entertainment system with two nine inch screens for second and third row, touch screen navigation with 30 GB JoyBox™ Multi-Media Entertainment system, dual power sliding doors with power windows, power fold third row seating for extra storage room, and no less than thirteen cup holders.

Second row captain's chairs offer an increased level of luxury and comfort while still providing the convenience of a traditional minivan, with over 32.7 cubic feet available behind the third row seats and a full 83 cubic feet is available behind the second row.

The Routan will come standard with a 3.8L V6, offering 197 hp and 230 lb. ft. of torque when combined with the standard six-speed automatic transmission. A 4.0L V6 will also be available rated at 251 hp and 259 lb. ft. of torque. Routan features European tuned suspension and steering optimized for handling and improved driving dynamics. Standard all-season traction control and ESP, brings safety and security to the Routan.

The Routan will have starting prices of $24,700 for the S Model, $29,600 for the SE Model, $33,200 for the SEL Model and $38,400 for the SEL Model equipped with a Premium Package. A distinctly designed minivan at an attractive price point will broaden the brand portfolio, while providing a roomy alternative to existing Volkswagen owners. The Routan is expected to be available at dealers in September 2008. For more information about the Routan, please visit www.vw.com/routan.

About Upromise
Launched in April 2001, today Upromise is the largest private source of college funding contributions in America, with more than 8.5 million members and $425 million in member rewards. Membership is free and can help families save money for college while making everyday purchases of products and services at more than 21,000 grocery and drug stores, 14,000 gas stations, 8,000 restaurants, as well as thousands of retail stores, and more than 575 online shopping sites. Upromise partners include Citi®, ExxonMobil Corporation, Bed Bath & Beyond®, McDonald's®, JCPenney.com, LandsEnd.com, Sears.com, and hundreds of others. Upromise also makes it easy for families to start their own college savings strategy through tax-advantaged 529 college savings plans offered through Upromise Investments, Inc. or by using Upromise contributions to help pay down eligible student loans. Upromise is a wholly owned subsidiary of SLM Corporation (NYSE: SLM), commonly known as Sallie Mae, the nation's leading provider of saving-and-paying-for-college programs. Upromise is headquartered in Newton, Mass., and has more than 350 employees. For additional information, visit www.Upromise.com.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Volkswagen of America, Inc. recently announced Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard equipment on all its 2009 vehicles. As a result, Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment manufacturers to offer an electronic stability control system on their entire product line – ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) deadline requiring vehicles in the 2012 model year to include stability control systems. Volkswagen's ESP technology works in conjunction with anti-lock brakes and helps reduce loss of control and rollovers to avoid crashes. NHTSA predicts nearly 10,000 lives could be saved each year if automakers included stability systems as standard equipment.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.

Scirocco Racer on the 'ring

As we reported last month, Volkswagen is outfitting one Scirocco to be able to race at the 24-hour endurace race at the Nurburgring. As we all know, not just anything can go on the Nurburgring and be expected to return great numbers. So Volkswagen has started testing their Scirocco weeks before the race.

These pictures were snapped as the Scirocco performed these tests. It looks very smart and at home on the Nordschleife.

Another pic after the jump.

Source: Autoblog

UP: Volkswagen posts April Sales Results

PRESS RELEASE
HERNDON, VA.— Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced April 2008 sales of 19,415 units, a 1.7 percent increase over the April 2007 sales of 19,086 vehicles. On a year-to-date basis, 2008 Volkswagen sales are 0.8 percent ahead of 2007 sales through April.

A sign that spring is definitely in the air is Volkswagen’s innovative coupe-convertible-sunroof Eos posted its best sales month ever with sales of 1,663 units, representing a 45.6 percent increase over April 2007.

The Passat also recorded a strong sales month with sales of 3,045 units, representing an increase of 10.2 percent over April 2007.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.

Detailed numbers after the jump.

Source: Volkswagen

BlueTDI Jetta ready for a summer launch

Come summer of this year, Volkswagen will begin ramping up supply of TDI engines that are 50-state legal in the US. Volkswagen announced in the Vienna Motor Symposium that development on the BlueTDI engine for the Jetta is concluded and will be ready for launch this summer in the US. Good news just as gas prices continue to rise and car buyers look to alternative fuels for relief.

Volkswagen's new diesel engines are now common rail diesel and also uses Bluetec technology from when Volkswagen was still working on Daimler. The BlueTDI Jetta diesel is Tier2 Bin5 compliant, making it the first diesel to be so without using urea injection to reduce NOx emissions. The 2.0L diesel engine, first fitted in the Tiguan last fall, is able to achieve such low NOx emissions because each cylinder is fitted with pressure sensors that allow optimized fuel injection pulses and keep engine temperature down. This reduces NOx emissions by 60%. When on the highway, the Jetta will not only be cleaner, it will also be sipping very little diesel returning about 60 mpg, besting the Prius' posted highway rating at 45 mpg.

Down the pipeline, The 3.0L V6 TDI will be coming for the Touareg by the end of the year. For that particular engine, urea injection will be necessary to bring NOx levels down, as well as a particulate filter to eliminate the black smoke familiar to many old diesels.

Press release after the jump.

Source: Volkswagen

BlueTDI will debut midyear in North America

The U.S. version of the Jetta will be the first to use BlueTDI
Wolfsburg, 24 April 2008 - At the International Vienna Motor Symposium (24-25 April), Volkswagen is to introduce the production version of the BlueTDI, a next-generation turbo diesel developed especially for the North American market. The common rail engine is based on the high-tech TDI, which was first introduced in Europe in 2007 with the Tiguan. This engine already satisfies the Euro-5 standard that comes into effect in autumn 2009. In order to meet specific operating conditions in the U.S., this four-cylinder engine was redeveloped with internal engine modifications and a NOx trap.

Background information: Five U.S. states1, including California, currently have the strictest emissions standards in the world (BIN5/LEV2). In spite of variations in fuel quality, which are more dramatic in the U.S. than in Europe, the new BlueTDI meets these emissions standards. The engine will debut in the U.S. Jetta this summer. For years, the Limousine has been the most popular and successful European-manufactured car on the American market, especially as a diesel.

The Jetta BlueTDI will debut as one of the cleanest and most economic cars of its class in the world. In the run-up to the Vienna Motor Symposium, Dr. Ing. Jens Hadler, Director of Volkswagen Powertrain Development comments, "high fuel prices and a dramatic change in environmental consciousness means that diesel is becoming more and more attractive for American drivers every day." Dr. Hadler continues, remarking, "this is why many customers, especially in California, have been waiting for a super-clean diesel like our BlueTDI. I think this motor will help the diesel get its big break in America because it consumes so little and yet can go such long distances on a single fill-up. And in a country as big as the United States, this is a priceless advantage. On the highway, for example, this engine can reach up to 60 miles per gallon2. This is an improvement of 12 percent over its predecessor, which had a lower capacity and higher emissions."

A key aspect in the development of the BlueTDI (2.0 litre engine displacement, 103 kW/140 PS, 320 Nm) was the reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx); the American BIN5/LEV2 standards stipulate a nitrogen oxide limit of only 0.05 g/mile. The engineers in Wolfsburg met this limit and the general reduction of raw emissions by using internal engine modifications, some of which are unique worldwide, and implementing the maintenance-free NOx trap.

These internal engine changes include modifications to the design of the injection system of both the American and European TDI as well as the implementation of cylinder pressure sensors. This allows for a completely new type of cylinder pressure-based combustion control, which is both faster and tailored to each specific cylinder. Also new on-board: an optimised high-pressure injection pump. Another unique feature is the combination of a high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation system with additional low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation. This dual exhaust gas recirculation (dual circuit EGR) is an effective means of reducing nitrogen oxides in the engine. The dual circuit EGR system alone reduces NOx by up to 60 percent.

Outside of the engine, it is the NOx trap – connected downstream of the oxidation catalytic converter and the particle filter – that reduces nitrogen oxide to an absolute minimum. Implemented together, these measures reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 90 percent. Drive the Jetta BlueTDI and you will be driving one of the most economical and environmentally-friendly cars in America.

1) = BIN5 states: California, Massachusetts, Maine, New York and Vermont.
2) = MPG (miles per gallon) is the standard range specification in the U.S. for describing fuel consumption.

Park Assist goes one step further

Would you ever let your car park itself? Granted we already have a system from Volkswagen, called Park Assist that steers the car while the driver controls the brakes/gas pedal. Lexus also has a similar system (albeit one that doesn't work too well). But today, Volkswagen went a step further, too far for some perhaps. They have come up with Park Assist Vision.

It will do everything the current Park Assist does except -- get this -- you don't even have to be in the car. Yes, you actually get out of your car, press a button on your key fob and watch as the car goes in reverse, back up, and then even shut off the engine and lock the doors for you -- all while you're standing outside the car! It will even correct itself if it can't back into the space in one go. Park Assist Vision will work in any kind of parking situation.

(Thankfully) Park Assist Vision is still in development but don't be surprised to see it in a few years, just as a few years ago, a robot named Stanley managed to navigate an obstacle course just by using satellites and lasers. In 50 years when this is commonplace, we will all be telling our kids how we actually had to park our cars ourselves. They'll think we were daredevils or something.

Watch a truly amazing demonstration after the jump.

Source: Autoblog, Youtube

Diesel-hybrid Golf is a no-go

Remember that remarkable diesel-hybrid Golf concept from the Geneva Motor Show back in January? Well, it will apparently stay a concept, according to Auto Motor und Sport. A surprise considering the excellent reception the concept received. Autoblog also tried to sort out fact from rumor by shooting an email to the Volkswagen HQ in the US. According to them, the Golf TDI Hybrid was merely "...a concept. No plans to produce were announced."

Shame.

Source: Autoblog

Carefree Maintenance Program announced for all 2009 models

Today, Volkswagen has announced the Carefree Maintenance Program for its entire 2009 model lineup. This program means that for the length of the limited warranty (3 years/36,000 miles) on your MY2009 vehicle, Volkswagen will do all the scheduled maintenance for free. Useful if your car was a Tiguan, which requires 3 scheduled maintenance service stops, or a Routan, which requires 6. Good thing, then, that the program will launch with these vehicles. A program like this isn't actually new. What is new, however, is that Volkswagen is the first non-luxury marque to have something like this. Audi and BMW has had something similar for years.

Press release after the jump.

Source: Volkswagen

VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES CAREFREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

Program designed to improve owner loyalty and brand distinction

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today a no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program on its entire 2009 model line. With this program there are no charges for the scheduled maintenance described in each vehicle's maintenance booklet for the length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty-three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first. The Carefree Maintenance Program will launch with the introduction of the Tiguan, Volkswagen's all-new crossover utility vehicle.

"Volkswagen's Carefree Maintenance Program is a great way to improve our owner loyalty for our brand, as well as increase consumer consideration" said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "This program also differentiates us from our competition by allowing us to be the only automaker among our key competitors to offer a no-charge maintenance program" added Barnes.

The maintenance intervals covered under this program and detailed in each vehicle's maintenance booklet are 10K, 20K, and 30K miles for all 2009 model year Volkswagens. Since all current Volkswagens use synthetic oil, combined with state-of-the-art European engineering, a 5K oil change is no longer necessary. This means that Volkswagen customers can drive further between oil changes.

This program also covers the forthcoming Routan, Volkswagen's all-new seven passenger minivan, which arrives in dealer showrooms later this year. Maintenance intervals for the Routan are 6K, 12K, 18K, 24K, 30K and 36K.

The Carefree Maintenance Program also includes a courtesy vehicle check. This allows owners to return to the dealership from which they purchased their 2009 model year Volkswagen within 90 days or 6,000 miles, whichever occurs first, for a full review of the vehicles benefits and features, and to have their vehicle checked at no charge.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com.

New Robust spyshot that isn't a Hilux

Thus far, all of the spyshots for the upcoming Robust pickup has depicted a Toyota Hilux mule. This time, Volkswagen has decided to put some camouflage on its prototype, leading us to believe that the Robust is finally wearing its own skin.

The Robust pickup in the spyshot is a quad-cab with a shortened bed. Aside from this flavour, a single-cab with a regular bed will be offered. These two flavours will be offered with two- or all-wheel drive and are to be built in Germany and Argentina for global markets. The US market isn't guaranteed to get the Robust, though. But I think it's suicide not to offer a pickup truck in the pickup truck capital of the world. Hopefully Volkswagen sees that.

More pictures after the jump.

Source: Autoblog

Beijing 2008: Volkswagen unveils Lavida for Chinese market

China is already the number one largest market in the industry. All attention is on the People's Republic as it continues to buy cars at a faster rate each year. Companies are now making China-only cars and Volkswagen is no exception. At this year's Auto China show in Beijing, Volkswagen unveiled the Lavida, a China-only car based on Mk. IV components.

The Lavida, like many made-for-China models from many car companies, is very plain. The front and rear is generic. Not ugly, by any means but the car does not stand out and is actually very un-Volkswagen-like. The side profile, on the other hand, is reminiscent of a BMW 5-series, for some reason. Inside, you'd be surrounded in woodgrain. Switchgear isn't found anywhere else on Volkswagen's vehicles. Overall, this car is ok. Not being an expert in Chinese taste, I don't know whether this is exactly what they like. Maybe it is.

Press release after the jump.

Source: Volkswagen, images from Autoblog

Volkswagen to showcase Scirocco during 24-hour 'ring race

The new Scirocco has a lot to prove. As Volkswagen's latest sporting model, it needs to get some proper street cred before it hits the roads later this year. So, to fix that, Volkswagen will be showcasing the Scirocco during the 24-hour endurance race at the Nurburgring the weekend of May 24th and 25th. The race-spec Scirocco will do 300 hp. Details are pretty slim in terms of exactly what modifications Volkswagen did to the Scirocco but suspension and brakes should be top of the list, we think.

The Scirocco will be driven by Carlos Sainz, two-time WRC champ and Hans-Joachim Stuck, two-time Le Mans winner.

Press release after the jump.

Source: Volkswagen

Stuck and Sainz in Volkswagen Scirocco on the Nordschleife

The two-time Le Mans winner Hans-Joachim Stuck and the two-time World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz are leading Volkswagen's line-up of drivers for the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. The three factory-developed racing versions of the Scirocco, which is making its début on the race track before its market launch, will be piloted by an unusual mix of seasoned rally and circuit drivers as well as young talent and journalists at the legendary motorsport marathon staged at the "Green Hell" on 24 and 25 May.

Alongside factory driver Carlos Sainz (E) his rally team-mates Giniel de Villiers (RSA) and Dieter Depping (D) from cross-country rally sport are part of the line-up as well as Volkswagen Junior Jimmy Johansson (S) and the seasoned touring car racers Florian Gruber (D), Thomas Mutsch (D) and Francois Verbist (B). Prominent support from the Volkswagen Group will be provided to them by Hans-Joachim Stuck (A), who has been the company's motorsport representative since the beginning of this year, as well as by Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Volkswagen board member for technical development. Other Scirocco drivers are journalists Bernd Ostmann (auto motor und sport) and Matthias Malmedie (Grip das Motormagazin)

Board member Dr Ulrich Hackenberg: "A demanding project"

"The new Scirocco's entry in what is arguably the world's toughest auto race is a demanding as well as an exciting project," states Dr Ulrich Hackenberg. "The objective should be for one of the three Scirocco teams to repeat the 2007 class victory of the Golf GTI. This would be an excellent way to support the market launch of the production model in autumn."

Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen is convinced that the drivers as well as the Scirocco will cause a sensation at this tradition-rich race. "With this fantastic drivers' squad and the racing début of the Scirocco, which has attracted a lot of attention since its unveiling in Geneva, we're offering a real highlight to the crowd of some 200,000 spectators lining the circuit and the many TV viewers during the long live coverage on DSF," says Kris Nissen. "Last year, the successful running of the Golf GTI with class victory and eighth place overall made a strong impression. Now, the Scirocco's entry means that a legend, which made its mark in racing as early as in the seventies and eighties, returns to the race track."

Three-time Nürburgring winner Stuck: "A dream combination"

The Volkswagen Group's motorsport representative, Hans-Joachim Stuck, will tackle the 24-hour race on the 25.378-kilometre combination of the Grand Prix circuit as a proven Nürburgring veteran. As many as three times – in 1970, 1998 and 2004 – "Strietzel" Stuck won this prestigious race in the "Green Hell".

"I'm proud about the fact that, at my age, I have the chance to take part in the racing début of a newly introduced car like the Scirocco. In addition, it's a great thing for me to compete alongside Carlos Sainz as a team-mate. In rally racing he's a shining light, similar to Michael Schumacher in Formula 1," says Stuck. "For me, the 24-Hour Race at the Nürburgring along with the Monaco Grand Prix, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Indy 500 is one of the world's four most attractive races. With the Scirocco we can compete for class victory and a good result overall. In all, a dream combination."

Factory drivers from cross-country rally sport take turn as circuit racers

For the Volkswagen factory drivers from the brand's cross-country rally programme - Carlos Sainz, Giniel de Villiers and Dieter Depping – contesting the 24-hour race barely a month after competing in the Central Europe Rally in Hungary and Romania from 20 to 26 April represents a welcome, contrasting change. All three have experience in circuit racing. Giniel de Villiers won the touring car championship in his native South Africa in 1994 as well as from 1997 to 2000. Dieter Depping clinched class victory at the 24-Hour Race at the Nürburgring in the Golf GTI last year."

"My last circuit race dates back to the 1980s at the beginning of my career," says Carlos Sainz, who won the 2007 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup with Volkswagen. "I've never driven a 24-hour race and am looking forward to it very much. I only know the Nürburgring from what others have told me about it and have heard that this race poses a very special challenge. I want to support the team as best I can, that's why I'm going to prepare myself thoroughly and will compete in a test race as well."

2007 class winners in the field again: Johansson, Gruber and Depping

As three of the four drivers who clinched class victory in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring last year, Jimmy Johansson, Florian Gruber and Dieter Depping are part of the field again this year. In 2007, together with René Rast – the Volkswagen Junior will not be part of the line-up at the "ring" as he will be contesting the Porsche Supercup race in Monaco at the same time – they were victorious with the Golf GTI in the two-liter turbo engine class and, in addition, achieved an outstanding overall finish in eighth place. The racing version of the new Scirocco is based on last year's successful technology and, like its predecessor, is powered by a 300-hp 2-liter TFSI engine.

Volkswagen is up! to something

Ever since revealing the first up! concept to the world back in September of last year during the Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen has received nothing but good press for what they're about to do. These up! concepts are being hailed as the real successor to the original Beetle. I don't think Volkswagen even saw that coming.

Up until now, not much else was known about the up!, other than the name gaining two letters to form the production name Lupo. Now, however, Auto Express is also saying that Volkswagen will be offering up the up! with gasoline and diesel engines from a .6L turbocharged with a possibility of a range-topping 1.2L three-cylinder engine. This would translate to a Prius-beating 80 US mpg, give or take. Base price for the up! will be very low from around £4,500 for models in emerging markets to nicely appointed European (and North American, presumably) models around £7,500. Keep in mind that direct currency conversions don't work for finding out prices of cars over here so we won't know how much an up! would cost in US dollars.

The two of the three up variants may actually see the green light, them being the three-door up! and the 5-door space up! A MPV version of the up! is also being planned. Though the fuel-cell electric space up! blue is still some years away, a hybrid up may be offered.

The first production up! should be revealed next year.

Source: Auto Express via Autoblog.

Pirelli GTI is back in the UK

In last year's Wörthersee show, Volkswagen presented enthusiasts with the Golf GTI W12 650; a GTI powered by a W12 engine mounted where the rear seats should be. It was a behemoth but couldn't really go around a corner.

Oh, and they also showed a preview of the Golf GTI Pirelli, which pays tribute to the original 1983 Pirelli GTI built by both Volkswagen and Pirelli. Nothing has really changed between last year's "concept" and this year's production Golf GTI Pirelli. The Golf GTI Edition 30 is still used as a base and even those Pirelli P rims and the tire tread upholstery remain on the production car. The first Golf GTI Pirelli should be on UK streets by June.

Press release and pictures after the jump.

Source: Volkswagen




The iconic Pirelli name is set to make a return to the Golf GTI range exactly 25 years after the original made its debut as the new Volkswagen Golf GTI Pirelli is launched in the UK.

Originally introduced in May 1983 the GTI Pirelli was based on the MkI Golf and featured the distinctive Pirelli 'P' alloy wheels. The vehicle proved to be an instant hit with its planned production run of just 10,500 vehicles selling out within six-months.

For 2008 the GTI Pirelli returns to the UK. Based on the MkV GTI bodyshell the new vehicle features uprated dynamics and aesthetics to distinguish it from the standard car.

At its heart is an enhanced version of the 2.0-litre T-FSI engine with its output raised from the standard 200 PS to 230 PS. Drive is channelled through a choice of six-speed manual or the twin-clutch DSG gearbox. The new GTI Pirelli reduces the standard car's 0-62 mph time of 7.2 seconds to 6.8 seconds while the top speed rises from 146 mph to 152 mph.

As with the original GTI Pirelli the new car features a set of unique alloy wheels. The modest 13-inch wheels fitted to the 1983 car have evolved into a set of five-spoke 18-inch versions fitted, appropriately, with a set of 225/40 R18 Pirelli P-Zero tyres. Body-coloured elements including the front splitter, side skirts and rear bumper are complimented by a set of smoked rear light lenses and tinted rear windows. A unique Pirelli badge mounted on the bootlid further distinguishes the new car which will be available in a choice of three colours – reflex silver, diamond black and blue graphite.

The Pirelli theme continues to the vehicle's interior which features unique half-leather sports seats with tyre-tread imprints set into the seat base and back. Yellow stitching contrasts against the black leather of the seats, sports steering wheel and handbrake.

Despite the focused nature of the vehicle the standard specification remains high. A total of six airbags, 2Zone electronic climate control, a CD stereo system and Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) are all fitted as standard.

The new Golf GTI Pirelli is available to order now with the first vehicles set to arrive in the country in June. Prices will start at £22,555 on-the-road for the three-door model equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, rising to £24,385 for the five door model fitted with a six-speed DSG gearbox.

7-seater SUV to slot between Tiguan and Touareg

Volkswagen may have two SUVs in its lineup but they're both 5-seaters. Two 5-seaters create one glaring hole in Volkswagen's SUV lineup for a 7-seater. However, if recent reports are to be believed, Volkswagen may be filling that hole up. According to Autocar, the Touareg and the newly minted Tiguan will be receiving a stablemate, which will become the creamy centre to the Tiguan and Touareg's chocolate cookies.

This new model will be larger than the Tiguan but smaller than the Touareg and have seats for seven. Volkswagen will not be going to the Audi Q5 for this, or a stretched Tiguan for that matter. They will instead utilize the next gen Passat's platform. However, other reports say that this third SUV will be based off of the upcoming Robust pickup.

The new SUV is slated for a 2011 launch.

Source: Autocar via Autoblog