Volkswagen re-evaluates hybrid plan

We can say goodbye to the Jetta hybrid even before it enters the market. The planned Jetta hybrid, originally set for launch in 2009, has now been scrapped. Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen's new head honcho, has decided that the cost for outfitting a hybrid system to the Golf and Jetta will not be worth it, citing a $2,000-$3,000 premium that would be to high in a competitive compact segment.

That said, all is not lost. Volkswagen will not be completely ditching hybrid technology. Instead of outfitting a hybrid system to their smaller models, Volkswagen will be adding it to the Touareg. Obviously, Volkswagen (or some of the people running Volkswagen) doesn't think hybrid is ready for primetime.

Passat BlueMotion to make debut in Geneva

The Geneva Motor Show is just a a few weeks away. And despite Volkswagen scrapping another unveiling plan at the last minute, they will be showing off the second model in their BlueMotion line. The first was the Polo, which was all fine and good, unless you needed more space. It's for that reason that Volkswagen has now added the Passat to their BlueMotion lineup, which is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

The BlueMotion lineup, not to be confused with Bluetec which is an entirely different thing, is Volkswagen's cleanest and most fuel efficient models. For example, Volkswagen's Polo BlueMotion model produces 103g of CO2/km, one gram less than the Toyota Prius, and does 60.3 mpg. The Passat BlueMotion will be equipped with a 1.9L TDI engine producing 105 hp. Fuel consumption and emission numbers should be forthcoming. Eventually, Volkswagen plans on expanding the fuel-sipping line to all their volume-selling cars.

Four-door coupe will not be shown in Geneva

Volkswagen's forthcoming four-door coupe was originally slated to be unveiled during the Geneva Motor Show in March. Those plans now seem to have been changed, according to a Volkswagen official. Instead, a concept car of the four-door coupe will be shown.

The yet to be named model will be slotted between the Phaeton and the Passat and will duke it out with the Mercedes Benz CLS, the only other model that is marketed as a four-door coupe. Volkswagen plans to undercut the CLS by offering the same package for less.

With this setback, the foor-door coupe is now slated to enter the market in the second half of the year, with an unveiling sometime in late Summer.

Report: Volkswagen wins bid for Proton

An unconfirmed report by XFN-Asia suggests that Volkswagen has won the bid for a majority stake in Malaysia's Proton, beating our General Motors and PSA Peugeot-Citroën for the 51% controlling stake in the state-owned company. The XFN article is short on details but claims that the official announcement will be made on February 8.

For years, Volkswagen has been toying with the idea of taking stake in Proton, which also owns the Lotus brand. Indeed, Volkswagen considered Lotus to help them develop the now dead GX3. In 2005, Volkswagen and Proton had an agreement which saw Proton building Volkswagen models in their underutilized plants, however this agreement never saw the light of day. It was only late last year when talks between Volkswagen and Proton resumed.

Winterkorn takes de'Silva with him

The great swinging doors are at it again in Wolfsburg and this time it hits the position of head of design. Murat Gunak will be leaving Volkswagen as head of design and will be replaced by Walter de'Silva effective February 1. As with other things in Volkswagen lately, this is part of Martin Winterkorn's sweeping changes as he continues to shuffle major management.

Let's face it. As much as I like Volkswagen, their latest crop of designs are definitely not their best. The current designs are generic and uninspired. Winterkorn's move to put de'Silva at the helm of design for the Volkswagen Brand Group, which also includes Volkswagen, of course, will hopefully infuse some much needed inspiration and emotion to Volkswagen's future designs. Already de'Silva has been put to work tweaking the next Jetta, Passat, and upcoming Scirocco even before they've been unveiled.

Volkswagen unveils Clean TDI in D.C.

Volkswagen today unveiled their new Bluetec "Clean TDI" Jetta in Washington, D.C. during the Washington, D.C. Auto Show. The Clean TDI Jetta will be approved for all 50 states, satisfying the stringent "Tier 2/Bin 5" emission requirements. This just the latest development in Volkswagen's Bluetec offensive. Back in November, Volkswagen unveiled the Concept Tiguan at the LA Auto Show that was outfitted with a Bluetec engine.

The Clean TDI Jetta will be the first Bluetec equipped Volkswagen on the market and will arrive Spring of next year. The Tiguan will follow mid-2008. No word yet on Bluetec options for other models.

On that note, Volkswagen has also announced a nationwide search for the oldest and highest-mileage diesel Volkswagen in the United States. Volkswagen anticipates a diesel Golf, having sold 12,393 during 1977 alone. The search will begin March and entries can be made on vw.com. The winners chosen will be given a 2007 Touareg V10 TDI to drive for six months.

Press releases after the jump.

Source: Volkswagen of America

CLEAN DIESEL VOLKSWAGEN JETTA MAKES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT WASHINGTON, D.C. AUTO SHOW
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Volkswagen of America, Inc. today unveiled its cleanest diesel ever for the U.S., the Jetta TDI. Additionally, the company announced that this new clean diesel will be available to the U.S. market in the spring of 2008. This Jetta TDI will meet emissions standards applicable in all 50 states, including the most stringent “TIER 2/BIN 5” or “LEV II/LEV” requirement limiting nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions to 0.05 g/mile.

This clean diesel Jetta meets the lowest emissions standards without the use of urea injection. Instead, a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst reduces NOx emissions by up to 90 percent. The engine management system in the Jetta changes operating modes periodically to treat the NOx that has been stored in the catalytic converter. A particulate filter in the exhaust system further reduces emissions.

The Jetta TDI is one of the first products of the BLUETEC offensive initiated jointly by Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. The goal of this partnership is to establish the concept of BLUETEC as a uniform label for clean and highly fuel efficient diesel-powered cars and SUVs with 50-state compliant engines. BLUETEC denotes diesel power plants that comply with the strictest emissions regulations of the US market. The technologies individually developed by each manufacturer serve to reduce NOx in particular – an exhaust element more prevalent in a diesel engine.

Volkswagen unveiled its clean diesel concept Tiguan compact SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. The Tiguan will be available in the U.S. mid 2008.

Volkswagen has a 30-year history of providing the U.S. market with efficient and durable diesel vehicles. Diesels traditionally account for almost 20 percent of Volkswagen’s sales in the United States.

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 vw.com.

SEARCH ANNOUNCED FOR THE OLDEST AND HIGHEST-MILEAGE VOLKSWAGEN DIESEL VEHICLES
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today a national search for two significant vehicles from its diesel-powered past, in celebration of its 30th anniversary of selling diesel-powered passenger cars in the U.S. The announcement, made today at the 2007 Washington Auto Show kicks off searches for the oldest running Volkswagen diesel vehicle and the Volkswagen diesel with the highest accumulated mileage.

“Volkswagen has a long history of selling diesel-powered vehicles in the United States. These durable vehicles are capable of providing years and years of reliable service. We anticipate an enormous response from our owners,” said Keith Price, public relations manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc.

The oldest U.S. market diesel Volkswagen search is open to registered, running vehicles. The winner will be determined by the vehicle identification number (VIN). Volkswagen anticipates this vehicle will be a Rabbit diesel, as 12,393 were sold in 1977.

The highest mileage diesel Volkswagen is also open to registered and running vehicles. The mileage must be documented and verifiable with an accurate odometer reading, and supporting historical service records and/or logbook. Both vehicles must be equipped with their original engines.

Beginning March 1, interested owners will be able to submit their information online at www.vw.com. Applicants will complete a form with contact and vehicle data, and upload digital pictures of their diesel Volkswagen. Once a pool of finalists is identified, they will be asked to visit their authorized local Volkswagen dealer to have their vehicle and documentation validated.

Volkswagen plans to keep the application period open for a minimum of four months. Each of the two winners will be awarded the use of a 2007 Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI for six months.

For 30 years, Volkswagen has provided the U.S. market with efficient and durable diesel vehicles. The company has sold 813,476 diesel powered Volkswagens.

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 vw.com.

Dakar Rally final standings

Source: Volkswagen Motorsport
Wolfsburg, Germany - In the 2007 Dakar Rally Volkswagen – having clinched ten of 14 possible stage victories and leading the event for eight days – was the dominant team in the field, but in the overall classification the factory team headed by Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen was not rewarded for its performance.

After 8,000 kilometers factory driver Mark Miller (USA) and his co-driver Ralph Pitchford (South Africa) in the Race Touareg 2, as the make's best pairing, finished in fourth place overall. Prior to this, a defect on a cam follower in the valve train of the diesel engine, which had never occurred before in countless kilometers of testing and competition, had robbed the German automotive manufacturer that had been successfully defending its lead up to this point of all chances for victory.

On all the competition days and in highly varied terrain the Race Touareg powered by a 285-hp 2.5-litre TDI turbodiesel engine had been proving its strengths: From the first to the eighth stage the Volkswagen drivers were leading the 29th running of the desert classic. In the final analysis, this shows a significant improvement over the prior year when the squad finished with five days of leading the rally and five stage victories. On the ninth stage both of the best-placed Race Touareg prototypes were struck by an identical engine defect that caused them to suffer an unrecoverable set-back: Giniel de Villiers (South Africa), runner-up in last year's ‘Dakar', with co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz (Germany), who had been leading with a half-hour advantage up to that point, and Carlos Sainz (Spain) with co-driver Michel Périn (France), who had been running in second place up to the eighth stage.

In the following chase to make up ground the factory team and the drivers gave proof of their unbroken sporting spirit: In a fantastic showing Carlos Sainz – in his second "Dakar” the front runner from the third to the sixth day of the competition and two-time stage winner up to that point – delivered a series of three further stage victories, starting with the twelfth leg. In the end, the Spaniard finished in ninth position overall. Giniel de Villiers, who clinched four stage wins, including two of the three most difficult stages in Mauritania, and was leading the field on the seventh and eighth stages, ultimately improved from 13th to eleventh position.

The Portuguese Carlos Sousa and his German co-driver Andy Schulz proved that in a customer-run Race Touareg 2 excellent showings are possible as well. The duo from the Portugese Lagos Team, for whose fielding the German squad of Phoenix Sport headed by Team Director Ernst Moser was responsible, won the first stage, had the overall lead on the rally's first two days and defended third place up to the sixth stage. On the seventh stage the duo got stuck in the sand but was able to free itself. In the heavy sandstorm, though, the driver and co-driver unfortunately lost sight of each other and a lot of time in the process of looking for one another. Sousa/Schulz finished the rally at the famous Lac Rose in seventh place overall.

The four-time Dakar Rally winner Ari Vatanen from Finland in the fourth Race Touareg, navigated by his Italian co-driver Fabrizia Pons, on the second stage dropped back to 113th place after a driving mistake while passing through water. On the seventh day a fire of the vehicle put a premature end to the duo's running.

Rally Details after the jump.

Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)

"We're looking back on a Dakar Rally which has given us a lot of great moments as well as a bitter disappointment. Volkswagen had ten outstanding days when we claimed stage victories, five good days when we finished the stages in places two and three, and one black day when an identical damage to the engine's valve train caused both of our best-placed vehicles to lose ground with no chance for recovery and our chances for victory vanished. So we're extending our congratulations to Stephane Peterhansel and Mitsubishi, the overall winners of the 2007 Dakar Rally. The tasks we set for ourselves after the ‘Dakar' a year ago have been fully accomplished, in some areas we've clearly achieved improvements: The drivers and co-drivers, the entire team, logistics and the Race Touareg were better than in 2006. With the refined version of the Race Touareg we set the pace on all the stages and dominated the rally with a commanding lead from the very first day until suffering this dual set-back on the ninth leg. Ten of 14 possible stage victories speak for themselves. This improved performance becomes particularly evident when you look at the three most demanding legs in the sand of Mauritania, two of which we won and the third of which we were leading up to being struck by the defect. In the final analysis, this has again been an outstanding Dakar Rally, a very well organized event, with changed rules for navigation that proved to work well yet again, with precise roadbooks, a great atmosphere and thrilling sport.”

#303 – Carlos Sainz (E), 2nd place (leg) / 9th place overall

"It was a great rally for myself and the entire team. I'm really satisfied with the development of the Race Touareg 2 between 2005 and 2007. Volkswagen has claimed ten of 14 stage victories, and in highly different conditions at that – when it comes to the strengths of this vehicle, this says it all. I feel more disappointed about the fact that in the end we had no more chance for victory for the team than for myself.”

#303 – Michel Périn (F), Carlos Sainz's co-driver

"Even though we weren't able to win I walk away with a good feeling because the step we took from last year to this ‘Dakar' has been huge. Carlos and I were often the course-opening car and in spite of this I didn't commit a single navigation error – and I'm glad about this, needless to say. Carlos has long ceased to be a ‘Dakar' rookie, he understands the tasks at hand here perfectly. He listens to my commands very carefully even when I ask him to brake, which is unusual for a rally driver. What's more, Carlos drives at an impressive, high speed.”

#305 – Mark Miller (USA), 21st place (leg) / 4th place overall

"The great strides made with the evolution of the Race Touareg are really remarkable. Volkswagen set the pace at all times. My new co-driver Ralph Pitchford and I had a good time, we worked together very well in the cockpit. A podium place would have been possible for us but we lost some time helping our team colleagues. That was perfect teamwork and the natural thing to do. I'm already looking forward to the 2008 ‘Dakar', we feel well prepared.”

#305 – Ralph Pitchford (RSA), Mark Miller's co-driver

"Driving with Mark was fantastic. We're happy with the performance of the entire team. The engineers, car chiefs and mechanics all did a superb job. Unfortunately, Volkswagen didn't win. As far as the rally is concerned, it was another super ‘Dakar', which was demanding in every respect.”

#301 – Giniel de Villiers (RSA), 1st place (leg) / 11th place overall

"The first half of the rally was really great. We proved that we, the entire team and the Race Touareg are competitive in every way. Particularly on the long stages in the sand we made great strides. Last week then started with a big disappointment when we lost our lead. That was a bitter moment, although such things can always happen in racing. After that, the situation was tough for us because a few times we had to start very late and then had to overtake much slower vehicles on the route. But even on the days when things weren't going that well for us we learned a lot for the future.”

#301 – Dirk von Zitzewitz (D), Giniel de Villiers' co-driver

"For Giniel and myself, the 2007 ‘Dakar' went superbly up to the second part of the marathon leg, exactly the way we'd wanted it to be. We were even leading by half an hour when the defect hit us. Still, it was a good race because we didn't only prove to ourselves but, even more importantly, to all the others that we're capable of winning.”

#313 – Carlos Sousa (P) – Lagos Team, 4th place (leg) / 7th place overall

"I'm very happy with our performance in my eleventh Dakar Rally. The Race Touareg is an outstanding car which makes me feel very comfortable and which allowed me to keep the pace of the front runners at all times. Our Lagos Team and the fielding squad from Phoenix Sport did a perfect job, the support from Volkswagen was great – I can only thank everyone for this. Of course the most rewarding day of the rally was the day I won the first stage in my native Portugal in front of this gigantic turnout of spectators and then took the lead for two days.”

#313 – Andy Schulz (D) – Lagos Team, Carlos Sousa's co-driver

"During the entire rally we were absolutely competitive. It was really good fun. Working with Carlos was great. That we were looking for each other in the sandstorm in vain for such a long time after getting stuck but freeing ourselves again quickly was probably a funny thing, but for us, it was simply a misfortune. After all, we were third on the leader board at the time.”

Final standings after leg 15, Dakar (SN) – Dakar (SN); 16/93 km stage 14/total

Pos.; Team; Vehicle; Leg 15; Total time

1. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-P. Cottret (F/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 10m52s (50th); 45h53m37s

2. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 11m02s (53rd) + 7m26s

3. Jean-Louis Schlesser/Arnaud Debron (F/F); Schlesser-Buggy Ford; 8m25s (5th) + 1h33m57s

4. Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/RSA); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 9m40s (21st) + 2h10m16s

5. Hiroshi Masuoka/Pascal Maimon (J/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 9m52s (23rd) + 2h44m31s

6. Nasser Al-Attiyah/Alain Guehennec (QT/F); BMW X3; 9m35s (18th) + 3h31m59s

7. Carlos Sousa/Andreas Schulz (P/D); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 8m24s (4th) + 5h10m54s

8. Robby Gordon/Andy Grider (USA/USA); Hummer H3; 8m08s (3rd) + 7h04m07s

9. Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn (E/F); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 7m44s (2nd) + 7h25m45s

10. Stéphane Henrard/Brigitte Becue (B/B); Buggy Volkswagen; 9m54s (24th) + 8h28m29s

11. Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (RSA/D); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 7m42s (1st) + 8h44m34s

Dakar Rally Update: Volkswagen 5th overall

Source: Volkswagen Motorsport
Wolfsburg, Germany - Volkswagen managed another top performance on the 14th and penultimate stage of the Dakar Rally: For the ninth time, a Race Touareg clinched a stage victory, for the third consecutive time, and fifth altogether, Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn (Spain/France) achieved such a result.

To top it off, Volkswagen claimed a triple exploit on the 576-kilometre stage from Tambacounda to Dakar: Sainz won ahead of his team-mates Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (South Africa/Germany) and the Race Touareg from Team Lagos, piloted by Carlos Sousa/Andreas Schulz (Portugal/Germany). Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/South Africa) in another Race Touareg completed the Volkswagen foursome at the front of the field by finishing in sixth place. In addition, Volkswagen on the penultimate day of the 2007 Dakar Rally celebrated the Race Touareg's 50th stage victory.

In the overall classification which, before the 93-kilometre final stage on Sunday, is being led by the French Mitsubishi driver Stéphane Peterhansel, Mark Miller – as the best Volkswagen driver – is ranking in fifth place. Carlos Sousa is seventh, Carlos Sainz ninth and Giniel de Villiers eleventh.

Rally details after the jump.

Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)
"On today's leg, the last real special stage on the way to Dakar, I instructed all drivers to go for an all-out attack. It seems to have worked out well because we occupied places one, two three and six. This shows how good the whole team is. Everyone saw that Volkswagen Motorsport has a package that is capable of winning. This is very encouraging for all of us for the upcoming races. Since the 2006 Dakar Rally we solved our tasks and are very good on any type of terrain. Enhancing this total package that is capable of clinching victories yet again is a task for the 2007 season that shouldn't be all too difficult and represents a nice challenge.”

#301 – Giniel de Villiers (RSA), 2nd place (leg) / 11th place overall
"At the beginning of the stage I attacked. On the first half of the route things were going really well for us and we overtook three competitors. On the twisty trails we lost about three minutes after 160 kilometers due to minor navigation errors. In addition, the motorcycle riders in front of us left a big trail of dust.”

#303 – Carlos Sainz (E), 1st place (leg) / 9th place overall
"On this difficult stage things went well for us as our stage victory shows. We were the first car out and had no tracks in front of us. Once or twice we hesitated for a short time because of the navigation and looked for the way, but we didn't get lost.”

#305 – Mark Miller (USA), 6th place (leg) / 5th place overall
"Up to CP1 things were going well and we really put the pressure on. After 40 kilometers we overtook Stéphane Peterhansel. Up to that point a place among the top three would have been possible. But then the navigation became difficult. We were the second car out and lost half a minute three or four times, respectively, when we had to orient ourselves. Ralph did a very good job in these difficult conditions. Our teamwork during this rally is great and we got lost on fewer occasions than many of our rivals.”

Snippets from Volkswagen bivouac

- Schnitzel in the cockpit: "Schnitzel” – that's the lettering on the co-driver's side of the Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 driven by Giniel de Villiers. "My foreign colleagues had problems pronouncing my name,” explained co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz. "At some point, Schniiietzewitz turned into Schnitzel, which is probably the only German word that Giniel, Carlos and Mark know. Of course the nickname then stuck with me.”

- Wings for life: On the rear fenders of the Race Touareg the Volkswagen factory team promotes "Wings for life”. This is a non-profit foundation established by the former Austrian motocross driver and KTM sports manager Heinz Kinigadner. He was supported in this initiative by Dietrich Mateschitz whose company Red Bull has been a partner of Volkswagen's on the Race Touareg straight from the start. The foundation that was initiated by Kinigadner after a family member suffered a serious accident has the purpose of supporting and promoting innovative, top-caliber research aimed at stimulating the regeneration of the spinal marrow.

Three questions to catering specialist Mireille André

What kind of meals are being served to Volkswagen Motorsport during the Dakar Rally?
"Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served buffet-style by the organizers in the bivouac. I take care of the snacks in between or provide meals when the team works long hours at night and the mechanics cannot go to the bivouac.”

What was the team's favorite food?
"Small turkey salamis from Mecklenburg, for instance, we had 100 kilograms of those with us and they're all gone. Another thing that pleased most of the team members a lot was hot dogs and sand-cake. And coffee galore …”

What type of food is being taken along from Germany and what do you buy while you're on the road?
"Beverages we buy along the way. Almost all the food was taken along from Germany and transported across the entire rally route. Merely in Morocco did we buy apples, bananas and eggs. Later, in Mauritania and Mali, there was only little fresh fruit available on the markets.”

Standings after leg 14, Tambacounda (SN) – Dakar (SN); 225/576 km stage 13/total

Pos. Team Vehicle Stage 14 Total time
1. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-P. Cottret (F/F) Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution 2h29m23s (11th) 45h42m45s
2. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F) Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution 2h25m24s (7th) + 7m16s
3. Jean-Louis Schlesser/Arnaud Debron (F/F) Schlesser Buggy 2h27m00s (9th) + 1h36m24s
4. Nasser Al-Attiyah/Alain Guehennec (QT/F) BMW X3 2h22m54s (4th) + 2h03m16s
5. Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/RSA) Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 2h23m04s (6th) + 2h11m28s
6. Hiroshi Masuoka/Pascal Maimon (J/F) Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution 2h32m25s (13th) + 2h45m31s
7. Carlos Sousa/Andreas Schulz (P/D) Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 2h21m47s (3rd) + 5h13m22s
8. Robby Gordon/Andy Grider (USA/USA) Hummer H3 2h22m56s (5th) + 7h06m51s
9. Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn (E/F) Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 2h21m02s (1st) + 7h28m53s
10. Stéphane Henrard/Brigitte Becue (B/B) Buggy Volkswagen 2h46m22s (26th) + 8h29m27s
11. Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (RSA/D) Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 2h21m09s (2nd) + 8h47m44s

Forthcoming models receive facelift

The next iterations of the Jetta and Passat haven't even been revealed and already they're receiving their first round of redesign. New Volkswagen chief Martin Winterkorn announced that he has recruited the talent of Walter de'Silva to tweak the new Jetta, Passat, and Scirocco until Winterkorn himself is satisfied. No word on the extent of these redesigns, especially since we really don't even know how these models look pre-de'Silva. But with de'Silva at the helm, expect great things.

Also, new VW management is heralding the return of the V10 TDI engine in the Touareg, touting it as a unique selling point.

Dakar Rally Update: Stage victory for Volkswagen

Volkswagen continues to persevere after their crippling loss that put took out of the running. Now, Volkswagen strives for stage victories instead of an overall victory which seemed so close just a few stages ago. On the twelfth stage, Volkswagen was able to pull off a 1-2 stage victory, with the Sainz/Périn pairing taking first and Sousa/Schultz taking second. In terms of overall standings, however, the Miller/Pitchford pairing moved up one after the twelfth to fifth place.

The thirteenth stage begins on the 19th from Kayes Mali to Tambacounda Senegal.

Jump for more Rally details.

Source: Volkswagen Motorsport
WOLFSBURG, Germany - One-two for Volkswagen on twelfth stage of the Dakar Rally: Factory driver Carlos Sainz (Spain) and co-driver Michel Périn (France) won the 484 kilometre stage from Ayoun-el-Atrous (Mauritania) to Kayes (Mali) in their Race Touareg.

They clocked up a lead of 3:53 minutes over their Volkswagen comrades Carlos Sousa/Andy Schulz (Portugal/Germany) who drive a Race Touareg for Lagos-Team. It was Volkswagen's seventh stage win and the third for double Rally World Champion Carlos Sainz during the 29th running of the "Dakar”. Third position went to the French Mitsubishi driver and last year's overall winner Luc Alphand.

Even though today's twelfth stage held many pitfalls in store for the teams because of the tricky navigation and dense, tall bushes, the Volkswagen factory pairing of Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/South Africa) moved up the leader board after finishing eighth today. The duo overhauled two-time "Dakar” winner and Mitsubishi factory driver Hiroshi Masuoka from Japan in the overall standings, and are now best placed Volkswagen team in fifth position. Sousa/Schulz are still seventh, Sainz/Périn moved up one position to ninth. Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (South Africa/Germany) finished the day in twentieth position in their Race Touareg, 25:47 minutes behind the winner owing to a navigational error, but nevertheless still hold twelfth overall. Stephane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi/France) holds the overall lead.

Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)
"We are satisfied with the one-two from Carlos Sainz and Carlos Sousa on today's stage. The drivers were excellent; their co-drivers mastered a difficult task supremely since the navigation was difficult in this confusing terrain. It's great to see that the Race Touareg can record top-times on this type of route. Unfortunately, Giniel and Dirk lost time due to a navigational error. On the remaining stages we want to continue to show that the Race Touareg can post the fastest times, that our drivers are the best, and that the team continues to work efficiently and reliably even after twelve tough days and nights all the way to the finish line.”

#301 – Giniel de Villiers (RSA), 22nd place (leg) / 12th position overall
"That really wasn't our day, particularly as we got completely lost after 200 kilometres. We followed some motorbike tracks, before arriving at a cliff. The motorbike riders got through a narrow gorge, but not us. We had to turn around. So we lost 25 minutes to the leaders.”

#303 – Carlos Sainz (E), 1st place (leg) / 9th position overall
"It wasn't only the navigation that was demanding today. Driving on the narrow tracks between the trees was anything but easy. Sometimes the bushes covered the track so we had to plough through them, which is why the body is a little scratched. The car ran well. I'm delighted to have set the best time, which should go to the team as they worked fantastically.”

#305 – Mark Miller (USA), 8th place (leg) / 5th position overall
"The navigation made that a very difficult stage. We didn't see any tracks from the cars in front. We stopped three times to remove grass from the cooler, during which Carlos Sainz, Carlos Sousa and Stéphane Peterhansel passed us. We got lost once and had to search a little. I hit some debris hidden in the grass just before the finish. The left-hand front tyre lost air, but we reached the finish.”

Snippets from Volkswagen bivouac


- Check list: When a Car-Chief and four mechanics start work each evening to repair and service a Race Touareg they follow a precisely planned check list. "About 80 points must be checked every evening. From fluid levels to driveshafts – just like a major service”, explains Kris Nissen, Volkswagen Motorsport Director. The service schedule for every single component is recorded in a catalogue. The mileage intervals to ensure that specific components such as driveshafts or brake discs are changed in time are also included.

- Personal preferences: The Dakar Rally is known to many for its endless days and huge amounts of work. Now and then there are times when there is nothing to do, for team members, for example, who sit behind the driver and co-driver in the service vehicles on the liaison stages. "We usually take it in turns to drive and navigate”, explains physiotherapist Alexander Haus. "I usually sleep on the rear seat when it's my turn to take a break, even if the type of track doesn't make things so easy.” One sleeps, the other reads. "Because there aren't any daily newspapers in the bivouac, I brought some books with me”, explains electrician Jens Suhm. "I've been able to get through get a lot.”


Three questions to François Verbist, Race-Truck driver for the Volkswagen factory team

You are the youngest Race-Truck driver participating in this year's Dakar Rally. What is the attraction to compete in the Truck classification?
"The fascination was to drive for a top team. As Race-Truck we are a part of the project. Our job is to support the Race Touareg 2 and, in doing so, Volkswagen, which means giving a helping hand where help is needed.”

What is the most difficult task at the wheel of a Race-Truck?
"The days are very long. We are usually on the road for anything between ten and twelve hours. By the time we get to the bivouac the rest of the team is long since there. We then work on the truck and service the car assigned to us, there is always something to do. We have to check and refuel the car. After all, we have to start the next stage with a truck that runs perfectly.”

On the one side you compete in the Truck class, and on the other you play the role of fast and reliable helper for the team. Just how important are the results in the truck class?
"Our start time is based on the previous day's finishing order, just like the cars. That's why it's important for us to reach the finish quickly and safely to be able to start early. This was of great importance for the marathon stage, during which we are the only team members who are allowed to help the Race Touareg drivers in the bivouac. In general, the three Volkswagen Race-Trucks have been running extremely well until now.”

Standings after stage 12, Ayoun-el-Atrous (MR) – Kayes (ML); 257/484 km stage 11/total

Pos.; Team; Vehicle; Stage 12; Total time
1. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-P. Cottret (F/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 3h07m15s (6th); 40h42m34s
2. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 3h03m48s (3rd) + 6m29s
3. Jean-Louis Schlesser/Arnaud Debron (F/F); Schlesser Buggy; 3h10m27s (10th) + 1h34m02s
4. Nasser Al-Attiyah/Alain Guehennec (QT/F); BMW X3; 3h05m06s (4th) + 1h58m04s
5. Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/RSA); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3h09m03s (8th) + 2h15m55s
6. Hiroshi Masuoka/Pascal Maimon (J/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 3h22m21s (19th) + 2h27m10s
7. Carlos Sousa/Andreas Schulz (P/D); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3h02m49s (2nd) + 5h16m21s
8. Robby Gordon/Andy Grider (USA/USA); Hummer H3; 3h17m18s (13th) + 7h02m57s
9. Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn (E/F); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 2h58m56s (1st) + 7h37m40s
10. Stéphane Henrard/Brigitte Becue (B/B); Buggy Volkswagen; 3h18m33s (17th) + 7h51m39s
12. Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (RSA/D); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3h24m43s (22nd) + 8h45m47s


Coming up…

Friday, 19 January, Kayes (ML) – Tambacounda (SN): 260 km stage/458 km total. After crossing the border between Mali and the Senegal, the Dakar Rally's third from last stage leads across stony paths before sprinting along fast laterite tracks. The rally armada erects the final bivouac in Tambacounda in the evening.

Golf Variant spy shots shows a different face

German mag Autobild has shown pictures of what looks like the Golf Variant that should be forthcoming in Europe sometime early Summer this year. However, it is not the fact that it's a wagon version of the Golf that is newsworthy (there has always been Golf Variants in the past). What is interesting to note is the different front end this Golf sports. Ignore the seemingly sharper-edged headlights, that is just some camouflaging. All the news is in the new grille, which, from our limited point of view, seems to now sport Volkswagen's corporate grille. Also, lower front fascia also seems to be different. Up back, the Golf Variant receives some camouflage help from nature as the whole rear section is conveniently covered by snow. A small part of the taillights are visible but too little is visible to be worth anything.

North America, don't hold your breath. This one stays in Europe.

More pictures after the jump.

Source: Autobild

Dakar Rally Update: Volkswagen disappointed but not resigned

After losing their lead during the ninth stage, Volkswagen is understandably disappointed. However, the team claims that they have not resigned and are focused on doing the best they can. They will target for victories to improve their overall standing even though an overall Rally victory is out of reach.

Stage eleven begins on the 18th at Ayoun El Atrous in Mauritania.

Jump for Rally details.

Source: Volkswagen Motorsport
WOLFSBURG, Germany - The Volkswagen factory team attacks the remaining four stages of the 29th Dakar Rally with a different strategy.

The factory drivers Carlos Sainz (Spain), Giniel de Villiers (South Africa) and Mark Miller (USA) will target winning more stages with the Race Touareg to improve the results before reaching the finish on 21 January on the shores of Lac Rose close to Senegal's capital city. Volkswagen has won six of the ten stages held to date.

The team is, however, out of the fight for overall victory, after Giniel de Villiers, who was leading by half-an-hour, and the fourth placed Carlos Sainz tumbled down the leader board on the ninth stage after suffering from technical problems. Leading Volkswagen driver in the overall standings is Mark Miller in sixth position, followed by Carlos Sousa (Portugal) in the Lagos-Team Race Touareg. Saint is tenth, de Villiers twelfth.

"We continue to look forwards and have not resigned, even though we are still bitterly disappointed to have lost the lead we had held and defended since the rally's opening day”, says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. "We want to further emphasise our all-round strong and positive appearance in this ‘Dakar' by recording good results on each day. Such problems are a part of motorsport, but they do not detract in any way whatsoever from the performance produced by everybody.” Volkswagen had dominated the Dakar Rally since the start in Lisbon and had filled the top positions on more than one occasion with several cars. Volkswagen won two of the three showcase stages in Mauritania and had led the third before problems intervened. "It is exactly our strength on the longest and most difficult stages which showed that we have done our homework successfully since the previous ‘Dakar',” says Kris Nissen.

After a pure liaison stage without an officially timed section on Wednesday, all the Race Touaregs and the entire team reached the bivouac at Ayoun El Atrous in Mauritania. "The drivers, co-drivers and cars are fit for the final spurt after this day without racing against the clock”, says Kris Nissen. The 484 kilometre stage from Ayoun El Atrous to Kayes in Mali starts on Thursday.


Standings after stage 10, Nema (MR) – Nema (MR); 366/400 km stage 10/total

Pos.; Team; Vehicle; Stage 10; Total time
1. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-P. Cottret (F/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 3h51m56s (4th); 37h35m19s
2. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 3h54m02s (6th) + 9m56s
3. Jean-Louis Schlesser/Arnaud Debron (F/F); Schlesser Buggy; 3h57m14s (7th) + 1h30m50s
4. Nasser Al-Attiyah/Alain Guehennec (QT/F); BMW X3; 3h49m48s (1st) + 2h00m13s
5. Hiroshi Masuoka/Pascal Maimon (J/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 3h50m16s (2nd) + 2h12m04s
6. Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/RSA); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3h51m37s (3rd) + 2h14m07s
7. Carlos Sousa/Andreas Schulz (P/D); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 5h01m14s (53rd) + 5h20m47s
8. Robby Gordon/Andy Grider (USA/USA); Hummer H3; 4h23m51s (23rd) + 6h52m54s
9. Stéphane Henrard/Brigitte Becue (B/B); Buggy Volkswagen; 4h13m22s (14th) + 7h40m21s
10. Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn (E/F); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3h52m36s (5th) + 7h45m59s
12. Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (RSA/D); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 4h13m38s (15th) + 8h28m19s


Coming up…

Thursday, 18 January, Ayoun El Atrous (MR) – Kayes (ML): 257 km stage/484 km total. The competitors can expect sandy tracks and gravel roads through the savannah on the 257 kilometre stage from Ayoun El Atrous in Mauritania to Kayes in Mali.

Volkswagen sponsors 2007 Sundance Film Festival

In keeping with Volkswagen's culture of individualistic creativity, they have announced that they will be a sponsor of the Sundance Film Festival. The festival has been world renowned for fostering creativity among independent filmmakers by supporting them. For this year's festival, Volkswagen is the main automotive sponsor and will be involved with transporting filmmakers and other important people around Utah. Volkswagen will also be showcasing an attraction in which people will be able to drive along an off-road course in a Touareg for 30 minutes. There will also be t-shirts and an Owner's party where special screenings will be held.

Jump for press release details.

Source: Volkswagen of America
Presenting Sponsor Features Off-Road Driving Experience,

Custom Silk-Screening Studio, and Screening of

Joe Strummer Biopic, “The Future is Unwritten”

Park City, Utah—Volkswagen of America, Inc. continues its tradition of support for independent film and the risk-taking spirit of pioneering filmmakers with its sponsorship of the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.

Centered around its “Enjoy the Show. Enjoy the Ride.” theme, Volkswagen will energize and entertain festival filmmakers and guests through a variety of unique experiences. First, as the official automotive sponsor of the festival, Volkswagen will field a fleet of more than 100 vehicles from its entire product range to transport filmmakers and casts to premieres, events, and everywhere else at the Festival.

A “don’t-miss” opportunity is an off-road Joyride that Volkswagen will offer all driving enthusiasts from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 20-26. Operated by the Skip Barber Racing School and its team of instructors, the experience will test the mettle of drivers in 2007 Volkswagen Touareg SUV’s on a challenging off-road, snow-covered course. Stop by Volkswagen Headquarters (VWHQ) at the corner of Main and Heber to sign up for this 30-minute memorable ride.

From Jan.19 through Jan. 26, Volkswagen will create one-of-a-kind silk-screened t-shirts for festivalgoers, filmmakers, casts and movie buffs who stop by VWHQ. We’ll even silkscreen garments that filmmakers and talent bring in themselves. Festival fans can also warm themselves with hot V and W alphabet soup and Krups coffee.

"We’re dialing up the fun factor," said Heidi Korte, brand promotions manager for Volkswagen. "Fantastic films, celebrity sightings and off-roading in a Volkswagen Touareg guarantee that this year’s festival will be an unforgettable experience.”

To reward its loyal buyers, Volkswagen will host an exclusive Owners’ party on Jan. 21 at the Spur Bar & Grill featuring the North Mississippi Allstars. Owners will also be treated to a special screening of the Joe Strummer biopic, “THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN” on Jan. 25 at the Redstone Theatre. Capping off this screening will be the presentation of the annual “VW Relentless Drive Award” and the use of a free Volkswagen for one year, which will be awarded to the filmmaker whose movie was most inspired by music. Last year’s winner, for the most creative use of a vehicle in a film, went to “MAX AND JOSH”, directed by Katherine Ann Busby. Volkswagen Owners and a few lucky others will be the official judges of this special Sundance competition.

Consumers who test-drive a Volkswagen from now through Jan. 26 can earn a chance to experience these Volkswagen Owner benefits by visiting any of the four participating Salt Lake City dealerships and picking up a VWIP Sundance movie pass lanyard. Supplies are limited.

Participating Dealers:

· Cutrubus Motors Volkswagen, Layton, Utah; 1230 North Main; (801) 544-5878.

· Ken Garff Motors, Orem, Utah; 195 East University Parkway; (801) 374-1751.

· Strong Volkswagen, Salt Lake City, Utah; 1070 South Main Street; (801) 596-2200.

· Volkswagen SouthTowne, South Jordan, Utah; 10968 South 290; (801) 676-6401.

Volkswagen of America, Inc.

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, Touareg and Phaeton through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com.

Volkswagen won't get fancy Chrysler seats

It looks like Chrysler's generosity has its limits. According to Chrysler's executive president of product development Frank Klegon, Chrysler will be keeping their fancy 'Stow 'n Go' seats and newfangled 'Swivel 'n Go' seats in house.

Volkswagen and Chrysler made a deal where Chrysler will build Volkswagen's minivan for the North American market, due out in 2008. At this point, Volkswagen has not revealed their solution for folding the rear seats.

Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion successful in Europe

Volkswagen says that their economical Polo BlueMotion is far exceeding expectations with demand so high that they've had to ramp up production at factory in Pamplona, Spain just to meed them. In fact, Volkswagen says that even a right-hand-drive British model is in the works.

That's all well and good but it does beg the question: When will we see it over here, Volkswagen? Yeah, some of us love our big gas guzzling SUVs and half ton pickup trucks but some of us also like seeing more money in our pockets, not to mention the save-the-earth philosophy that's gaining momentum. And with a growing subcompact segment and with the increasing popularity of such models as the Yaris, Fit, and Versa, it would make sense if Volkswagen made this model available here. They would have a winner in their hands if they did.

Press release after the jump.

Source: Volkswagen AG
- Europe loves the thrift-mobile developed in Wolfsburg

- Demand far exceeds expectations

WOLFSBURG, Germany - Europe’s most economical five-seat automobile, the Polo BlueMotion, is on course for success across the continent. More and more importers are eager to introduce the Polo BlueMotion to their markets, with even a right-hand-drive version in the pipeline for British buyers.

The Polo BlueMotion concept – to combine driving pleasure and fuel economy with minimum-margin vehicle pricing – has proven extremely successful in these times of constantly rising fuel prices in Europe.

To satisfy the immense demand which this vehicle has generated, production at the Pamplona plant in Spain has now been more than tripled to allow delivery times (currently several weeks) to be reduced as quickly as possible.

Despite its proven economical and ecological merits, the Polo BlueMotion nonetheless offers a lot of driving pleasure. Equipped with a 59-kW / 80-PS direct-injection turbo-diesel engine, which includes a particulate filter, it delivers powerful 195 Newton metres of torque at only 1,800 rpm, thereby enabling sharp performance. Call up the full dynamic potential of the three-cylinder TDI engine, and this 1,084-kg lightweight Polo will take you from 0 to 100 km/h in no more than 12.8 seconds, and will achieve a top speed of 176 km/h. Such an exceptional balance between agility and economy is the product of modified aerodynamics coupled with the high-efficiency functionality of the drive unit.

With a basic price tag of 16,157.33 euro and given the exceptionally good value retention that the Polo series of models has always offered, the new Polo BlueMotion stands for an economically well-balanced buyer choice. Set against the comparable Trendline version, this thrifty speeder is further equipped with standard features such as 14-inch alloy wheel rims, attachment parts finished completely in the vehicle colour, an aerodynamically optimised front section, rear spoiler, sporty seats in the new "Popcorn" or "Select" designs and a multi-functional display which provides access to an array of vehicle information which includes average fuel consumption. Another economically attractive aspect of this vehicle are the available financing terms.

This, the most compelling model in its range in terms of economy, sees Volkswagen launching its BlueMotion initiative on sustainability – a descriptor which refers not only to a vehicle, to the level of fuel consumption and to emissions levels, but which aptly describes the Volkswagen organisation as a whole. "Blue", the Volkswagen colour, stands for the elements of air and water which it is important to protect and conserve, while "Motion" represents future-oriented, forward mobility. The declared objective is to conserve the Earth’s resources for future generations. The company intends to develop its BlueMotion label as a product descriptor identifying the model version with the most exceptional economic quality in each series. The Polo BlueMotion is the first model to be launched under this initiative.

TDI and BlueMotion are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG or other companies of Volkswagen Group in Germany and additional countries.

Dakar Rally Update: Volkswagen tries to get back in the running

With Volkswagen losing the lead after the ninth stage, now are scrambling to get back in the game. Indeed, Miller/Pitchford did their best time during the tenth stage placing third for the stage. But that didn't do much to bring their position up. Miller/Pitchford still maintains sixth position and Sousa/Schultz still at seventh overall.

Because of the canceled stage at Timbuktu, the Rally will be doing a liaison stage in Ayoun El Atrous during the seventeeth. The eleventh stage begin on the 18th from Ayoun El Atrous to Kayes, Mali.

Jump for Rally details.

Source: Volkswagen Motorsport
WOLFSBURG, Germany - Volkswagen finished the tenth stage of the 29th Dakar Rally in third and fifth positions. Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/South Africa), currently sixth overall in the “Dakar” and therefore now best placed Volkswagen drivers, scored their personal best result with third positions.

On the 400 kilometre long loop through the savannah around Nema in Mauritania, the two English speaking professionals in the Race Touareg 2 were only 1:49 minutes slower than day winner Nasser Al-Attiyah from Qatar in a BMW. The Japanese driver Hiroshi Masuoka in a Mitsubishi was second.

The Volkswagen factory drivers Carlos Sainz (Spain) and Giniel de Villiers (South Africa) started a courageous fight back. Both were towed to yesterday's stage finish by Race-Trucks, losing an enormous amount of time in the process, after both cars succumbed to engine problems – the reason for both defects was a defective cam-follower in the valve train. A remarkable team effort overnight saw both cars prepared to take the start today. Carlos Sainz and his French co-driver Michel Périn started the tenth stage punctually and incredibly posted the fifth fastest time despite running in the dust clouds of their direct competitors. In the overall standings, which are still headed by the Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel in a Mitsubishi, the duo hold tenth position.

Giniel de Villiers finished 14th on the day together with his German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz. Because the repair work was only finished in the early hours of the morning, the duo started the stage 22 minutes late and arrived at the finish only 23m50s behind the winner. They are now twelfth overall, the Portuguese-German duo Carlos Sousa/Andreas Schulz (Lagos-Team) remain seventh.

Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)
"Things have calmed down since yesterday's situation. The team worked fantastically under difficult conditions and prepared both Giniel's and Carlos' cars perfectly. Only a whisker separated Mark Miller from claiming today's stage, but the win went to Nasser Al-Attiyah and the team managed by Sven Quandt – congratulations. Tomorrow is a little like a rest day since only a liaison stage is driven. As a consequence, the team has time to prepare the cars in peace and quiet and to recharge their own batteries. We'll continue as a close knit team towards Dakar. We aim to continue to score top results in the daily stages.”

#301 – Giniel de Villiers (RSA), 15th place (leg) / 12th position overall
"We started the stage with a 22 minute delay, but are nevertheless extremely grateful to the team that we are actually still in the rally. If you take the pure stage time a result in the top-three was possible. The day was physically very hard, and on the other hand the navigation was very easy. Unfortunately, at some point or other another competitor drove completely without reason into the side of our car. It was if we were racing on a circuit…”
#303 – Carlos Sainz (E), 5th place (leg) / 10th position overall
"My thanks to the team that prepared an excellent car for me overnight again. We drove for ages in dust today and had to overtake loads of opponents. The route was a kind of hard track winding through the middle of powder like Fech-Fech sand, lines of trees and bushes.”

#305 – Mark Miller (USA), 3rd place (leg) / 6th position overall
"I drove on the limit today and took as much as the car could give. Third position is our best result to date, but it could have been more if I hadn't gone the wrong way in the set-up. The car had a little too much understeer. After 17 kilometres I overtook a buggy, and then later Jutta Kleinschmidt. The route was very unusual: Basically we drove through sand, but the middle of the track was very hard, which you had to follow exactly. It was a completely new experience for me. I still hope to be able to catch Mitsubishi on the next, very slow stage.”

Snippets from Volkswagen bivouac


- Best wishes in the desert: Carlos Sousa from Lagos Team, who was 41-years old on 16 January, only received best wishes. Co-driver Andreas Schulz was among the first to wish him a happy birthday. Ernst Moser from race team Phoenix Sport arrived too late. "I got up extra early to wish Carlos all the best but he was already on his way to the tenth stage”, he explains. The Team Boss and Volkswagen Motorsport team members caught up with the birthday boy in the afternoon: A birthday cake awaited the seventh overall driver after finishing the tenth stage.

- Nightshift for Volkswagen: After Carlos Sainz's Race Touareg 2 was towed into the bivouac at 21:45 with an engine problem, and the car driven by team mate Giniel de Villiers followed at around 23:00, the Volkswagen team faced a race against time. The timing belt in Carlos Sainz's Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 engine had jumped a tooth as a result of a defective cam-follower – the decision was made to rebuild the engine completely and replace the cylinder head. On Giniel de Villiers' car the cylinder-head was also replaced after a defective cam-follower punched through the valve cover and the escaping oil ignited on the hot turbocharger. "The fire damage in the engine bay was much worse than originally anticipated”, says Donatus Wichelhaus, Head of Engine Development at Volkswagen Motorsport. "We had to replace all the hoses and pipes for water, brake fluid, hydraulic oil and fuel and also many electrical cables.”

- Break for the team: The stage Nema – Nema gave the Volkswagen Motorsport team the chance to relax a little after the rigorous night. Because the bivouac in Nema remains built-up until the morning of 17 January, the team could catch up on lost sleep during the tenth stage.


Three questions to Peter Utoft, Team-Manager Volkswagen Motorsport

What is the secret of successfully preparing and organising an event for 78 team members in the desert?
"We drafted a detail plan in advance of the Dakar Rally, from which it was apparent where every team member should be during the event and for which task they are responsible. During the rally we only adjust this plan to suit the actual events. Also, we did a great deal to increase the motivation of each team member and their personal responsibility – which we achieved. An excellent atmosphere runs throughout the entire team.”

What was the most difficult task of the 2007 Dakar Rally for you?
"Planning the stage from Tan Tan in Morocco to Zouerat in Mauritania was very complicated and required exact detailed coordination, because the accompanying armada could only start after the rally cars because of the border crossing into Mauritania. As a result, the technicians arrived in the bivouac much later than the Race Touaregs. The team were faced with a long night and an early start into the next stage from Zouerat to Atar.”

To what extent has the structure of the team changed since the 2006 Dakar Rally?
"Some of the changes in the team are the result of experience gained from the previous years. For example, we hired additional specialist in the areas of logistic and travel planning to strengthen the team. We also modified how the bivouac is built-up to make sure some of the procedures run more fluidly. We place a great deal more value on each individual team member getting sufficient sleep during this long and stressful rally to keep them fit.”


Standings after stage 10, Nema (MR) – Nema (MR); 366/400 km stage 10/total

Pos.; Team; Vehicle; Stage 10; Total time
1. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-P. Cottret (F/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 3h51m56s (4th); 37h35m19s
2. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 3h54m02s (6th) + 9m56s
3. Jean-Louis Schlesser/Arnaud Debron (F/F); Schlesser Buggy; 3h57m14s (7th) + 1h30m50s
4. Nasser Al-Attiyah/Alain Guehennec (QT/F); BMW X3; 3h49m48s (1st) + 2h00m13s
5. Hiroshi Masuoka/Pascal Maimon (J/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 3h50m16s (2nd) + 2h12m04s
6. Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/RSA); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3h51m37s (3rd) + 2h14m07s
7. Carlos Sousa/Andreas Schulz (P/D); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 5h01m14s (53rd) + 5h20m47s
8. Robby Gordon/Andy Grider (USA/USA); Hummer H3; 4h23m51s (23rd) + 6h52m54s
9. Stéphane Henrard/Brigitte Becue (B/B); Buggy Volkswagen; 4h13m22s (14th) + 7h40m21s
10. Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn (E/F); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3h52m36s (5th) + 7h45m59s
12. Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (RSA/D); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 4h13m38s (15th) + 8h28m19s



Coming up…

Wednesday, 17 January, Nema (MR) – Ayoun El Atrous (MR): 0 km stage/280 km total. After the marathon stage to Timbuktu was cancelled due safety reasons, the competitors only complete a liaison stage to Ayoun El Atrous on Thursday, where the 275 kilometre eleventh stage to Kayes in Mali starts on 18 January.

Dakar Rally Update: Volkswagen loses lead in ninth stage

After leading for most of the first half of the Dakar Rally, Volkswagen has now lost the lead after the ninth stage. The results after the ninth are not good for Volkswagen. De Villiers/von Zitzewitz's Race Touareg 2 broke down due to an and is on its way to the bivouac for repair. It's the same story for Sainz/Périn, who's engine cut out and wouldn't start. Their Race Touareg 2 is also on its way to the bivouac.

As it stands, Volkswagen's top finishers are Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford in sixth and Carlos Sousa/Andreas Schulz in seventh. Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn stands went down to tenth spot.

The tenth stage starts on the 17th, looping around Nema, Mauritania, as the route to Timbuktu was canceled.

Jump for complete Rally details.

Source: Volkswagen Motorsport
WOLFSBURG, Germany - After making an impressive start to the 29th Dakar Rally the Volkswagen team was dealt a cruel blow today: The factory duo Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (South Africa/Germany) started the ninth stage as leaders but, like their team mates Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn (Spain/France) in fourth place, were also stopped by a technical defect on the Race Touareg 2 during the ninth stage from Tichit to Nema in Mauritania.

A cam follower in the engine's valve train broke on Giniel de Villiers' car. A hole was punched in the valve cover as a result, and the escaping oil ignited on the hot turbocharger. The flames were doused immediately with the onboard fire extinguisher. The car is being towed back to the bivouac by one of the Race-Trucks. Carlos Sainz, who had led the stage comfortably, was slowed when his engine cut-out suddenly and refused to restart probably due to an electrical problem. He is also being towed to the bivouac.

Volkswagen had led the Dakar Rally convincingly from the start on 6 January in Lisbon until today, 15 January. The de Villiers/von Zitzewitz tandem held a 31 minute lead entering the ninth stage. Sainz/Périn only lost second overall on the eighth stage after a hydraulic steering hose chaffed through, and which left Sainz without steering assistance. Volkswagen was able to win six of the nine stages run to date.

Carlos Sousa/Andy Schulz (Portugal/Germany) in the Lagos Team Race Touareg and the factory pairing of Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/South Africa) ended the ninth stage in seventh and ninth positions respectively, each about half-an-hour behind the winner after sacrificing valuable time to help Sainz. In the overall classification, which is now led by Stéphane Peterhansel (France/Mitsubishi), Miller/Pitchford and Sousa/Schulz hold sixth and seventh positions.

Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)
"We were on the receiving end of a couple of hard blows today. However, it doesn't change the fact that I am extremely proud of the team. Everybody made a huge contribution to enable Volkswagen to lead the rally from the opening day and to get the better of Mitsubishi in direct competition – until yesterday. It's difficult for us to accept that we are no longer leading and that it is almost impossible to win now. You can win innumerable stages during this rally and must nevertheless only lose one to be the loser at the finish. This is the difference between the Dakar Rally and other competitions such as a football season, in which a single loss does not cost the championship. Our objectives now are to enable Giniel and Carlos to continue, to score as many good stage results as possible and to claim a tidy result at finish.”


#301 – Giniel de Villiers (RSA)
"We were leading the rally when a roller tappet in the valve train broke. It punched a hole in the cylinder head cover and the escaping oil momentarily caught fire. We were able to put the flash fire out with the onboard fire extinguisher. The damage couldn't be repaired on the stage, which is why we had to be towed-in by the Race Truck.”

#303 – Carlos Sainz (E), 94th place (leg) / 10th position overall
"The engine died and never restarted after we'd made a hard landing in a pothole. Mark Miller stopped to help, as did Carlos Sousa. The engine refused to fire up again even after we'd replaced the electronic components and tried to bump start it. So, the Race-Truck hitched us up.”

#305 – Mark Miller (USA), 10th place (leg) / 6th position overall
"We ran at an excellent pace, we overtook a Mitsubishi and a BMW and were lying third at the first time check point. When we came across Giniel, we stopped for about 30 seconds but he told us to continue. Later we followed Luc Alphand, but drove defensively – so, he had nothing to worry about. Then we made an inspired move: Carlos Sainz was shadowing us very closely. We let him past, what Alphand didn't notice, and so he let Carlos past by mistake because he thought that it was my car. Unfortunately, Carlos ground to a halt. We pulled up alongside him and worked for around 35 minutes trying to repair the car, we changed the ECU – all to no avail.”


Snippets from Volkswagen bivouac


- Physiotherapist in demand: In addition to a doctor, three physiotherapists also travel with the Volkswagen team. Their healing hands were already much in demand after the rock strewn stages in Morocc The experts spent a good 30 to 45 minutes to knead each of the drivers and co-drivers back into shape. "The treatment helps to relax the muscles, improve the working of the joints and to reduce the pain induced through the loads experienced in the car”, explains physiotherapist Pierre Wack, who is living his first Dakar Rally with Volkswagen. "We also look after the hard working mechanics and Race-Truck crews when required.”

- Black and round: At the Dakar Rally Volkswagen have a total of 400 BFGoodrich tyres, all of which are pre-mounted on BBS rims. A wheel weighs 38 kilograms. In spite of the rocky North African tracks the factory drivers have managed to escape with only ten tyre failures. "Including all spare wheels, we only used 150 tyres up to the rest day”, explains Eduard Weidl, Technical Director of Volkswagen Motorsport.

- Tactics count: The Volkswagen factory drivers attend a Technical Meeting with their Race Engineers, Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen, Technical Director Eduard Weidl and the Technical Adviser Jean-Claude Vaucard immediately after having arrived at the bivouac each afternoon. "These meetings are very efficient”, says Jean-Claude Vaucard. "We discuss plans for the following stage to allow us to be in a position to react better, rather than spend time talking about the day's events.”


Three questions to Christian Fellinger, Logistic Manager in the Volkswagen factory team

What is the biggest challenge from the logistical point of view during the Dakar Rally?
"Think about everything beforehand and having everything on-hand during the rally. The supply of spare parts and their quantities are specified by the technicians. My job is to distribute and transport these quantities so that they are at the right place at the right time when and where they are needed. To achieve this, I try to distribute the parts so that they are transported in various Service-Touaregs, T5 vans and trucks. I'm personally responsible for the drivers' bags, the equipment, tents and setting-up of the bivouac as well as the engineers and co-drivers office space.”

How much can you prepare, how often must you react?
"You have to prepare everything, so that you can react when something unforeseen happens. I have to run-through every conceivable procedure beforehand. Because the desert, off-road tracks and sand storms make our lives more difficult. The logistic must nevertheless function.”

The Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 cars and the Service Team are separated from one another during the marathon stage. What do you have to prepare for this?
"Apart for things such as spare parts and tools, a small detail as example: For every driver we packed a small sleeping bag, which is transported by Kris Nissen in the Team Managers' plane to the marathon stage. The kitbags with sleeping bags, tents and insulation mats were on the fastest Race-Truck. If this truck gets bogged down on the way, the next truck stops and takes the kitbags. Every driver carries small bag with a toothbrush and personnel items such as T-Shirts in the rally car.”

Standings after stage 9, Tichit (MR) – Nema (MR); 494/497 km stage 9/total

Pos.; Team; Vehicle; Stage 9; Total time
1. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-P. Cottret (F/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 5h36m17s (3rd); 33h43m23s
2. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 5h32m16s (2nd) + 7m50s
3. Jean-Louis Schlesser/Arnaud Debron (F/F); Schlesser Buggy; 5h32m03s (1st) + 1h25m32s
4. Nasser Al-Attiyah/Alain Guehennec (QT/F); BMW X3; 5h46m37s (6th) + 2h02m21s
5. Hiroshi Masuoka/Pascal Maimon (J/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 5h40m41s (4th) + 2h13m44s
6. Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/RSA); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 6h03m55s (10th) + 2h14m26s
7. Carlos Sousa/Andreas Schulz (P/D); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 6h02m24s (7th) + 4h11m29s
8. Robby Gordon/Andy Grider (USA/USA); Hummer H3; 6h05m12s (11th) + 6h20m59s
9. Stéphane Henrard/Brigitte Becue (B/B); Buggy Volkswagen; 6h31m35s (14th) + 7h18m55s
10. Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn (E/F); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 12h31m58s (94th) + 7h30m19s


Coming up…

Wednesday, 17 January, Nema (MR) – Nema (MR): 366 km stage/390 km total. After the route was changed due to safety reasons, and the stage to Timbuktu was cancelled, the competitors run a loop around Nema for the Dakar Rally's tenth stage. The majority of the route runs through dunes and mixed terrain.

Dakar Rally Update: Volkswagen hangs on to top spot

Although Volkswagen has lost the second spot in the eighth stage, Volkswagen continues owns and excel in the first place. Indeed, De Villiers/von Zitzewitz still continues to dominate the first position in the Rally, expanding the duo's lead by 29.34 minutes to just over 31 minutes ahead of Mitsubishi. Sainz/Périn however fell back to fourth from second after experiencing a steering problem. This set them back by just over an hour.

The ninth stage begins in Tichit and ends in Nema on January 15.

Source: Volkswagen Motorsport
WOLFSBURG, Germany-On the 29th Dakar Rally’s longest special stage with a length of 589 kilometres Volkswagen further expanded its lead: The factory pairing Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (South Africa/Germany) on the eighth leg from Atar to Tichit in Mauritania set the best time of 6.35 minutes ahead of the French Mitsubishi driver Stéphane Peterhansel.

Having clinched his third stage victory, Giniel de Villiers in the Race Touareg expanded his overall advantage by 29.34 minutes to 31.13 minutes.

New runner-up on the leader board is Stéphane Peterhansel, after Carlos Sainz suffered a 1:04-hour loss due to a power steering defect, finishing the stage in seventh position. The Spaniard and his French co-driver Michel Périn dropped from second to fourth place overall behind de Villiers, Peterhansel and Luc Alphand (France/Mitsubishi). Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/South Africa) in the Race Touareg sporting the livery of partners Red Bull, Castrol as well as BP/Aral finished the stage in fifth place with a 27.22-minute gap. Despite punctures and navigation errors costing the English-speaking duo valuable time, it moved up from eighth to seventh position overall.

In the evening of this so-called marathon leg regular service by the team, which travels directly to the finish of Monday's stage in Nema, is prohibited. In Tichit drivers and co-drivers, with support from the race truck crews, have to prepare the Race Touareg prototypes for the ninth stage that will take them over a 497-kilometre distance to Nema on Monday.

Volkswagen has been continuously leading the 29th edition of the Dakar Rally with the Race Touareg 2 since the event started on 6 January, having claimed six of the eight possible stage victories so far.

Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)
"Giniel and Dirk showed an outstanding performance yet again. With more than a six-and-a-half-minute advantage they won the special stage ahead of a Mitsubishi without our rival having encountered any problem that we're aware of. This is a feat we weren't able to perform on such demanding stages in the past. Carlos' loss of time is really regrettable. We'll only be able to find out the exact technical cause after the arrival of the race trucks whose crews will perform the repair. Mark had an average day on which he lost time due to tyre punctures and orientation errors. Nevertheless, he gained one position. In the overall classification, considering our 31-minute advantage over Mitsubishi, we continue having good prospects.”

#301 – Giniel de Villiers (RSA), 1st place (leg) / 1st place overall
"The stage was very difficult. The first line of dunes was soft although the organisers had announced them as featuring hard ground. The second line of dunes was hard whereas the organisers had been talking about soft sand. So we stopped beforehand and deflated the tyres which cost us four minutes. Today lots of stones were hidden in the sand. 60 % of the leg was stony ground. Physically, the day was very strenuous. Despite this adversity we had an altogether good drive. Compliments to Dirk who did a great job of navigating.”

#303 – Carlos Sainz (E), 7th place (leg) / 4th place overall
"The first 300 kilometres went well and we were already approaching Stéphane Peterhansel. Then fluid started leaking from the power steering system. We stopped and tried to repair the defect but had no chance. So we had no choice but to tackle this long leg with sheer muscle power applied to the steering wheel, which was extremely tough. I'm sad that we lost two places.”

#305 – Mark Miller (USA), 5th place (leg) / 7th place overall
"This was a really nice day in the desert with a special stage leading through a breath-taking landscape. After 17 kilometres, though, I had to change my first damaged tyre. Shortly thereafter we met Carlos, who'd gotten stuck in the sand but been able to get out on his own and just started to drive off again. We followed him for 140 kilometres. Then we hit a stone and had to change another tyre. Two minor navigation errors unfortunately cost us another five to ten minures.”

Snippets from the Volkswagen bivouac

- Separate ways: While the participants of the rally are going from Atar to Tichit on the first part of the marathon stage Sunday evening the remainder of the squad is headed for Nema, the finish of Monday's ninth stage – roughly 1,500 kilometres away. On Sunday the service crew travels part of the distance, stopping in Kiffa. There, the vehicle engineers and technicians can always be reached via satellite telephone in the event that the rally drivers and race truck crews need any telephonic advice or assistance. At the finish of the marathon leg, apart from the drivers and co-drivers of the Volkswagen Race Touareg prototypes and the crews of the three Volkswagen race trucks (three members each), only Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen, Assistant Team Manager Jean-Bernard Vieu and regulations specialist Michael Bernard will be represented.

- Camping: On Sunday the drivers will be sleeping in the bivouac instead of a hotel room for the first time. Ari Vatanen regrets his retirement on the seventh leg not only for sporting reasons. The Finn also has a special relationship to camping – for him, spending the night in a tent is like staying in a "thousand-star hotel”. In the French film "Camping” directed by Fabien Onteniente, which delighted cinema audiences in 2006 with a funny account of a holiday in a tent, Vatanen was one of the supporting actors. The four-time "Dakar” winner played himself. The popular French actor Claude Brasseur was another former "Dakar” winner featured in the film.

- First total loss: In November 2003 a Race Touareg made its test debut in Morocco – Chassis RT01. In more than three years Volkswagen – in 17 rallies and numerous tests – did not lose any of the twelve vehicles built – until Ari Vatanen's car, Chassis RT16, was destroyed by fire on 12 January. All Race Touareg prototypes, factory- as well as customer-fielded cars, have been entered in rallies 48 times to date, with merely nine retirements having occurred. At 81.25 percent the rally prototype powered by a TDI diesel engine has achieved a remarkable rate of finishes and high level of reliability in this rough sport.

- Early return: Ari Vatanen and co-driver Fabrizia Pons flew back home via Paris on Sunday after their retirement on the seventh stage. "Unfortunately, this wasn't my ‘Dakar' but I hope that this rally will be a success for Volkswagen,” said Ari Vatanen. Fabrizia Pons added: "We'd like to come to Dakar for a victory celebration…”

Three questions to Eduard Weidl, Technical Director of Volkswagen Motorsports
What type of work was done on the Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 on rest day?
"According to schedule, we changed the gearboxes, differentials, drive shafts, turbochargers and numerous smaller wearing parts such as brake linings, brake discs and hose connections as well as several electrical components. Before the rally, we established an exact schedule for these service jobs and did not have to perform any additional work.”

How long did it take the team to do this work on rest day?
"A total of 24 hours, in other words from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon. The different types of jobs were divided among all the team members, ensuring that everyone got their necessary period of rest. On Saturday afternoon we took all the Race Touareg prototypes out for short test drives. All of them were running perfectly.”

The day of rest is followed immediately by the marathon stage. How has the team prepared for the two legs without regular service as far as the technical side is concerned?
"It was important to plan the intervals for changing component such that as few scheduled maintenance as possible needed to be done on the marathon day. Apart from refuelling, changing tyres and performing a check there's nothing to be done – unless something unusual happens on the leg. We discussed all the tasks precisely with the vehicle engineers and discussed the detailed work with the three race truck crews as well. We have covered all functions in the race trucks two-fold in the event that one of the trucks should not arrive in Tichit on time.”

Standings after stage 8, Atar (MR) – Tichit (MR); 589/626 km stage 8/overall

Pos.; Team; Vehicle; Stage 8; Total time
1. Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (RSA/D); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 7h31m52s (1st); 27h35m53s
2. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-P. Cottret (F/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 7h38m27s (2nd) + 31m13s
3. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 7h41m03s (3rd) + 43s04m
4. Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn (E/F); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 8h36m04s (7th) + 1h05m51s
5. Nasser Al-Attiyah/Alain Guehennec (QT/F); BMW X3; 7h44m01s (4th) + 1h44m14s
6. Jean-Louis Schlesser/Arnaud Debron (F/F); Schlesser Buggy; 8h20m42s (6 h) + 2h00m59s
7. Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/RSA); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 7h59m14s (5th) + 2h18m01s
8. Hiroshi Masuoka/Pascal Maimon (J/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 9h00m55s (9th) + 2h40m33s
9. Carlos Sousa/Andreas Schulz (P/D); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 9h10m01s (10th) + 4h16m35s
10. Robby Gordon/Andy Grider (USA/USA); Hummer H3; 8h46m36s (8th) + 6h23m17s

Coming up…

Montag, 15 January, Tichit (MR) – Nema (MR): 494 km stage/497 km total. The ninth special stage of the Dakar Rally is a true classic. The route leads through the desert. On flat tracks orientation is difficult, which makes navigation an extremely difficult task. The terrain is varied: In addition to a large amount of sandy stretches, the stage contains stony tracks and camel grass hills as well.

Dakar Rally Update: Volkswagen clinches first and second; lets go of third

After owning the first, second, and third places for many days now, Volkswagen has let third place slip after the sixth stage in the Dakar Rally. As well, the person at lead changes as well. De Villiers/von Zitzewitz are now first and Sainz/Périn are now second. Sousa/Schulz let go of third and fell back to ninth position after the sixth.

The Rally will be stopping at Atâr, Mauritania for a day of R&R but will be picking up where they left off on the 14th and will be heading to Tichit, Mauritania for the seventh stage.

Jump for complete Rally details.

Source: Volkswagen Motorsport
WOLFSBURG, Germany - Volkswagen maintains its one-two lead but a change at the top of the leader board before the rest day makes the 29th Dakar Rally even more thrilling: Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz took the lead, having clinched their second stage victory on the way from Zouérat to Atâr in Mauritania.

The South African-German duo that won the stage ahead of French Mitsubishi driver Stéphane Peterhansel and the Spanish-French Volkswagen factory team of Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn is lying 1.39 minutes in front of Sainz/Périn after seven stages in the Race Touareg. Up to the halfway point Volkswagen scored five of seven possible stage victories, with the Race Touareg 2 having maintained the lead throughout the rally since it started on 6 January.

With Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/South Africa) in the factory Race Touareg in eighth position and Carlos Sousa/Andy Schulz (Portugal/Germany) in the Race Touareg of Team Lagos in ninth, a total of four Volkswagen contenders are among the top ten of the overall classification. Both teams suffered major time losses on the seventh day of the rally. For four-time "Dakar” winner Ari Vatanen and his Italian co-driver Fabrizia Pons the rally ended prematurely because vehicle caught fire. Due to a sand storm, the seventh stage was shortened from the original length of 542 to 407 kilometres.

Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)
"The difficult part of the rally only started today. This makes the fact that after another stage victory two of our cars are running in front even better. We have further expanded our advantage over the best Mitsubishi. We are fully aware of the difficulties of the special stages in Mauritania, and now we’re starting the rest day at the top of the leader board for the first time. The second week of the rally will again start with very tough stages. Only there the decision will be made. On the day of rest we’re going to prepare ourselves as best we can."

#301 – Giniel de Villiers (RSA), 1st place (leg) / 1st place overall
"I’m happy that we’ve taken the lead by claiming stage victory on such a difficult day. After ten kilometres we took the wrong way, after that, we formed a group of vehicles with Stéphane Peterhansel, Robby Gordon and Carlos Sainz. The car was running very well, even on an 80-kilometer leg across camel grass it felt like a charm.”

#303 – Carlos Sainz (E), 3rd place (leg) / 2nd place overall
"Visibility was absolutely poor in the sand storm today, nevertheless the day generally went quite well for us. We lost the lead because twice we got stuck in the dunes. In these incidents the improved sand panels and, above all, our intensive practice paid off tremendously because we got out in a relatively short time. When things threatened to get tough again a third time we stopped in time to let some air out of the tyres.”

#305 – Mark Miller (USA), 11th place (leg) / 8th place overall
"After 75 kilometres we had a fuel pressure problem. Ultimately, we had to stop and analyse the cause. Fortunately we managed to repair the defect, even though it cost us 45 minutes. After that, the TDI engine was running perfectly again. When we reached the finish we were surprised to still be in eighth position overall.”


Snippets from the Volkswagen bivouac

- The longest day: At 817 kilometres, the eleventh leg of the Dakar Rally from Tan Tan to Zouerat was the longest of all, and it turned the night into day: At five a.m. the first team members got up to warm up the engines of the four Race Touareg diesel prototypes in preparation for the team members’ departure. In the evening the factory drivers arrived at the bivouac at around 5 p.m. where no technical crew was waiting for them for a change. The reason was that the accompanying squad was only allowed to start its journey after the competition vehicles. On account of the 720-kilometre service route the service vehicles did not reach the day’s destination in Mauritania until after 6 p.m.

- Guests in the bivouac: On rest day (13 January) in Dakar the Volkswagen factory team will be visited by 42 VIP guests and journalists flying to Atar to meet with the squad and Volkswagen factory drivers at the Dakar Rally’s halfway point. In the morning, two "meet the team” events with different groups of guests are on the agenda. In addition, the Volkswagen drivers are scheduled for a series of interviews and other sessions. "For us, the rest day is also a good opportunity to sort our baggage for the second half of the rally and to sleep a little longer,” said co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz.

- No rest for technical crew: The day of rest in Atar means a small break to recharge their batteries for Volkswagen’s factory drivers. The factory team’s mechanics, though, are in for a long night because at the halfway point the Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 prototypes are subjected to technical inspections and prepared for the seven stages before the finish in Dakar on 21 January. Furthermore, scheduled changes of the gearbox, differentials, brake disks and steering box are on the agenda as well as thorough inside and outside cleaning of the vehicles.


Three questions to Dieter Depping, driver of a race trucks in the Volkswagen team

As a three-time German Rally Champion you’re making your debut in the race truck. How are you feeling at the halfway point?
"I’m surprised because I hadn’t expected to be in for such a rough and bumpy ride at the wheel of a race truck. In the beginning I was having a difficult time driving through dry rivers and across heavy rocks at 20 kph – in classical rally sport this is impossible. Another new thing for me was to be driving through the dust kicked up by the other vehicles. Then, in Morocco, I had a really great duel with the truck of the Mitsubishi team. I followed it for more than 150 kilometres and waited for the perfect time to overtake it.”

How did you prepare for this rally?
"This is my first time driving a truck in a competition. Before that, during test drives in Tunisia, I drove a truck on sand and already feel very comfortable with the vehicle.”

The race trucks are seen as "blue angels”, you’re allowed to rush out to help the Race Touareg 2 contenders during the competition. Have you been called yet?
"Fortunately, the four Race Touareg 2 vehicles have not needed our help yet. We merely pulled one of the race trucks of our team that had gotten stuck out of the sand. Still, we maintain a high level of concentration. Our mission is very demanding because we have to be very quick in order to deliver help swiftly, if necessary, but at the same time we must not take any risks ourselves. On the marathon leg we’ll be the only service allowed on the evening of 14 January.”


Standings after stage 7, Zouerat (MR) – Atar (MR); 407/580 km stage 7/overall

Pos.; Team; Vehicle; Stage 7; Total time
1. Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (RSA/D); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 4h00m46s (1st); 20h04m01s
2. Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn (E/F); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 4h05m36s (3rd) + 1m39s
3. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-P. Cottret (F/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 4h03m32s (2nd) + 24m38s
4. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 4h13m55s (6th) + 33m53s
5. Hiroshi Masuoka/Pascal Maimon (J/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 4h11m04s (4th) + 1h11m30s
6. Jean-Louis Schlesser/Arnaud Debron (F/F); Schlesser Buggy; 4h47m16s (9th) + 1h12m09s
7. Nasser Al-Attiyah/Alain Guehennec (QT/F); BMW X3; 4h12m30s (5th) + 1h32m05s
8. Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/RSA); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 4h59m43s (11th) + 1h50m39s
9. Carlos Sousa/Andreas Schulz (P/D); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 6h28m20s (42 nd) + 2h38m26s
10. Jose Monterde/Jean-Marie Lurquin (E/B); BMW X5; 5h29m01s (15 th) + 4h03m51s


Coming up…

Saturday, 13 January: rest day in Atar (MR).
Sunday, 14 January, Atar (MR) – Tichit (MR): 589 km stage/626 km overall. The Dakar Rally’s longest special stage is also the first part of the marathon leg. At the stage finish in Tichit merely the drivers of the four Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 cars, their co-drivers and the race truck crews registered in the truck classification are allowed to work on the rally vehicles. The eighth leg of the Dakar Rally leads across stony terrain and lots of sand. In the meantime the accompanying squad on 14 January will be travelling directly from Atar to Nema where the racing vehicles are expected to arrive Monday evening (15 January).