2008 the year of the Volkswagen

Welcome to 2008 the year of the Volkswagen.......


The year will begin with the rollout of two major motor shows and one major motorsport event The Dakar.

Volkswagen will begin the year with its 6th official (in a row) attempt at displacing the mighty experienced Mitsubishi Dakar Raid Team with its 4 team squad....we hope they succeed.

While The Dakar is running the 9th Auto Expo in India will open with Volkswagen to reveal its plans for India at the show, also the up! Concept will make an appearance.

NAIAS in Detriot also will be an event to watch, rumours are VW will show a R8 based concept nicknamed Rayra by sources but the event could be the launching pad for the Touareg V6 Hybrid with similar running gear of the Q7 and Cayenne hybrids respectively.

In February VW launch the new Project M based minivan (Chrysler based) for the North American market expect tears from VW Enthusiasts if it does not have any VW qualities.

In March at the Geneva Auto Salon VW will launch its 'fill the gap' model Passat Coupe which will be aimed at the market between the Passat and Phaeton, there could also be a BlueMotion variant of Tiguan or Eos launched too.

April has the Leipzig Motor Show where a VW Model could debut such as an all new Sharan or Scirocco or one of the BlueMotion variants that is not released in Geneva.

Also in April a very important Motor Show for VW is the Auto China 2008 in Beijing. Expect all new or upgraded VWs from Volkswagens two ventures FAW-VW and Shanghai-VW including a Hybrid Touran, it could also be a platform for the first appearance of the New Compact or Midsize Sedans for the US in concept form.

My most antcipated release of 2008 also debuts in April in Brazil the all new Gol New Family which I expect it and its variants to play a fairly large roll for VWs market share in developing countries although its biggest opponent is the new up! family.

In May the Madrid International Auto Show opens we don't know what will debut here perhaps Sharan or a Limited Edition variant of an existing model.

September in Frankfurt will be for Commercial Vehicles so will VWCV launch the T5 update (GrossProductupgrade) or will the T5 GP launch in the begining of the year leaving space for either the production Microbus or Robust Pick Up another of my most anticipated VW launches, we will have to wait and see.

The year will end with the most anticipated launches from VW Enthusiasts globally with the Paris, Essen and Bologna Motor shows which will debut the Golf VI, Scirocco and possibly Tiguan R##

Lets not forget that 2008 will be the year of the Clean Diesel for the North American markets with the introductions of the Jetta and Jetta SportWagen TDI variants and a Jetta Cup to showcase the technology and kickstart some Motor Racing Juniors.

So stay tuned to The VW Gazette for the most indepth news on the VW Brand and its subsidaries around the globe.

Cheers from The VW Gazette Team


Expected 2008 VW Commercial Vehicles
Crafter Atacama (only 100 to be made if Production is confirmed)
Caddy BlueMotion
Transporter T5 (GP)

Expected 2008 Debuts
Gol (Type NF) Family [VW South America] April
Passat Coupe (4dr Coupe)
Project M aka Chrysler-VW MPV [VW America/Canada] @ 2008 Chicago Auto Show
Santana 4000 (Shanghai-VW China)
Golf VI
Scirocco
Tiguan BlueMotion
Eos BlueMotion
Tiguan R##
Derby replacement possibly Gol NF Sedan (VW Argentina)
FAW-Volkswagen Olympia van [VW China]
Shanghai-VW Touran Hybrid [VW China]
Touareg Hybrid


Source:The VW Gazette

VW Gazette 2007 wrap up

Happy holidays to all of our readers out there. The year is just about finished which means its time to look back at some of the stories throughout the year. It sure has been a very busy year for Volkswagen, for 2007 was the year that Volkswagen laid out their diesel plan in full detail. And don't forget the new model introductions such as the Tiguan and up! concepts.

Read all the news makers of the year after the jump.

This year, we will do things a bit differently. Where as in previous years, we have listed things month by month, now, we will just talk about the stand-out stories of the year.

Volkswagen pushes Green initiatives
And of course, the biggest story of the year (though you would never think it) is really Volkswagen's commitment to diesel. Late last year, Volkswagen partnered with Mercedes Benz and thus got access to Bluetec technology. But when the partnership broke down in the middle of this year, Volkswagen got the keep the technology and will now be used in the Jetta and Tiguan initially once 2008 gets underway. Also, in keeping with the green theme, Volkswagen let loose new BlueMotion models in Germany. Volkswagen also showed that they are actively studying the viability of hydrogen fuel cells by unveiling a working prototype with the space up! blue. 2008 will be exciting for Volkswagen in front as they continue to reveal new greener technologies and show alternatives not only to fossil fuels, but also to hybrids. That's not to say Volkswagen won't be adding hybrid systems. They do plan to add a hybrid system to every model at some point.

New Technologies
On the subject of new technologies, 2007 really wasn't the year for new ground-breaking technologies developed by Volkswagen. However, there were a few highlights such as an all new TSI engine and a 7-speed DSG. The new TSI engine is special because, unlike other TSI engines that use both a turbo and supercharger, this one only uses a turbo, which replaced the 1.6L FSI. The new engine is more powerful but used less fuel than the FSI. Then, there was also the introduction of the 7-speed DSG transmission which also seeks to improve fuel economy. This new transmission will debut in February 2008 in the UK.

New Models and Concepts
about the The year also had its share of new model and concept introductions. As mentioned, the three up! concepts shows the future for a rear-engined small car that may in fact be the return of a genuine Beetle. We also saw in 2007 the unveiling of the Tiguan in final production form. Coming in two body styles, the Tiguan looks sharp has has since received very good reviews so far. Nothing really new for the Golf in 2007. There were some highlights such as the fantastic Golf GTI W12 650 concept that we saw at Worthësee. Made by insane Volkswagen engineers at last minute, this is an example of lunacy that we will never be able to drive. On the more restrained side of things, the Golf also finally got a BlueMotion model of its own and one each for the Golf Plus and the Golf Variant. The Jetta also gets a BlueMotion model but nothing much else in 2007. The Passat also gets a BlueMotion model in 2007 but one thing was noticeably missing: The Passat-based coupé. Of course, just a few weeks ago, Volkswagen finally put up a microsite of the car, now called simply Coupé. So in 2008, we will definitely see the unveiling of this elusive car. Out of all of Volkswagen's models, the Touareg probably got the most attention this year. Not only did it have a mid-cycle refresh, the Touareg also received a high performance R50 model. Using the powerful V10 TDI of the standard Touareg, Volkswagen managed to squeeze out even more power for the R50, increasing output to 350 HP and a whopping 627 lb. ft. of torque. And if the Touareg was the news maker of the year, the Phaeton definitely did not get anything news worthy in 2007. It only received a mild facelift and a special edition to commemorate its five year anniversary. However, rumors for Volkswagen's top car is alive and well. More on that in a bit.

Speculation and Rumors
Speculation is a central part of being a Volkswagen enthusiast and 2007 sure has come up with some very interesting ones. And while every model had it's own list of rumors attached to it, we'll begin with the obvious: the Golf. Yes, the Golf has been through the rumor mill many times this year, specifically concerning the very mysterious 6th generation Golf. Nothing really to say about it because nothing much is known. We do know that it will be based on the Mk. V platform and will be built in such a way that it cuts production time and costs. There have been some spyshots of the Golf but camouflage covers all of the important bits. The Scirocco also gained momentum in 2007 and although it has been greenlighted for production, speculation hangs over whether it will be available in North America. No one seems to know for sure, not even Volkswagen themselves after saying no, then maybe, then no again. For now, however, their official party line seems to be a firm no for North America. That could still change however in 2008. The Scirocco also is rumored to get a convertible version sometime after it comes out in 2008. Another big rumor involves the Phaeton. Actually, there are many rumors about the Phaeton, one of them being that the 2nd gen Phaeton will make a return to the US and will only come with a diesel up front. Another rumor suggests that Volkswagen is in collaboration with Lotus to create a Phaeton coupé, similar in concept to the SL. Spy photos reveal an Audi A8 in coupé form as a test mule (if it is indeed a Phaeton).

Volkswagen AG and Volkswagen GA
On the corporate side, Volkswagen did a lot of cleaning up, both local and at headquarters. First, Martin Winterkorn took the CEO chair at Volkswagen from the previous holder, Bernd Pieschetsrieder, right at the beginning of the year. Then Winterkorn assumed the responsibilities of the Chairman of the Volkswagen brand group after Wolfgang Bernhard also leaves. Then Winterkorn put into motion his restructuring plan that shook the very foundations of the company. OK, maybe not but it made some pretty big changes with how things ran. In the US, Volkswagen of America did some restructuring of their own and moved from Auburn Hills, Michigan to Herndon, Virginia. Changes were made along the way and positions were streamlined. To signify the change, Volkswagen of America changed it's operating name to "Volkswagen Group of America", with the Volkswagen arm of the operation now getting the "Volkswagen of America" designation.

Volkswagen also received a new global slogan to replace the old "Aus liebe zum automobil". Now, it simply is "Das Auto". Apparently Volkswagen wants their vehicles to be as synonymous with cars like coke is with soda. No word yet though on whether Volkswagen of America will be adopting it for North American use.

Years of EU Court proceedings ended in 2007 when the EU struck down the Volkswagen Law, leaving Volkswagen vulnerable to takeover. Porsche, which already holds controlling stake in Volkswagen, has said it may make a takeover bid for Volkswagen but nothing has been set in stone at the moment.

The VW Gazette
Now for a bit of housekeeping. The VW Gazette is now on its third year and the job just keeps getting exciting. We saw the addition of a new contributor, Phaeton, in 2007. There are many things we would like to do with this site and we hope to roll them out in 2008. But we would like to take this time to thank all of you, our loyal readers. We do this for you.

We hope to continue to bring you the latest news about the brand we love. Tell your friends about us as that is the best form of compliment you can give. Of course, we don't mind if you drop us an email once in a while.

From us to you, we would like to wish you a very Happy New Year!

Scoop: 2009 VW Minivan Name Revealed - Routan

We First broke news of the Routan name late last year here is the original post which we graciously removed an behalf of original source.

Jalopnik & Auto News Europe are now just reporting this news.

The 2009 Minivan the is built for the North American Market by Chrysler for VW is to be called Routan according to a source from the popular VW Enthusiast site forums.VWvortex, he posted that this information is readily available in the VW Dealer Network computer system.

Where the name Routan comes from is a mystery to us here at The VW Gazette, whether is plays on Touran or maybe its a combo of both Route and Sedan (Minivan) or maybe its named after Routan Creek in California we just don't know.

Routan if that is indeed the final name of the Chrysler-VW product will be revealed at the Chicago Auto Show in early Feburary.


Source:

Volkswagen Coupé caught in the cold

Just a few weeks ago, Volkswagen released a teaser microsite for the Passat-based coupé (called simply Volkswagen Coupé). The site showed the car in various, up-close angles that didn't really reveal anything at all in terms of the car's overall shape. And any spyshots that have been caught of the Coupé, thus far, have been with heavy heavy camouflaging over the important parts (namely the front and rear, the rear especially).

But The Auto Channel has obtained spyshots of the Coupé doing some cold-weather testing is somewhere with hardly any camo at all. For the first time, we can see the extent of the coupé roofline. My first impression of the vehicle's back half is that it is unlike anything out there today. The rear section of the Coupé makes the CLS look like any old, conventional, three-box-design sedan (luckily, Volkswagen had a CLS in their entourage for our comparison). The rear looks awkward and heavy. Combine that with a long nose, and the car is rather disproportionate. Of course, this is just a prototype, and camera angle may have something to do with it as well. We can't really know when this picture was taken and Volkswagen may have polished the design since it was taken. Let's hope so.

We're counting on a March introduction in Geneva.

Source: The Auto Channel

Volkswagen of America renames itself

Moving from Auburn Hills, Michigan to Herndon, Virginia meant many things for Volkswagen. Some people were left behind in the process, positions were combined, dropped or created. But as Volkswagen settled into its new home, there was apparently one more thing left to be done.

Volkswagen this week announced that the US arm of Volkswagen AG will be renamed to "Volkswagen Group of America, Inc." The change was done to better reflect the five distinct brands that are available in the US: Volkswagen, Audi, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Bentley, as well as the three financial services of Audi Financial Services, Bentley Financial Services, and Volkswagen Credit.

Though, technically, "Volkswagen of America" is not gone. Volkswagen (the brand) will be operating as Volkswagen of America (as will Audi), which will be under the Volkswagen Group of America. Think of it as a mini Volkswagen AG just for the US.

All this comes into effect on January 1. Press release after the jump.

Source: Volkswagen



AUBURN HILLS, MICH. (Dec. 12, 2007) — Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that it has changed its name to Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. The change will be fully effective January 1.

The new name better reflects the fact that the Volkswagen Group of America includes five distinct brands: Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and Volkswagen, as well as the related financial services functions of Audi Financial Services, Bentley Financial Services and Volkswagen Credit.

“Our company, like the entire Volkswagen Group, has grown dramatically since our formation in the United States in 1955. Our new corporate name allows our individual brands to flourish, while recognizing that we have a common support structure that gives us great strength as we face our competitors,” said Stefan Jacoby, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The new name Volkswagen Group of America reflects the much wider array of goods and services we now offer, and prepares us for even more activities in the future.”

Operating under the umbrella of Volkswagen Group of America, the Volkswagen and Audi brands will continue to provide sales and service under their names, Volkswagen of America and Audi of America.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. remains a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, which together with its subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide is now the fourth largest automobile company in the world.

Volkswagen reports November sales results

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced November 2007 sales of 17,689 Volkswagen brand vehicles. This represents an increase of 3.6 percent over the 2006 figure of 17,082 units.

Volkswagen brand strengths in delivering accessible and affordable fun-to drive German engineering are demonstrated by the increases posted by Eos, GTI, Jetta, New Beetle and Rabbit model lines, all posting gains over November 2006.

Sales of the luxury sports utility Touareg 2 are up 38.7 percent, reflecting wider availability and market acceptance of this award-winning, capable and recently upgraded vehicle.

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.

Detailed numbers after the jump

Source: Volkswagen




Click to enlarge

First images of Passat coupé on microsite

Volkswagen has launched a new registration microsite for the new Passat-based coupé, which now seems to be called simply Volkswagen Coupé. Now, normally, a simple registration site is a nonevent but if you visit the microsite, you will see a short montage of closeup images of the Coupé in various angles. Of course, none of the whole car is actually revealed and no information is provided, other than saying that the launch of the actual Coupé microsite is at the beginning of 2008.

From what I can see in the montage, the Coupé has some very sharp angles, especially that one line fore to aft down the side of the car. It seems sharper and edgier than the Passat's. Also, the rear lights could be different from the Passat's.

A Geneva unveiling in March is not out of the question.

Source: Volkswagen