24hcar: Volkswagen

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Xenatec Shows Off its "Dream Cars": Bentley SUV, BMW 6-Series Sedan and More

Posted by Mr Dung Sunday, May 23, 2010

[Xenatecgroup]

Now that their limited production Maybach 57S Coupe has made the rounds, here are some of the other proposals from Xenatec. Since the company's specialty is chassis modification (and the necessary body work thereafter), they've got some ideas for a lengthened (and shortened) "dream cars".
Have a look at the gallery below and see what tickles your fancy. The SUV limos are a bit much, but the rag-top conversions don't look too bad (especially the CLS and 300).

Other winners include the standard limo conversions (like the Flying Spur and 300C), while big-time no-no's include that ridiculous 7-Series with the bubble top and the extended R8 and Carrera.
For those of you who thought the Porsche TranSport pickup (next post) was interesting, have a look at what Xenatec would do with the Cayenne to create a sport truck. Still want a Porsche truck?

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Volkswagen Group to Buy Italdesign Giugiaro?

Posted by Mr Dung Thursday, May 20, 2010

[Autoweek]

Volkswagen's master plan is all about numbers. Being the biggest, baddest automaker out there. That's why it isn't any surprise to hear that Volkswagen might be bringing Italdesign Giugiaro under its wing (nothing is official yet).
An acquisition would be another major part of VW's world takeover scheme, assisting with the goal selling 10 million vehicles in 2018. Its ten brands intend to release sixty new or updated models this year, so more designers and engineers are needed.

Now is far from the first time that VW and Giugiaro have worked together. The Italian design house has helped create a variety of cars for those aforementioned ten brands.

The list includes: VW's Golf Mk1, Passat Mk1, Scirocco Mk1, and W12 / Nardo concepts; Audi's 80; Bugatti's EB118, EB218, and 18/3 Chiron; Porsche's 1970 Tapiro; Lamborghini's Marco Polo and Cala; Seat's Ibiza Mk1, Toledo Mk1 & Mk2, Córdoba Mk1, and Málaga.

Expect more news as it hits.

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2012 VW Polo V Sedan Design Sketch Allegedly Leaked

Posted by Mr Dung Monday, April 5, 2010

[Caredge]

Here is a alleged sketch of the upcoming VW Polo sedan variant.

We must emphasize the term 'alleged' because, well, there are often fakes making the rounds on the net.

Having made that disclaimer, though, it's no secret that VW is, in fact, developing a 4-door sedan variant of the VW Polo to be offered in markets all around the world. We have already seem some spy pics of that.

A sedan variant of the Polo is a good fit for certain markets in Asia, Africa and even the United States, where VW wants to offer the Polo in three different body styles - which, aside from the sedan, include the 3-door and 5-door hatch. The trend toward smaller cars is a global one and offering a sedan version of a compact makes sense in markets more accustomed to that body style.

But don't expect the Polo GTI to come in a 4-door sedan configuration. That model is likely to remain in its traditional hatch form.

The next-generation Polo will be available with a set of VW engines which include the 1.2 liter TSI gasoline/petrol engine and the 1.6 TDI diesel power plant. VW will also be offering its 7-speed DSG gearbox in the Polo, making it rather competitive in its segment in terms of technology.

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B&B Takes VW Scirocco R up to 362 PS / 357 bhp

Posted by Mr Dung Thursday, March 25, 2010

[WCF]

The standard Volkswagen Scirocco R has 195 kW (261 bhp / 265 PS) on tap and it pulls 350 Nm (258 lb-ft). Those figures have been bumped up in three levels by B&B.

At Level 1 changes were made to the ECU and the electronic injection was optimised amongst other things. Power and torque increased to 228 kW (306 bhp / 310 PS) and 410 Nm at 1,900 rpm respectively. A Vmax of 275 km/h (171 mph) is quoted.

Level 2 bumps this a little further by modifying the exhaust downpipe, optimising air induction, air flows, ignition and fuel injection. As a consequence 238 kW (320 bhp / 324 PS) was released and 435 Nm (321 lb-ft) of torque at 2,000 rpm realised. Top speed increases slightly to 279 km/h (173 mph).

The last state of tune, Level 3, uses a special B&B turbo, sport exhaust and air intake in addition to previous and other changes. Maximum power then goes on to reach 266 kW (357 bhp / 362 PS) and peak torque sits at 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) at 2,600 rpm. Accordingly top velocity increases to 280 km/h (174 mph).

All these modifications utilise the same 2.0-litre TSI engine. Prices are €1,198 for Level 1, €2,798 for Level 2 and €7,998 at Level 3.

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Facelifted Audi TT and New VW Touran Heading to Leipzig Auto Show

Posted by Mr Dung Tuesday, March 23, 2010

[AMI]

If we are to believe the organizers of the AMI auto show in Leipzig, then along with the new BMW 5-Series Touring (pictures of which have already been released), the German salon will also host the world premiere of the facelifted Audi TT and either a new or updated version of Volkswagen's Golf-based Touran compact MPV.

No other details were released about the two cars but we reckon that since the show runs from April 10 to 18, it won't be long before the VW Group makes an official announcement.

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Porsche and Lincoln Top J.D. Power's 2010 Dependability Study, Cadillac DTS Has the Fewest Problems in the Industry

Posted by Mr Dung Friday, March 19, 2010

[J.D.Power]

J.D. Power & Associates' latest vehicle dependability study says most cars are getting better. In fact, J.D. Power tests showed that 25 of 36 brands (69%) improved their long-term durability. Reported problems decreased from an industry average of 167 per 100 vehicles last year to the current 155 (+7% in reliability).

The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2007 model year) vehicles, said that Porsche was the highest-ranking brand with 110 problems per 100 vehicles followed by Lincoln (114 problems) and Buick (115 problems).

The Cadillac DTS is the model with the fewest problems in the industry, with just 76 issues per 100 vehicles. This marks the first time in more than a decade that a model from a domestic automaker has achieved the lowest PP100 score in the Vehicle Dependability Study.

Interestingly, seven of the 10 models with the lowest incidence of problems in the industry are from Ford and General Motors, including the 2007 model-year Buick Lacrosse, Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS, Ford Five Hundred, Lincoln MKZ, Mercury Milan, and Mercury Montego.

The biggest losers in terms of increases in problems per 100 vehicles are: Land Rover (+27), Audi (+25), Mitsubishi (+20).

The brands with the most problems per 100 vehicles in the industry are: Volkswagen (255), Suzuki (253) and Land Rover (255).

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Volkswagen Officially Adds the Letter 'R' to its Vocabulary

Posted by Mr Dung Thursday, March 18, 2010

[CS]

Volkswagen has announced that R has become official. In the vein of Audi's quattro GmbH (and AMG, M, SVT, SRT, Nismo. etc.), R GmbH - located near Wolfsburg in Warmenau - will be VW's official in-house tuner, allowing for performance and "individualised" vehicles, along with the "emotionalisation and growth" of the peoples' car.

According to the German automaker, the 'R' division currently employs a staff of more than 350 people.

Bundled together nicely under R will be the R vehicles (currently limited to the Golf R and Scirocco R), development of R Line accessories, and a Volkswagen Exclusive unit that will help customers customize their VDubs to levels once thought only accessible to VW's yuppie brother Audi.

Have a look at some of the 'R' and 'R Line' vehicles in the gallery below.