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After yesterday’s breach of Volkswagen’s Scirocco embargo, it wasn’t a matter of if but when more official images would leak out. So, like clockwork, Volkswagen continues to bleed Scirocco pics profusely. Volkswagen, better get some gauze around that wound before you bleed the whole press release before Monday.
In any case, further examining these newly leaked photos, I can say with 100% certainty that the Scirocco will be Volkswagen’s smashing hit of the year. The looks have grown on me, with the help of closer and better angled photos. The front end, though no Iroc, is aggressive in its own right. Very menacing, especially with those headlights. The rear has a bit of BMW 6 Series in it. Not necessarily bad (you be the judge), just an observation.
The show stopper must be the interior, however. True, the dash is copy-and-pasted straight out of the Eos and the dials seem to be from the GTI. But the door panel design is original and very striking. Plus, those seats look very nice, finely stitched and the rear seats look like they belong more in a 911 than a Scirocco.
So far, I like what I’m seeing. At this point, the only thing I don’t like is the fact that it won’t even be available here in North America. Volkswagen fears that it would cannibalize sales of the GTI and R32. They’re right, I’d have this instead in a heartbeat.
At this point, a debut at Geneva is a formality but do expect it there next week nonetheless. In the meantime, more images after the jump.
Source: Autoblog
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As they say, embargoes are made to be broken. Some trigger-happy websites broke Volkswagen’s embargo on two official Scirocco photos which has now made its way around the net.
So I’m sure the question on everyone’s mind is “how faithful is it to the Iroc Concept?” Well, we can say pretty damn faithful but it does lose some points around the front end, where the bold, gaping grille of the Concept is replaced by one that’s less in-your-face. Some will be disappointed by that (I sure am), others will probably rejoice. Rest assured, the silhouette of the front end does remain faithful to the Iroc. Actually, the whole car is pretty much the Iroc from the headlights back. Overall, it is of sound design.
Of course, please reserve judgment until we see some real life, unaltered photos from next week’s Geneva Motor Show. As is often the case, official photos never really capture the car at its best.
Source: Autoblog
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I’ll come right out and say it. I’m not a fan of hybrid cars. I just think that it’s all hype. When you look at the bigger picture, hybrids are very inefficient. First, you have to mine the minerals for the batteries (most common of which are lithium or nickel), which does a considerable amount of damage on the environment. Then, disposing of that very battery when it can’t hold a charge becomes a problem because of all the toxic chemicals it contains. In addition, a hybrid system adds extra weight to a car which, if you think about it, probably defeats the efficiency that a hybrid provides in the first place. Hybrids are typically more expensive than non-hybrid models and that it rarely ever pays for itself. Hybrids also only really work in city traffic. Go on the highway and you will still be burning gasoline.
No, hybrid technology is a triumph in marketing, not technology. And it really is unfortunate that hybrid technology is seen as the be-all and end-all for when it comes to being both fuel efficient and environmentally friendly, because there are so many other technologies out there that does a better job, such as Volkswagen’s BlueMotion or BMW’s Efficient Dynamics. And to prove just how much better these technologies are, the Toyota Prius is the most fuel efficient car in the US but in Europe, the Prius is second only to the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion and tied with the MINI Cooper D which uses Efficient Dynamics.
But the sad reality is that hybrids are here to stay, especially in the US where driving a Pruis is seen as a status symbol. If Volkswagen wants to increase sales, they need to play on American terms. That means bringing a hybrid to the market.
Volkswagen is due to unveil a hybrid Golf at the Geneva Motor Show, but with a twist. Instead of pairing the hybrid system with a gasoline engine, Volkswagen will opt for a diesel, thus increasing the efficiency of the hybrid Golf. This actually has many advantages over a conventional hybrid like the Prius. First, you get the added efficiency of a diesel, which as we know, is already pretty efficient on its own. Second, a torquey diesel will better move a heavier hybrid car. Lastly, diesels shine on the highway where it gets even more efficient.
No official figures have been released but the Golf diesel-hybrid may return 69 mpg(US) and 89g/km of CO2. That means a whopping 23 mpg more for the Golf than the Prius’ combined mileage estimate of 46 mpg and 15g/km less CO2 emissions over the Prius’ 104g/km. Granted, these two are in different categories but you can see how big a difference a diesel makes. The hybrid system could also make its way into the Jetta and the A3.
I may still not have love for hybrids and would prefer if Volkswagen brought over the BlueMotion lineup from Europe to the US. But a diesel-hybrid is a good compromise and should appease image-conscious Americans. This is Volkswagen showing the world how it should be done.
Watch out for the diesel-electric golf at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Oh, and I apologize for my anti-hybrid tirade earlier.
Source: 4Car
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Volkswagen has put up a Scirocco microsite, just several weeks before the Geneva Motor Show begins in March, thus fueling the speculation that the car may actually debut at Geneva. Of course, the last time Volkswagen put up a microsite was for the Passat CC, which then debuted the next month. So a Scirocco at Geneva looks much more plausible now, doesn’t it?
The microsite takes after the Passat CC’s, that is to say nothing much is revealed. Like the Passat CC’s microsite, the Scirocco’s pans across images of the Scirocco in varying angles. We are shown what the wheels look like (they look sweet!) and a glimpse of the taillights are revealed (looks nothing like that of the Iroc Concept’s) along with “2.0 TSI” badging giving clue to the Scirocco’s engine.
Again, Volkswagen has piqued our interest about a forthcoming model with a microsite. But really, based on past spyshots, our interest has been piqued for a long time. Here’s to hoping for a Geneva intro. Now if only they could change their North American position regarding the Scirocco.
Source: Volkswagen
Reeves VW
It’s no secret that Volkswagen wants to see the Phaeton succeed in all markets. And that’s exactly what Volkswagen had in mind when they first launched the Phaeton in the US. They probably thought “Hey, we have a car that sharply undercuts the bigger players in the market so we should do well”. They should have if only people saw past the badge. What Volkswagen didn’t consider was that, at least for the North American market, people were not willing to spend big money for a Volkswagen, even if that Volkswagen was cheaper than its rivals.
So when word comes that Volkswagen will once again give us a Phaeton, things start getting weird. It’s like being in your high school reunion and someone reminds you of an embarassing memory and everything gets awkward and silent. And, as it goes, it is you who breaks that silence.
Volkswagen is breaking that awkward silence by continually revealing more details of the US bound Phaeton. And this time, Stefan Jacoby has revealed some key details about the forthcoming US-spec Phaeton.
First and foremost, Jacoby revealed the next Phaeton’s pricepoint in the US market at around $55,000. This is an unprecedented move by any manufacturer to announce a price even before a concept has graced the floor of a major auto show. Next, Jacoby reveals that the Phaeton will sit on a shorter wheelbase. We’ve already reported that insiders believe that the next Phaeton will ride on the current Audi A6′s platform, which is of course, shorter than that of the Phaeton’s. The last detail which we have heard of a lot surrounding the US-bound Phaeton is the main engine being a diesel. Giving the Phaeton an oil burner is a risky move as it could alienate even more people not used to diesel engines. However it could also be what makes the Phaeton a success the second time around if they market it right. According to Jacoby, giving the Phaeton a diesel engine will make it a technological and environmental flagship for the whole lineup.
No timeline was revealed but we’d hazard a guess of around 2010/2011.
Source: Autoblog
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Hang on to those spoilers! Volkswagen has issued a recall for the New Beetle, specifically the Triple White special edition. The spoilers for potentially some 510 vehicles were attached using the wrong adhesive. That could cause the spoiler to become loose or fall off completely, becoming a potentially dangerous projectile on the highway.
Volkswagen will repair the spoilers of affected vehicles starting on or about February 29. If you think your vehicle is affected, contact VOLKSWAGEN at 1-800-822-8987 or your local dealership.
Read the NHTSA’s recall report after the jump.
Source: NHTSA
VOLKSWAGEN / NEW BEETLE
Recall Number: 08V036000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN SPECIAL EDITION TRIPLE WHITE SEDAN VEHICLES, AN INCORRECT ADHESIVE MAY HAVE BEEN USED TO ATTACH THE ROOF SPOILER TO THE REAR GLASS OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE INCORRECT ADHESIVE WAS USED, THE SPOILER COULD BECOME LOOSE OR FALL FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING, EVEN THOUGH INITIALLY THE SPOILER MAY FEEL SECURE.
Consequence:
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SPOILER COULD CAUSE INJURY BY STRIKING PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR COULD BECOME AN OBSTACLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ROOF SPOILER ON THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 29, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
Notes:
VWOA RECALL NO. 66D1 (Q9). CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV
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In an interview with Automotive News, Volkswagen of America CEO Stefan Jacoby revealed that the newly unveiled Passat CC will start below $27,000 in the US. It’s a reasonable price for a car that looks much more expensive than the Passat. What more, that undercuts the Mercedes Benz CLS by, well, a lot.
The Passat CC is supposed to close the gap between the Passat and the Phaeton when it returns to the US smaller, cheaper, and with a diesel in the hood. Eventually, another model to be slotted between the Passat CC and the Phaeton will even things out even more.
Source: EGM Cartech
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For every iteration of the Jetta, we have always come to look forward to a Wolfsburg Edition. For those who don’t know, Wolfsburg Editions commemorate the city on which Volkswagen was founded, Wolfsburg, Germany.
The current Jetta already has a Wolfsburg Edition but Volkswagen is upping the ante by replacing the old Jetta’s 2.5L engine with the 2.0L turbo found in the GTI, mated to either a 6-speed manual or DSG. In addition, 17-inch wheels, leatherette, and special badging comes standard. Volkswagen will be making on 12,500 samples in Reflex Silver, Black, Platinum Gray, or Salsa Red. The manual version can be had for $20,875 and the DSG version for $21,950. No availability date was given in the press release, which is after the jump for your own perusal, but we’d bet they will be available soon.
Source: Volkswagen
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AUBURN HILLS, Mich.—Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced the Wolfsburg Edition Jetta 2.0T. Volkswagen will produce approximately 12,500 of these special edition models. This new version Jetta 2.0T follows last year’s highly successful Wolfsburg Edition Jetta 2.5 L.
Staying true to the Wolfsburg Edition heritage, the Wolfsburg Jetta 2.0T will offer customers a value priced version of the sporty and spacious Jetta sedan, equipped with the highly acclaimed four-cylinder turbo-charged engine that produces 200 horsepower and 207 ft-lbs. of torque. Each special edition Jetta 2.0T includes unique “Wolfsburg Edition” badging on both front quarter panels. The Wolfsburg Edition Jetta 2.0T features 17-inch alloy wheels, leatherette seats, and is available in the following color schemes; Reflex Silver, Black, Salsa Red, and Platinum Gray.
Like the rest of the Jetta model line, the Wolfsburg Edition comes standard with many safety features. Content that includes: six standard airbags, a crash optimized front end, and anti-intrusion side door beams. For additional safety, two rear side airbags are also available as an option. The Wolfsburg Edition Jetta 2.0T also comes with an array of vehicle control safety features. These features include a four-wheel ABS anti-lock braking system, Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution, Hydraulic Brake Assist, Electronic Stabilization Program, and Anti-Slip Regulation. The Wolfsburg Edition Jetta 2.0T also comes standard with an electro-mechanical power steering system for added control.
The Wolfsburg Edition Jetta 2.0T is value priced at $20,875 with a six-speed manual transmission, and $21,950 with an optional six-speed DSG automatic transmission.
Source: VWVortex
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For years, we’ve been clamoring for Volkswagen to throw us a bone over here and give us a sub-Rabbit vehicle. Now, of course, Canada has the City Golf/Jetta which means Canada is pretty much covered when they decide to replace those models. It is the US that has nothing south of the Rabbit. That may change soon, however.
Volkswagen of America CEO Stefan Jacoby has acknowledged the need for a sub-Rabbit model in the US, citing Americans’ budding love affair with smaller, more fuel efficient cars. Jacoby says that a Polo could work, as well as a “lifestyle” model akin to a smart or MINI. Jacoby also mentions something about a model that is a “little bit SUV-looking and a little van.” A space up! maybe?
Indeed, the up! is going to play a big role in supplying the US with a small car. Target price is about $13,000 to $14,000.
Source: Autoblog
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