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Clean TDI Jetta should be in your garage by the Fall

We know that many of you are just itching to sign that check for a deposit on a Jetta TDI. And it can seem frustrating when you hardly ever hear anything concerning the oil burner Jetta. Don’t worry though, for if a post on the VWvortex forums is to be believed, they should be on your driveways by the fall of this year.


In June, Volkswagen will be distributing 1,000 Jetta TDIs to it’s North American dealer network for test drive purposes. Then, by late August, early September, Volkswagen should be starting to send out vehicles for sale.

And since we are on the subject of TDI engines, according to the article, the Clean TDI Touareg should be out by November.

Source: VWvortex via German Car Blog

Reeves VW

Military spec Touareg does nothing to help your road rage


It happens to all of us. There’s a guy going 50 in a 70 mph road and we have the unfortunate luck of having to be behind them. Or a guy cuts in front of you and hasn’t the courtesy of at least speeding up.


Usually, all we can do is utter our favourite expletive, maybe even flipping the bird once in a while. Now, however, Volkswagen is offering a military spec Touareg so that you can shoot the offending drivers off the road.


Ok, maybe not, but the concept of a military edition Touareg is pretty interesting. We don’t know why it was made or who is using it but it definitely exists, complete with aerials, automatic turret gun, and even the matte green paint (which Volkswagen should offer as a paint option).


We don’t know how the Touareg is equipped as far as blastproofing or bulletproofing is concerned. Regardless, this is definitely something you won’t be seeing in your local dealership.


A military spec Touareg? That would put your neighbour’s dinky Hummer H3 to shame.


Source: Carscoop

Reeves VW

Cars.com compares the Routan and the Chrysler Town & Country

The Routan has finally been unveiled last week and Cars.com has compiled a short but very informative video on the differences of the Routan and Chrysler’s Town & Country. They first talk about the obvious such as the different styling and same engine choices. However, they have cleared up a point of confusion regarding the Routan. The third row seating is Stow ‘n Go and can be operated electronically but second row seating is not. Volkswagen apparently opted to have more comfortable captains chairs in the second row as opposed to less comfortable Stow ‘n Go seating.

Regarding interior quality, as we’ve predicted, Volkswagen has opted for higher quality materials and, compared to the Town & Country, the Routan is more refined. Still, with what Volkswagen has to work with, that isn’t saying much. Definitely not up to Volkswagen standards.

Regarding price, the Routan will be in the market at around $25,000 which is apparently about $3,000 less than a comparatively equipped Town & Country.

Source: Cars.com via German Car Blog

Reeves VW

DSG: 1 million served and counting

There was a time when driving was defined by two distinct groups: automatics and manual. For decades, these two groups learned to live as two separate yet equally important species. Then, five years ago, Volkswagen comes out with a transmission that totally blurred the line between these two groups. It presented the smoothness and convenience of an automatic combined with the ability for the driver to actually choose when to shift to what gear, like a manual. What more, this new transmission was able to shift faster than any human could with a manual, let alone an automatic. It’s called a Direct Shift Gearbox, DSG for short.

Five year’s on, manufacturers such as BMW, Fiat, Renault, and Volvo have begun to copy the DSG recipe, putting out dual-clutch gearboxes of their own. But the original is always the best, of course, and the DSG is just that good that it has made its 1 millionth gearbox in just five years. Volkswagen’s DSG factory in Kessel, Germany put 400,000 DSG gearboxes in cars last year. They are now increasing output in that factory to 1750 each day. The popularity of DSG is just getting bigger. And Volkswagen is not done yet. They have developed a 7-speed DSG for better fuel economy.

But of course, it all comes down to that feeling you get just as you flick that paddle shifter. That satisfying jolt you get when that second clutch engages in just 8 milliseconds. That’s what’s made DSG arguably the best transmission out there.

Source: Volkswagen

1 million DSG – Volkswagen celebrates the bestselling gearbox
Kassel has produced the dual-clutch gearbox for the Group since 2003
Latest 7-speed DSG now available

Wolfsburg/Kassel, 05 February 2008 – DSG – three letters that stand for supreme shift comfort, economy and sportiness. Together with staff from the Kassel factory and Prof. Werner Neubauer, member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand responsible for the Components division, the management of the Volkswagen factory in Kassel today celebrated the one-millionth dual-clutch gearbox (DSG).

The idea for the dual-clutch gearbox was born in motor-racing. It was picked up by Volkswagen in the 1980s and has since been developed further. When the first Volkswagen DSG went into series production in 2003, it sent shockwaves through professional circles. This innovation provided a previously unknown level of shift comfort. The once clear line between automatic and manual gearboxes had been bridged, and an extraordinary level of driving dynamics achieved.

Even the customers were soon enthusing, despite all the reservation compared to conventional gearboxes. Just five years later, the DSG has, for example, a 25 percent installation rate on the Touran. This is also a major success for the staff at the Kassel factory, the only Volkswagen factory to produce the DSG.

In 2007 alone, more than 400,000 six-speed DSG gearboxes were installed across the Group – and there is no sign of an end to this success story. “Because of the great demand, we shall shortly be boosting our daily capacity to 1,750 units,” explained General Factory Manager Dr. Hans-Helmut Becker.

Prof. Werner Neubauer added: “All around the world, our DSG gearboxes from Kassel are synonymous with sporty driving pleasure and economical fuel consumption. They successfully combine the best of two gearbox worlds. We are already on the way to the two-millionth DSG, and on the way, this modern technology will sharpen Volkswagen’s global competitive edge in the field of transmission technology even further.”

Jürgen Stumpf, Chairman of the Works Council at the VW factory in Kassel is also convinced by the DSG: “The competence and expertise of our staff make this cutting edge technology ‘made by Kassel’ possible. The DSG has now become a guarantee for job security at the factory.”

Volkswagen has now shifted up a gear with the new 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the second generation of the successful bestseller. This gearbox combines two world firsts. Firstly, it is the first 7-speed DSG for front-traverse installation. Secondly, it is the first with clutches that are not immersed in oil, but which run “dry”. This enables the latest Volkswagen DSG, available in the Golf, Golf Plus, Cross Golf, Golf Variant, Polo, Cross Polo and other models to achieve even greater efficiency.

Reeves VW

R32 makes MotorWeek’s Driver’s Choice Awards

The R32 has snagged another from MotorWeek as it was named Best Performance Car in their Driver’s Choice Awards. Can’t say I disagree. Last year, the Eos also won a spot in the Driver’s Choice Awards as the Best Convertible.

Source: Volkswagen

AUBURN HILLS, Mich.—Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that its motorsports-inspired R32 has won the 2008 MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award for Best Performance Car. MotorWeek looks at vehicles from a buyer’s point-of-view, and uses trends and innovations to help award their Drivers’ Choice Awards. MotorWeek’s aim is to produce a list of winners that can be used by potential customers as a practical buyers guide.

Born from the original pocket rocket, the R32’s power comes from a 3.2 L narrow angle V6. Offering 250 horsepower and 236 ft.lbs. of torque, the R32 is all muscle. Known for being the ultimate in Volkswagen sports performance, the R32’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system ensures dynamic handling, and refined road manners. Volkswagen’s highly acclaimed DSG® transmission, which allows seamless gear changes, helps rocket the R32 from 0 to 60 in 6.5 seconds.

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 more than 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online.

Reeves VW

German government may replace Volkswagen Law; Porsche sitting tight

After the European Court ruled against the Volkswagen Law late last year, Volkswagen has been open to takeover bids, the favourite of which is Porsche. Though Porsche hasn’t really said they will pursue a takeover of Volkswagen, the ruling against the Volkswagen law has made it possible for them to do just that.

But it may not be that easy. the German government is apparently drafting a “replacement” to the Volkswagen Law, thus returning effective control to Lower Saxony, which owns 20.1 stake in Volkswagen.

Now, of course, just because a law is being drafted doesn’t mean it automatically passes. The law has to pass in the German parliament and the EU, which of course judging by the way they felt about the original Volkswagen Law, will most likely not be approved. Nonetheless, Porsche is sitting tight before deciding anything.

Source: Autoblog

Reeves VW

Chicago 2008: Routan revealed

The Chicago Auto Show is just around the corner (actually, media days begin tomorrow) and those folks over at Autobild just couldn’t hold it much longer. They have released the official images and information on Volkswagen’s new people carrier for the US, the Routan.

It’s a handsome looking minivan. Not offensive at all, much unlike the offerings of others in the market (I’m looking at you, Nissan and Toyota). The front end, is distinct enough from the Routan’s Chrysler/Dodge bretheren. Enough so that those who didn’t know better wouldn’t have a clue of the shared DNA. Acutally, the front end very well integrates into the Volkswagen norm. It even uses the new iteration of Volkswagen’s grille. A- to D-pillar, however, is as Town & Country/Caravan as you can get. The taillights are Volkswagen’s own.

The same theme continues inside. The whole dashboard looks different enough but when you look at it, you know that you’ve seen it before. It’s definitely not Volkswagen quality (or ergonomics) but it does look to be above that of Chrysler’s and Dodge’s. Also unlike the Chrysler/Dodge specimens, the Routan breaks the center stack just below the navigation sysytem, which creates a more horizontal feeling in the cabin as opposed to the Town & Country/Caravan, which is vertically themed.

Engine are both Chrysler’s with the base being a 3.8L V6 at 197 hp and 230 lb. ft. torque and an optional 4.0L V6 at 251 hp and 259 lb. ft of torque. Both come mated to a 6-speed auto. Features such as a two-screen entertainment system, power sliding doors, power liftgate, and touchscreen navigation with 20 GB hard drive were mentioned, Stow ‘n Go or Swivel ‘n Go were not which means these features will be MIA in the Routan.

The question remains, will Volkswagen be able to entice buyers from the Odysseys and Siennas of the world with a minivan that it mechanically the same as the Town & Country and Caravan? If the Routan is successful here, maybe that will convince Volkswagen to give this market more thought next time it gives us a minivan. How about a Microbus revival, or even a Touran/Sharan? The Routan should be out later this year for below $25,000.

Update: Autoblog has a YouTube video of the Routan at the Chicago Auto Show which is after the jump and they also have some photos from the show, as well. Based on the video, the Routan will have an electronically folding third row. The second row looks like they might also fold down (as in Stow ‘n Go).

Source: Volkswagen, Autoblog

VOLKSWAGEN UNVEILS ROUTAN AT CHICAGO AUTO SHOW
European inspired design and driving dynamics highlight new minivan

CHICAGO – Volkswagen of America today unveiled the Routan, an all new seven-passenger minivan. It delivers the best of both worlds: a vehicle that combines European sensibilities in design, fit and finish, and handling characteristics with market relevant features and outstanding value.

The Routan is instantly recognizable as a member of the Volkswagen family, with its stylized front grille and exterior treatments. The interior enhancements create an environment that is visually pleasing, modern, and meticulously detailed. The high quality materials, beautiful textures and rich luxurious colors are combined with exacting tolerances and superb fit and finish. While pleasing and contemporary, the interior also follows the traditional Volkswagen design philosophy that form follows function.

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

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

The Routan comes with a host of unique features, including:

• Conversation Mirror
• Rear seat entertainment system with two 9 inch screens for second and third row, wireless headsets, and remote control
• Dual power sliding doors with power windows
• Touch screen navigation with twenty meg hard drive
• Power lift gate with flood lamp
• Thirteen cup holders

Volkswagen delivers a competitively priced entry into this high volume segment with prices starting below $25,000. The Routan will be built in an already existing facility in Windsor, Ontario.

With Routan, Volkswagen dealers add a vehicle that will provide additional, incremental growth in the market. A distinctly designed minivan at an attractive price point will broaden the brand portfolio, while providing a roomy alternative to existing Volkswagen owners.

Reeves VW

Routan minivan spied

Spyshots of Volkswagen’s new Routan minivan for the US market were taken as it was doing some testing. Of course, the obligatory camouflage covered the important bits but, with what we can see, nothing much has changed on the sheetmetal, with only the taillights, rear side window, and front end (presumably) expected to be different from the Routan’s Chrysler/Dodge bretheren. Not much surprise there, however, as all three models will be built side-by-side-by-side in Chrysler’s assembly line in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

We are still expecting a truly Volkswagen interior but features like Swivel ‘n Go or Stow ‘n Go are most likely not going to make it on the Volkswagen version as Chrysler/Dodge deems them as selling points. Powertrain options, according to Leftlane News, are going to be Volkswagen’s own but I’ve heard otherwise from other sources. We shall see when the Routan debuts in Chicago next week.

Source: LLN, Brenda Priddy & Co.

Reeves VW

Scirocco brochure leaked!


It’s not often we get a treat like this. Some quick-thinking (or soon-to-be-fired) guy within the depths of Volkswagen’s brochure printer snapped some pics of what appears to be the German language brochure for the new Scirocco.


Nothing really new to reveal in terms of information, and since I can’t read German, I can only go as far as what I see in the images. Oh, except for the interior, which looks like it is pulled straight out of the Eos (look at the HVAC vents).


Update: We’re now getting reports that these may actually be fake. Regardless, they’re certainly exciting.

Source: Autoblog

Reeves VW

Volkswagen pickup in Hilux clothing?

The rumor of a Volkswagen pickup has been circulating the web since the dawn of time. And while Volkswagen does have some pickup trucks in certain markets, none has been added to their core lineup. And ever since Volkswagen first unveiled the AAC concept 2000, the company has remained mum about the development of the concept or a model similar to it.

HILUX?

But it seems Volkswagen isn’t out of the game yet as far as pickups go. A Toyota Hilux registered in Brunswig, Germany, a town close to Wolfsburg and where Volkswagen registers prototypes, was caught testing in Northern Scandanavia.

Now, why a Hilux, you ask? We don’t know. We do know that Toyota and Volkswagen had a joint venture before where rebadged Hiluxes were being sold as the Volkswagen Taro. Now whether Volkswagen wants to resurrect that joint venture is unknown. We also know that the prototype Hilux was riding on a wider wheelbase, meaning it isn’t really a Hilux under the skin but perhaps, the Volkswagen’s own platform.

Volkswagen will probably be putting the pickup in action in emerging markets but don’t rule out the US just yet. The Americans’ love affair with pickups coupled with Toyota’s recent success with the new Tundra may just inspire Volkswagen to give it a shot here. Diesel powerplants is expected to be the engine of choice with select gasoline engines.

Source: World Car Fans

Reeves VW