Could the Volkswagen GTI hot hatch also make for a good cabriolet? The German automaker seems to think so as we learned earlier this month of a production GTI cabriolet to bow at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

In production form, we expect the visual elements to be toned down from the Worthersee concept but the general recipe should remain the same. Power will come from the familiar 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo producing 208-hp and will be mated to either a six-speed manual or the DSG transmission. The GTI cabriolet will also receive a GTI-spec suspension and electronic limited slip differential.

But that’s not all. Volkswagen had something else up its sleeve as reports confirm a second vehicle to be unveiled in Geneva. Joining the GTI Cabrio is an all-new Volkswagen Polo GT Blue. The Polo GT Blue will be the first Volkswagen to be fitted with a trick 1.4-liter turbocharged TSI engine with ACT cylinder deactivation system technology.

This technology recognizes when the engine is operating at lower loads, usually between 1,250 to 4,000 rpm, and will shut off two cylinders accordingly to reduce fuel consumption. In the future, we expect to see this 1.4-liter powerplant make its way across the Volkswagen global line-up.

Details on these two new models are limited for now but stay tuned as we draw closer to the upcoming show at Geneva.

GALLERY: Volkswagen GTI Cabriolet 

[Source: Carscoop]

Volkswagen redesigned their CC for the 2013 model year and with it comes a slight price increase.

The new base price for the 2.0L TSI Sport model will be $30,250 (excluding destination and handling) with a manual transmission, an automatic costs $1,100 more.

The TSI Sport model with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) and Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) starts at $30,610. The 2.0L TSI Sport Plus will begin at $32,850; 2.0L TSI Lux will start at $35,355; while the more powerful 3.6L VR6 Lux will cost $37,730. The top-of-the-line model is the VR6 4Motion Executive, and will begin at $41,420.

The CC will also get a 2.0T R-Line model, but the company didn’t release details. It will arrive in early 2013 however.

The 2.0T CC comes with a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 200-hp and 207 lb-ft of torque with either a six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic. The 3.6L VR6 engine has 280-hp and 265 lb-ft of torque mated to a six-speed automatic.

GALLERY: 2013 Volkswagen CC

German automaker Volkswagen is joining the electric vehicle party, and the first eGolf has been shipped to their Electronic Research Laboratory in Belmont, California.

20 electric VW Golfs will make their way to America for testing, and Volkswagen will build a total of 500 to test its new electric powertrain. There is nothing evolutionary or revolutionary with Volkswagen’s first eGolf, which will be front-wheel drive and packs a lithium-ion battery for energy storage. As with most electric vehicles, it can be plugged to an outlet to be charged in addition to recharging through regenerative braking.

Currently the battery pack in the eGolf stores 26.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity giving the vehicle a range of 93 miles and has a 0-60 mph time of 11.8 seconds. Top speed is currently rated at 87-mph.

As for the rest of the vehicle, the eGolf shares much of it parts with its conventional gasoline counterpart inside and out. By utilizing the already existing Golf platform, VW was able to not only save time and money, but make it more efficient to manufacture.

The German automaker hasn’t confirmed when the electric Golf will make its way into production. But given that the company anticipates 500 vehicles on the road for testing, it shouldn’t be too far off.

The Volkswagen eGolf joins other electric vehicles that have made their way to California including the first Ford Focus Electric that went to Google, and the first Honda Fit EV that was delivered to the city of Torrance.

[Source: CNet]

There isn’t much a parent wouldn’t do to ensure their child is in the safest scenario possible. So much so that if it’s something that they can control, they’ll find a way to control it.

This commercial from Volkswagen is a testament to that, as a mother opts to take her daughter’s boyfriend’s riced out Honda Del Sol out to pick up groceries rather than letting her daughter go out in it. Instead, the kids get to safely drive around town in her mom’s Tiguan, one of the nine Volkswagen IIHS Top Safety Picks.

The ad is worth a good laugh, especially since it reminds us of just how ridiculous Hondas were customized back in the mid to late 90s. This Del Sol simply screams out Fast and the Furious. We can’t believe that style of body kits and graphics were once the cool thing to do.

Watch the commercial after the break.

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The 2013 Volkswagen Golf Mk7 will be the first vehicle released on VW’s all new MQB platform, with a host of others to follow. Our spy photos of the car still don’t reveal any real styling details, but show off the shape and size of the newest generation VW.

The Golf will come with a wide range of powertrain options, with plug-in hybrid, gasoline and diesel engines all finding their way under the hood. The base model will receive a 1.4L four cylinder turbo engine capable of squeezing out 138 hp. There will also be 1.8L and 2.0L  gas engines available. There will be two diesel options, a 2.0L producing 181-hp and 280 lb-ft of torque as well as a twin-turbo diesel with an output of 220 hp. The Golf GTI will reportedly get a 260 hp 2.0 liter turbo, making it a seriously sporty hot hatch.

The MQB platform uses aluminum construction to help the new Golf shed some serious weight for the 2013 redesign. Some new technological toys will be outfitted in the new VW as well, including  an eight inch iPad style infotainment screen that includes adaptive cruise control, driver fatigue detection and even 360 degree parking sensors with semi-autonomous capability.

The new Golf will bow at the 2012 Paris Auto Show in September.

GALLERY: 2013 Volkswagen Golf

It looks like someone used the force (for good, not evil) to create this Imperial AT-AT Volkswagen Van.

Capable of crushing rebel forces or chasing kids off of your lawn, this AT-AT Volkswagen Van looks like it’s ready to restore order in the neighborhood. It does raise some concern – any kind of battle that includes violence clearly goes against everything the Volkswagen hippy culture embodies. We guess it’s for the best that this weapon of mass sci-fi destruction is just a geeky art piece.

Would you want this Star Wars themed VW in your backyard? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

[Source: Gizmodo]

10. Mini Cooper S Clubman

Cars can be bad for your health, and we’re not just talking about tailpipe emissions. The Ecology Center has published a list of the least and worst toxic vehicles from 2011-2012 after testing 205 different models with the aid of an x-ray fluorescence analyzer.

The tests consisted of scanning interior components such as the seats, dashboard, carpets, headliner, and door trim, and identifying the elements in each material. Based on the size of the item and the amount of contact a person would have with it, the numbers were crunched and the car given a score from a scale of 1-5, with a low score showing the chemicals being tested for weren’t detected, while a 5 would indicate high levels of the chemicals were detected.

Items commonly found in car components include elements like bromine, chlorine, antimony, mercury and lead.

Coming in as the 10th worst pick is the MINI Cooper S Clubman with an overall score of 2.84. The Cooper S Clubman is the MINI for those that wish to have a little more room than the standard Coopers. The Clubman is 9.4 inches longer overall than the standard MINI with a 3.2-inch longer wheelbase.

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada announced the Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year today at the Toronto International Auto Show.

Volkswagen‘s Touareg TDI Clean Diesel took the trophy over the BMW X3 and Dodge Journey.

Manager of media relations for Volkswagen of Canada, Thomas Tetzlaff, said the award was a huge honor and that he thought the Touareg won because of its mixed capability to offer cargo capacity and comfort for five while delivering sedan-like fuel economy and the ability to tow a boat.

The decision is the result of AJAC’s Test Fest where 70 Canadian automotive journalists gather toward the end of each year to drive and judge the year’s new models.

Cars are initially judged within their segment, the winners may go on to be selected as the car of the year.

Last year AJAC picked the 2011 Ford Edge as the winner.

Later this year, Volkswagen will reveal its all-new Mk7 Golf (Spy photo shown above). A pivotal new car for Volkswagen, the Golf will be improved in almost all aspects, including a swath of more luxurious features.

The staple hatchback will receive a wider range of powertrains including a natural gas variant, an electric variant, and a plug-in hybrid variant that would not only produce 243-hp, but achieve more than 50 mpg.

Mainstream engines for the Golf will include the 1.4 liter turbo engine expected to be good for 138-hp. Larger petrol engines will be available in 1.8-liter or 2.0-liter. Diesel options include a 2.0L diesel producing 181-hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque as well as a twin-turbo diesel with an output of 220-hp. Finally, the new Golf GTI hot hatch gets hotter. The new GTI is expected to receive a 260-hp 2.0 liter turbo. To handle the newfound power, the GTI also features the new VAQ electrically controlled front differential. VW claims that the “agile steering behavior” offers fantastic feedback and cuts the lap time of a conventional diff Golf around the Nürburgring by 8.0 seconds.

Aiming to set a new benchmark, the new Golf will be the first model in the Volkswagen line-up to receive the new MQB platform, a radical chassis that will eventually serve as the underpinning for everything from the VW Polo supermini to the larger Passat sedan. Volkswagen also developed a tweaked Dynamic Chassis Control active damping system to complement the new architecture.

Promising a lighter weight version of the Mk7 Golf, Volkswagen will also create a platform with aluminum floor pressings, boot floor and windscreen base. The German automaker has yet to announce which models would receive this unique alloy-steel hybrid structure, but analysts suggest the Golf EV and GTI are best positioned to receive it. This structure is designed to be as light as the Mk4 Golf of the late 1990′s while providing much higher standards in safety.

Finally, technology found in the Golf include an 8 inch iPad style infotainment screen that includes adaptive cruise control, driver fatigue detection, 360 parking sensors with semi-autonomous capability, all features previously reserved for more luxury-oriented cars.

Expect to see the new Golf at the September Paris Auto Show.

GALLERY: 2013 VW Golf MK7 Spy Photos

[Source: Autocar]

German based tuner Abt Sportsline will be revealing four new tuned vehicles for the upcoming Geneva Auto Show.

For Audi, Abt will add some spice to the Audi Q3 crossover. Dubbed the QS3, the compact crossover will receive a power boost from its 2.0 liter engine to produce a total output of 266-hp. Abt has also provided an aggressive body kit to compliment the QS3′s performance.

Abt’s Audi AS6 Avant will also be presented at Geneva, decked out with front and rear spoilers, revised side skirts and a four-tailpipe exhaust system. Sporting a tuned 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine, Abt has massaged the powerplant to put out 355-hp, an extra 46-hp over stock.

For Volkswagen, Abt will feature a crowd stopping Beetle with a reduced ride height, headlight masks and 20-inch alloy wheels. In the power department, this mean Bug will deliver 237-hp.

Finally, Abt gets its hands on the new Volkswagen Up! Offering only aesthetic changes for now, the Up! receives mirror caps, headlight masks and revised side skirts.

GALLERY: Abt Sportsline Geneva Teaser

The 50,000th VW Passat rolled off the assembly line this week at the company’s manufacturing facility in Chattanooga Tennessee.

A little under one year ago Volkswagen built its first vehicle in Tennessee, and the company announced this week that a white, 2.5-liter, 170-horsepower Passat SE would roll off the line and mark the 50,000th vehicle to be produced at the plant.

“An incredible amount of care goes into each vehicle we produce in Chattanooga,” said Frank Fischer, chief executive of VW’s Chattanooga operations, in a press release. “Producing 50,000 cars at this level of quality is a huge accomplishment for our team.”

The VW plant at Chattanooga was the first auto plant in the world to receive platinum certification from the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

With the newest version of VW’s iconic Beetle already on sale, Volkswagen is expanding the car’s product range and appeal with a diesel powered model.

Unveiled today at the Chicago Auto Show, the Beetle TDI makes use of a familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged engine to make 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. Along with that big torque number, fuel economy is high, with a 29 mpg city rating and a 39 mpg highway rating. Buyers can choose from either a six-speed manual or VW’s DSG dual-clutch automatic.

Three trim levels will be offered: TDI, TDI with sunroof and TDI with Sunroof, Sound and Navigation. That top-trim level gets a five-inch touch screen and a Premium audio system.

With both gas and diesel versions of the coupe now available, look for a convertible version to bow at the New York Auto Show in a few months time.

GALLERY: 2013 VW Beetle TDI

Volkswagen will transform one of its many concept cars into a reality at this year’s Geneva Motor Show with the reveal of a high-performance version of the Golf Cabriolet.

The Golf GTI Cabriolet, which was previewed at the Worthersee GTI meet last year (along with a Golf R Cabriolet), will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 208 hp. In addition, the drop-top GTI will get an upgraded suspension and interior, a choice of six-speed manual or DSG transmission, 17-inch wheels and VW’s impressive electronic limited slip differential.

While VW does offer the same engine in the Eos convertible, this is the first time a full GTI package has been offered with a convertible option since the original GTI.

With the big reveal announced, the only question remaining is whether the Golf R Cabriolet will also see production.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Did you think that every automaker’s secrets were revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit? Think again.

At least ten new models will debut at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, which kicks-off this Wednesday, February 8th. Here’s a quick round up of what to expect:

Acura

The ILX Sports Sedan will debut, and replace the TSX. The new ILX will be based on Honda’s Civic platform, and share the powertrain choices. Additionally, the ILX will show off three engines, including a Hybrid. The ILX will be targeted towards a younger crowd, and is being called a “gateway” to the luxury brand lineup.

Joining the ILX will be a new RDX. The popular SUV will be redesigned and will show off a wider track, a longer wheelbase and a new V6 engine. The RDX will be showing off some new technologies as well, including Pandora Internet Radio, and a Text-to-Speech SMS voice texting.

See the rest of our Chicago Auto Show preview below:

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10. Hyundai Genesis Coupe 'Think Fast'

The Super Bowl only comes once and year, and it brings with it a heated advertising race between car companies to try and captivate the huge audience that watches the big game with eye catching commercials. These are AutoGuide’s picks for the 10 best commercials of this year’s Super Bowl in order from worst to best. And lucky you, there are so many this year we actually left the bad ones out.

Volkswagen first showed off its XL1 Concept at the 2011 Qatar Motor Show, and the futuristic-looking coupe will be making its way to production, albeit in a limited run.

The XL1 will be will be built on Volkswagen’s new modular MQB platform and even though no official photos of what the production model will look like has been released, sources believe that it will closely resemble the concept pictured above. What has been confirmed – at least as confirmed as rumors can be – is that the XL1 will have a new 800-cc, two-cylinder diesel powerplant with 48-hp and 88 lb-ft of torque and will be mated to a seven-speed DSG transmission.

The diesel engine will work with a 27-hp electric motor putting out 103 lb-ft of torque with the electricity being stored in lithium-ion batteries. The XL1 will be able to travel up to 24 miles in all-electric mode and is expected to go 0-62 mph in 11.9 seconds with a top speed limited to 99-mph.

It is believed that the XL1 will be delivered starting next year but Volkswagen did not confirm how many they will be producing or its cost.

GALLERY: Volkswagen XL1 Concept

[Source: Autoweek.nl]

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI will be going on sale this summer and will make its official debut at the upcoming 2012 Chicago Auto Show. VW has fed us some information ahead of its debut, however, revealing that it’ll be available in three trim levels and is expected to get 29-mpg city and 39-mpg highway.

The Beetle TDI will be powered by a 2.0L turbocharged diesel engine with 140-hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The engine can be mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or Volkswagen’s innovative, dual-clutch DSG six-speed automatic. For the inside, the TDI models feature an extra instrument pod with oil temperature and boost gauges along with a stopwatch.

The three models the Beetle TDI will be available in are TDI, TDI with Sunroof, and TDI with Sunroof, Sound and Navigation. The upgraded models are pretty self-explanatory, with the base model coming with 17-inch wheels standard while the Sunroof model also adds a Premium VIII audio system with a full-color touchscreen display. Lastly, the top-of-the-line model has an RNS 315 navigation system with a five-inch touchscreen display and Fender Premium audio system.

Pricing has not yet been announced.

GALLERY: 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Chicago Auto Show Preview Here

Volkswagen‘s Super Bowl ad was teased last week with a musical performance of  dog’s barking the imperial march, which was very entertaining by itself, but it was not evident how VW would tie together both dogs and Star Wars. Well now we know as the company just released the entire commercial for our viewing pleasure.

It is actually two commercials rolled into one, a clever trick to keep both the dog and star wars theme alive. While the dog is cute, it’s only fitting that Volkswagen kept their Star Wars ties strong following the success of last years Super Bowl ad featuring the “Vader kid.”

Well done Volkswagen, well done.

Watch the ad after the jump and tell us what you think in the comments section below.

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Americans are saying “yes” to the 2012 Volkswagen Passat and the German giant is responding in kind by boosting production and adding jobs.

200 more positions are being created at the Chatanooga, Tenn. plant that already manufactures the car. According to Automotive News, the company will achieve this goal by increasing the number of cars produced per hour from 31 to 35. The plant opened in 2011 as part of VW’s plan to boost American sales to 800,000 by 2018.

We’re certainly not complaining about more Passats being available. Changes to the 2012 model make it feel a lot more like a luxury car. Some folks may struggle with the $33,000 price tag for the top-end model, but the base S starts at just $19,995. Read our review here and decide for yourself.

GALLERY: 2012 Passat SEL V6

[Source: Automotive News]

In 1989, Rick Moranis played a nerdy dad who accidentally downsized his children to an insect scale in Honey, I Shrunk The Kids. He probably wouldn’t have believed it if someone told him that 23 years later automakers would be doing the same thing to their cars.

For those of us living in the North American 2012, there are increasingly large swarms of little cars buzzing around the streets. The din their tiny engines makes isn’t overwhelming yet, but just wait.

General Motors’ German subsidiary, Opel, is planning to release a micro car they’re calling the Allegra (or, tentatively, Junior). No, not the allergy medication, though the thing is small enough to be mistaken for a bee in ragweed season, at least compared to the standard American palate. When the Allegra hits Europe in 2013 it will probably stand to compete against cars like the Volkswagen Up, MINI Cooper and Fiat 500.

In fact, it’s a solid 3.3 feet longer than the Mercedes-Benz spawned Smart ForTwo, which looks like a cross between a golf cart and an alien space pod. Our spies caught the Opel Allegra on camera during winter testing, but what’s the big deal? Opel cars aren’t sold in North America, right?

Well, not necessarily. Rumors are floating around that the not-so-smallish micro car might make it overseas rebadged as a Buick. (Why not? It’s not the first Buick to come from Opel). And with the recent launch of the Fiat 500 and the Scion iQ on our shores, the market for mini-cars is growing.

Of course, the name will likely change to keep big pharma happy.

GALLERY: Opel Allegra/Junion Spy Photos

Hyundai has made incredible gains in the global market, challenging larger automakers in markets they once dominated. While Volkswagen has globally sold a record number of vehicles in 2011, Hyundai Motors and its Kia affiliate have exceeded VW’s numbers in the United States. According to senior analyst of auto website Edmunds.com Jessica Caldwell, “Hyundai offers compelling design at an affordable price– a win-win for must consumers. Brand exposure has long been the problem for Hyundai, but that has certainly eased.” The South Korean automaker has made some smart moves to gain publicity, including ads aired during the Super Bowl as well as the company’s sponsorship of the World Cup.

The pressure on Volkswagen doesn’t end at North America, however, as Hyundai intends to bring the fight to Europe as well. Chief operating officer Allan Rushforth for Hyundai Europe said, “It’s very important for Hyundai to be successful. Europe is a top priority because it affects how the company is perceived elsewhere.”

Just as European nations tackle a debt crisis and consumers face austerity measures, Hyundai looks to offer products that mix great value, reliability, European styling and handling. While Volkswagen focuses its attention on challenging GM and surpassing them for the title as world’s largest automaker, Hyundai sneaked up on the German Automaker as Stefan Bratzel, director of the Center of Automotive Management at Germany’s University of Applied Sciences, said, “Hyundai is one of VW’s most serious challengers. The mix of good value, quality and design is a solid basis, and they’ve been getting more innovative every year.”

During the Frankfurt Auto Show in September, a video was posted on YouTube capturing a concerned conversation between VW CEO Martin Wintekorn and his associates at Hyundai’s show floor. Upon studying the adjustable steering column inside the Hyundai i30, Winterkorn  noted, “Nothing rattles. Why can they do it? BMW can’t. We Can’t.”

Winterkorn adds, “It’s become increasingly clear that whoever’s at the front has a lot of opponents. Our competitors are attacking Volkswagen all over the world.”

For Hyundai’s European offensive, the South Korean automaker has prepared a $12.4 billion investment, intended for plant upgrades and vehicle technology development.  Meanwhile, Volkswagen steels itself against imminent competition by holding onto a 62.4 billion euro budget to invest in factories and new vehicles over the next five years.

GALLERY: Hyundai Elantra

[Source: Bloomberg]

Swedish automaker Volvo is looking to shack up with a new mate in the hopes of making a fresh set of small cars. Their current compact, the C30 (above), is based on technology from former parent company Ford.

However, Ford dumped Volvo almost two years ago, passing them off to Chinese Geely Holding Group for $1.8 billion, a fraction of what they originally paid. Now the company says the are welcoming partnerships with other companies to fill the void their former American partner left behind.

Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby told the Financial Times that the company is open to new partners who will be able to share in developing further compact models alongside Volvo in an effort to drive down production costs.

There isn’t an official decision yet about pairing up with any specific company, though it makes sense that Volvo would be looking for a new dance partner given that their current C30 line is nearing the time when a model typically gets a refresh.

The collaborative strategy is becoming increasingly common among automakers as profit margins start to wear thin. Last year Volvo agreed to work with German company Siemens to produce an electric vehicle.

Aside from business to business collaboration, Jacoby is taking Volvo in a similar direction as the last company he managed: Volkswagen. In an effort to cut costs, he’s taken the company from offering 10 engines to only two. He’s also implementing something similar to VW’s “modular box” approach to building cars, where multiple vehicles of different sizes are made in the same facility.

In the spirit of consolidation, Volvo is also expected to launch the compact V40 at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show this March. That car will replace the current S40 and V50 models.

[Source: Financial Times]

Americans aren’t the only ones who love bigger cars, it turns out people in the Middle East do too.

At least that’s the way it seems to us after learning that the American version of the Volkswagen Passat will premier at the 2012 Qatar Motor Show. As is often the case with German cars, there is a European and U.S. version sold in their respective regions. Generally the American version is a bit bulkier in keeping with our larger interests.

The base features are more-or-less the same, though it looks like the expatriated Passat which is assembled in the U.S. will come with a standard touch screen. Otherwise, the same five-cylinder 170 horsepower engine, 16-inch wheels and standard trim are intact. ABS and ESP are also both standard.

The truth is, the 2012 Passat really does approach luxury status. The longer American wheel base will do a good job of offering comfort for rear passengers and retaining the high-end feel German cars are known for. Volkswagen hopes that by offering the more spacious version they will attract a combination of business and private consumers, though there isn’t any word on the SEL V6 model we reviewed being included.

GALLERY: 2012 Passat SEL V6

The Volkswagen Golf will remain the best-selling car in Europe, but here’s the real news: it keeps the crown with a whopping 484,547 units sold.

Numbers might not mean much to most people, but this will put things into perspective: at 1.6 million units worldwide, BMW stood fast as the world’s largest luxury car brand. Those are worldwide sales figures. VW came close to the half-million mark in Europe alone and with just one model.

As far as American bravado is concerned, we can’t come close to touching those numbers. The top-selling car in the U.S. was the Toyota Camry with 308,510 units. To be fair, all you need to do is delve into the popular world of pickup trucks to find that the Ford F-150 sold about 100,000 more units in the States than the Golf did in Europe, but the fact remains that Volkswagen is killing the competition with their catchy compact.

If VW has its way, the Golf will remain in the top spot for its seventh generation— set to debut at the Paris Auto Show in September. Sales actually dropped by 2 percent last year, though such fluctuations are typical towards the end of a model cycle.

Read AutoGuide’s 2011 Vw Golf Review Here

GALLERY: 2011 Volkswagen Golf

[Source: Automotive News]