Volkswagen is continuing the development of the next generation of its bread-and-butter model in North America, the 2011 Jetta that was captured here undergoing testing in Death Valley California. The camouflaged prototype model seen in the spy video suggests that the new Jetta will boast all-new sheetmetal with a pinch of Audi A4 styling cues in the profile and rear-end.
Underneath the skin, the German firm's new compact-size sedan will most likely use bits and pieces from the Golf VI which in turn is largely based on the fifth-generation Golf.
In the States, we'll definitely see the 2011 Jetta being offered with VW's latest 2.0 TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines. Even though there have been rumors circulating about VW's lively yet fuel efficient 1.4-liter TSI four-cylinder petrol with outputs ranging from 122HP to 170HP, chances are the Germans will continue to equip the base model with the outdated, but cheap to produce, 2.5-liter five-cylinder petrol.
Edmunds reported that the VW's Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla challenger could make its auto show debut as early as this month's gathering in Detroit, but this has yet to be confirmed by Volkswagen.
Being New Year's Eve, there's not a lot of news today (nevertheless, we do have something interesting coming up...), so we thought we'd share with you this insane VW Polo Mk1 dragster created by German tuning firm, AME Racing. The lightweight hatch is fitted with a heavily modified 1.9-liter inline four boasting a massive Garrett GT40R turbocharger and a custom water/air intercooler for an awe-inspiring output of 1,047 horsepower and 950Nm or 700 lb-ft of torque.
Equally impressive is the fact that all that power is transferred to the wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox that is connected to an all-wheel drive system from an Audi TT.
AME Racing states that the VW Polo dragster goes from 0-100km/h (62mph) in just 2.3 seconds, from 0-200km/h (124mph) in 6.3 seconds and from 0-250km/h (155mph) in only 9.0 seconds while it runs the quarter mile sprint in 9.15 seconds. According to the Germans, the Polo is capable of speeds of around 300km/h or 187mph.
Volkswagen has released pricing for its UK-bound Golf R and Scirocco R that are both expected to reach British showrooms in February of 2010. Prices for front-wheel drive Scirocco R that's fitted with a 265HP 2.0-litre TSI four-cylinder engine and a six speed manual gearbox start at £26,945 on-the-road while the all-wheel drive Golf R that's powered by a 270HP 2.0-liter turbo engine linked to a six-speed manual transmission, begins from £28,930. A six-speed DSG gearbox is available as an option on both models from £1,300.
The company says that the range-topping Scirocco accelerates from a standstill to 62 mph in 6.0 seconds, falling to 5.8 seconds when equipped with the dual-clutch DSG gearbox, while achieving a combined figure of 34.9 mpg UK (35.3 for DSG) and 189 g/km of CO2 (187 for DSG).
As for the Golf R that is available in three- and five-door body styles, it is the fastest accelerating VW ever produced, with a 0 to 62mph (100km/h) sprint time of just 5.7 seconds for the manual model and 5.5 seconds for the DSG equipped version. The Golf R is said to return 33.2 mpg UK on the combined cycle (DSG 33.6 mpg) and CO2 emissions of 199 g/km (195g DSG).
Both the Scirocco R and Golf R models have a top speed of 155 mph.
Although Volkswagen's design studio would be your best bet to get a glimpse of a future model like the seventh-generation Golf, an official video would be the last place you'd expect to actually see it. But as we all know, gaffes happen all the time. Such is the case with the Golf VII as what appears to be a full-size clay mock-up of the compact hatchback was spotted on the promotional film for the Frankfurt Show L1 concept car.
The clay model, which we believe shows a possible design direction for the next Golf seemingly inspired by the firm's latest models such as the Scirocco (notice the more pointy nose-job and the more narrow headlamps), can be seen in the background at 4:41 minutes into the video.
We had stored the original promotional video of the L1 Concept on our computer during the Frankfurt Motorshow days, but just for the heck of it, we headed over to VW's official press site to download the specific video again.
But guess what; the scene with the clay model of what we and many others reckon is a design proposal for the VW Golf VII, has been chopped and cropped in this version! If anything else, that should count for something...
If you want any more proof that Volkswagen's BlueSport roadster concept is heading towards production, just consider the fact that the German firm has not only given the car an internal development code name but it also invited a number of journalists to take the one-off concept for a quick test drive. Furthermore, VW has published a brand new photo album of the car on the road, that you can check out in all its high-res glory after the jump.
Even though VW officials may not publicly admit it, the mid-engined, rear-wheel drive BlueSport roadster that was revealed for the first time at this year's Detroit Show, is essentially a low-cost alternative to the Porsche Boxster.
"The two-seater is still a concept, but as a production car it would have the best talents for turning the segment of compact, genuine sports cars upside down," said VW in a statement. "That is because this roadster is sporty, sustainable and affordable all at once – a people's car and a sports car for a new era."
Developed with a 'back to basics' approach, the concept version of the 3.99 meter long BlueSport roadster is powered by a 2.0-liter TDI turbocharged diesel engine that cranks out 180HP and 350Nm or 258.2-lbs/ft of torque which is transferred to the rear axle through a 6-speed dual clutch transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel.
With the 180HP 2.0 TDI, the soft-top roadster that weighs in at less than 1,200kg (2,645-lbs), can sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in about 6.6 seconds and achieve a top speed of 226km/h or 141mph. Volkswagen claims that the two-seater roadster can deliver an average fuel consumption of just 4.3 liters per 100km (54.7mpg US). In combination with the 50-liter tank, the car's theoretical range is greater than 1,150 kilometers or 715-miles.
If, or rather when the Roadster enters production, expect to see an array of turbocharged gasoline (TSI) and diesel (TDI) engines that will most likely include the 160HP 2.0 TDI, the 1.4 TSI with 122HP as well as the Scirocco R's 265HP 2.0 TSI.
The German firm promises that in spite of the car's sporty credentials, the roadster still offers a respectable level of everyday utility. In the cargo area under the front hood, the Concept BlueSport can stow 112 liters of luggage while the rear trunk handle an additional 70 liters of cargo. Altogether that makes 182 liters or 20% more space than what the Mazda MX-5 / Miata offers (150 liters).
If all goes well and the BlueSport Roadster receives the final green light for production, the first cars could arrive at VW showrooms around late 2012.
Parallel to the start of the 24-hour endurance race at the Nurburgring at the end of May, Volkswagen staged the world debut of its hottest Scirocco model ever that comes equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot cranking out 265HP and 350Nm of torque. This video that was shot during the presentation event includes the first driving footage of the new Scirocco R on the 'Ring as well as interviews with VW officials. Bear in mind though that the interviews are in German - and yes, those of you out there 'sprechen die Deutsche', feel free to enlighten us with your bilingual skills.
For those looking to combine the driving pleasures of the Golf GTI with the fuel savings of a diesel engine, VW has launched the new Golf GTD in Europe. The diesel alter-ego of the GTI is powered by a 2.0-liter TDi producing 170HP and 350Nm or 258lbs of torque, launching the hatch from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.1 sec and on to a top speed of 222km/h or 138mph. And what the GTD lacks in terms of performance compared to the GTI, it compensates with its lower fuel consumption (5.3lt /100km or 44.3mpg US for the DSG). Hit the jump to watch the first promo video of the new GTD.
Volkswagen rolled out the all-new Polo supermini at the Geneva Motor Show this week. Smaller than the Golf, the Polo will compete in Europe against the likes of the redesigned Renault Clio and the new Ford Fiesta. Bigger and roomier from today's Polo, the new model benefits from a revised engine line-up that includes a 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline unit with 102HP and 75HP and 90HP 1.6-liter diesels. Sales in Europe will commence in the beginning of July.
The Detroit Show saw the reveal of VW's BlueSport concept, a mid-engined roadster study said to preview of a production model that could be launched as early as 2012. The concept is powered by a 180HP 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel propelling VW's... "poor man's" Boxster from 0 to 60 mph (96mph) in 6.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 140 mph (226 km/h). And all this with a fuel economy rating of just 55 mpg U.S. (4,3 l/100 km). Click through to watch the first official video of the well received BlueSport that includes both driving footage and beauty shots.
In spite of the industrywide crisis VW is pulling ahead with its plans to build its first U.S. production facility in more than 20 years in Chattanooga, Tennessee where it will produce a mid-size sedan designed specifically for North American consumers. Following the initial announcement in July, VW invited to Germany the Governor of the State of Tennessee, Phil Bredesen accompanied by a 50-strong delegation that included Chattanooga's Mayor, Ron Littlefield, and media representatives from the region. -Continued
During last week's presentation in Berlin, VW officials revealed the core values (see video below) of their forthcoming sedan codenamed NMS which stands for "New Midsize Sedan". The vehicle, that could possibly serve as a replacement for either the Passat or the Jetta in VW's North American range, will be offered with both FSI gasoline and TDI diesel engines. According to VW officials, among the requirements that must be met in order to satisfy U.S. consumers is the size and number of cupholders in the interior...
Work at the 2,000-employee, $1 billion manufacturing plant at Enterprise South industrial park in Chattanooga is scheduled to begin in November with the first vehicles expected to roll off the production lines in early 2011. Overall, VW plans to build around 150,000 vehicles a year at its new facility in Tennessee. As for when we'll get our first glimpse of the NMS, julino billym's sources report that VW most likely show off the car at the Detroit Auto Show in 2010.
Shortly after the introduction of a 4-minute long video that showed the 2009 Golf GTI on the road (watch by clicking here), VW has proceeded to the release of the first promotional film for its new-but-not-that-new hot compact hatch that will enter production in spring 2009. The extended version of the promo film starts off with a guy sky diving down to earth then taking the GTI back home where he leaves a flower on the bed of his sleeping beauty -how commonly romantic. Follow the jump for the video or click here for more info and high-res photos of the 2009 GTI. -Continued
The undisputed star of Volkswagen’s Paris motorshow stand is the all-new, sixth-generation Golf GTI. The German automaker calls it a study but don’t be fooled; this particular Golf will go into production as is in early 2009. Power comes from a revised 2.0-liter TFSI turbocharged engine delivering 210 HP accelerating the GTI from rest to 100 km/h (62mph) in 7.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 239 km/h or 148 mph. Follow the jump to watch the very first video of the new Golf GTI that includes driving footage or click here to see our gallery with 31 high-resolution images. -Continued
If you’re thinking that the new Golf looks awfully similar to the outgoing model, you’re not far wrong as what Volkswagen basically did with the sixth generation model was to re-skin the Golf V and at the same time find a way to make it cheaper and quicker to produce. Follow the jump to watch the 2009 Golf VI in Volkswagen’s first official video that includes both driving and static footage and decide for yourself if you agree with the German automaker’s evolutionary approach. You may also want to check out the details on the new Golf by clicking here or see our image gallery with 62 high-res photos by clicking here. -Continued
Volkswagen is continuing the development of the next generation of its bread-and-butter model in North America, the 2011 Jetta that was captured here undergoing testing in Death Valley California. The camouflaged prototype model seen in the spy video suggests that the new Jetta will boast all-new sheetmetal with a pinch of Audi A4 styling cues in the profile and rear-end.
