Autoblog

REPORT: Karmann saved by VW's multi-million euro order for electric vehicles

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Plants/Manufacturing, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials

DuraCar Quicc! Diva - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen has struck a deal worth "at least 10 million euros" with Wilhelm Karmann GmbH to keep the insolvent coachworks and specialty builder alive so it can reorganize a new company and "focus on building electric-powered cars." That's according to an unsourced report in the Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung that can be found on Bloomberg. A separate report on HLN.be says that the EV deal is worth 20 million euros, the fruits of which are expected to go on sale in 2011.

Earlier this year, Karmann showed off an EV concept called the E3 Limosine, co-developed with utility company Oldenburg Energy Group (EWE). Last October, Karmann said it would help build some of DuraCar's Quicc! DiVas EVs. Thanks to Frederik for the tip!

[Source: Bloomberg, HLN.be]

REPORT: Karmann saved by VW's multi-million euro order for electric vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen Routan recalled for... magic 8-ball shake... owner's manual omission?!

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, Recalls/TSBs, Safety, Volkswagen

In Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, one of the characters decries the need for a set of detailed instructions on a packet of toothpicks. Volkswagen might feel the same way now that 18,500 of its 2009 Routan minivans are being recalled because their owner's manuals don't include a required warning not to put items on or near the airbag. In the words of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

The owner's manual was printed without the required information explaining that no objects should be placed over the or near the airbag on the instrument panel. Any such objects could cause injury to the vehicle's occupants in the event of a crash severe enough to cause the airbag to inflate.

VW is sending dealers an insert to be placed in affected Routan manuals. If you don't trust yourself to handle the insert, you can take your Routan to the dealer and they'll be happy to assist.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Volkswagen Routan recalled for... *magic 8-ball shake*... owner's manual omission?!

Volkswagen Routan recalled for... *magic 8-ball shake*... owner's manual omission?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen CC racks up the design awards

Noah Joseph — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:01:00 EST

Filed under: Volkswagen

2009 Volkswagen (Passat) CC - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen is usually known for its simple, basic, iconic styling; the classic Beetle and the previous-generation Jetta are perfect case studies. Which is why the svelte and streamlined CC - known overseas as the Passat CC - has come as a refreshing change of pace for the German automaker. We're not the only ones who think so, either, as the four-door coupe from Wolfsburg has been accumulating design awards the world over.

Adding to the list that already includes the coveted iF Product Design Award and the Australian International Design Award, the Volkswagen CC has now been awarded the prestigious Red Dot Design Award. The prize has bestowed annually since 1955 by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen, the legendary design museum housed in the reclaimed Zollverein coal mine. The Best of the Best award was accepted by designer Martin Kropp on behalf of VW's Exterior Design Studio 1 and you can get all the details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen Passat CC

Continue reading Volkswagen CC racks up the design awards

Volkswagen CC racks up the design awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Diesel TDI model grabs 81% of VW Jetta Sportwagen sales in June

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:39:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, SUVs, Wagons/Estates, Volkswagen

2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Honda and everyone else may not think there is much of a market for mainstream diesel vehicles in the United States, but Volkswagen would beg to differ. Since it launched its new generation diesels last fall in the Jetta and earlier this year in the Touareg, they have been selling like hotcakes with June being its best month yet. Last month was the best sales month to date for the Sportwagen with 1,982 sales and a whopping 81% of those were equipped with the 2.0-liter TDI four-cylinder.

Among the 8,431 Jetta sedans sold in June, 40% were diesel powered. And while the Touareg followed most other SUVs with a 41% overall decline to only 330 units in June, 29% of those had the 3.0-liter V6 TDI engine. Rabbit sales were down 69% in June, but a redesigned Golf is arriving in September, including a TDI - and if fuel prices keep climbing through the summer, it could see a huge sales spike as well.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 VW Jetta Sportwagen

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Diesel TDI model grabs 81% of VW Jetta Sportwagen sales in June

Diesel TDI model grabs 81% of VW Jetta Sportwagen sales in June originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche loan request rejected by Germany's state bank

Chris Shunk — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: Porsche, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials

Porsche is profitable and it owns a big chunk of the far larger Volkswagen, yet cash seems to be in short supply. Automotive News is reporting that the world-renowned luxury sports car maker's 1.75 billion euro ($2.45 billion USD) loan request from German state bank KFW has been rejected, leaving Porsche to search elsewhere for funding. Porsche secured 10.75 billion euros ($15.1B) in financing from banks in March to feed its 9 billion euro debt ($12.6B) mountain, but it's looking for alternative means for financing its cash crunch.

Porsche has already looked outside of Europe for funding to handle its mounting debt, as it worked with the Arab emirate of Qatar to secure a sizable stake in the company. VW, smelling blood in the water, reportedly gave Porsche an ultimatum, offering up 3-4 billion euro ($4.2-$5.6B) for 49% of the sports car maker in exchange for not forcing the repayment of a 700 million euro loan ($983M) in September. Porsche responded by saying that ultimatums don't belong in the 21st century. Unfortunately, bankruptcies are all too common in the new economy, so the proud German company may have to dig a bit deeper to keep themselves from falling into the financial abyss.

[Source: Automotive News (subs req'd) | Image: Michael Latz/Getty]

Porsche loan request rejected by Germany's state bank originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Suzuki CEO denies talks with VW amidst tie-up rumors

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Economy, Japan, Suzuki, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials, India, Rumormill

Suzuki Alto Lapin - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hear about those reports last week of a potential tie-up between Suzuki and Volkswagen for microcar development? Osamu Suzuki, chief executive at the automaker that bear his name, heard the same rumors that we did, and they apparently came as news to him. Though Suzuki falls short of denying outright that any potential deal could be struck, he told the Chunichi Shimbun daily (via Reuters):

So far there's been absolutely no contact (with Volkswagen). Lately, we've been the victim of a lot of rumors (of equity tie-ups and cooperation deals).

Suzuki sells more mini cars - albeit tiny 660cc Kei urban runabouts - in Japan than any other automaker not named Toyota, yet it has a limited footprint in most other markets. Thus, it's not surprising that rumors of impending partnerships are common. In this case, though, it would seem that reports of a potential 10% stake by VW are at least a bit premature.

Gallery: Suzuki Alto Lapin

[Source: Reuters]

REPORT: Suzuki CEO denies talks with VW amidst tie-up rumors originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: VW leans on Porsche, Porsche responds, "We will not accept extortion."

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Porsche, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials

Porsche maintains it still has its mojo, but Volkswagen is treating the company like Porsche's got lunch money and VW is hungry. VW -- which Porsche effectively owns -- loaned Porsche €700 million ($983.8 million) earlier this year, with Porsche due to pay it back in September. As collateral for the loan Porsche used its wholesale distribution arm Porsche Holding GmbH.

The way things are going for Porsche, it might not be able to make that September repayment. So VW and the state of Lower Saxony made an offer: Porsche has until the end of June to accept an offer by VW to pay €3 to €4 billion ($4.2 billion to $5.6 billion) for a 49% Porsche's car business. If Porsche doesn't accept, then VW will "insist" Porsche repay the full amount of the loan in September. If Porsche can't come up with the coin VW could walk away with Porsche Holding GmbH.

Porsche, plucky as ever, didn't want to hear about any of that, saying "Ultimatums do not belong in the 21st century.... We hope very much in the interest of the common goals that the authors of the ultimatum regain their calm..." The crew at VW quickly issued a response, with one spokesperson simply saying, "There is no ultimatum."

Porsche has plenty of time to sort things out, and its investment talks with Qatar, which would greatly help its debt situation, are said to "have entered the final stretch." Thanks for the tip, C. Halen

[Source: Reuters, Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: VW leans on Porsche, Porsche responds, "We will not accept extortion." originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Volkswagen considering stake in Suzuki for micro-car alliance

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Economy, Japan, Suzuki, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials, India

Suzuki Alto Lapin - Click above for high-res gallery

According to reports from Reuters and Manager Magazin in Germany, Volkswagen is keen to purchase a 10% stake in Suzuki in order to cooperate on future small cars for emerging markets. In its home market of Japan, Suzuki is the second-largest automaker behind Toyota and dominates the tiny Kei car market alongside Toyota-owned Daihatsu.

These miniature 660cc vehicles are extremely popular in Japan's dense urban settings and Volkswagen reportedly believes this class of automobile holds great promise for emerging markets. In India, for example, Tata Motors has seen a great deal of success with its diminutive Nano, which is billed as the cheapest car in the world.

Suzuki already enjoys a measure of success in Tata's home turf, where its Maruti Suzuki subsidiary offers the Alto, which has been the best-selling automobile in India since 2004. At this time, both Suzuki and Volkswagen are declining comment, but VW chairman Ferdinand Piech has praised the Japanese automaker numerous times in the past.

Gallery: Suzuki Alto Lapin

[Source: Retuers]

REPORT: Volkswagen considering stake in Suzuki for micro-car alliance originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Next-Gen Opel Astra takes on Ford Focus and new VW Golf

Chris Shunk — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Hatchbacks, Ford, Volkswagen, Vauxhall

Click above to watch the video after the jump

The 2010 Opel Astra has an impressive exterior and an overhauled interior, but it's also important that the upcoming C-segment hatchback can hang with the competition. The guys and gals at Vauxhall wanted to show just how competent a handler the Astra is, so they brought a pre-production tester to the Millbrook Proving Ground test track in Bedfordshire, England.

Hit the jump to watch the next Astra take on the twists and turns at Millbrook, and while you're at it, make sure to keep an eye on the MKVI Golf and the Euro Focus. You'll have to really pay attention here, though, because the Astra passes them without much of a fight. Sure, that may have something to do with the fact that the Astra is piloted by Vauxhall's own BTCC pilot, Fabrizio Giovanardi. For all we know, the Golf and Focus could be driven by students from the local driver's ed academy.

Gallery: 2010 Opel Astra

Continue reading VIDEO: Next-Gen Opel Astra takes on Ford Focus and new VW Golf

VIDEO: Next-Gen Opel Astra takes on Ford Focus and new VW Golf originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Facelifted 2011 Volkswagen Phaeton caught in Germany

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:34:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Volkswagen

The Volkswagen Phaeton may not have gotten much love in the States, but V-Dub's range-topping saloon has soldiered on in Europe, undergoing a series of minor tweaks since its introduction earlier this decade. For 2011, the Phaeton is finally due for a comprehensive facelift, and these newest spy shots show a new fascia is in the works.

Although the extensive camouflage doesn't give us much to work with, expect a revised grille to join more sculpted, drawn headlamps that lend some familial cohesion to the sedan. Imagine a stretched and broadened Golf and it's likely you're not too far off. Other tweaks include a reworked rear bumper and tail lamps, along with a new instrument panel, center stack and shifter arrangement. A range of powerplants will be available - possibly including a V10 or V12 TDI - and the 2011 Phaeton could debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, with sales beginning shortly thereafter. Chances of it coming back to the U.S.: zero.

[Source: FastestCar]

Spy Shots: Facelifted 2011 Volkswagen Phaeton caught in Germany originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW 1.4-liter Twincharger wins 2009 International Engine of the Year

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Tech, Volkswagen

What qualities are required for an engine to be considered the best-of-the-best in today's world? Naturally, any given engine needs to make enough power for its intended application, but fuel efficiency is just as important in modern society. This being the case, it's not terribly surprising that Volkswagen's innovative 1.4-liter Twincharger engine has taken home top honors as the 2009 International Engine of the Year, beating out BMW's powerful 3.0-liter direct-injected twin-turbo six-cylinder powerplant by just four points.

The Engie of the Year award is handed out based on the voting results of 65 motor scribes polled from all around the globe. Some 32 countries are represented in the jury, including the U.S., Germany, Japan, China, the U.K., and Korea.

To go along with its Engine of the Year award, VW's supercharged and turbocharged mill also won the Green Engine of the Year trophy - beating out Honda's 1.3-liter IMA hybrid powertrain in the process - and also took the nod in its 1.0-1.4-liter size class. Here's a list of the rest of the award winners:

Best New Engine - Porsche's 3.8-liter 385bhp flat-six
Best Performance Engine - Mercedes-AMG 6.2-liter V8
Sub 1-liter - Toyota 1-liter three-cylinder
1.8-2.0L - Audi 2-liter TFSI
2.0L-2.5L - Mercedes-Benz Diesel 2.1-litre BlueEfficiency
2.5L-3.9L - BMW 3-liter DI Twin Turbo
3.0L-4.0L - BMW 4-liter V8
Above 4.0L - Mercedes-AMG 6.2-liter V8

[Source: International Engine of the Year Awards]

VW 1.4-liter Twincharger wins 2009 International Engine of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Volkswagen BlueSport ready for production, estimated cost: $30k. Will it happen?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Convertibles, Hybrids/Alternative, Sports/GTs, Green, Volkswagen, Rumormill

Volkswagen Bluesport Concept - Click above for a high-res gallery

After getting an exclusive first drive of the Volkswagen BlueSport roadster, the lucky scribes from AutoWeek write of the machine as if it's headed for production. This is contrary to earlier reports coming from an unnamed VW insider which indicated that the program had been placed on hold due to the dire state of the global economy.

We hope AW's right about the BlueSport's production possibilities, especially after reading about how close to production-ready the roadster appears to be. If the German automaker does find a way to build the BlueSport, it will reportedly show up in in the States in 2013 starting for somewhere around $30,000, depending on the powerplant that VW decides to place behind the two occupants.

The turbocharged, direct-injected diesel mill currently in the concept, which VW says delivers nearly 42 miles per gallon in everyday driving, could very well be joined by at least one of VW's gasoline-burning units - possibly the 265-horsepower 2.0-liter installed in the Audi S3 and Volkswagen's own Scirocco R and Golf R. As always, we'll keep our eyes and ears open for more details as they become available.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Volkswagen BlueSport Concept

Gallery: Detroit Preview: Volkswagen BlueSport Concept

[Source: Auto Week]

REPORT: Volkswagen BlueSport ready for production, estimated cost: $30k. Will it happen? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: VW takes issue with Magna/Opel tie-up

Chris Shunk — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials, Opel

You knew that something like this was coming sooner or later: at least one of Magna's clients have found the supplier's majority stake in Opel to be a conflict of interest. As it turns out, Volkswagen was the first automaker to cry foul.

Magna is a major supplier for VW and its brands, while Opel is a big-time competitor. Spokesman Michael Brendel says the company going to "monitor this development very closely." We're guessing that translates roughly to "'if Opel receives any preferential treatment over VW whatsoever, heads will roll."

Should all go according to plan, Magna and its partner Sberbank will have a combined 55% stake in the new Opel. GM will retain a 35% stake, while Opel's 25,000 employees will receive the remaining 10% in the company. The German government provided 1.5 billion euro to keep Opel from entering GM bankruptcy proceedings, making the deal with Magna possible.

Magna expects Opel to once again become profitable within four years, and the Canada-based supplier intends to bring Opels to Canada by the end of the year. Opel vehicles will not be making their way to the U.S. under the terms of the agreement, however.

Magna co-CEO Siegfried Wolf expects the Opel deal to be signed off on in the next five weeks.

[Source: Automotive News subs req'd]

REPORT: VW takes issue with Magna/Opel tie-up originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen continues inscrutable naming practice with new Amarok pickup

Chris Paukert — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Hybrids/Alternative, Trucks/Pickups, Marketing/Advertising, Volkswagen

2008 Volkswagen Concept Pickup - Click above for a high-res gallery

Remember when Volkswagen just named their cars for different winds? Scirocco, Jetta, Corrado, Santana - they all had a certain clean, sweeping quality about them, even if it wasn't immediately clear where the names came from. More recently, however, VW has gone further afield, invoking cryptic names like Touareg (a nomadic Saharan tribe) and Tiguan (Tiger + Iguana). Add this to the list: Amarok.

That's the official name for VW's forthcoming overseas market pickup truck. According to the automaker's press release, Amarok means "wolf" in the language of the hearty, frigid-dwelling Inuit. Alternatively, VW says the appelation "translates into 'he loves stones' in the languages spoken in South America." We'll have to take their word for it, but we can certainly see some sort of stoning at work here.

For its part, Volkswagen actually hasn't unveiled the production version of the Amarok yet, although it did display the fetching concept version (labeled simply as 'Concept Pickup') seen here at last September's IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany, and a prototype example was even spotted running around the Nürburgring in April.

In any case, VW promises the Amarok will launch as a double-cab, four-wheel drive pickup, with a smaller single-cab variant to follow. Built in Argentina, the diesel pickup will hit South America early next year, with Central America coming on stream in the spring, followed by Russia, Europe, Africa, and Australia. As expected, North America isn't in the model's plans at this time. Check out the full press release after the jump.

Gallery: Volkswagen Concept Pickup

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen continues inscrutable naming practice with new Amarok pickup

Volkswagen continues inscrutable naming practice with new Amarok pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Porsche expects to book $979.5 million in profits for fiscal year

Chris Shunk — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Porsche, Volkswagen

Porsche may have gotten in over its head when it tried to take over Volkswagen outright, but that doesn't mean the German automaker is struggling to sell premium sports cars. The Stuttgart-based automaker is planning on selling 80,000 units in 2009 at an astounding profit margin of 12%. That's $979 million in US currency, and more profit than most automakers several times its size will likely achieve during the global economic downturn.

The news of Porsche's healthy booty comes as a bit of a surprise considering its flirtation with bankruptcy back in March. Porsche has 9 billion euros in debt hanging over its head, though it told Reuters it can cope with the red ink. Porsche had to borrow 700 million euro from Volkswagen to get itself out of an earlier jam, and it's now discussing a merger with Europe's largest volume automaker.

Claus Schmiedel, a member of parliament in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, says that Porsche intends to increase sales in 2010 to 100,000 units, and that it intends to again eclipse 1 billion euro in earnings. Not too shabby for an automaker pushed to the brink of insolvency.

[Source: Reuters | Image Source: Michael Latz/Getty]

REPORT: Porsche expects to book $979.5 million in profits for fiscal year originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW of America confirms 2010 Jetta Sportwagen will get new face early

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 29 May 2009 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Wagons/Estates, Volkswagen

2010 Volkswagen Golf Estate - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Volkswagen's home office in Wolfsburg announced the new Golf Estate a few days ago, nothing was said about plans for the U.S. market. The Golf wagon, of course, is badged as the Jetta Sportwagen in North America. According to VW of America spokesman Steve Keyes, we will indeed see this facelifted Jetta wagen this fall. Keyes tells Autoblog: "In order to simplify production, we'll make the change to our Jetta and as an added benefit, we believe the customers will appreciate the differentiation from the current sedan."

For now, the sedan will retain the big chrome grille until it gets refresh. The updated Jetta sedan will likely arrive in 2010 or '11 sporting the new corporate face.

Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Golf Estate

VW of America confirms 2010 Jetta Sportwagen will get new face early originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 May 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hans Gruber, Your Ride Is Here: Volkswagen rolls out White Night Eos special edition

Chris Paukert — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertibles, Euro, Volkswagen, Special/Limited Editions

Volkswagen Eos White Nights - Click above for high-res image gallery

We know that Volkswagen's new special-edition Eos isn't named after a mythical cavalry figure on an ivory steed, but when we heard that the automaker's latest model has been dubbed White Night, we couldn't get Harry Ellis, the cloying stereotypical Eighties businessman from the original Die Hard movie out of our heads ("Hans... Boobie... I'm your White Knight."). Given that the terrorists in this seminal Bruce Willis film are equally stereotypically cold Germans, we're not sure that authorities at the Deutsche automaker will appreciate what came to mind for us, but we digress.

In any case, the Eos White Night is big on contrast, with a Candy White body offset by a Deep Black Pearlescent roof, side mirrors, and radiator grille. The look is an interesting one, as it uproots one of the inherent strengths that the folding hardtop convertible medium achieves best - the ability to have a matching body shell and roof, something that isn't as easily achieved with a conventional folding cloth top.

In addition to the contrasting black-and-white motif, the White Night also receives cherry-red LED taillights, 18-inch "Budapest" alloys, as well as nappa black leather with contrasting light seams, White Night sill panels, and Candy White trim strips. Every White Night comes equipped with automatic climate control, sports suspension (lowered 15 mm) and heated front seats.

The special edition Eos is available for order with any engine save the gasoline V6 - but at this time, it is a Europe only model that starts at a tidy €33,140 (over $46k USD!). 1980's White Nights Mercury Sable owners, eat your heart out.

High-res gallery below, official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Volkswagen Eos White Nights

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Hans Gruber, Your Ride Is Here: Volkswagen rolls out White Night Eos special edition

Hans Gruber, Your Ride Is Here: Volkswagen rolls out White Night Eos special edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 May 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: VW planning Polo-based mini MPV

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 28 May 2009 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, Volkswagen

Next up to announce a miniature MPV is Volkswagen, said to be eying its Polo for conversion to a (little) people hauler. In Europe such a car would go against competition like the Opel Meriva and Fiat Qubo. A VW board member suggested that such a car would be about adding to the company's small car variety, and it wants to have the right mix of offerings when the recovery comes.

On a side note, VW is also planning a "less effeminate, more assertive and masculine" Beetle that they want more men to buy. Because who knew button-cute car with a flower vase holder wouldn't appeal to men?

Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Polo

[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: VW planning Polo-based mini MPV originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 May 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen and BYD partner up for electric cars

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 26 May 2009 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, China, Green, Volkswagen

2009 BYD F3DM plug-in hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Last week, Volkswagen and Chinese automaker BYD signed a memorandum of understanding to work together "in the area of electric mobility" and vehicles that use li-ion batteries. BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu (yes, the guy who likes to drink battery fluid) and VW's Martin Winterkorn signed the MOU in Wolfsburg, Germany. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board for Technical Development at Volkswagen, said in a statement (available after the jump) that, "Hybrids and electric vehicles will play an increasingly important role [for VW], of course. Particularly for the Chinese market, potential partners such as BYD could support us in quickly expanding our activities."

Perhaps VW was kicked into action by another German automaker taking a look at another EV automaker?

Gallery: 2009 BYD F3DM plug-in hybrid

[Source: VW]

Continue reading Volkswagen and BYD partner up for electric cars

Volkswagen and BYD partner up for electric cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 May 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Porsche facing dire times, actually skirted bankruptcy in March

Chris Shunk — Mon, 25 May 2009 11:39:00 EST

Filed under: Porsche, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials

These are some confusing times in the automotive world. For the past few years, it seemed as though Porsche was primed to rule the world. It was selling plenty of product, and more importantly, it was quickly gobbling up shares of German juggernaut Volkswagen. Dried-up credit markets and slow sales have conspired to put a big wrench in Porsche's plans, though.

We already knew that the Stuttgart sports car (and SUV) maker has ditched plans to take over VW and instead plans to merge the two companies. German magazine Der Spiegel (via The Local) is reporting that times are so tight at Porsche that it actually skirted bankruptcy for three days in March. The German automaker received a 700 million euro loan ($978 million USD) from VW to stay out of trouble, but needs another 2.5 billion euros (nearly $3.5B USD) to stay in business. Porsche has tried to tap the German government to receive more loans to pare down the enormous debt it had incurred in attempting to buy VW. In fact, Porsche, which sells fewer than 100,000 vehicles per year, has accrued an astonishing 9 billion euros worth of debt (around $12.6B USD). That's 50% more debt than Chrysler.

[Source: The Local | Image: Michael Latz/AFP/Getty]

REPORT: Porsche facing dire times, actually skirted bankruptcy in March originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 May 2009 11:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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