Autoblog

Volkswagen Golf named 2013 World Car of the Year

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 09:57:00 EST

The second day of the New York Auto Show festivities have just kicked with the annual World Car of the Year awards, and we've just learned that the top honors for 2013 go to the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf. The win marks the second in a row for Volkswagen, which also collected the hardware in 2012 for its Up! supermini.

The World Car awards are handed out by a panelist of 66 auto journalists from around the world, including Autoblog European Editor, Matt Davis. Runners-up for the big award included the Audi A3, Land Rover Range Rover, Mazda6, Mazda CX-5, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Peugeot 208, Porsche Boxster/Cayman, Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT86 and Volvo V40.

Also announced this morning is the winner of the 2013 World Performance Car award. In this category, the Porsche Boxster and Cayman has been picked by the jury over a number of other contenders, including the Aston Martin Vanquish, Audi RS5, BMW M6, BMW M135i, Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster, Renault Clio Sport and the Toyobaru triplets.

Moving to more eco-friendly matters, the World Green Car award has been handed to the - surprise, surprise - Tesla Model S. The all-electric sedan topped the Renault Zoe, Smart ForTwo Electric Drive, Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid and Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid Diesel.

Lastly, the annual World Car Design laurels have been awarded to the impossibly pretty Jaguar F-Type, besting other attractive finalists including the Aston Martin Vanquish, Renault Clio, Land Rover Range Rover, Mazda6 and Volkswagen Golf.

Have a look at all the World Car winners in our galleries below.

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Volkswagen Golf named 2013 World Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Mar 2013 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World Car Of The Year down to its final four

Zach Bowman — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:44:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Scion, Subaru, Toyota, Luxury

Judges for the World Car of the Year Award have narrowed down the finalists to just four vehicles. Out of a total of 42 entries, only the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Porsche Boxster/Cayman, Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT-86 and Volkswagen Golf remain standing. For Volkswagen, this marks the second consecutive year the company has had an entry among the finalists, and the fourth time since 2009. In order to qualify, a vehicle must be on sale on two continents during the span of time between January 1, 2013 and May 30, 2013. A panel of 66 journalists from 23 countries then vote on the finalists.

Three vehicles have made the cut for the last round of voting on the 2013 World Performance Car as well, with the Cayman/Boxster and FR-S/BRZ/GT-86 running against the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. Meanwhile, the Renault Zoe, Tesla Model S and Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid are duking it out for the World Green Car Award. Finally, the World Car Design of the Year Award is up for grabs between the Aston Martin Vanquish, Jaguar F-Type, and the Mazda6. Check out the full press release below. Overall winners will be presented at the 2013 New York Auto Show.

Continue reading World Car Of The Year down to its final four

World Car Of The Year down to its final four originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen to build Golf in Mexico in 2014

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Volkswagen

As a part of its plan to produce more than 75 percent of its North American-sold products in North America, Volkswagen will be building the 2014 Golf at its Puebla, Mexico assembly plant. We first reported on the possibility of this move back in October, but VW recently confirmed the news. Golf models built in Mexico would be sold in both North and South America.

Production of the new Golf in Puebla - alongside the Jetta and Beetle - will commence during the first quarter of 2014, and the car will go on sale in the US sometime during the second half of next year.

After the Golf, it is also likely that production of the Tiguan and an upcoming crossover (teased by the recent CrossBlue Concept at the Detroit Auto Show) would also take place somewhere in North America. While there is no indication where the Tiguan's North American production would take place, the new three-row crossover could be produced at VW's Chattanooga, TN plant, which currently builds the Passat.

Scroll down for the official press release.

Continue reading Volkswagen to build Golf in Mexico in 2014

Volkswagen to build Golf in Mexico in 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch this doggone hilarious VW Golf ad

Zach Bowman — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Humor

We've had some pets with some pretty strange proclivities. There was the long-haired dachshund that preferred climbing trees and riding skateboards to chasing cars, the doberman with a penchant for Krystal hamburgers and the border collie that loved herding cats more than chasing them, but we've never seen anything quite like the pup in the video below. The latest ad for the new Volkswagen Golf in the Netherlands features a one very confused little dog as it harries its owner over the course of a normal day.

From strange behaviors to an unusual series of barks, it would seem this particular dog was raised in the garage. You can take a closer look at the video below to see just what we mean. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to go train our cats for a new range of tricks.

Continue reading Watch this doggone hilarious VW Golf ad

Watch this doggone hilarious VW Golf ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW tunes in to Depeche Mode with new Golf ad

Jeffrey N. Ross — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Celebrities, TV/Movies

When the first Volkswagen Golf launched back in 1974, the world was still six years away from meeting Depeche Mode, but both are now pillars of their respective industries. The British band has just released its 13th album, Volkswagen is set to introduce the Golf MkVII, and the two have teamed up for one of the hatchback's new TV spots.

Showing the diversity of the Golf, the commercial features several different cover versions of Depeche Mode's 1984 hit, "People Are People." The spot ends with the original version of the song in the background and Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan behind the wheel. You can check it out below.

Continue reading VW tunes in to Depeche Mode with new Golf ad

VW tunes in to Depeche Mode with new Golf ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Nov 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Volkswagen Golf [w/video]

Matt Davis — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Volkswagen, First Drives, Diesel

This Little VW Just Went Premium

The fortunes of Volkswagen in the United States are moving steadily upward in direct correlation to how serious Wolfsburg has become about our market, a market it frankly neglected badly for about three full decades. The era of neglect is over now and the Germans are focusing especially hard on North American drivers who may have never owned a VW.

For many in the US, a first Volkswagen will be either a Jetta or Passat, both of which have pretty good trunks. But we just drove this all-new seventh generation Golf and it needs to be on that same consideration list because it is a nearly perfect, sensibly sized trunkless car.

The numbers for the Golf since its invention in 1974 are staggering. By the start of 2013, the Golf (called Rabbit for many of those bleakest years here in the States) will have sold nearly 30 million units worldwide. The Golf Mk VI, which is still offered in many markets including the US, remains the dominant best-selling car in all of Europe at the end of its life cycle. VW didn't really need to update much to keep the sales ball rolling.

Continue reading 2014 Volkswagen Golf [w/video]

2014 Volkswagen Golf [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen may build next Golf in Mexico

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Volkswagen

The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf is likely to go into production next year for North American consumption, but Automotive News is reporting that the latest version of the Volkswagen hatchback could end up being built in Mexico by 2014 according to an interview with CEO Martin Winterkorn. The decision to produce the recently debuted 2014 Golf there could happen within a few weeks, and if it does come to fruition, all three of VW's biggest sellers in the U.S. would be produced in North America.

This would bode well for VW's targeted sales growth in the U.S., which is already up 37 percent this year over 2011. AN says that Golf production would take place at VW's Puebla, Mexico plant that currently builds the Jetta and Beetle, marking the first time the Golf is built outside of Germany. The report also indicates that the automaker is planning to produce the car in China as well.

The Winterkorn interview also discussed the Chattanooga, Tennessee plant that currently builds the Passat. Winterkorn admits that while capacity maxed-out at the year-old facility, there's room for expansion. On that front, confirming earlier rumors, Winterkorn noted that if VW is going to expand, it would be with a utility vehicle that is "roomier than the Tiguan."

Volkswagen may build next Golf in Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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