Autoblog

Volkswagen brings XL1 Concept a step closer to reality

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Technology, Volkswagen, Diesel

Volkswagen Formula XL1 Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen has taken another step towards making the one-liter car a reality, and this 200 mile-per-gallon dream could be on the roads within the next few years.

The Formula XL1 Concept combines a two cylinder TDI engine, electric motor, lithium-ion battery pack and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to achieve an astonishing 0.9L/100 km - just over 260 mpg to us Yanks. The included plug-in system, along with the XL1's low drag and extensive use of lightweight materials has the potential to make the concept the most efficient vehicle to ever grace public roads.

The XL1 is making its debut at the Qatar Motor Show this week, and while it might look familiar to previous iterations, this latest version is more production read than its predecessors. Check it out from every angle in the gallery below and click past the jump for the full details.

Gallery: Volkswagen Formula XL1 Concept

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen brings XL1 Concept a step closer to reality

Volkswagen brings XL1 Concept a step closer to reality originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Volkswagen Bluesport gets the green light

Zach Bowman — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Budget, Performance, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Volkswagen, Rumormill, Diesel

Volkswagen BlueSport Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Now this is interesting. Hot on the heels of rumored turmoil in the VW/Audi/Porsche house over the BlueSport roadster, AutoExpress is reporting that VW has given the droptop concept the green light for production. Color us skeptical. It's not that we don't want to believe that VW has told its squabbling children to cool their jets so that ze people's automaker can bring the world an efficient and entertaining ragtop, it's just that there's a noticeable lack of details baked into the AutoExpress piece. Specifically, which of the three automakers will get to build the thing.

An "unnamed source" has confirmed the car for production and given the publication a quick peek at the final version of the car. Lucky them. AutoExpress goes on to say that the BlueSport will come with a 178-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo-diesel engine as standard equipment, though a variety of other power plants will also be available. Those include the twin-charged 1.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine from the Polo GTI as well as a turbo 2.0-liter gasser from the Golf GTI.

It all sounds great as it floats around the vast vacuum of the internet, but until we see something from Volkswagen itself, we're not exactly ready to call this one a done deal.

Gallery: Detroit Preview: Volkswagen BlueSport Concept

[Source: AutoExpress]

Report: Volkswagen Bluesport gets the green light originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen mid-engine roadster coming to Detroit, not LA

John Neff — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, LA Auto Show, Convertible, Performance, Volkswagen

Automotive News is reporting that Volkswagen has moved the debut of its mid-engine roadster from this month at the LA Auto Show to January at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The only reason given for the move is that VW expects there to be more interest for the concept two-seater in Detroit than LA. We would hazard a guess that it's also got something to do with budgets being trimmed back, but what do we know.

There's still a lot of unanswered questions surrounding the VW mid-engine roadster, like what size four-cylinder will be installed behind the seats and whether or not the platform will make extensive use of aluminum to keep weight down. Though the car debuting in Detroit will be a concept, a production version is expect in 2011 if things go according to plan. Because a two-seat, mid-engine roadster is anything but a volume seller, however, this new sportster from VW could be in danger of being cut due to the ailing auto market in the U.S.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Volkswagen mid-engine roadster coming to Detroit, not LA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW 1-liter eco-friendly car set to make a return

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Green, Volkswagen

Click above for more shots of the VW One-Liter concept car

A few years back, Volkswagen introduced a concept vehicle which derived its name from its stated goal of using just one liter of fuel per one-hundred kilometers traveled, and according to CAR production version may be on the way in 2010. The original concept actually beat its lofty goal rather handily as it managed to achieve a miserly 282 miles per gallon in testing. Much of its amazing fuel-saving capability stemmed from its 660 pounds (300 kilograms) curb weight. The concept also featured a single cylinder engine and a 1+1 seating arrangement down the center of the car. While the engine is likely to be replaced by a twin-cylinder turbodiesel with hybrid drive, the carbon fiber construction and canopy-style roof are likely headed for production.

As you'd expect, such technology and carbon-heavy construction isn't going to come cheap. To offset part of the cost, the automaker is surely looking for some government assistance for purchasers of the limited edition machine, though it could still be sold at a loss. Safety features like airbags, anti-lock brakes and stability control aren't lacking, but convenience items like air conditioning may be optional. In that case, we'd recommend being really comfortable with your passengers in the rather close-knit quarters.

Gallery: VW One-Liter Car

[Source: CAR]

VW 1-liter eco-friendly car set to make a return originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More V-Dub Up! coming to Tokyo, LA

Chris Tutor — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 19:52:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Tokyo Motor Show, Volkswagen

If you liked Volkswagen's Up! concept shown at Frankfurt earlier this week, we have some good news for you.

First, the head of VW, Martin Winterkorn, admitted the Up! was likely to see production in a few years. We like the sound of VW heading back to its rear-engined roots, and look forward to seeing how the company does with it.

Second and third, Winterkorn also says VW will have variations of the platform to show off at both the Tokyo Motor Show next month and, in November, at the Los Angeles show. What those might be, he didn't get into. Sedan? Wagon? Convertible? Hybrid? We'll know for sure within just a few weeks.

And if that's not enough good news for Up! fans, he also hinted at a possible fourth variation. No date was given for that car's intro, but Detroit in January would be a good guess.

[Source: The Car Connection]

More V-Dub Up! coming to Tokyo, LA originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Sep 2007 19:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA: VW hops to it with Thunder Bunny concept

Chris Tutor — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 09:53:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Volkswagen

The original Thunder Bunny was built by Bill Neumann, founder of Neuspeed, back in 1981. At the time, the Volkswagen GTI wasn't sold in the United States and Neumann was so eager for its arrival stateside that he decided to build his own. Thus, the original Thunder Bunny was born. It was extremely well received for its punch and practicality, and the next year VW began selling the GTI here in the States. Coincidence? We think not.

Some 25 years later, VW has teamed up with Neuspeed to commemorate the original car with the Thunder Bunny concept shown yesterday at the SEMA show. The Thunder Bunny concept adds a turbo to the Rabbit's torquey 2.5-liter, inline five-cylinder engine that increases power from 150 to 225 horsepower. A new front fascia has been grafted on the front and the whole car has been dipped in candy white paint with "topographical" graphics that "blink" on and off depending on the angle at which the car is viewed. Shocks from Bilstein, bunny-bedecked brakes from Brembo and gold-painted forged alloy wheels round out the hardware upgrades to the modern day Thunder Bunny.

Along with the R GTI, the Thunder Bunny is another compelling iteration of the Rabbit that could make a place for itself in the market. Considering how many versions of the Ford Mustang are on the market, one could easily imagine a different Rabbit for every day of the week.

There are more live shots, press pics and VW's full Thunder Bunny press release after the jump

Continue reading SEMA: VW hops to it with Thunder Bunny concept

SEMA: VW hops to it with Thunder Bunny concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Nov 2006 09:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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