Autoblog

Patents filed for Volkswagen Jetta Coupe

Zach Bowman — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:52:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Spy Photos, Coupe, Budget, Europe, Volkswagen, Rumormill, Design/Style

Volkswagen NCC patents - Click above for high-res image gallery

Take a look at what Carscoop's managed to dig up. It seems Volkswagen's been busy securing patents for its New Compact Coupe. Do these filings mean Volkswagen is seriously considering the addition of a Jetta Coupe to the lineup? Probably. After all, the coupe concept VW teased us all with last winter looked very production-ready, and it was quite well-received.

The images here show that the car has evolved somewhat since we last saw it at the Detroit Auto Show. There's now a traditional-style grille and exhaust, indicating that gas and diesel iterations are obviously in the works for the launch. If and when we'll see a hybrid version in keeping with the Detroit NCC concept remains to be seen. So, keep your fingers crossed that these patents foreshadow a classy little coupe from VW. This is a sharp-looking ride, and since it's larger than the Scirocco, it just might find an audience here in the land of the free.

Gallery: Volkswagen NCC Patents

Gallery: Volkswagen New Compact Coupe

[Source: Carscoop]

Patents filed for Volkswagen Jetta Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #161 - Detroit Auto Show recap

Dan Roth — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:47:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Podcasts, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, GM, GMC, Honda, Lincoln, Toyota, Volkswagen

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

It's a North American International Auto Show recap for Episode #161 of the Autoblog Podcast. Chris, Sam and Dan mull the top five of the show before speaking more in depth about some unveilings. The new Chevrolet Aveo gets us started before we move on to another sharply styled General Motors concept, the GMC Granite. We touch briefly on the Honda CR-Z, and then Toyota's FT-CH comes up next before we call it a night with the Volkswagen New Compact Coupe Concept.

We'll be back again next week with more Autoblog Podcast goodness. Until then, fill in with Joystiq and Engadget. Let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #161 - Detroit Auto Show recap

Autoblog Podcast #161 - Detroit Auto Show recap originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen Compact Coupe "concept" blends sport and hybrid

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:42:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Volkswagen

New Compact Coupe concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Volkswagen Touareg hybrid is now just a few months away from production, but the crew in Wolfsburg are staying busy by cranking out small concept vehicles with hybrid powertrains. The latest that debuts here at the Detroit Auto Show this morning is called the New Compact Coupe (NCC), a handsome hybrid coupe that looks remarkably production-ready. Designed to slot globally between the not-for-North-America Scirocco and the rakish CC, we could see a serial version of the NCC competing well here in the States with coupes like the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima.

In showcar guise, the NCC features Volkswagen's 1.4-liter TSI inline-four with 148 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system uses the same basic architecture (if not dimensions) as the recent L1 and Up-Lite concepts from Frankfurt and Los Angeles. In this case, a 20-kilowatt electric motor is sandwiched between the engine and the seven-speed DSG dual clutch gearbox. A 1.1 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery in the back of the car provides electrical energy storage for electric drive, electric boost and regenerative braking. The system also allows for the complete decoupling of the transmission for enhanced coasting even at highway speeds, although it isn't immediately clear from the press release if the electric motor will push the NCC along for extended periods as it does with Volkswagen Audi Group's Porsche Cayenne Hybrid system. Either way, VW is estimating the NCC's mileage at 45 miles per gallon based on EPA test procedures with the EU numbers coming in at 56 mpg (U.S.) and 98 g/km of CO2. Acceleration to 60 mph is ballparked at 8.1 seconds and top speed is pegged at 141 mph.

The car itself is virtually the same size as the current Jetta except for wheelbase length and overall height (the concept has three more inches between the axles and the roof is two inches lower), and it may well be a preview of what to expect from the next-generation Jetta. Recently there have been rumors circulating that VW plans to revive the Jetta coupe, a model that hasn't been in the lineup since the late '80s. A production version of this poor-man's Audi A5 could well be that car, although VW officials aren't talking. Similarly, the forthcoming Tennessee-built New Medium Sedan is expected with both diesel and hybrid powertrains and the same could be the case for the next Jetta. While you wait, you can check out our high-res gallery below and VW's official press verbiage available after the jump.

Gallery: Volkswagen New Compact Coupe

[Source: Volkswagen via World Car Fans]

Continue reading Volkswagen Compact Coupe "concept" blends sport and hybrid

Volkswagen Compact Coupe "concept" blends sport and hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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