Many concept vehicles are really glimpses at future products that are already in the pipeline. That’s good and all, but sometimes, it’s fun to see what happens when designers are given no physical constraints and let their imaginations take over. The Volkswagen Nanospyder revealed in illustrations earlier this week is that sort of concept. Totally far-out, ripped from the pages of a sci-fi novel. The design was created for the ‘Design Los Angeles” conference that’ll be held later this month at the L.A. Auto Show. Continue reading VW Nanospyder concept looks into a green future
Categories:Volkswagen
In Europe, Volkswagen just unveiled three new “Tour” editions. The package, done in partnership with the travel agency, TUI, is available on the Golf, Golf Plus, and Polo. The program is straightforward: purchase any of the VW Tour models and you get one free day on TUI vacation packages of 7+ days (no flight) or 14+ days (including flights). To qualify for the deal, the reservations need to be made between Nov 1, ’06 and March 31 ’07. 
For the 2007 Model Year, VW is introducing some new special editions to the mix. The familiar “Wolfsburg Edition” returns in the form of a specially-badged 2.5L Jetta that also features 16″ alloys, a sunroof, leatherette (we won’t call it pleather…oh wait, did we just do that?) seats, the winter package and upgraded floormats. Depending on the tranny buyers shoose, it’ll retail for either $19,360 or $20,435. Five color combos are available. 
Dahlback Racing, Swedish tuners of all things German, has tuned this 2004 Volkswagen Golf to 900 break-horsepower. The computer-controlled twin turbochargers vary the boost to channel anywhere between 600 and 900 horses to the tarmac through 285/30-ZR20 Bridgestone Potenza S-02 riding on twenty-inch rims. All that power is enough to propel the smokin’ hot hatch to 60 in 4.5 seconds on to a top speed of 183 mph, which is impressive, but you’d think it could do better with that kind of juice. 
For 2007, Volkswagen will offer a lineup of special edition models with unique characteristics to create excitement in showrooms and individuality among owners. The Wolfsburg Edition Jetta, Fahrenheit GTI, Fahrenheit GLI and Triple White New Beetle convertible will build on the already great features of the standard versions of these models, with elements and design cues exclusive to these special editions. 
Most carmakers have to choose either a supercharger or turbocharger to boost an engine. Volkswagen will use both in a bid to reduce fuel consumption of small petrol engines. That might sound crazy, but by using both forms of boosting technology, Volkswagen is able to reduce the size of an engine and maintain healthy performance. 
Diesels are becoming dream cars for a growing number of Australians. They promise better economy, lower running costs and a much longer run between stops at the pumps. But diesel sales are still only a tiny fraction of the showroom action in Australia. Most of the mainstream brands, with the exception of GM Holden with its Astra, have not jumped on the bandwagon. Yet. 
Volkswagen has revealed the new Touareg, which receives updates to both the front and rear fascias, as well as an interior refresh that includes new seats and a new high-zoot sound system. Up front, the Touareg adopts the current VW corporate look, getting Eos-style headlights and the chrome grille that’s now trickling across the entire model range. 
Volkswagen AG, Europe’s biggest automaker, said Wednesday that sales for all its brands rose 11 per cent through the end of August compared to last year, but warned that its German plants were barely profitable. Horst Neumann, the management board member who oversees human resources, told a meeting of nearly 15,000 VW workers in Wolfsburg that the company had sold 3.75 million vehicles in the first eight months of the year, 
In a word, the New Beetle is cute. Okay, the Turbo is reasonably fun, and the not-for-US-sale RSi was a hairy-enough beast that the flower vase could have been replaced with a holster, but this erases all of it. The lug nuts are pink. Does that mean your little sister will learn to change a tire? Maybe that’s what this is: an educational opportunity aimed at involving more women in the ownership experience.
Later this month in Paris, VW will publicly unveil the latest iteration of its Touran compact MPV. The seven-seater gets a new Passat/Eos-style face that features VW’s new grille and headlamp designs. A walk around back reveals a redesigned bumper and new taillamps. It’s not the sexiest MPV you’ll ever see, but it’s clean and appealing to the eye. 
Sedan no longer means big Aussie, nor even medium Japanese. Smaller cars can haul big butt, though not all rate well.