Volkswagen’s “Cross” lineup continues to expand. First, there was the CrossPolo. Next came the CrossGolf. In Mexico, you can even snag yourself a CrossFox. Now, European families can get in on the action with the similarly butched-up CrossTouran. Based on the newly redesigned Touran, the CrossTouran adopts the soft-roader looks of its siblings, but remains a regular MPV underneath it all. Continue reading Not “crossing” the pond: Volkswagen’s CrossTouran

This bit of news will no doubt be a big badge of honor for the few owners there are out there of the Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI. VW is hoping the number of Touareg TDI owners will grow, and demonstrated the diesel ute’s mighty pulling power recently in a press event that pitted it against the standing weight of a Boeing 747. The Touareg was “lightly modified” with the addition of 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs.) of ballast weight (!) and the fitment of the 4.56 axle from Touareg V8 model. Continue reading Touareg V10 TDI tows a 747

Looks like Wolfgang Bernhard may have taken the appointment of Martin Winterkorn as future Volkswagen AG CEO personally. Reports are swirling that Bernhard is likely to step down soon. Newspapers are reporting today that VW has asked for a commitment from Bernhard by Friday. German business newspaper Handelsblatt said Bernhard had threatened as early as May to resign if Winterkorn became CEO. Continue reading Wolfgang Bernhard could leave VW if commitment doesn’t come by Friday

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

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. Continue reading Volkswagen Euro-models go on Tour

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. Continue reading The 07 VW Special Editions: Wolfsburg, Farenheit, and Triple White

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. Continue reading 900 holes of Golf, anyone?

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. Continue reading VW Releases Special Edition Models for 2007

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. Continue reading Volkswagon Golf GT superturbo

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. Continue reading VW Jetta – diesel or turbo

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. Continue reading Volkswagen unveils the facelifted Touareg

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, Continue reading VW says sales this year up 11 per cent