So what’s a girl to do? Start up a petition on Twitter, that’s what! One of our VB faithful has done just that, and needs your support! Start following VW_L1_Love and sign the web petition to do your part to bring the L1 to a VW lot near you. Let’s get us some 200+ MPG love!!!!

But enter this smokin’ hot little gem by Marcelo Rosa. I don’t know what you think about it, but I loved it from the very first glance I had at the renderings. One of my own little rules about whether I truly like a car’s design or not is my absolute first glancing impression of its lines, and this concept doesn’t disappoint. What do you think?

The original SP2:

Concept Renderings:

* Images courtesy SeriousWheels.com and carscoop.blogspot.com

Volkswagen is looking for some feedback on the idea of offering a diesel hot hatch model in the U.S. market. Essentially this would have most of the GTI performance goodies (brakes, suspension, better wheels and tires, etc., etc.) but powered by a diesel powerplant – think of it as a green performance hatch. No promises of course, but they are interested in feedback.

This is your chance to tell VW what you want. Personally, I love the idea. The poll is being run in the forums, and requires a vortex account to vote (don’t sweat it – the account is free). If you haven’t visited the vortex forums, I highly suggest you do – even if you consider yourself a mild enthusiast.

VW certainly hopes you will, as they claim they will begin production of the L1 concept in 2010.

Consumers will have to give up more than passengers and storage space though, as the car is expected to reach a maximum speed of 75 miles per hour. You may go far, but you won’t get there in any kind of a hurry.

But while many might mock the ‘lil L1, I actually find it fascinating. This is a unique effort to make an extremely specialized car, something that would be great for short range travel that notches (significantly) above a motorcycle. They’re practically creating a new market segment. If you live 20-30 miles from work, this would be a fantastic solution that saves both money and emissions. I wouldn’t be surprised if the L1 receives a very warm welcome in the U.S. market, especially if the green movement continues to gain strength. There could be a ton of neo-hippies rockin’ this thing. The catch, of course, would be cost and safety. If they price it correctly (say in the 7-9k range) VW could sell a ton of these.

Of course we’ll have to wait less than 2 years (isn’t that crazy?!) until 2010 to see for sure. What about you VB faithful? Would you rock one of these?

They also have a blueprint for an original Beetle. Cool stuff. Thanks to 37signals for the initial point.

This morning I stumbled across this post which features this shot:

Featured are the Up!, the Space Up! and the Space Up! Blue (I’m assuming in that order). I have to say that I’m warming up to these little guys. I still have a fundamental problem with the exclamation point in name though.

For a bit more info, check out the original post.

So this is it, eh? After years of longing for a new microbus, this is what we get? Seriously? This honestly looks like an attempt to run in the Scion market, meant to go toe to toe with the xB. I picture thugged out 16 year olds driving this thing, annoying the crap out of me with their thumping bass as I sit at a stop light. I picture this thing in obnoxious colors, like purple and lime green.

But then again, I actually like it on some level. It is different, far from what I imagine when I think of a minivan. It actually has sex appeal. It’s somewhat bold and goofy – kinda in a good way.

But what I really want to know is, how in the world do you use those mirrors?

Thefuelsreport.com and Edmuds.com report that VW’s newest concept, to be called the “UP!”, will be seen at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The new uber compact 3 cylinder gas sipper is expected to sell for a measly $8,275 and is “hoped” to be in European showrooms by the end of the decade.There’s no word yet on if it’ll make an appearance stateside.

Take a gander at the little guy:

UP!DATE (I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist – a dumb name begs for dumb puns): Our friends at oneighturbo have posted videos of the concept.

• 12-cylinder, 6.0 liter motor
• 60 mph in 3.7 seconds
• 650 horsepower and 553 pound feet of torque

But despite the mind blowing facts, the concept slipped through the cracks for me. I almost immediately dismissed it as one of those cars that will never see production, and didn’t really offer it a second thought. Perhaps it was that I didn’t want to give any hope to the thought of the car being mass produced, for the near certainty that such hope would be crushed. So since then I’ve set my sights on more attainable rides, such as the R GTI and the R32 (The latter being due this fall of course). I just needed to see more than pretty promo shots and specs.

Then today I cruise my eGMCarTech, to have my hopes for the W12 raised by a YouTube video:

But wait. I thought I was watching a 12-cylinder, 6.0 liter, 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, 650 horsepower and 553 pound feet of torque, push your eyeballs into the back of your head beast of a car. And what is this? 1:35 of said beast “cruising” around a lame track?! Ugh. But a quick search on YouTube reveals that this is the best video of the car moving available. Most are still shots put to music. Disappointing.

So now I’m left wanting. I NEED to see this thing showing off! I wanna see more! So I’m calling out to you VB faithful. If you’ve seen a good video of the W12 GTI in motion, pretty please link it up!

VW Blog also says that the name for the vehicle is uncertain, though some say it will be “Lupa”.

This is the first we’ve heard of a new name for the car, but the rumors have been swirling about a new Beetle for a bit. But to convert the beloved Beetle into an economy car? I’m not sure how I feel about that. On one hand, the contemporary view of the Beetle has become one of of “cuteness”, making it more of a novelty. People have come to expect that, and I think some folks will be very turned off by an economy car.

But then again, this is the Beetle’s roots. The fact that just about everyone could drive a Volkswagen Beetle is empowering, and kind of spits in the face of the idea of the brand moving upscale. So to that end, I’d be happy.

But of course the real verdict would be handed down when(if) the new model is released. If it screams economy car, folks will thumb their nose at it. But if they can pull it off, it’d be a great penetration car. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see…

Great video. Amazing car. I always love to hear the designers talk about design choices and goals. Could this be a production car one day? I don’t think so, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Initially posted yesterday on VW Tuning Mag.

Reports that Volkswagen might not bring the Scirocco sport hatch back to the United States (“Can That Plan,” AW, April 30) may be premature. VW of America vice president Adrian Hallmark had been quoted as saying the Scirocco isn’t needed in the States because it might cannibalize GTI hatchback sales.

Not so fast, says the home office. Scirocco remains on the U.S. dance card for late 2008; a final decision will come from company boss Martin Winterkorn in Germany, according to VW spokesman Hans-Gerd Bode. VW plans a huge product offensive at the 2008 Geneva show, so look for Winterkorn’s U.S. Scirocco call to come by then.

Our hopes are still alive!! Bring it Winterkorn, bring it. :D By the time this little guy potentially arrives here, I would be ready to get a new ride. Hmmm, family vehicle or fun vehicle? Choices, choices.

“It is economically suicidal for us to risk the sales volume and the potential for GTI,” Hallmark told Automotive News. “We don’t want it,” Hallmark said of the Scirocco.

Whatta bummer. I was looking forward to seeing this fella zooming around town in my neck of the woods. I can certainly understand the cause for concern though. The GTI is wonderfully serving it’s market here, and for VW drop another sporty hatchback into the mix could be overkill. It’s basically the same car.

So, why build it in the first place? There are markets that are bland and under served that VW could make a killing in. *cough* Microbus! *cough*

Interesting, to say the least. From the U.S. auto industry’s point of view, there isn’t much room to play between those two models. Then again, it could be that this new model won’t be released in the U.S. Read the full article (in French) here.

(Spy photos courtesy Lehmann Photo-Syndication and www.auto.cz via caradisiac.com)