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Volkswagen’s 2009 Jetta TDI Clean Diesel Awarded Green Car of the Year

Dan Volkens — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:51:35 +0000

The 2009 Jetta TDI clean diesel has been awarded the 2009 Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal. The editors at Green Car Journal nominated five vehicles that represented the year’s best-of-the-best 2009 green vehicles, and today announced that they have chosen Volkswagen’s Jetta TDI clean diesel as the best-of-the-best and awarded it their 2009 Green Car of the Year. Via media.vw.com

Volkswagen Showcases Variety of Diesel Technology at 2008 L.A. Auto Show

Dan Volkens — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:08:46 +0000

Volkswagen showcased the breadth of their diesel powered technology during a news conference today at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show. Volkswagen debuted its all-new 50-state compliant Touareg V6 TDI clean diesel SUV along with a purpose-built Volkswagen-Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck that will run this years Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. Via media.vw.com

Volkswagen Releases 2009 Jetta TDI Cup Schedule

Dan Volkens — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:34:44 +0000

Following a highly successful 2008 season, Volkswagen of America, Inc. and SCCA Pro Racing have announced nine of the ten rounds that will compose the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup. Via media.vw.com

Volkswagen Group: 5.29 Million Vehicles Delivered Between January and October 2008

Dan Volkens — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:50:15 +0000

The Volkswagen Group delivered 5.29 million vehicles to customers worldwide during the first ten months of this year (+2.8 percent)*. The Group therefore fared noticeably better than the overall market (-2.9 percent). Over the same period, the Group’s share of the passenger car market rose by 0.6 percentage points to 10.2 percent. In the month of October, the Group delivered 502,600 vehicles worldwide (-5.1 percent), also a better development than the overall market (-16 percent). Via volkswagen-media-services.com

Volkswagen Announces Drivers and Sponsors for Tecate SCORE Baja 1000

Dan Volkens — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:29:09 +0000

The all-new purpose-built Volkswagen-Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI, powered by a clean diesel TDI engine, will be driven by motorsport veterans Mark Miller and Ryan Arciero as Volkswagen competes in the 41st running of the Tecate Score Baja 1000. Via media.vw.com

Volkswagen to Unveil Purpose Built Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck at L.A. Auto Show

Dan Volkens — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:11:35 +0000

Volkswagen of America, Inc. will unveil its purpose-built Volkswagen-Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck, powered by a clean diesel TDI engine, during a news conference at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. The news conference is scheduled for 10:45 to 11:10 a.m., Wednesday, November 19, 2008, at the Volkswagen stand. Via media.vw.com

Volkswagen Enters New Clean Diesel TDI Trophy Truck in 41st SCORE Baja 1000

Dan Volkens — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:59:00 +0000

Volkswagen of America, Inc. has announced the all new Volkswagen-Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI, powered by a clean diesel TDI engine, will enter this year’s 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race in the SCORE Trophy Truck class. Volkswagen will unveil its purpose-built Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck during its news conference at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. The news conference is scheduled for 10:45 to 11:10 a.m., Wednesday, November 19, 2008. Via media.vw.com

Make Babies at VW.com

Matt Radel — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:15:37 +0000

Hot on the heels of the controversial Routan TV ads, VW has launched a new site that invites you to make a baby without…ahem…actually making a baby. All you need is a pic of mom and dad (separately) and the site will create a cuddly (and somewhat creepy looking) virtual baby for you.

This isn’t necessarily a new concept - it reminds me a bit of the Burger King Simpsonize Me site that was released to promote the Simpsons movie about a year or so ago (and the fact that both Burger King and VW are clients of Crispin Porter & Bogusky is a little suspect as well). But what might ruffle a few feathers is the introductory text that accompanies the babymaker on the site:

Use this tool to have a Routan baby with a loved one, or a person you hardly even know. Just find the right mate, and make a baby so adorable you just can’t help but love.

I think that line alone is enough to say that VW is going to continue to toe the line with this campaign. But what do you guys think? Is this just fun and clever, or has VW gone too far? Sound off in the comments.

Recall: New Passat CC Steering Malfunction Possible

Dan Volkens — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:59:17 +0000

Thankfully there have not been any accidents related to this recall, but apparently owners of the new Volkswagen Passat CC could find themselves losing control of their beautiful new rides. According to the NHTSA, a capacitor in the steering mechanism could be damaged, resulting in the car not responding to steering input. What a polite way to say, "I CAN'T CONTROL THE CAR!!!! AAHHHHHH!!!!!!" View the recall on the NHTSA's website.

2008 SEMA: Volkswagen CC Eco Performance Concept

Dan Volkens — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:46:30 +0000

Powerful performance meets luxury in the Super CC performance concept Volkswagen unveiled at the 2008 SEMA show in Las Vegas. The Performance CC brings a sleek exterior treatment highlighted by black chrome exterior accents, grey pearl paint with custom front and rear bumper, side panels and machined aluminum spoiler. The black treatment continues inside with high-gloss piano black accents offset by matte black graphics. Customer black leather Recaro seats and matching floor mats are highlighted with white piping. Via media.vw.com

2008 SEMA: Volkswagen Performance Tiguan

Dan Volkens — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:00:12 +0000

For the 2008 SEMA Show,Volkswagen has brought performance, styling and audio upgrades to their popular new Tiguan, the GTI of compact SUV’s. Via media.vw.com

Volkswagen New Beetle Featured in Barneys New York’s Groovy Holiday Campaign

Dan Volkens — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:08:30 +0000

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today its partnership with Barneys New York for the retailer’s “Peace and Love: Have a Hippie Holiday” campaign, a tribute to the explosive creativity and iconic designs of the 1960’s. As a focal point for the campaign, Volkswagen and Barneys Creative Director Simon Doonan have commissioned New York artist John-Paul Philippe to custom paint a one-of-a-kind New Beetle inspired by the decade and its indelible iconography. Via media.vw.com

Volkswagen Showcases Personalization, Performance and Power at 2008 SEMA Show

Dan Volkens — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:46:01 +0000

For the 2008 SEMA show Volkswagen of America, Inc. brings a race-car and its performance Jetta TDI sibling, two exciting versions of the all-new CC and a hot performance Tiguan that blows away the competition; all to illustrate how their growing line-up can be transformed into unique high-performance, one-of-a-kind vehicles. Via media.vw.com

Volkswagen Reports October 2008 Sales

Dan Volkens — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:20:27 +0000

Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced October 2008 sales of 15,889 units, a 7.9 percent decrease over the October 2007 sales of 17,260 vehicles. On a year-to-date basis, 2008 Volkswagen sales are 0.6 percent behind 2007 sales through October. Via media.vw.com

VW Discusses New Midsize Sedan to be Built in Chattanooga

Dan Volkens — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:24:22 +0000

Volkswagen has so far been pretty sketchy about what will be built at its new Chattanooga plant. About all they’ve said is that it will be a brand new mid-size sedan model specifically for the U.S. market. Via autoblog.com

2008 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Drivers Compete in Polo Cup Race at Germany’s Famed Hockenheim Raceway

Dan Volkens — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:02:42 +0000

2008 Jetta TDI Cup points champion, Josh Hurley, Cooper City, Fla. and 2008 Jetta TDI Cup media contest winner, David Richert, Niverville, Manitoba, Canada, both drove in the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup race this weekend at Hockenheim, placing tenth and 22nd respectively in the final race of the season for the Polo Cup series. Hurley’s tenth place finish secured his position as the best finish by a guest entrant in the race. Via media.vw.com

No US Bound 2009 VW R32… For Now

Dan Volkens — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:42:33 +0000

We have some bad news for all you Volkswagen R32 fans out there: Thomas Wegehaupt, spokesman for Volkswagen, has informed us that there will be no U.S. version of the R32 for the 2009 model year. Via blogs.cars.com

Porsche Increases Volkswagen Stake to 42.6 Percent

Dan Volkens — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:30:40 +0000

Automaker Porsche said Sunday it had boosted its stake in Volkswagen AG to 42.6 percent as part of its goal to take a majority hold in Europe’s biggest car maker before the end of the year. Porsche Automobile Holding SE was already Volkswagen’s biggest shareholder, with just over 35 percent, and said this month that its stake had increased, without giving an exact figure. Porsche said it wanted to announce its holding now, given the ongoing turbulence on financial markets. It also said it held an additional 31.5 percent in cash-settled options, that would give it indirect control of 74.1 percent of VW shares. Via detnews.com

New Volkswagen SP2 in the Works?

Dan Volkens — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:32:41 +0000

More can be learned about the fabled Volkswagen SP2, or “Project X” as it was called by Volkswagen’s Brazilian subsidiary, on its Wikipedia page. Suffice it to say, the hot little slope-backed coupe never really made it off the ground due to very poor performance. Brazilians even equated the “SP” in the name to “Sem Potência”, translated to “Without Power”.

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

Scirocco Reconsidered for the U.S.

Dan Volkens — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:56:34 +0000

Autoblog.com has reported via Autonews that Volkswagen is actually reconsidering bringing the new Scirocco to the United States after all! Looks like the top VW brass do listen to their customers, albeit to them it's just a whisper while in reality it's a wild roar. Bring it on guys!