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Spy Shots: Volkswagen Golf VII three-door version spied testing
If you want a break from all the news about the upcoming Geneva Motor Show then we have something for you: fresh spy shots of the seventh generation Volkswagen Golf set to be released this Fall at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. The model was caught testing in its three-door version, but as you can see, it wears the same camouflage as the previous mule spied. The future Golf VII will be built on Volkswagen’s new "Modularer Querbaukasten" MQB platform - that will be seen for the first time next month in the new generation Audi A3 when it debuts in Geneva. This new platform will make the model longer and wider, as well as about 100 lbs lighter than the current generation. Volkswagen will try to keep the Golf formula intact, but there will be changes made to the car’s design, on both the exterior and interior. It has been rumored that the new Golf VII will be offered with a new range of engines, more powerful and more fuel efficient. Volkswagen will also be offering a plug-in hybrid with 246 HP capable of more than 50 mpg. Spy Shots: Volkswagen Beetle Convertible keeps its top up for winter testing
The new generation Beetle was launched last year in its coupe version, but Volkswagen is still trying to keep the cabrio version a secret until its official debut this Spring at the 2012 New York Auto Show. Tough luck, V-Dub, because our spy photographers have caught the drop top Beetle testing in some shivery winter conditions. Volkswagen has done their best to make the convertible Beetle look like the old version, but they haven’t really succeeded at that. The model will borrow its design language from the coupe except it will feature an automated folding soft-top. Of course, that one selling point may be its most attractive feature, so expect higher sales for the convertible version. The Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio will be powered by the same engine line-up found in the coupe. There will be one diesel engine, as well as two petrol engines with power ranging from 138 HP to 197 HP. The engines will be mated to either a standard 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed DSG. 2014 Volkswagen Passat
In March at the Geneva Motor Show Volkswagen Group will be unveiled the new generation Audi A3 - the first model from the company that will use the new and flexible MQB platform. After it the same platform will also be used for the seventh generation Golf, but also for the next generation Passat. And the latest one has been caught outside, testing for the first time. What you see in these pictures is a mule of the next Passat, a mule that reveals wider fenders showing that the new Passat probably will have a slightly wider track and probably will offer more interior space, especially at the rear seat. Also, an interior shot show the instrument cluster and parts of the dash covered up, so expect some major changes in here too. As for the engine line-up there are no details at this point, but for sure Volkswagen will be offering both more powerful and more fuel efficient powertrains. Expect to see the new Volkswagen Passat launched sometime in 2014. 2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI Convertible
Volkswagen already offers a Cabriolet version for their standard Golf VI model, but the 2012 Geneva Motor Show will set the stage for the unveiling of the GTI Convertible. In fact, this model has already been previewed with the unveiling of the Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet Concept last year, but of course the production model does not look as aggressive as the concept. The new GTI Convertible carries the typical visual trademarks of the GTI that include red framing at the top and bottom of the radiator grille, a large air inlet screen, a new rear diffuser and chrome tailpipes on the left and right under the rear bumper. Under the hood you will find the usual 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 210 HP and sprints the car from 0 to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds (0.4 seconds slower than the GTI hatch) and up to a top speed of 147 mph. Updated 02/29/2012: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs. Hit the jump to read more about the new Volkswagen Golf GTI Convertible. Full story 2012 Volkswagen Beetle by JE Design
While everyone is waiting for the Beetle TDI version to debut next week in Chicago, German tuner Je Design has prepared an upgrade package for the existing 2.0 TFSI version. The package includes a pretty cool exterior upgrade, as well as the addition of 40 HP under the hood. The new Beetle already looks the part with its new, more masculine design, so the exterior didn’t need much. Je Design only added an attractive rear apron insert with a diffuser, a centered air duct, and a new steel muffler with a round 90 millimeter large twin tailpipe. The car now sits on a new set of 19" alloy multi spoke wheels painted in an exclusive black "Tornado" finish. The new wheels can be combined with new suspension springs with a progressive characteristic and a sporty spring constant. Under the hood, Je Design has tweaked the ECU to increase the output from 200 HP to 240 HP and the peak torque from 206 lbs-ft to 228 lbs-ft. As a result, the Beetle will now sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds (down from 7.5) and will hit a top speed of 138 mph. Volkswagen GTI Crazy Bob Sled
It’s been a rough winter in almost all parts of Europe, but if anyone se the guts to go out in weather like this then Volkswagen has a little something for them. The company has created a tool to provide some of the best sledding experiences anyone has ever had. Their new toy is a snow sled called the GTI Crazy Bob and with a name like that, it’s bound to be fun. Crazy Bob is a hot sled, in the truest sense of the word. It was built in the GTI style with high quality, cold-resistant plastic and features ergonomically shaped front and rear footrests. Both sides are worked to offer the highest security and special runners provide excellent glide and tracking. Due to its light weight, the Crazy Bob is easy to carry on your shoulder. The Crazy Bob can be had for 64,90 €, or about $85 at the current exchange rates. If this is too much, Volkswagen is also offering another traditional wooden sled that is priced at $65. Volkswagen Bluesport is still on track despite rumors
A few days ago, it was rumored that the Volkswagen Bluesport had been dropped because the company couldn’t find enough sales to justify investing in the model. But, according to British magazine Evo, this simply isn’t true because the Bluesport is still on track. In a recent interview with EVO, Volkswagen’s engineering boss, Uli Hackenberg, stated that the Bluesport project is still very much alive: "dealers are always looking backwards, not forwards… this is particularly the case when a new model is being considered as they don’t have any reference point to guide them, so they look around at the current market and give an estimate based on that." Uli elaborated by stating that a production version will arrive in the next three years and will carry a price tag of about £30,000 (about $47k at the current exchange rates). Maybe this means we’ll also see the baby Boxster in the near future? Top Speed Rendering: 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio
Volkswagen unveiled the coupe version of the new generation Beetle in April 2011 at the New York Auto Show and at that time, everyone believed that a cabrio version would only be a few months away. However, Volkswagen has decided to make us wait a little bit longer with the new Beetle Cabrio not making its world debut until late 2012. That’s just a little too long to wait so we got to work and came up with this rendering of the future drop top Beetle. The upcoming Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio will feature a design language similar to that of the coupe version, except, of course, for its soft-top folding roof. This means that the convertible Beetle will be bolder, more dynamic, and more masculine, making it a tad more appealing to the male population. Looking at the new Beetle, there’s a new design line from the front bumper and front air inlet, straight lines of the bonnet edges, a precisely drawn line between the A-pillar and C-pillar, and new styling of the rear lights, all assisting in the new generation’s transformation into a new world. The engine line-up will also be borrowed from the coupe version and will include one diesel and two petrol engine with power ranging from 138 HP to 197 HP. Every engine will be paired with either a standard 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed DSG transmission. 2012 Volkswagen Up! Five Door
The three door version of the new Volkswagen Up! was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, and now Volkswagen has released the first details on the five-door model. In Germany, the new version will go on sale March 6th with first deliveries arriving in May. Prices will start from 10,800 euro, or about $14,000 at the current exchange rates. The five-door Volkswagen Up! features the same dimensions as the three-door version, but the difference is the rear doors which open wide and allow easy boarding. The interior also offers more space, with 94.7cm (37.2 inches) of headroom and 79cm (31.1 inches) of legroom. The rear passengers will be even more comfortable thanks to raised seating positions. As for power, the new Up! will be offered with a 1.0-liter petrol engine with BlueMotion technology offered in either 60 or 75 HP versions. Both of these options are combined with start-stop function and an impressive fuel economy of 4.2 liters/100 km. Just like with three-door Up!, the new five-door model will be offered with City Emergency Braking - a new safety technology system that automatically actives at speeds of under 18.6 mph and uses a laser sensor to detect the risk of any imminent collisions. Next to this feature, the new five-door Up! will also get touchscreen navigation, Bluetooth, and other entertainment systems. 2012 Volkswagen Beetle TDI
While we were all expecting to see the convertible version of the new generation Beetle at the 2012 Chicago Motor Show in February, Volkswagen has decided to keep us waiting a little bit longer and are bringing a TDI version for the coupe instead. The new Beetle TDI will be powered by a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four cylinder engine that will deliver about 140 HP and 236 lb-ft of torque. The engine will be mated to a standard six-speed manual gearbox or an optional DSG transmission. This setup will deliver up to 50 mpg, making the new TDI version the most economical Beetle ever. Volkswagen has yet to announce whether or not the new engine will be offered in the upcoming Beetle Cabrio, but we’ll be on the lookout for any new details. The 2012 Chicago Auto Show will open its doors on February 8th, 2012 so stay tuned! | featured reviews:
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