Volkswagen
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We know that Volkswagen is in the midst of readying a seven-seat crossover and a long-wheelbase Tiguan as a part of a new product offensive for the U.S., but that may not be the only vehicle in the plans. Automotive News reports that Volkswagen is considering two other vehicles for the U.S. The first is the production version of the Golf R-400 concept. The concept which made its North American debut at the LA Auto Show in November packs 395 horsepower version of the Golf R's turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder. Hans-Jakob Neusser, Volkswagen’s development chief tells Automotive News the company is close to making a decision on whether the model should go into production. “W…
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Sometimes the more interesting bits of an auto show aren't the vehicles on display. Its the senior executives divulging some intriguing information. Case in point comes to us from Automotive News. Volkswagen of America's CEO, Michael Horn let out that the upcoming Golf SportWagen will be available with the company's 4Motion all-wheel drive system starting 2016. Also in 2016, the U.S. will also be getting the Golf Alltrack, a version of the SportWagen with increased ride height and body cladding. “That’s what our dealers, our customers, are asking us for,” said Horn. "This will come in 2016 when we need it to refresh our volumes.” What is causing Volkwagen to introduc…
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It seems Volkswagen has entered the megalomaniac stage. According to German publication Autobild, Volkswagen is planning a new premium midsize model to take on the likes of the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. This new model is expected to come in the form hatchback sedan (think Audi A7) and a station wagon. The U.S. and China will get the sedan only, while everywhere else will have both options. As for what will underpin the new model, Volkswagen is debating whether to use its own MQB architecture or use Audi's MLB platform. Power will come from a range of four and six-cylinder diesel and gas engines. This new model is expected to go on sale towards the end of…
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The next-generation Porsche 911 could have another model joining its extensive lineup. CarAdvice.com.au has learned from Porsche CEO Matthias Muller that hybrid power for the 911 has been under serious consideration. “We have been doing some analysis to see whether it will work,” said Muller. “There is no decision up until now [but] we are negotiating that, and we will see. Maybe in the next generation – there is no reason against it and we will see if we have some reasons to do it.” The next-generation 911 is expected to arrive by 2018 at the earliest, but that isn't the only model being considered for hybrid power. Muller said that the entire lineup is being looked at…
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Every few years, Audi shows off a TT concept that leads to the speculation of a TT family. Such examples include a shooting brake or a crossover. Now it happens to be a sedan. The Audi TT Sportback Concept doesn't have all of the usual Audi concept trademarks such as large wheels, miniscule mirrors, and odd interior treatments. The outside looks like the new TT coupe with slim headlight and distinctive roofline. The back end reminds us the quattro concept, especially the trunk lid. Compared to the TT Coupe, the Sportback is 11 inches longer, 2.4 inches wider and rides on a wheelbase that is 4.7 inches longer. Under the hood lies a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder produci…
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For the past year, there was a far fetched rumor flying around that Volkswagen was working on a high-performance version of the XL1 hyper-efficient vehicle with some help from the recently bought Ducati. Well it seems that wasn't as far fetched as many thought. Meet the Volkswagen XL Sport Concept. The concept uses a Ducati V-twin engine from of the 1199 Superlegerra motorcycle which is capable of 197 horsepower. Placed into a vehicle with a curb weight of 1,962 pounds, the XL Sport has a power to weight ratio of 9.95:1. Volkswagen quotes figures such as 11,000 rpm redline, 5.7 seconds to hit 60 MPH, and a top speed of 168 MPH. Aside from the performance and weight, th…
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Last month, the United Auto Workers established a local chapter for workers at Volkswagen's Chattanooga, Tennessee plant. This month, opponents of the UAW are working on establishing their own union chapter. According to Reuters, opponents are creating the first chapter of American Council of Employees, which will allow hourly and salary workers to join. Mike Burton, a key player in defeating the UAW's efforts to represent hourly workers in Chattanooga, is leading the efforts in creating this new union. He tells Reuters that since the UAW lost, more workers have come over to the UAW's side. The hope with this new union is that it will force Volkswagen to hold another vo…
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Audi appears to have a hit on their hands with the new A3. Bloomberg reports that in the first three months of sale, the A3 has outsold the Mercedes-Benz CLA by a rate of 2 to 1. In June, Audi move 2,452 A3s, while Mercedes-Benz moved only 1,658 CLAs. Year-to-date sales, the CLA holds an 2,841 unit advantage over the A3, mostly due to model going on sale a bit earlier than the A3. “CLA was the only game in town for a while, and now there’s something to compare it to. If you read some of the comparison tests, the A3 is coming out on top by a long stretch,” said Michelle Krebs, an analyst at AutoTrader.com. So why is the A3 doing much better than the CLA? Some of it migh…
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The Audi A3 family is growing. By the end of the this summer, the standard A3 sedan will be joined by the A3 TDI, Cabriolet, and the S3 sedan. Audi has gone ahead and announced pricing for these three new variants. The A3 TDI will be the closest to the existing A3 sedan in price. With a pricetag of $33,495 (includes destination), the TDI sits between the base 1.8 FWD A3 ($$30,795) and the 2.0T A3 ($33,795). The TDI will use a new 2.0L turbodiesel four-cylinder with 150 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The TDI model will only come in front-wheel drive. Next is the A3 Cabriolet which begins at $36,495 for the 1.8 with front-wheel drive or $39,495 for the 2.0T with…
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The trail of rumors of Porsche working on a flat-four engine can be traced back to 2011 when the rumor of the entry-level model was still flying around. Since that time, the entry-level project has been reportedly canned, but the flat-four engine still carrying on. We last heard about this back in 2012 when a turbocharged version was reportedly going into a high-performance variant of the Cayman. Since then, it has been radio silence. Until this past week. Car Magazine reportedly got a look at spec sheet on the flat-four engine project which lists three different variants. The variants include, 1.6L flat-four: 210 horsepower, N/A on torque 2.0L flat-four: 286 horsepo…
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The decision on where Volkswagen's upcoming crossover should be built has ended up becoming a tug-of-war between Mexico and Tennessee. Reuters reports that Volkswagen has delayed a decision that was expected this month on where the crossover will be built after the respective governments negotiating with VW over incentive deals. "VW is taking way too long again to tackle another pressing U.S. problem. The crossover will be a gainful addition to their portfolio, VW has got no time to waste," said Arndt Ellinghorst, London-based analyst at ISI Group. Two sources tell Reuters that the company is planning to make a final decision at the end of the month. In other Volkswage…
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G. David Felt Alternative Fuels & Propulsion writer www.CheersandGears.com The late wife of the driver that killed Actor Paul Walker claims her husband was killed by a faulty designed auto that had suspension problems and that the car was only going 55mph when it had failed before the crash. Msn Movie news is reporting, full story here: http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=866888&ocid=ansent11
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Last year, Volkswagen made an announcement that shocked many of us. The Golf GTD, a GTI with a diesel was slated to come to the U.S. within the next couple years. But news coming out of New York may dash those dreams many of us had. Volkswagen of America's CEO, Michael Horn told reporters that the 2.0L turbodiesel engine used in the GTD cannot be built at company's engine plant in Silao, Mexico, and that the engine would have to be imported from Germany, rasing the cost. “The GTD would be a great car,” said Horn, but with that added cost, “the price point is not really attractive. So the probability is sort of diminishing.” Horn didn't say why the engine couldn't be bu…
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While many of us are still trying to figure out the point of the BMW X6, other competitors who are German see a possible market emerging. Mercedes-Benz is readying their competitor which is supposedly called the MLC and Audi is rumored to be working on one as well. Well another German automaker is possibly working on as well. Autoweek reports that Porsche is considering a coupe-like Cayenne model. The new model is expected to share many of the design cues of an upcoming refresh due for the Cayenne due in 2017, along with sleeker roofline and sloping rear end. The interior will be shared with the Cayenne. The coupe-like Cayenne will utilize the upcoming MLB platform whic…
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G. David Felt Alternative Fuels & Propulsion writer www.CheersandGears.com According to the Frankfurt AFP, ten years after the end of the iconic original beetle, Volkswagen is ending their Type 2 Van on December 20, 2013. This will close a 63 year run for a Van that has seen world history through the eyes of many. To many, the camper van star shines as bright as the original Beetle star shined when production came to a close. The Type 2 -- which shares the Beetle's rear engine and its axles -- started life as a doodle by Dutch car salesman Ben Pon, VW's first car dealer outside Germany, on a visit to the carmaker's plant in Wolfsburg in 1947. VW finally agreed t…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com December 12, 2013 Surprising news coming from Volkswagen today. Jonathan Browning, CEO of Volkswagen of America has stepped down. In a statement, Volkswagen says Browning has left for personal reasons. A former executive for Ford and General Motors, Browning became CEO of Volkswagen of America in 2010. During his tenure, Volkswagen saw sales rise 23 percent in 2011 and 30 percent in 2012. This year has seen sales decline five percent through most of this year with sales standing at 373,689 vehicles. Meanwhile, the automotive industry is experiencing growth of eight percent in the same time frame. Browning's replacement …
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It has been almost a year since Volkswagen introduced the U.S. to the seventh-generation GTI at last year's New York Auto Show. While we have to wait just till June for the GTI to arrive at dealers, the company has revealed the pricing for the hot hatch. The 2015 GTI will start a price of $25,515 (includes a $820 destination charge) for the S model which gets you a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder with 210 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a six-speed manual transmission. That will also get you a drive-mode selector, touchscreen radio, LED foglights, and heated front seats. Step to SE model which starts at $27,395 and comes equipped with a sunroof, keyless ent…
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Since Volkswagen launched the Amarok pickup in 2009 in certain parts of the world, it has become a success for the company. It has also made many people in the U.S. clamor Volkswagen to bring the Amarok here. Before the model was launched, Volkswagen was considering selling it in the U.S. However the decision was made that the Amarok wouldn't be a good fit. But Volkswagen appears to be reconsidering their decision. "It's a question mark, but it starts to be discussed. Let's put it this way: we start to discuss it again and whether it's attractive for us," said Volkswagen North American CEO Michael Horn to Autoblog. But don't think the current Amarok will be coming to th…
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Ladies and Gentlemen... May we present the 2015 Audi TT. If you're scratching your head and wondering, wow it looks like the current model except for a new front end, you're not the only one. It appears the new TT is an evolution of the current model with some elements of Audi's quattro and Sport quattro concepts. Meanwhile inside, Audi designers made some radical decisions. The most obvious decision is no center display in the center stack. Those duties are handled by a new multifunction LCD screen in the gauge cluster. Another interesting decision is the climate controls placed on the center of the air vents. Power will come from three different engines: 2.0L TDI fou…
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The workers Volkswagen's Chattanooga assembly plant in Tennessee have made their decision on union representation. On Friday night, retired Tennessee Circuit Court Judge Sam Payne released the results of the three day vote which saw workers say no to UAW representation by a vote of 712 people opposed to 626 people in favor. "On behalf of Volkswagen Group of America, I want to thank all of our Chattanooga production and maintenance employees for their participation in this week's vote. They have spoken, and Volkswagen will respect the decision of the majority," said Frank Fischer, CEO and Chairman of Volkswagen Chattanooga. The decision makes the Chattanooga plant an out…
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Porsche is putting big expectations on their next vehicle, the Macan crossover. According to Bloomberg, Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller said that new the Macan will help the brand exceed 200,000 sales globally. That's three full years ahead of the brand's original goal. “We’re transferring the genes of the Porsche brand into a new market segment. Porsche will remain a manufacturer of very exclusive premium cars,” said Muller at the start of Macan production. Since the Macan's debut at the LA Auto Show last year, demand from customers was very high. Reportedly in some European countries, the model has sold out. Porsche says if demand outstrips the supply, they will increas…
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With the new Golf coming to the U.S. later this year, Volkswagen decided it would be a good time to give the Jetta a bit of a refresh. Vinay Shahani, Volkswagen's vice president of marketing tells Autoblog that the company is planning a refreshed Jetta that will arrive later this year. Expect subtle tweaks to the exterior and interior, and maybe some new features. Shahani also revealed that the next-generation Jetta SportWagen would be arriving early, however it will not have the Jetta nameplate. When the model arrives, it will be wearing the Golf nameplate. Shahani explained that ays this will better position a "Golf family" of vehicles. It makes sense considering the n…
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Audi has some very ambitious plans in the coming years. It's planning eleven new models and has set a new global sales goal of two million vehicles in the next few years. How will Audi pay this off? Well by investing more money. According to Bloomberg, Audi has increased its investment by 500 million euros to 22 billion euros ($30.3 billion US). Seventy percent of the investment will go towards development of new vehicles and technologies. “We are now decisively steering toward our next milestone. This is why we’re keeping our foot on the gas pedal regarding investments,” said CEO Rupert Stadler said in a statement. There are two possible reasons why Audi has increase…
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While the Porsche 911 has a well-earned reputation for being a master of roads and racetracks, it has a lesser-known reputation for playing in the dirt. During the late seventies and early eighties, 911s could be seen running in rallies, sliding around in the dirt, snow, or whatever else. Porsche apparently is revisiting this with a new concept. According to Motor Revue, sister publication of Auto Bild, Porsche will be showing the 911 Safari Concept at the Beijing Motor Show next April. Using the 911 Carrera 4 as a base, the concept will feature an off-road-capable suspension, higher ground clearance, skid plates, and beefier tires. Now if there is enough interest, Porsc…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com December 4, 2013 The smallest crossover that Audi currently sells is the Q3, but the automaker thinks that is too big. So the German automaker has released a teaser shot of the upcoming Q1 Crossover. "The Audi Q1 is part of our broad-based SUV strategy. It is designed on the basis of the modular transverse engine concept and will round off our Q series at the bottom end," said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi. The sketch released by Audi shows the Q1 having similar looks to the Crosslane concept shown at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Other bits of information given by Audi is that the Q1 will be …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 25, 2013 It appears we have the start of entry-level luxury car wars as Audi has announced pricing for the upcoming 2015 A3 sedan. The compact sedan will cost $30,875* (includes a $895 destination charge) when it arrives at dealers next spring. The A3 sedan will come a 1.8L TFSI four-cylinder with 170 horsepower and a six-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters. Front-wheel drive will be standard, while quattro all-wheel drive is an option. Standard equipment for the A3 sedan includes panoramic glass sunroof, leather seating surfaces, Bluetooth, and bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime runn…
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to an airhead anchor on CNN http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/business/2013/10/01/audi-pushes-diesel-intv.cnn.html
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 7, 2013 It has been about two years since Audi announced that the Q3 Crossover would be coming to the U.S. Since that time, no word has come out of Audi HQ about when the Q3 would be arriving on our shores. We have a answer and a possible timeframe. According to Car and Driver, Audi is planning to launch the Q3 in the U.S. within the next eighteen to twenty-four months. The reason is due to the way the U.S. classifies vehicles. Audi wants the Q3 to be classified as a 'light truck', however it doesn't meet certain criteria such as the vehicle's approach angle. Audi will be addressing this with a mid-cycle refresh.…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 27, 2013 Before too long, the current-generation VR6 motor that currently powers the CC will be retired. But a new report says Volkswagen is working on a successor. According to Autoweek, Volkswagen is developing a new VR6 motor with forced induction. The engine is likely to be a 3.0L, feature twin-turbos, and developed for transverse mounting. Sources say the new engine can produce somewhere in the range of 340 to 450 horsepower, dependent on the tune. There is no word on when this engine will be revealed, but the report says certain vehicles like the CC, Passat, and a production version of the CrossBlue con…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 19, 2013 Within the past three years, Audi has shown two different quattro concepts. At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, there was the quattro Concept. Then at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi pulled the covers off the Sport quattro concept. Speaking with Auto Express, Audi's head of design Wolfgang Egger says that the quattro could reach production, but the decision of which one to use is being debated. "With every design concept we do we are thinking about everything becoming reality.” said Egger. “We have done one (designed for MQB platform (quattro concept)) and now we have done the other (on larger MLB pl…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 18, 2013 Volkswagen is planning to shutter all of its naturally-aspirated engines within the next three to four years. This news came from Volkswagen’s executive vice president for group quality, Mark Trahan. “You have to have a turbo these days. We only have one normally aspirated gas engine, and when we go to the next generation vehicle that it’s in, it will be replaced. So three, four years maximum.” That engine is the 3.6L VR6 that is found in the Passat, CC, and Touareg. Source: The Detroit News William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 17, 2013 A new report from Edmunds says that Volkswagen still has its eyes set on sending the next-generation Phaeton to the U.S., but when that will be is up in the air. "There will come a time when it is right to bring it back to the U.S. marketplace, but what we haven't defined yet is when that will be," said Volkswagen of America president and CEO Jonathan Browning. Sources tell Edmunds that at the moment, the Phaeton's return is at least three years away. Considering a previous report that had said the reveal of the next-generation Phaeton will happen in later 2014 or early 2015, that puts the possible re…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 11, 2013 With Volkswagen still trying to work on taking over the world, sorry I mean become the number one automaker in the world, their chief executive of America says the company is considering selling commercial vehicles in the U.S. Jonathan Browning, chief executive of VW Group of America told Reuters that vehicles such as the Caddy and Transporter vans "certainly represent an opportunity" for the United States. "There are preliminary discussions (with VW's Wolfsburg-based management) but no definitive plans at the moment," said Browning. If Volkswagen gives the green light for commercial vehicles to be s…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 10, 2013 Audi has revealed the 2015 A3 Cabriolet before its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week. The A3 Cabriolet is Audi's entry-level convertible and becomes the forth member of the A3 family. Using the A3 sedan and not the hatchback as a base, the A3 Cabriolet carries many of the design cues found on modern Audis and is a bit bigger in most dimensions, aside from height. Audi decided not to go with a hardtop and stick with a fabric top. This allows the A3 Cabriolet to raise and lower its roof within eighteen seconds. Powering the A3 Cabriolet are 1.4L TFSI four-cylinder with 140 horsepower,…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 4, 2013 Another day, another automaker revealing their showing at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The automaker in question happens to be Audi with the Sport quattro concept. The Sport quattro concept draws a lot of inspiration from the original Audi Sport quattro with large flat surfaces, blisters over the wheel fenders, bright yellow paint, and of course the iconic shape of the quattro coupe. Other items to take note are Audi's Matrix LED headlight technology in the front headlights and twenty-one inch center-lock alloy wheels. Power comes from a plu-in hybrid powertrain that features a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 engine…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 22, 2013 Volkswagen has officially pulled back the curtain on the next-generation Golf R, making its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. The new Golf R packs the same 2.0L turbo-four found under the new Audi S3 with 296 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Impressive numbers when compared to the outgoing Golf R which packed 256 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. Power is channeled to all four wheels via Haldex system and the choice of either a six-speed manual or dual-clutch transmission. Other changes to the Golf R include a 0.78 inch drop to the suspension, aggressive body kit, dual exhaust …
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com February 20, 2013 Audi has pulled back the curtain on the production RS Q3 before its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The RS Q3 stands out from other Q3s by number of small changes on the exterior. There is a high-gloss black honeycomb front grille, RS front bumper, a rear diffuser with a single oval tailpipe, roof spoiler, exclusive 19-inch or 20-inch wheels, and body accents. Inside the RS Q3 is a set of sport seats in black Alcantara and leather, a revised instrument cluster, a flat–bottom steering wheel, and a load of aluminum trim. Powering the RS Q3 is a turbocharged 2.5L five-cylinder engine producin…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 17, 2013 What do the Honda Civic, Chevrolet Malibu, and upcoming Audi Q7 have in common? All of them have undergone an emergency redesign. Motor Trend reports that Audi has ordered a emergency redesign on the next Q7. The original design was described as being "Too Brutal and Ostentatious"and was negatively received. This is possibly one of the reasons that former head of product development at Audi, Wolfgang Dürheimer was pushed out. The cost of this emergency redesign? $260 million and being pushed back a year. Source: Motor Trend William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at wi…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 8, 2013 Volkswagen announced this week that the 2015 Beetle, Golf, Jetta, and Passat will come with a new turbodiesel engine. The aptly named EA288 TDI Clean Diesel will take the place of the current 2.0L TDI engine. Performance specs are 150 horsepower (up ten horsepower from the current engine) and 236 pound-feet of torque. Volkswagen made a number of changes to the engine that improves throttle response and lower emissions thanks to a complex exhaust-gas recirculation system and integrating the intercooler and the EGR valve with the intake manifold. The engine will arrive in the second half of 2014. Source: V…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 5, 2013 Volkswagen has reportedly begun planning a competitor to the Subaru Outback. According to Automotive News, Volkswagen has given a green light to an AWD version of the next-gen Golf-based Jetta SportWagon. Sources say the company is deciding whether to make into Outback competitor with a higher ground clearance and body-cladding. Now Volkswagen currently sells something like this in parts of the world. The Passat Alltrack takes a Passat wagon and raises the ride height and adds body cladding. Volkswagen showed a concept version of the Passat Alltrack at the 2012 New York Auto Show. Source: Automotive News …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 1, 2013 Back in 2002, Volkswagen launched its most ambitious vehicle. Dubbed the Phaeton, the vehicle took the place of the brand's flagship and many automotive writers considered it to be one of the best luxury vehicles on sale. However four years later, the Phaeton was pulled from the market due to poor sales. But Volkswagen is mounting a comeback for the next-generation Phaeton. Car and Driver reports that Volkswagen will bring over the next-generation Phaeton sometime in 2016. Previous reports said that the next-gen Phaeton would be shown next year, with some going out on a limb and saying Detroit would be the…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 10, 2013 Volkswagen has announced their 2014 lineup and the big news is that the 2.5L will be bidding farewell in the Beetle, Jetta, and Passat. In its place will be a new 1.8L turbocharged four-cylinder with 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. While the 1.8T has about the same horsepower as the outgoing 2.5, it has about seven more pound-feet of torque. The 1.8T will be available in the Jetta and Passat SEL at the start. The rest of the Passat lineup and Beetle will follow. The 2014 Jetta also trades in its torsen-beam rear suspension for an independent rear suspension, which should improve the driving dyn…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 8, 2013 According to a report from Motor Trend, Volkswagen is planning to bring over the next-generation Polo and a new subscompact crossover to the U.S. within the next few years. The reason is due to the upcoming CAFE standards and Volkswagen apparently needs a few more vehicles to help out. The new Polo and subcompact crossover will utilize Volkswagen's MQB platform which has the flexibility to support a wide range of gasoline, diesel, hybrid, and all-electric powertrains. No one knows what's in store for these two models in the U.S. The only thing that we know is that the subcompact crossover will be underneath…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 5, 2013 When Volkswagen pulled the covers off the new Golf GTD at the Geneva Motor Show this year, questions arose whether or not the model would arrive in the U.S. Answers were mixed between yes and no. But we now have an answer. The GTD will be coming. Volkswagen made the announcement this week, saying the GTD will be here in 2015 as a 2016 model. The model will use a 2.0L TDI engine with 184 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. "We see it as a very important part of our full range of offerings, a technology halo for our diesel technology," said Andreas Valbuena, VW's product manager for the Golf. Source: Au…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 17, 2013 Back at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, Audi unveiled the quattro concept. The concept marked the 30th anniversary of the original quattro being introduced. Talk of a production model came and gone, leaving us wondering if there was the chance of a quattro rebirth ever happening. A new report from Autoweek says it could happen. Sources tell the magazine that Audi is preparing a new quattro concept that could be shown as soon as the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The new concept will pay homage to the Sport quattro, introduced back in 1984. Details on this vehicle are somewhat scarce, but sources say t…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 3, 2013 Porsche's new small crossover, the Macan has a possible reveal location. According to Auto Express, Porsche will unveil the Macan at the 2013 LA Auto Show. A source tells the magazine that the new Macan will use the MLB platform that underpins the Audi Q5, albeit with more aluminum. Also, the source says the new Macan will exclusively come with four-wheel drive from launch. The new Macan is expected to start arriving at dealers sometime next spring. Source: Auto Express William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on tw…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com May 4, 2013 Porsche decided to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 911 Turbo by introducing the new 2014 911 Turbo and Turbo S. The new 911 Turbo and Turbo S differentiate themselves from other 911s by having a wider rear end (about 1.1 inches wider than the Carrera 4's rear end), twenty-inch wheels, and a countless number of vents and spoilers on the vehicle. Turbo S models also get full LED headlights, three-stage front spoiler, and a three-way rear wing. Under the hood is a new 3.8L twin-turbocharged flat-six producing 520 (Turbo) or 560 (Turbo S) horsepower. That is paired with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch ge…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com April 3, 2013 Porsche has unveiled the refreshed 2014 Panamera before its showing at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month and the big news isn't the exterior, its what's underneath the skin. Let's get the minor changes out of the way before we fully dive in. The 2014 Panamera gets minor changes in the exterior with new headlights, a liftgate with a wider rear window, more steeply angled rear window, and a more rounded rear end. Now onto what's under the skin. The 2014 Panamera S and 4S models say farewell to the 4.8L V8 engine and hello to a new 3.0L twin-turbo V6 that produces 420 horsepower and 384 pound-feet o…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com March 12, 2013 Audi's current diesel offerings stand at two with the A3 hatchback and Q7 crossover. That will be increasing to six with the A8 TDI coming in the spring and the Q5, A6, and A7 TDIs arriving in the fall. There is one model missing in this list and that is the A4, but that will be changing with the next-generation model. Audi of America President Scott Keogh told reporters today that the next-generation Audi A4, due out in 2014 will come with option of a 2.0L TDI engine. Audi previously hinted at a diesel for the current A4, but Keogh said it didn't make sense. "This deep in its life cycle, it didn't ma…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com February 1, 2013 At the Los Angeles Auto Show last November, Audi announced they would be offering four models with the option of a diesel engine. The first of those four, the 2014 Audi A8L TDI will be the first to arrive in the U.S. in the spring and have a base price of $83,395 (includes $895 for destination). The A8L TDI comes with a 3.0L TDI V6, producing 240 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Audi's quattro all-wheel drive is standard. Even with the extra weight of TDI being in the long-wheel base model only, Audi says the A8L TDI can reach 60 in 6.4 seconds and gets 24 city/36 highway/28 combined MPG. Sou…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 14, 2013 One automaker you might not expect to get into the three-row crossover arena is Volkswagen. But with the introduction of the CrossBlue concept at the Detroit Auto Show today, Volkswagen might be joining. The CrossBlue's design is mixture of Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7. The concept measures 196 inches from front to back, which puts it about on par with the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder. Inside, the CrossBlue has seating for six passengers and a 10.2-inch touch screen infotainment system controls all audio functions. Power comes from a plug-in diesel electric hybrid drivetrain. The powertrain …
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 14, 2013 Audi is making sure to cover both sides of the extreme with A7 lineup. On one end is the A7 diesel that promises performance and very good fuel economy. On the other end is the new 2014 RS7 shown at the Detroit Auto Show today. The RS7 uses a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 producing 560 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. That power is sent through an eight-speed automatic down to Audi's quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. 0-60 MPH takes a blistering 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 MPH (electronically limited). However, you can opt for the dynamic or dynamic plus package which raises the top s…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 13, 2013 Volkswagen is using the term 'concept' very lightly with the introduction of the Passat Performance Concept before the Detroit Auto Show this week. The concept uses a modified version of Volkswagen's 1.8L turbocharged four-cylinder producing 250 horspower and send its power to a six-speed automatic. Other performance modifications on the Passat Performance Concept include a lowered sport suspension and electro-mechanical steering system. Style-wise, the Passat Performance Concept has a dual exhaust system, 19-inch “Luxor” alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights, LED taillights, and carbon applications on t…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 10, 2013 Back in March, we reported on a rumor that Volkswagen would be planning a smaller four-door coupe as a way to grow their market share in the U.S. and China. Codenamed SC (short for Sport Coupe), the model would be based on Volkswagen's MQB platform and come out sometime in 2015. Now in the new year, Auto Express has some new information on the SC. Auto Express' report says the SC would be called the Golf CC and use the MQB platform that will underpin the next generation Golf Wagon (Jetta Wagon for us in the states) and the Audi A3 sedan. The European market would get a 1.4L turbo four-cylinder and …
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 8, 2013 Last year at the Paris Motor Show, Audi unveiled a high performance Q5 model called the SQ5 that used a 3.0L twin-turbo diesel V6 producing 313 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque that could reach 60 MPH in five seconds and get 32.67 MPG. For the Detroit Auto Show, Audi will unveil the North American version of the SQ5. Before you ask, it will not be the diesel version. Instead, Audi is dropping in the 3.0L supercharged V6 producing 354 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque going through a eight-speed automatic down to all four wheels via the Quattro AWD system. This combination can propel the S…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com December 6, 2012 The last we heard anything about a four-cylinder for Porsche was last September when a report from Autoweek said that Porsche was working on two turbocharged four-cylinder engines for the long-rumored and now killed entry-level roadster and Boxster/Cayman. Now, a Italian automotive website is reporting that Porsche will premiere a Cayman with a turbo-four at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show. 0-100.it reports the model, named the Cayman Turbo will use a 2.5L turbocharged boxer-four engine producing 350 HP and 369 lb-ft of torque, and will only come with Porsche's PDK transmission. Source: 0-100.it William M…
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Reuters has reported that Volkswagen's Audi division will suspend A7, A8 and R8 production in the first of 2013 is Euro Slump widens. http://news.yahoo.com/audi-may-suspend-high-end-car-production-slump-153611290--finance.html
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 20, 2012 You have to wonder what automakers see in the BMW X6. Acura has the ZDX, Mercedes-Benz is reportedly working on a competitor, and now Audi appears to be working on one as well. According to Car, Audi has given the go ahead on crossover-coupe thing. Possibly named the Q8, it will ride on a the new aluminum-intensive, long-wheelbase MQB architecture that will underpin the the next-generation Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, and Volkswagen Touareg. Using this new platform, the Q8 is expected to weigh 300 kg (about 661 lbs) less than the current Q7. Power will be provided from range of V6 and V8 gas and diesels e…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 21, 2012 Within the next few years, Porsche will unveil a refreshed Cayenne featuring updates to the styling, features, and technical. According to Motor Trend, one of those updates could be a new plug-in hybrid system. The plug-in hybrid, named e-Hybrid is an evolution of the current hybrid system used in the current Cayenne and Panamera Hybrid models. The system uses an upgraded electric motor producing around 95 to 100 horsepower and replacing the nickel-metal hydride battery for a lithium-ion battery. The 333-hp supercharged V-6 gas engine will stick around. These changes gives Cayenne e-Hybrid specs of 95…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 5, 2012 Audi appears to be looking back at the first-generation TT model for the next-generation TT. Sources tell Autocar that the design of the next-generation TT will take design elements from the first-gen and current TT to help bring back the distinctiveness and impact that first-gen TT had. The next-generation TT will utilize Volkswagen's MQB platform and will have a similar overall size to the current TT but with a wider track. There is also talk of using more aluminum in the TT's structure to help reduce more weight. The next TT will arrive first as a coupe sometime in 2014, with a convertible following …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 26, 2012 The Detroit News reports that Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn said the company expects to build an all-new SUV in the U.S. for the U.S. This confirms a long standing rumor that Volkswagen would build a three-seat crossover for the states. Now, a final decision on whether this goes through or not will take place sometime next year, From what we had know, the three-row crossover will slot between the Tiguan and Touareg and be built at Volkswagen’s plant in Tennessee. No name has been given at this time. Car & Driver says the new three-row crossover will be based on Volkswagen’s new MQB platform (the s…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 22, 2012 Porsche's new Macan crossover will be using the platform from the Audi Q5 and Porsche is saying the Macan will not be a Q5 in Porsche clothing. “Everything has been modified. Engines, transmissions, suspension — it’s all new. Audi can’t believe what we’ve done,” said Porsche’s R&D chief, Wolfgang Hatz. Hatz went onto say that the Macan will be the first Porsche in a long time to have a four-cylinder. “Not from the beginning, but in the medium to longterm, for sure,” he said. Source: Autocar William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 16, 2012 The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf that was originally due out in the U.S. next fall has been pushed back to 2014. Rainer Michel, Volkswagen of America’s vice president of product marketing and strategy told Car & Driver about the delay. The reason is due to Volkswagen wanting to avoid unnecessary manufacturing complications at launch since the Golf is the key vehicle in Europe. Volkswagen officials are saying that North America market planning is ongoing.That includes where the Golf and GTI will be assembled. Currently, the Golf and GTI are built at the Wolfsburg plant. Speculation also has som…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 12, 2012 During the first generation cycle of the Porsche Cayenne, the company introduced a high-performance version called the Turbo S. The Turbo S brought forth a 4.5L turbo V8 producing 520 HP. Well, Porsche is doing another Cayenne Turbo S for this generation. The Turbo S uses the same 4.8L turbo V8 from the Cayenne Turbo with some slight modifications. Performance stats are: 520 HP 553 lb-ft of torque 0-60 MPH in 4.2 Seconds Top Speed of 176 MPH Despite all of the performance increases, Porsche says the Turbo S doesn't see a significant change in fuel consumption. The Cayenne Turbo S' exterior …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 11, 2012 Bentley and Lamborghini plans to build their own SUVs could becoming to a standstill. Reuters is reporting that parent company Volkswagen could put a hold on these projects due to the current European economic crisis. Sources inside Volkswagen say the reasoning behind the hold is that it would allow VW to limit spending and keep cash reserves. The decision will come on November 23rd, the day when Volkswagen's board will review spending. At the moment, Lamborghini's Urus SUV is currently waiting on a green light to move on. Bentley's EXP 9 F is waiting to go on with their revised design. Source: Reuters…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 6, 2012 Lamborghini has a very ambitious goal for 2015; lower CO2 emissions by 35% fleet-wide. To achieve this, Lamborghini has introducing start/stop and a cylinder deactivation system on the 2013 Aventador. These two features will cut emissions down by 7%. The company has also revealed that they will use more carbon fiber in the construction of their vehicles to help reduce weight. One option that has been taken off the table for the time being is using a hybrid system. “Due to the size of the cars and due to the weight of the hybridisation it would be impossible for our cars to adopt this current technolog…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 1, 2012 Volkswagen apparently has been talking about what's coming down the pipeline. What Car? talked with Volkswagen board member Professor Ulrich Hackenberg where he revealed some surprises. For starters, Hackenburg revealed that the company would begin selling limited numbers of the XL1, a plug-in diesel hybrid that will get 313 MPG (European cycle). The XL1 has been seen testing over the past year or so, adding fuel to the fire. Hackenburg also revealed that electric variant of the UP would be coming out next year, followed by a Golf plug-in hybrid the year after. As for vehicles that will not be making a …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 4, 2012 A new report from British automotive magazine, Car says that Audi has killed off a program to bring a production model of the quattro concept shown at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Instead, sources tell the magazine that company is taking the idea of the quattro concept and implementing it into a crossover. This crossover will be following in the footsteps of the Range Rover Evoque or Audi's Stepenwolf concept, having a rakish and sporting look. There is also talk of the vehicle having the same short wheelbase and wide wheel fenders as the eighties' quattro S1 Rally car. Power will likely come from a hotted…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 3, 2012 Volkswagen made some big announcements today concerning a new model that will be premiering at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show and pricing for another model. We'll start with the new model first. Volkswagen revealed the new Beetle convertible a month ahead of its official unveiling at the L.A. Auto Show. The soft-top has a similar roofline to the normal Beetle when its up. Want to put the top down, it will only take about ten seconds. Also, Volkswagen engineered a system that will pop two computer-actuated bars behind the rear seat within four milliseconds in the event of a rollover. The engine lineup…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 18, 2012 Volkswagen's first try with Phaeton was a colossal failure in the U.S. Despite being one the best luxury vehicles with a surprising price, no one could get over the high price-tag for a Volkswagen. Well, Volkswagen is going for another try with Phaeton in the U.S. Automotive News is reporting that the Phaeton will return sometime in 2015. The Phaeton will ride on the new longitudinal platform and be priced “well below” the $70,000 mark. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you c…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 26, 2012 With a new Volkswagen Golf on the way, that means right behind it is a new GTI. Car Magazine has unearthed some information about the seventh generation GTI due out sometime next year. The next GTI will be on VW's new MQB platform, like the next Golf. MQB will bring a weight loss of 90 lbs to the GTI. The next GTI will be lower (about 30mm (1.2 inches)) than the current model and use a longer wheelbase (about 50mm). The current GTI's powertrain, a 2.0L turbo-4 will carry over to the new model, albeit with a bit more oomph; 217 HP and 251lb-ft of torque. Also, the GTI will get a limited slip diff, not a…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 13, 2012 Just as Porsche is getting ready to begin selling the new Cayenne Diesel here in the states, they announce a more powerful diesel version called the Cayenne S Diesel. The Cayenne S Diesel uses a turbocharged 4.2L V8 with direct injection that produces 382 HP and 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) of torque. Porsche says the V8 diesel is their most powerful diesel engine ever. Its easy to see why when the Cayenne S Diesel posts a 0-60 MPH time of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 157 MPH. The diesel V8 also has a stop-start system which helps the Cayenne S Diesel fuel economy of 8.3 liters per 100 km on the European cycl…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 11, 2012 According to a report from German weekly WirtschaftsWoche, Porsche is expecting production of its new Macan crossover to reach 75,000 vehicles. That number comes from Porsche's procurement chief Uwe-Karsten Staedter who told suppliers that the company is planning to raise its production forecast from 45,000 to 75,000 Macans. Source: Reuters William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 4, 2012 Please give a warm welcome to the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf, introduced today in Germany. Volkswagen says the next-generation Golf offers "more features, even better safety, and more performance." The design of the new Golf is an evolution of the last-generation Golf, with sharper lines, an smaller grille, and other changes. "One of the keys to the Golf’s success lies in its continuity. There are a handful of cars with a design that, like the Golf’s, has been refined, tweaked and enhanced down the decades and thus become timeless." said Walter de Silva, Head of Design for Volkswagen AG. The b…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 23, 2012 Volkswagen has released some details about the next Golf, which will have its official debut in Berlin next month. The new Golf will be larger than the outgoing model. The overall length will now be 167.5 inches, and it will be 57.2 inches tall and 70.8 inches wide. Volkswagen says the Golf is larger due to increased safety and giving passengers more space. Despite the added size, Volkwagen cut close to 220 lbs out of the new Golf thanks to high-strength steel, aluminum suspension components, new electronics, and lighter seats. The Golf will be riding on Volkswagen's new MQB FWD platform, which can be …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 25, 2012 Car & Driver reports that Volkswagen has confirmed the dates of when the Mark 7 Golf and its variants will be going on sale. The base Golf will go on sale next spring for European markets. North America has to wait until the fall to get theirs. However, North America and Europe will get their hands on next GTI at the same time when its launched next Fall. Also, Volkswagen is considering whether to send the next generation GTD over to the states. If you don't know what GTD is, take a regular GTI and drop a diesel engine into it. Source: Car & Driver William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers &…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 18, 2012 Since last November, we've been reporting on Volkswagen dropping the 2.5L five-cylinder and replace with it a turbocharged 1.8L four for the Beetle, Golf, and Jetta. Now, we have got confirmation the 1.8T will be appearing in one of the three vehicles listed. Rainer Michel, Vice President of Product Marketing & Strategy at Volkswagen of America stopped by the Autoblog offices to talk about Volkswagen has in store for 2013. Michel also revealed the 1.8T would be arriving in the Jetta in 2014. The 1.8T produces 158 HP and 185 lb-ft of torque and can be found in the European Passat and CC. The engine will…
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Volkswagen and I have teamed up to show how much drivers can learn from autocrossing. In a multi-part series, I'll be showcasing what racing around a parking lot can teach regular drivers that they can use everyday. And, as a side benefit, I'm learning just how much fun the new Beetle is on the track! Post what you think here! http://automotivetraveler.com/jump/4137
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Check out this very cool Video. So what do you think, the future of Auto's?
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com June 11, 2012 Volkswagen will complete the Beetle trio with the new diesel model coming out this August. Prices for the Beetle diesel will begin at $23,295 (excluding $770 destination charge) for a six-speed manual and $24,395 for a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. That gets you a 2.0L inline-four diesel, producing 140 HP and 236 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel economy rating for the 2.0L diesel 32 City/41 Highway. Standard features for the Beetle TDI include one-touch power windows, cruise control, leatherette seating, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, leather- wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, t…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com June 7, 2012 The next Volkswagen GTI is due out sometime next year and Autocar has uncovered some juicy bits of what the vehicle could be packing. The GTI will still use a 2.0L turbocharged four going to the front wheels. However, horsepower is expected to jump to 260 HP. To handle all of that power, VW will use front differential consists of an electronically controlled Haldex clutch to allow for “more agile steering behaviour”. Volkswagen is also working on a lightweight variation of the MQB platform utilizing aluminum floor pressings and an aluminum roof that will be used as the base for the GTI. Source: Autocar…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com June 3, 2012 Audi of America president Johan De Nysschen stepped down from his post this past Friday. Audi spokesman Brad Stertz told Autoweek that the move is immediate. Stertz also said De Nysschen is leaving for another job. In an e-mail to workers, de Nysschen explained why he is stepping down, "I do want to make it very clear--this development is unrelated to the present discussion and expectations of reorganization of senior roles inside the VW Group. Rather, it comes from a realization of the future leadership needs of Audi, in order to attain our goal of becoming the most aspirational premium brand in the U.S…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 30, 2012 Volkswagen appears to be spreading the Alltrack love. Autocar reports that Volkswagen is mulling over whether to do a a lifted version of its next Golf and Jetta wagon. The Golf would be for Europe while the Jetta would be for North America. The reason is due to the next generation Tiguan, due out in 2014, will be growing in size and offer a third row of seats. Volkswagen still wants a player in the small crossover market. The Alltrack will include a raised ride height, uniquely styled bumpers and light graphics, additional wheel arch cladding, and unique interior trims. The Golf and Jetta Alltrack will …
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com June 1, 2012 Last month, we talked about what Porsche has got in store for their lineup through 2016. One of the vehicles that Porsche has got in store is the Pajun, aka the Junior Panamera. Automobile Magazine has uncovered some new information about the Pajun. The Pajun will not only target Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but also at the Audi A7, BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. Porsche will not only offer the Pajun in the five-door model like the Panamera, but will also offer it as a shooting brake. As for power, the Pajun will solely rely on V6s. The lineup will include a 3.…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 28, 2012 Last month, we reported on Porsche's plan for their lineup up to 2016. One part of the plan that was talked about was a heavy refresh of the Panamera for 2013. Car has uncovered some new information about the refresh and what could be expected. Sources who have seen the refresh say its changed so much, it almost looks like a new car. Also, it appears some changes are coming to the Panamera's powertrain lineup. The Panamera 4S will drop its current 4.8L V8 producing 400 HP and go for a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 producing somewhere in the range of 420 HP. Its unsure if the Panamera S will follow suit. There is a…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 18, 2012 Despite the large amount of complaints from the automotive media about the Volkswagen Jetta and Passat's interior quality, Volkswagen is standing behind them, stating that interior quality hasn't been compromised. We didn’t take (cost) out. We just rebalanced where (the money was spent). We moved it from here to there. Whatever was taken out went right back in,” said Jae Min, chief designer-group interior at VW’s Design Center California. Min credits a new, more flexible architecture and a shift in manufacturing from Germany to VW’s new Chattanooga, TN, plant as to the cost savings. We're finding it har…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 17, 2012 The Porsche "Baby Boxster", the long rumored roadster that would become the entry-level model for Porsche appears to be canned. We had previously reported on the "Baby Boxter" troubled fate back in January when the Volkswagen Bluesport project also looked to be faltering. In a interview with German newspaper Stuttgarter Zeitung, Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller said the company has dropped plans to build a sub-Boxster, a move that could likewise seal the fate of the Volkswagen sister car. "We would do no good to the brand if we were to lose traditional Porsche customers" by pursuing a smaller Boxster model, …
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 16, 2012 When Lamborghini introduced the new Urus at the at the Beijing Motor Show last month, we were wondering what would be powering it. Automotive News had the chance to talk with Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini's Development chief about what could lie under the Urus' hood. Reggiani said that Lamborghini hasn't decided on an engine, but a V8 is a strong possibility. "Such a car needs huge torque at low revolutions rather than high peak power, therefore a V-8 twin-turbo is an interesting possibility," Reggiani said. The engine that could be used is the 4.2L 450 HP V8 unit Audi uses in their RS models. Lamborgh…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 15, 2012 Porsche has just completed the initial prototypes of the new 918 Spyder, complete with a black-and-white livery that pays homage to the 917 race cars. Production is set to begin next September with the pricetag starting at a whopping $845,000 per model. But with that price, you do get a 570 HP, 4.6L V8 and two electric motors delivering a peak output of 770 HP. That powertrain should be good a 0-60 run of 3.1 seconds, a top speed of 199 MPH, run on electricity alone up 94 MPH, and return around 78 miles per gallon on the EU cycle. Press Release is on Page 2 918 Spyder prototypes commence trials Stut…
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Blake Noble Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 8th, 2012 Earlier this year, it was rumored that Porsche decided to cancel its plans to introduce a long-rumored, mid-engined compact roadster for 2014. Essentially a “baby Boxster,” the small Porsche roadster was expected to ring up at a price less than the next-generation Boxster, which is expected to grow in size and price. It seems rumors of the little Porsche’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. According to Automobile magazine, the project — codenamed “551” or “Mimo” — was indeed up in the air at one point but is back on the table. The Porsche 551 was originally set to be a fraternal twin to the production…
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Blake Noble Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 7th, 2012 At the moment, Volkswagen builds only two different flavors of sports-utility vehicles. On one hand you have the small highway-oriented Golf-based Tiguan, and on the other you have the larger off-road capable Touraeg. However, that stage may be preparing to change as VW could be planning to expand their portfolio of SUVs in the near future. According to a recent report sourced from German business newspaper Handelsblatt, Volkswagen is planning to introduce two new car-based SUVs that will slot in below the compact Tiguan. In the report, Handelsblatt claims that VW is seeing a strong, growing demand for sm…
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Blake Noble Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 28th, 2012 Lamborghini has certainly been trademarking any sort of interesting name it can get its hands on lately. Earlier this month, we reported that the Italian supercar builder laid claim to the “Deimos” name. It wasn’t much longer after that rumors quickly began to circulate that Lamborghini also trademarked “Urus” — rumors that proved to be true when the super-SUV concept car debuted at the Beijing Auto Show. Now, according to Car and Driver, Lamborghini has snapped up another trademark and you can add “Huracán” to the list of names the marque has acquired. If you haven’t figured out the meaning of the nam…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 29, 2012 For the past six months, we've been following rumors about what will replace Volkswagen's 2.5L five-cylinder engine that is used in the Jetta, Golf, Beetle, and Passat. Last November, a report from Car & Driver stated the 2.5L will be replaced by a 1.8T. Then in January, Volkswagen executives hinted the Jetta, Beetle, and Golf could get the 1.4T that will be under the hood of the upcoming Jetta Hybrid. Now, Car & Driver reports the 1.8T for the Jetta, Beetle, and Golf is back on the table according to a source. Car & Driver speculates with Volkswagen's ambitious sales goal by 2018, it will …
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 26, 2012 Audi has given their midsize crossover, the Q5, a mid-cycle refresh. Not that you actually can tell on the outside or the inside. Both got subtle styling changes and updates. The big news on the Q5 refresh is what lies under the hood. The only engine sticking around is the base 2.0T with 225 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque. Everything else is all new. Replacing the 3.2L V6 is Audi's supercharged 3.0T (don't ask why they didn't use an S instead of a T) producing 272 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque. Also, coming is a 3.0L diesel churning out 245 hp and a eye-watering 428 lb-ft of torque and a Hybrid model that pai…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 24, 2012 With the Lamborghini Urus making its debut at this week's Beijing Motor Show, a question has popped upped about another one of Lamborghini's concepts; what ever happened to the Estoque concept? The Estoque sedan concept was shown at the 2008 Paris Motor Show as a way to preview a new model line for the brand. Since then, nothing much has happened. Autoweek had the chance to sit down with CEO Stefan Winkelmann and asked him about the Estoque. "It [the Estoque] was placed on hold because of a number of reasons, including the lack of a suitable platform. We haven't given up on the idea of a sedan entirel…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 24, 2012 Audi is extending their e-tron technology to a luxury sedan. At the Beijing Motor Show, Audi introduced the A6 L e-tron concept. Based on the A6 platform, the A6 L e-tron is on a longer wheelbase. Power comes from a 2.0L TFSI engine making 211 HP and is combined with a 95 HP electric motor that is powered by a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery. The A6 L e-tron can operate in fully-electric, hybrid or gasoline mode as needed. Audi says the A6 L e-tron concept is technically an concept at the moment, but did admit that it could indicate what an A6 e-tron could look like. Press Release is on Page 2 A…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 23, 2012 Automakers are always in a overhauling cycle with their model lineup in varying stages. Porsche happens to be in the middle of its cycle. So far, the company has introduced the new Panamera and refreshed versions of the Cayenne, 911, and the Boxster. Automobile magazine has uncovered what the company has got planned up to 2016. First up are the vehicles we know about; coming in 2013 are the new Cayman, the smaller Macan, and the 918 Spyder. The 918 Spyder will come with equipped with a 4.6L aluminum V8 producing 550 hp and 515 lb-ft of torque, and will be paired with two electric motors for a combined t…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 20, 2012 Yesterday, we brought forth the name of the Lamborghini SUV, the Urus. Today, we bring you the pictures of the Urus. Leaked out before its official debut at the Beijing Motor Show, the Urus matches the renderings we've seen in the past, albeit with sleeker headlamps and a low-slung appearance. The Urus is expected to use the platform that will be used on next-generation Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 and upcoming Bentley SUV, but come in 200 lbs lighter. Power will come from a V10, most likely from the Gallardo. Source: Autoblog.nl View full article
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 18, 2012 It only seemed liked a month ago when the rumor of Audi would buy Italian motorcycle maker, Ducati came out. Well, the rumor is true as Audi announced today that it has bought Ducati. In their statement, Audi points to Ducati's technologies, which include control systems, combustion chamber process and lightweight construction as particular assets that "offer great potential for AUDI AG and the Volkswagen Group." Ducati becomes the third company under Audi's umbrella. The other two are Lamborghini and ItalDesign-Giugiaro. Press Release is on Page 2 AUDI AG acquires sports motorcycle manufacturer…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 19, 2012 The Lamborghini SUV that we been hearing for the longest time will make its debut shortly at next week's Beijing Auto Show will have a name. Chinese Media is reporting the name of the SUV will be the Urus. We'll save you the trip to Google: a "urus" is an extinct European ox, Bos primigenius, a forebearer of domestic cattle whose last example roamed the Polish forests until 1627. So, the name somehow keeps up with Lamborghini's tradition with naming their cars after oxen. The Urus is rumored to have a a reworked ten-cylinder powerplant from the Gallardo producing 584 HP, and a $200,000 price tag. Expe…
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