Tag Archives: TDI

The Continental: Goodwood Festival, a Fantastic Peugeot, VW and Diesel News

July 14, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Jens Meiners

Each week, our German correspondent slices and dices the latest rumblings, news, and quick-hit driving impressions from the other side of the pond. His byline may say Jens Meiners, but we simply call him . . . the Continental.

This powerful Peugeot bowed at Goodwood.

Mere weeks after our very own John Lamm went for a spin in the Italdesign Giugiaro Parcour, the one-of-a-kind concept suffered a literal blow at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. We hope the crashed, Lamborghini-powered sports car/SUV, which required some 50,000 man-hours to build, will be fixed.

Besides hosting some crashes, Goodwood also served as the backdrop for a few new vehicle launches. There was the 154-mph Skoda Octavia RS reveal, and now Peugeot has unveiled a 266-horsepower variation of its two-seat RCZ sports car dubbed the RCZ R. It is powered by a version of the 1.6-liter “Prince” engine that was co-developed with BMW; a version is used by Mini, as well as several Peugeot and Citroën models. The RCZ R’s mill is called EP6CDTR, and it is force-fed by a twin-scroll turbocharger to deliver 243 lb-ft of torque. The sprint from 0 to 62 mph takes 5.9 seconds, and Peugeot governs the top speed at 155 mph. Based on the 308 compact sedan, the RCZ is a beautifully executed and fun-to-drive sports car that competes directly with the Audi TTS and Nissan 370Z.

I hear that Audi is celebrating 30 years of its quattro GmbH subsidiary with three special editions. The brand will make 30 units (each) of the A5 cabriolet, the RS6 Avant, and the RS7 Sportback. They are distinguished by their color schemes and equipment level, but they don’t have exclusive performance options. There’s no word on whether the A5 or the RS7 variants will be offered in the U.S.; regardless, I predict they will be sold out in no time. Besides, the RS6 Avant is not sold in the U.S.—sorry to bring that up again.

For the 2014 model year, Volkswagen has killed the V-6–powered Touareg in the German market. Only the V-6 and V-8 TDI remain, as well as the annoying hybrid. Other markets keep the V-6 (actually a VR-6), and the Middle East even gets the fantastic 4.2-liter V-8. For an SUV that once ruled the segment with a W-12 engine—it was available on the first-generation Touareg, and almost ruined me when I tested it for two weeks thanks to its vociferous appetite—killing a regular gasoline option is kind of sad.

VW Golf BlueMotion

No need to apologize to the birds: The Golf BlueMotion doesn’t need wind power.

GTD, Diesel Impresses

Of course, VW’s diesel engines are fairly impressive. At the launch of the Euro-spec SportWagen in Amsterdam last week, I had the opportunity to drive the Golf BlueMotion, which, despite a sprightly 105-horsepower 1.6-liter TDI, …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Official: Volkswagen CrossBlue Coupe is a green fun-machine we want to drive

April 19, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Seyth Miersma

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Crossover, Volkswagen, Shanghai Motor Show

Think back to January’s Detroit Auto Show. Those of you that are fans of the Volkswagen brand, impressed with green technology or simply fall into the “diesel geek” category, will almost certainly remember VW’s CrossBlue concept with its diesel/electric hybrid powertrain, seating for seven, and somewhat awkward crossover styling. It was an impressive piece of future tech, to be sure, though it left something to be desired in the, well, desirability department.

Here in Shanghai, VW has brought along a CrossBlue Coupe concept that would seem to include most of the goodness of the original, but flavored with more sport and style this time around.

The CrossBlue Coupe makes use of the same electric drive components as the larger three-row concept: two electric motors (front and rear) powered by a 9.8-kWh lithium-ion battery. However, where the original concept made use of a TDI four-cylinder, the Coupe substitutes a 295-horsepower, direct-injection, gasoline-burning V6.

In terms of performance, this combination of powertrains is impressive. Total system output is rated at 415 hp. With power flowing through a six-speed DSG transmission, the CrossBlue Coupe will scoot from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just 5.9 seconds, and will continue on to a top speed of 147 mph.

The CrossBlue Coupe will scoot from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.9 seconds, and will continue on to a top speed of 147 mph.

Even with that go-fast ability, however, the Coupe doesn’t belie its “blue” origins. As in the original concept, the CrossBlue coupe offers all-EV operation with a maximum range of 21 miles, and a top speed of 75 mph (though likely not both of those at the same time). VW quotes a combined fuel consumption figure of 79 miles per gallon on the European cycle – 34.1 mpg when running on the V6 alone – and a total theoretical range of close to 720 miles.

The CrossBlue coupe is shorter and lower than its three-row progenitor, but just as wide. The result, as you can see, is a far sleeker and more aggressive looking crossover that looks quite planted on its 22-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, we find an interior that is quite high-tech though not unrecognizable from the VW interiors on the current line. A muted black and gray pallet is accented with brightwork and a thick yellow trim line that surrounds the cabin. There’s a dominating 10.1-inch touchscreen up front, complete with proximity sensors, which is used to control all of the vehicle systems and entertainment options. In the back seats, passengers find twin iPad Mini units on the headrests (seen above), which they can use to, “enjoy audio, video and online programs.” Sounds like just the thing for the family’s summer road trip to

From: http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/AYgX60NMoh4/

Four-Up VW Jetta Comparison Test! Hybrid vs. TDI vs. GLI vs. 2.5

April 18, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

Why compare four Jettas? Simple: The addition of a hybrid model to the lineup gives Volkswagen’s compact sedan one of the most wide-ranging lists of propulsion choices in the business. Even prior to the gasoline-electric joining the convoy, the car already offered two naturally aspirated gasoline engines, one turbocharged gasoline engine, and a fuel-thrifty turbo-diesel. There’s no pure electric version, natural-gas burner, or plug-in hybrid—yet—but the array is nevertheless impressively comprehensive. READ MORE ››

From: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/MBcPlY-WXJs/2013-vw-jetta-comparison-test-hybrid-vs-tdi-vs-gli-vs-25-review

Review: 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo Convertible

April 10, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Jeffrey N. Ross

Filed under: Convertible, Volkswagen, New Car Reviews

Less Flower, More Power

Pardon our political incorrectness for a moment, but the Volkswagen New Beetle was, undeniably, a “chick car.” There was almost nothing that the New Beetle offered to enthusiasts (of either gender), and by the end of its run, VW had even stripped all of the exciting engines from the car’s lineup. Looking to resurrect some of the excitement behind the Beetle, the third generation of the iconic car ditched the cuteness when the coupe debuted for 2012, and now the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible aims to show how much fun drivers can have without a top.

Celebrating almost six and a half decades of the Beetle convertible, Volkswagen is offering a trio of distinct special editions that celebrate three of the car’s most popular decades (the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s), but as one of the unofficial cars of the 1960s, it would almost be a crime not to test this version, right? Besides, this is also the only special edition to get the turbocharged engine. While our first drive of the 2013 Beetle Convertible was in the fuel-miser TDI variation, our two-week romp in the 2013 Beetle Convertible ’60s Edition came just as peak convertible weather was kicking off down in Florida.

The retro styling craze caught like a wildfire in the early 2000s, but quickly fizzled out as automakers realized that redesigning these cars for a subsequent second generation became a challenge in itself. This is likely the very reason why the New Beetle remained relatively the same for almost its entire 12-year run, but in creating the third-generation Beetle, Volkswagen tried to distance itself from adjectives like “cute” and “bubbly” by using more mainstream-friendly cues, which carry over nicely to the convertible form.

Continue reading 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo Convertible

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

New York: 2014 VW Golf brings storied hatchback's seventh generation to US

March 27, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

2015 VW Golf, GTI and Golf TDI

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The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf in US-specification officially debuts at the 2013 New York Auto Show. The new model is the first VW in the States to ride on the company’s MQB architecture, and as such, it makes use of plenty of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel to keep weight down. All told, the new shell is 51 pounds lighter than the outgoing generation, despite the fact that the finished car is a full 2.2 inches longer and .5 inches wider than the 2013 model.

Buyers can expect to find a base model powered by a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (blue car above) with 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. That means the powerplant delivers the same horsepower as the old naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder while weighing less and producing seven extra pound-feet of torque. TDI (silver car above) buyers, meanwhile, will enjoy a new 2.0-liter turbo diesel four-cylinder mill. VW says the engine yields 10 more horsepower than the old lump, which means the Golf TDI now boasts 150 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque.

GTI (red car above) buyers will now get their hands on a revised 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with approximately 210 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque – Volkswagen hasn’t finalized power numbers for that machine. We’re happy to see that the GTI still features its trademark plaid seats. Volkswagen says the new Golf and GTI will go on sale as a 2015 model, but doesn’t say when the car will actually hit dealerships.

Check out the press release below for more information.

Continue reading 2014 VW Golf brings storied hatchback’s seventh generation to US

2014 VW Golf brings storied hatchback’s seventh generation to US originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

2015 Audi A3 And S3 Models Debut In New York

March 27, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

2015 Audi S3 - image: Audi

2015 Audi S3 – image: Audi

Promising a “new level of Craftsmanship in the A segment,” Audi has revealed its latest sedan offerings ahead of the New York Auto Show. Serving up understated (but familiar) good looks and a variety of powertrains, the new A3 models will be available in a variety of powertrains, including the long-awaited S3 variant. Even the A3 Sportback returns, but it sounds like Audi will only offer its five-door wagon as a plug-in hybrid in the U.S. market.

The 2015 Audi A3 will come with a choice of three engines, not including the high-performance S3 variant. Base models get a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder, rated at 170 horsepower, but buyers can also opt for a 2.0-liter turbo four that should produce in the neighborhood of 210 horsepower (final figures are still pending). If you prefer diesels, the A3 is available with Audi’s 2.0-liter TDI turbodiesel, which makes 150 horsepower and copious amounts of torque. The S3 gets its own, stronger 2.0-liter turbo four, which (sadly) has not yet been rated for output yet.

2015 Audi S3 - image: Audi

2015 Audi S3 – image: Audi

2015 Audi S3 - image: Audi

2015 Audi S3 – image: Audi

2015 Audi S3 - image: Audi

2015 Audi S3 – image: Audi

All engines come mated to Audi’s six-speed S tronic gearbox, which means that row-it-yourself shifting won’t be available when the models are released. Audi’s Drive Select will be available on A3 models, too, allowing the driver to fine tune shift points, throttle settings and steering response to road conditions. Front-wheel drive will be standard, but it sounds as if A3 models will be available with quattro AWD, too. As always with Audi’s S models, the S3 will come only with quattro AWD.

2015 Audi A3 - image: Audi

2015 Audi A3 – image: Audi

2015 Audi A3 - image: Audi

2015 Audi A3 – image: Audi

2015 Audi A3 - image: Audi

2015 Audi A3 – image: Audi

2015 Audi A3 - image: Audi

2015 Audi A3 – image: Audi

Audi’s interiors are among the best in the business, and it doesn’t look like th A3 or S3 will disappoint here, either. The cabin is highlighted by a unique wraparound dash, and Audi will give buyers the option to add things like LED ambient lighting, a Bang & Olufsen Audio System and the upgraded Audi connect infotainment system. Safety is a big …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Automotive Addicts

New York: 2014 Audi A3 Sedan makes its world debut in NYC

March 26, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Seyth Miersma

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Audi is bringing some excitement to this year’s New York Auto Show, showing off a 2014 A3 Sedan that will shortly be vying for attention in the luxury market‘s newly hot compact segment. The newly minted A3 faces immediate challenge from box-fresh small premium sedans like the Mercedes-Benz CLA and the Acura ILX, as well as players like the Buick Verano and the Lexus CT200h.

Of course, the German automaker will be the first to tell you that this new A3 is more than up to the challenge. Audi’s typically high-level of design is in effect here, with sheet metal that is attractive without looking like a clone of the larger A4. The A3 will have the option of full LED headlamps, of course, carrying on Audi’s now famous positioning in the world of recognizable lighting. Wheels will range from 16-inches to 18-inches, we’re told, which will also help to cement the sporty look and premium placement of the small sedan.

The A3 Sedan will be vying for attention in the luxury market‘s newly hot compact segment.

Inside, the A3 now offers a driver information display that uses 3D graphics, a revised MMI system (still operable via a column-mounted knob or steering wheel controls), the choice of three different steering wheels (depending on function), optional sport seating and a whole lot more. Interior colorways fall into the black, brown, gray or beige variety, and two-tone packages are also in the mix. Cloth seats, two kinds of leather and Alacantara all find themselves among the options, as well.

The A3 will launch in Europe before it comes Stateside, and will offer a three-engine lineup when it does. All three mills are of the four-cylinder variety, with a 2.0-liter TDI offering 150-horsepower and 236-pound-feet of torque, a 1.4-liter, 140-hp and 184-lb-ft TFSI, and a 1.8-liter, 180-hp and 184-lf-ft TFSI. The diesel motor is expected to return roughly 57 miles per gallon on the combined European cycle, the 1.4 and 1.8 engines will offer 50 mpg and 42 mpg, respectively. 0-62 mile per hour times will range from 7.3 seconds for the 1.8 TFSI, to 8.7 for the TDI. As of this writing, the expected powertrain lineup for North America is still unknown.

European customers will have their choice of either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed S tronic dual clutch setup, though we’re told that there will be no manual option for US customers. We’ll follow up when we know if that’s forever, or just at launch. In the meantime, have a full look at our gallery of A3 images and take a moment to scan the official Audi press release, below.

Continue reading 2014 Audi A3 Sedan makes its world debut in NYC

2014 Audi A3 Sedan makes its world debut in NYC originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Upcoming Audi Hypercar Known as Scorpion, Will Receive R18-Derived Engine

March 20, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Jens Meiners

Audi’s Scorpion will use a modified version of the 510-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 TDI engine from this R18 e-tron Quattro.

Speculation is rife about Audi’s upcoming hypercar, which is being referred internally as Scorpion—and not R10 or R20 as has been previously speculated. A final decision on the name hasn’t been taken yet, we learned from an Audi source, but progress is strong on this pet project of the brand’s R&D chief Wolfgang Dürheimer.

Details on Scorpion are slow in emerging from Germany, but we can reveal that the car will be powered by a modified version of the 3.7-liter V-6 TDI engine found in the R18 e-tron Quattro Le Mans Prototype racer, as well as a front-mounted hybrid module that remains unspecified to those outside the program. The diesel mill is a 120-degree V-6 featuring four valves per cylinder and a fully aluminum engine block, force-fed by a single turbocharger. In race trim, this engine produces “more than” 510 horsepower and “more than” 27 lb-ft of torque, but its intakes are restricted. In series-production trim, theoretically, it could be even more powerful.

This contradicts previous reports that have filtered out of Germany that the car would the Volkswagen Group’s ubiquitous 3.0-liter V-6 TDI mounted behind the seats of the hypercar. A capable unit, to be sure, the 3.0 TDI powers diesel variants of vehicles as diverse as Porsche’s Cayenne and Panamera, Volkwagen’s Touareg, and just about the entirety of Audi’s range; but that unit is deemed far too pedestrian for an über-expensive, über-exclusive, über-fast hypercar of Scorpion’s stature. “It wouldn’t make sense to use anything but the R18′s racing engine in the Scorpion,” our source tells us. Good news for the select few that will ever have the financial means or the clout to get behind the wheel of Audi’s roadgoing Le Mans racer.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Audi to offer diesel-powered A4 in US next year after all

March 13, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

2013 Audi A4 - front three-quarter view

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Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Audi has confirmed plans to offer a clean-diesel version of its A4 sedan in the US. Yes, you’re right, the same news came out almost exactly two years ago, but then things changed and the marque’s last diesels-in-the-US update dropped the A4 from the list. Now, citing Audi of America President Scott Keogh, Automotive News reports the oil-burning A4 is back on the schedule for the US next year.

The automaker will include a 2.0-liter TDI option on the redesigned A4 when it arrives in 2014. Keogh told reporters that, “This deep in its life cycle, it didn’t make any sense to do all that dramatic re-engineering and re-architecting of the car to basically only have a two-year selling period.”

Audi, which now offers TDI versions of its A3 hatchback and Q7 SUV, said in November that it would add diesel versions of the A6, A7, A8 and Q5 models in the US. The A8 will start sales this spring, while the A6, A7 and Q5 diesels will debut at US dealerships this fall.

Last year, Audi sold 7,179 diesels in the US, down 1.6 percent from 2011.

Audi to offer diesel-powered A4 in US next year after all originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Official: US-spec 2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI to finally debut in New York

March 12, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Steven J. Ewing

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The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf is hardly new to us. In fact, we’ve already driven it. And elsewhere in the world, the new Golf is already winning awards. Even so, we still have yet to see the US-spec version of the car, though that won’t be the case much longer. As part of the New York Auto Show festivities later this month, Volkswagen will finally show off the 2015 Golf models destined for our shores.

Three different versions of the Golf will debut under the lights of New York City’s Javits Center: the turbocharged TSI, oil-sipping TDI and hotter GTI. The first model in that list uses Volkswagen’s new 1.8-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, replacing the outgoing 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline five-cylinder. The latter two models use familiar engines: the 2.0-liter TDI diesel and 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, respectively.

Even though the new Golf officially debuts later this month, it won’t go on sale in the US until the first quarter of 2014. We’ll be waiting patiently.

Continue reading US-spec 2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI to finally debut in New York

US-spec 2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI to finally debut in New York originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Confirmed: Audi A3 Sedan to debut in Shanghai… technically

March 11, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Steven J. Ewing

Audi A3 sedan prototype

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For the first time, Audi will offer a proper four-door version of its compact A3 in the United States. And while we’ll be getting a sneak peek at the new sedan as part of this month’s New York Auto Show festivities, Audi sources have confirmed to Autoblog that the car will officially make its debut at the Shanghai Motor Show in April.

As we reported in our first drive of the European-spec A3, the US model will be offered in both four- and five-door trims, powered by both gasoline and diesel powerplants. On the gas front, a new 1.8-liter turbo-four will be found underhood, as will a massaged version of the 2.0-liter forced-induction four we all know and love. The diesel engine will be the same 2.0-liter TDI four that we currently enjoy in the A3.

Stay tuned for official details and images later this month.

Audi A3 Sedan to debut in Shanghai… technically originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Geneva: Volkswagen Golf Variant Concept R-Line puts the sport in SportWagen

March 6, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Jeffrey N. Ross

Volkswagen Golf Variant Concept R-Line

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With the introduction of the newest Volkswagen Golf Variant, we get an early look at what will most likely be the next-generation Jetta SportWagen here in the US. To further wet our appetities, VW is now teasing something a little sportier with the Concept R-Line. Looking the part of a GTI wagon (or a stretched Golf R), the Golf Variant Concept R-Line has a production-ready appearance that has us hoping we’ll see this sporty wagon sooner rather than later.

The R-Line starts off with a new fascia that isn’t quite as aggressive as the recently introduced GTI, but it gives the new styling some extra punch. Below the fascia is a lower splitter that visually carries back into the rocker panel extensions, and the rear of the car gets some bright exhaust tips and a rear diffuser. The Lapis Blue Metallic paint job probably does enough on its own to add a sporty flair to the Golf wagon, and it’s all finished off with 18-inch split-spoke wheels. Inside, the Concept R-Line shows off sport seats wrapped in carbon leather featuring blue nappa inserts in the middle.

Rightfully so, VW brought the Concept R-Line to Geneva with its TDI and 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. A sporty, all-wheel-drive diesel wagon? Yes, please. Scroll down for the full press blast with all the details.

Continue reading Volkswagen Golf Variant Concept R-Line puts the sport in SportWagen

Volkswagen Golf Variant Concept R-Line puts the sport in SportWagen originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Mar 2013 07:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Official: Europeans get first crack at new Golf Variant wagon

March 4, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Seyth Miersma

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Just last week, when we brought you news of a new Volkswagen Golf variant out and testing in Europe, we had no idea we were being so literal with out description. For it seems that VW has every intention of calling its new Golf wagon, making its Geneva debut, the “Golf Variant.”

Odd/interesting sobriquets taken as read then, there’s a lot to like about this new small wagon from VW. The Variant will shed some 232 pounds in this generation, and will come to market with two efficient TDI engines. Volkswagen isn’t giving us displacement figures for either yet, but we’re told the diesels will come with outputs of 110 and 150 horsepower. The 110-hp TDI BlueMotion Varient will be good for a whopping 71.3 miles per gallon on the European cycle, when mated to the six-speed manual transmission.

The German automaker has brought along an all-wheel-drive 4Motion version of the Gold Variant to bow in Geneva, as well, and a natural gas-burning TGI BlueMotion is said to be “in the pipeline.”

No word yet has to when or how the Golf Variant will make its transition to the US market, though there’s a decent likelihood that some version of it will become our new Jetta SportWagen. Europeans can expect the Variant to appear for sale in August of this year.

Continue reading Europeans get first crack at new Golf Variant wagon

Europeans get first crack at new Golf Variant wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Report: Volkswagen planning Up! hybrid model using XL1 powertrain

February 24, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Jeffrey N. Ross

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Even though we’ve finally gotten a look at the production version of the 261-mile per gallon Volkswagen XL1, this aero-shaped two-seater was never intended for high-volume sales. Fortunately, it sounds like the same isn’t true for the car’s diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain, which, according to a report from AutoCar, could make its way under the hood of another Volkswagen model: the Up! minicar (shown above).

A potential Up! Hybrid would likely be able to return some of the same impressive fuel economy numbers as the XL1, but it would be a more realistic car with more passenger space and greater production capacity. The hand-built XL1 will use a 47-horsepower, two-cylinder TDI engine paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and the 27-hp electric motor and lithium-ion battery helps deliver an all-electric driving range of 31 miles.

One of the core pillars of the XL1’s design is its lightweight construction with a 1752-pound curb weight, which makes the Up! a perfect recipient for using this powertrain since it weighs just 300 pounds more. The report says that the Up! Hybrid is still in the developmental phase, so a production version isn’t expected for at least another 18 months.

Volkswagen planning Up! hybrid model using XL1 powertrain originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Official: Volkswagen debuts MkVII-based diesel Golf GTD

February 21, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Jeffrey N. Ross

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As Volkswagen prepares for the launch of the seventh-generation Golf, it continues to show off some of the car’s different variants. With the standard Golf and the ultra-efficient BlueMotion Concept out of the way, now we’re finally starting to see some of the sportier versions planned for the hatchback. Confirmed for a debut at the Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen has now given us our first glimpse at the Golf GTD.

Just think of the GTD as a diesel version of the GTI with all the handling and styling upgrades, and then add a torquey engine to the equation. (We had the chance to sample the current GTD over the summer, so click here to read more.) To go with the new body style, VW also gave the GTD a new TDI engine consisting of a similar turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter inline-four layout but with an output of 184 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque – that’s an increase of 14 hp and 22 lb-ft over the current GTD. That’s a pretty good oomph, but the GTD won’t be setting any acceleration records with VW quoting a 0-62 mile per hour time of 7.5 seconds thanks to the car’s 3,036-pound curb weight.

The styling of the MkVII Golf lends itself quite well to the more aggressive body kit found on the GTD (and likely matching the GTI). The new front fascia and blacked-out grille give the GTD a sporty look up front, while 17-inch sport wheels, rocker panel extensions and smoked LED taillights finish off the visual changes. The GTD will only be offered in three exterior colors: Tornado Red, Black and Pure White. As expected, the interior gets the plaid seat inserts and flat-bottomed sport steering wheel, but the car also gets stainless steel pedals, a black headliner, ambient cabin lighting and a specific gauge cluster readout.

Aside from saying the GTD will get a “lowered sport suspension,” there is word on what specific changes were made, but if that slammed stance is anything to go by, this is going to be one fun car on the track. Volkswagen has yet to say whether or not the 2014 GTD will be sold in the US, but buyers in Germany can get their hands on this car in June with a starting price of 29,350 euros, which will include standard features such as park assist and a touch-screen infotainment system.

Continue reading Volkswagen debuts MkVII-based diesel Golf GTD

Volkswagen debuts MkVII-based diesel Golf GTD originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Review: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

February 12, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Seyth Miersma

2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid - front three-quarter view

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Volkswagen, New Car Reviews

More Fun Than A Prius, Less Sensible Than A TDI

Let’s have some fun, and do some math. We’re talking pretty rudimentary stuff, multiplication and division, to figure out if the upcoming Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid can make a baseline case for itself against two very strong competitors in this segment. The competitors in question, at least for now, are two more Jettas: the diesel-drinking TDI and the fit-for-the-masses SE with VW‘s long-serving 2.5-liter engine.

To keep the equations clean and simple (hey, we’re writers), we’ll calculate based on the most flattering EPA miles per gallon stat from highway driving for all cars, assume a healthy 20,000 miles driven per year, and factor in today’s average cost for the respective fuels these three require: diesel (TDI), regular (SE) and premium (Hybrid). We’ll also start with the base prices for all models.

With all of that info loaded into our mental hoppers, how much time does it take to make the 45-mpg fuel economy of the Jetta Hybrid offset its premium price? To refresh, the $24,995 Hybrid is $2,005 more than the TDI and a heady $6,000 more than the SE. With highway economy ratings of 43 mpg for the TDI and 48 for the Hybrid, even considering that diesel fuel is more expensive, it’d take you about seven years of Hybrid driving before you’ve paid off the technology premium. The regular-gas sipping SE is a still more compelling argument for the frugal, as you’ll need to drive your hybrid for roughly 13 years to make up the sticker difference at today’s fuel prices. Bring the miles driven down to a closer-to-average 12k per year, and the payback takes even longer.

Continue reading 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Audi Prices 2014 A8L TDI, Confirms EPA-Estimated Mileage

January 31, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Alexander Stoklosa

2014 Audi A8 TDI Quattro

Audi is in the midst of a powertrain overhaul for its flagship sedan, the A8, having already swapped the base 4.2-liter V-8 for a supercharged V-6 and introduced two versions of the same twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V-8 to the lineup. Next up is a new, fuel-efficient diesel model—powered by Audi’s corporate 3.0-liter V-6 TDI engine—and the automaker has now announced pricing for it. The A8L TDI will cost $83,395 when it goes on sale later this year.

Now, Audi has yet to release pricing info for the rest of the 2014 A8 lineup, so for now we’ll compare the A8L TDI to its 2013 model year siblings. The diesel A8 will only be available in long-wheelbase form, and its price places it squarely between the $79,395 A8L 3.0T (supercharged V-6) and the $88,095 mid-level A8L 4.0T (twin-turbo V-8). For reference, the short-wheelbase A8 3.0T starts at $73,095 and the 4.0T at $81,795.

When Audi announced it was bringing a diesel A8 to the U.S.—along with an oil-burning A6, A7, and Q5—at the 2012 L.A. auto show, it boasted that the A8L TDI would return an estimated 24 mpg in the city and an astonishing 36 mpg on the highway. Those numbers have now been confirmed by the EPA, meaning the A8L TDI betters the (fairly decent) fuel-economy estimates of the A8L 3.0T, which stand at 18/28, by a significant margin and at only a marginal incremental cost. (Face it, at this price point, $4000 can be considered incremental—at least against other long-wheelbase A8s.) Moving outside of the Audi universe, the diesel A8L also will kick sand in the face of its key competitor, Mercedes-Benz’s $93,905 S350 Bluetec diesel sedan, which is rated for 21/31 mpg.

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Next-Generation Audi A3 to Get Sedan-Based Droptop Variant

January 10, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Jens Meiners

2015 Audi A3 sedan

The 2015 Audi A3 cabriolet will be based on the A3 sedan, rendered here.

Audi is hard at work to counter Mercedes-Benz’s upcoming CLA in the premium-compact-sedan segment, and the result of that work will be the A3 sedan that’s scheduled to debut later this year. Now our sources in Ingolstadt tell us that Audi will do one better by offering an A3 cabriolet, which will be based on the A3 sedan as rendered above. The current, not-for-the-U.S. A3 convertible is based on the two-door hatchback, and it’s a rather-compact vehicle, similar in style to the Volkswagen Golf cabriolet—which also isn’t available stateside. Choosing the sedan for a foundation will make for more classic proportions, but, best of all, it’s a strong indication that such a car would be U.S.-bound. We understand that there’s a good chance there will be an S3 convertible, while an RS3 cabrio is possible, technically, but very unlikely (unfortunately).

The A3 convertible will be yet another vehicle from the VW Group to make use of the Group’s light-weight, modular-transversal MQB architecture. That means the droptop will be available with front- and all-wheel drive, and there is a vast corporate parts bin full of potential electronics and powertrain parts. In theory, Audi can take this vehicle in many directions.

Despite the number of powertrain options afforded by the versatile architecture, Audi is likely to remain conservative with the A3 cabriolet. The backbone of this model will be a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine, or a 2.0-liter TDI.

The Audi A3 convertible will see competition from other compact premium convertibles, such as the BMW 1-series convertible and the upcoming 2-series that will replace it. Those A3 cabs that tick all the boxes on the options sheet are likely to be cross shopped with the upcoming BMW 4-series, the Mercedes-Benz E-class cabriolet, and, of course, the A5 convertible—whether Audi likes it or not. Of course, there’s also Volkswagen. As long as the Eos is on the market, it will be a challenge to this new Audi.

The Audi A3 convertible is likely to come to market in late 2014 or early 2015. Base models should start well below $40,000, while those at the highest reaches of the droptop’s pricing shouldn’t have any trouble cresting $50,000.

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

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