Straightline

A Panamera coupe? That's the word according to a recent report in the UK magazine AutoExpress. They claim it's in the works for 2012 despite other rumors that Porsche's new overlords at Volkswagen intend to make the Panamera a one lifecycle pony.

Should the new Porsche coupe make it to production, it could overtake the 911 as Porsche's premier coupe. Certainly not in terms of performance, but at least in terms of price.

Not that it would be any slouch in the engine department as it would likely use all the same powerplants as the Panamera sedan. With a 500-horsepower V8 topping the range, the Panamera coupe would match up well with say, a Bentley Continental GT. Sounds good to us, but Volkswagen might have some reservations about creating competition for its already existing products. Expect to see something by the end of next year if Porsche decides to go through with it.

AutoExpress

Categories: Bentley,Coupes,Future Vehicles,Luxury Cars,Porsche,Volkswagen

Volkswagen released this official sketch of its upcoming midsize sedan. It will be built in the company's new Tennessee assembly plant and be slightly larger than the current Passat.

Like most sketches, this one makes the upcoming sedan look all sporty and stuff. But if history is any indication, the car that arrives next year won't be anything like this, save for the grille and maybe the shape of the C-pillar.

We'll see soon enough as this car may very well show up at the L.A. Auto Show in early December in not in Detroit a month later.
 

Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Future Vehicles,LA Auto Show,Sedans,Spy Photos,Volkswagen

A reader named Lars H. sent this shot of a demolished Tesla to Autotopia, which is part of Wired. The Tesla collided with a VW Touareg and ironically a Toyota Prius. According to Lars the accident happened in Denmark.

For a larger and more complete version of the image, click here.

Categories: Crossovers,Green Tech,Hybrids,SUVs,Sports Cars,Tesla Motors,Toyota,Volkswagen

Volkswagen released pricing today on the Scirocco-faced 2010 Volkswagen GTI and Golf. As we've written, the Mk6 generation of the VW Golf and GTI do not represent a full-on redesign. Rather, Volkswagen set about to make them simpler and cheaper to manufacturer, while making small refinements here and there.

Notably, the 2010 VW GTI adds only $60 to its base price ($23,990 with destination); however, Bluetooth is a mandatory option ($199) on all U.S.-bound GTIs, so effectively, the base price for a 2-door GTI with the conventional 6-speed manual gearbox is $24,189. Add $600 if you want a four-door GTI. Add another $1,100 for the DSG automated, twin-clutch transmission.

Bluetooth is also mandatory on the new 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI, also available with two or four doors, and also available with the regular 6-speed manual or the DSG. Like the Jetta TDI, the sophisticated 2.0-liter diesel four makes 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. Still, we'd like something sportier like, say, the Euro-spec VW Golf GTD.

Pricing on the 2010 Golf TDI ranges from $22,690 for a 2-door 6-speed to $24,390 for a 4-door DSG. But remember to add another $199 for mandatory hands-free peace of mind.

Categories: Diesels,Hatchbacks,Volkswagen

The expected slow September after Cash-for-Clunkers August came to pass, and you can get the full, brand-by-brand analysis on Auto Observer. Hyundai/Kia was the major bright spot, as the company continued its record-setting 2009 pace: It sold 55,134 vehicles -- a 26-percent year-over-year increase from September 2008.

Ford saw its year-over-year sales decline slightly, but was still encouraged by its third-quarter results -- sales were up 5 percent compared to 3rd-quarter 2008 and incentive spending decreased by an average of $1,400 per vehicle. Plus, the company's market share was 15 percent for September compared to 14 percent a year ago.

Among the exceptions for September was BMW, which saw its first year-over-year increase of 2009, selling 19,175 vehicles for an increase of 3.6 percent. The other manufacturer on its way to a record year, Subaru, recorded steady sales for September. It sold 14,593 vehicles for an increase of 1 percent (citing a 63-percent increase in Outback sales and +24% for the Legacy); Subaru is up 10 percent for all of 2009 with 158,421 units sold. Volkswagen saw a 1.5-percent year-over-year increase for September, selling 17,358 vehicles.

Finally, respectable Boxster and Cayman demand kept the Cayenne from dragging down Porsche, which sold 1,581 vehicles -- an increase of 8.4 percent.

Auto Observer: Automakers Eager to Move Past September's Tepid Sales

Categories: Auto Industry,BMW,Ford,Hyundai,Kia,Manufacturers,Porsche,Subaru,Volkswagen

Yes, it's true, this uh...vehicle is capable of returning nearly 170 mpg. That's the kind of number you can achieve when you're only putting out 27 horsepower in a body that weighs 838 pounds.

Impressive on paper maybe, but stand next to the thing and the idea of the L1 as a car seems a bit of a stretch. Only two, shall we say, smaller adults could fit in the thing and their luggage would be limited to a small handbag.

And then there's the whole enclosed canopy issue, not exactly the most comfortable way to travel.

So nice concept, maybe. But a "car" the L1 is not.

Categories: Concept Vehicles,Diesels,Frankfurt Auto Show,Future Vehicles,Green Tech,Hybrids,Volkswagen

The word from Frankfurt is a definite maybe on this one.

"I have to admit that it was a mistake to take this car out of the market," Volkswagen Group CEO Stefan Jacoby told reporters at the Frankfurt auto show. "We think that the Volkswagen brand is a good place for this. We are looking at various alternatives for the relaunch of Phaeton."

The Phaeton was discontinued in 2007. Its peak sales year in the U.S. was 2004 when VW sold 1,939.

Automotive News (sub.req) via Auto Observer

Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show,Luxury Cars,Sedans,Volkswagen

Last night, the Volkswagen Group threw a huge party in Frankfurt. In this video, we bring you the official unveilings of the Audi R8 Spyder, Lamborghini Reventon Roadster and Volkswagen e Up!. You'll see the over-the-top Bugattis and Bentleys, too.

Full unveil list for the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show

Categories: Audi,Bentley,Bugatti,Concept Vehicles,Convertibles,Frankfurt Auto Show,Lamborghini,Volkswagen

Volkswagen hasn't yet unveiled the L1 Concept to the Frankfurt crowd, but the company released details and photos on the car today. "L1" stands for 1-liter car, as in 1 liter of fuel consumed per 100 km on the European test cycle.

It's still a work in progress, though, as VW says this particular car consumes 1.38 liters of diesel per 100 km. This works out to about 170 mpg, albeit on the Euro test cycle.

At the same time, the company says the L1 would hit 60 mph in the low-14-second range on its (leisurely) way to a top speed of 99 mph -- about as quick and fast as a Smart Fortwo.

Motivation comes from an 800cc two-cylinder TDI engine (it's VW's 1.6 TDI halved) rated at 27 horsepower at 4,000 rpm (or 39 in "Sport" mode) and 74 lb-ft of torque. It joins forces with a 13-hp electric motor built into its seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). All this stuff is mounted in the back of the Volkswagen L1, and a lithium-ion battery pack resides up front. Like a Prius, the L1 could apparently go all-electric for short periods, but mostly, it would use a combination of the two power sources.

More details after the jump.

Green Car Advisor: VW's L1 Diesel Hybrid Concept Gets a Claimed 170 MPG

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: Volkswagen L1 Concept.

Categories: Concept Vehicles,Diesels,Frankfurt Auto Show,Green Tech,Volkswagen

On a slightly more serious note than the Bugatti electric (but only slightly), was this Volkswagen e Up! concept.

As you might assume, the "e" in the name stands for electric. (We have no explanation for the exclamation point in the name.) This is what VW described as "what an electric car could look like in 2013."

Make the jump for details and a photo gallery.

Continue reading 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Volkswagen e Up! Concept.

Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show,Green Tech,Hatchbacks,Volkswagen

Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.

The diesel-powered Jetta TDI wagon has gotten most of the attention, but Volkswagen also builds a Jetta wagon equipped with its torquey and fuel-efficient 2.0-liter turbocharged, gasoline four-cylinder. Rated at 200 horsepower, the 2.0T is only available on the top-of-the-line VW Jetta SportWagen SEL. With a six-speed manual gearbox, it has a fuel economy rating of 21 mpg city/31 mpg highway. And all Jetta wagons have 67 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

This particular 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen SEL is loaded with options, resulting in a borderline uncomfortable price tag. Fortunately, it's over a second quicker to 60 mph than our long-term VW Jetta TDI sedan, which weighs about the same. With our SEL wagon's port-installed 18-inch wheels and 225/40R18 Goodyear Eagle GT tires, it's hardly shocking that it stops shorter than our Jetta TDI sedan, too. What is surprising is that this SEL wagon is over a mph slower through the slalom than the TDI -- those grippy tires don't work well with the stock suspension tune.

Follow the jump for numbers and comments from our test driver.

Continue reading IL Track Tested: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen SEL.

Categories: IL Track Tested,Volkswagen,Wagons

Auto Observer picked up on a CAR story that suggests the Porsche Panamera and Cayenne might be killed off under Volkswagen ownership. Both models would complete their current cycles, but when they're up about 7 years from now, that might be it.

The justification, according to CAR, is that the "VW Group has plenty of SUVs and saloons -- it doesn't need Porsche to build them."

This scenario is regarded as part of VW chairman Ferdinand Piech's master plan. Piech went to the mat against now-ousted Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking during Porsche's failed attempt to grab control of VW. Wiedeking was the architect of Porsche's forays into SUV and sedan development.

In place of the Panamera and Cayenne, Porsche could get an entry-level model based on VW's upcoming Modular Sportscar Structure (MSS) that debuted on the VW BlueSport concept in Detroit.

We have our doubts that the Panamera and Cayenne are actually slated for an early death, though, and it's unlikely we're the only ones. Until the economic downturn, the Cayenne was a highly profitable model for Porsche, and based on our first drive of the nicely executed Panamera, we expect it to do at least as well. It's hard to imagine that Piech and VW would turn down the chance to make more money.

Auto Observer

2010 Porsche Panamera First Drive and Video

Green Car Advisor: Speculation: Porsche Cayenne, Green and Not-So, May Be Axed When Cycle Ends

Categories: Manufacturers,Porsche,Volkswagen

Volkswagen has revealed a new addition to its entry-level Polo lineup. The 2010 Volkswagen Polo three-door uses the same dimensions as the five-door Polo but wraps it all in a sportier shape that reminds us of the Audi A3.

It will go on sale in Europe this fall with a wide range of gas and diesel engines including a Bluemotion model that Volkswagen says will make the most fuel-efficient car in its class.

And what about the U.S.?

Volkswagen officials have hinted that the Polo could be added to its U.S. lineup, but this three-door probably isn't part of the plans. U.S. CEO Stefan Jacoby told Inside Line earlier this year that the U.S. would get a Polo sedan and a tall-roof four-door hatch similar to the Honda Fit. We're guessing that neither one will look as good as this new coupe.

IL News: VW Polo To Arrive in U.S. in 2011

Categories: Diesels,Frankfurt Auto Show,Future Vehicles,Hatchbacks,Volkswagen

In an interview with the Detroit News, Volkswagen CEO Stefan Jacoby confirmed that the Phaeton will eventually return to the U.S.

When asked about Volkswagen's new strategy for sedans, Jacoby said that a new midsize sedan built in the company's new plant in Tennessee will replace the Passat. It will offer both gas and diesel engines and eventually a hybrid drivetrain.

"Above the midsize new sedan, we'll have another product, like the Avalon for Toyota," Jacoby continued.

"That's our strategy, to have a lineup ending with the Phaeton (luxury sedan). We will bring the Phaeton back to the market."

Jacoby said Volkswagen is also looking at adding a subcompact to the lineup as well as another U.S. built SUV.

Detroit News: U.S. Volkswagen chief Stefan Jacoby talks strategy

Categories: Diesels,Future Vehicles,Hybrids,Sedans,Volkswagen

We spotted a prototype of the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg a few weeks ago, but this test mule is a little different.

See that sticker on the driver's door? It says something about "shutting off the power" with a couple warnings mixed in for good measure. And we're pretty sure they aren't talking about their iPods.

Volkswagen officially announced the Touareg Hybrid earlier this year. It will use a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 coupled with an electric motor that produces roughly 51-horsepower. Together, the gas/electric drivetrain will deliver up to 26mpg according to Volkswagen. No word yet on exactly when this vehicle will hit the road, but clearly it's still very much in the works.

IL News: Volkswagen Announces Supercharged Touareg Hybrid
 

Categories: Hybrids,SUVs,Spy Photos,Volkswagen