Volkswagen
553 topics in this forum
-
- 2 followers
- 6 replies
- 1.1k views
Volkswagen has announced pricing and various details on the upcoming 2017 Golf Alltrack this week. The Golf Alltrack differs from the Golf SportWagen with 0.6-inch higher ride height, underbody guard for the front bumper, a larger gas tank (14.5-gallon for Alltrack vs. 13.2-gallon for Golf SportWagen), and 4Motion AWD as standard. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.8L four-cylinder with 170 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy is rated at 22 City/30 Highway. Pricing begins at $26,670 for the Golf Alltrack S with the manual and $27,770 for the DSG (prices include an $820 destination charge). The S gets leatherette seats, heated front seats, cruise …
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
-
- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 1.1k views
William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 16, 2012 The new small Porsche SUV that will go on sale in 2013 has got a name. No, its not Cajun as we have been calling since first hearing about the small SUV. What it will be called is the Porsche Macan (mah•khahn). Porsche says the name "Macan is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger and combines suppleness, power, fascination and dynamics – core characteristics of this new all-terrain car." Okay.. The Macan will use the Audi Q5's platform and will be built at the Porsche plant in Leipzig, Germany, where the Cayenne is built. Press Release is on Page 2 NEW PORSCHE MODEL TO BE NAMED MACA…
Last reply by regfootball, -
- 3 replies
- 1.1k views
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…
Last reply by riviera74, -
- 1 reply
- 1.1k views
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…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 1.1k views
Volkswagen and U.S. Government were going to have a hearing at U.S. Federal Court in San Francisco today for an update on the 3.0L TDI talks. But yesterday, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer has pushed it back to next month. Reuters got their hands on a court order in which Breyer says "negotiations are continuing between the German automaker, regulators, and lawyers representing owners," and a delay "may produce a resolution of the outstanding issues." As we reported earlier this month, Volkswagen and regulators have possibly reached a deal for the 3.0L TDI with 60,000 of the affected vehicles being fixed, and the other 20,000 being bought back. There are stil…
Last reply by Suaviloquent, -
- 2 replies
- 1.1k views
William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 13, 2012 The long-rumored Lamborghini SUV concept will make its debut at next week’s Beijing Motor Show, but it will be few years before we see a production version. Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann told German Newspaper Handelsblatt, the SUV could become the third vehicle in the lineup by 2017 to help the brand become profitable. "We definitely need a third line in the mid- and long term. An SUV would be the first Lamborghini for everyday use, not just for the race track or weekends. We would have the opportunity to win new customers." Lamborghini has been in the red since 2009 and is under pressure from pa…
Last reply by SAmadei, -
- 1 follower
- 4 replies
- 1.1k views
As stricter fuel economy and emission regulations come into play, automakers are scrambling to figure out solutions that meet the regulations while retaining power. Porsche believes the solution is a plug-in hybrid system for the iconic 911. Car and Driver spoke with Erhard Mössle, engineering boss for the 911 Turbo, Carrera 4, and Targa revealed that Porsche is working on a plug-in hybrid system for the next-generation 911. “We are working on different solutions. We are developing a pure-electric car like the Mission E, and of course we are discussing plug-in solutions as well for the 911,” said Mössle. But trying to fit a hybrid system in the 911 is a diffic…
Last reply by oldshurst442, -
- 0 replies
- 1.1k views
Yesterday, Volkswagen's supervisory board showed current CEO Matthias Müller the door and announced that Dr. Herbert Diess, the current head of the Volkswagen brand will take his place. This confirms reports earlier this week about a change in leadership. In a statement, Volkswagen said the decision of Müller's departure was “mutual” and will be effective immediately. “Matthias Müller has done outstanding work for the Volkswagen Group. He assumed the chairmanship of the Board of Management in the fall of 2015 when the Company faced the greatest challenge in its history. Not only did he safely navigate Volkswagen through that time; together with his…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 1 reply
- 1.1k views
Tesla isn't going to be the only automaker with an electric-only crossover. Audi announced this week they are planning to do an EV "sports activity vehicle" for early 2018. The announcement was made by Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi’s research and development boss during the brand's annual press conference. Hackenberg didn't go in much detail about the model, but did talk about certain items with Autocar. He revealed the model will use the MLB platform like the new Audi Q7 and feature design cues from the recent Audi Prologue concept car. Source: Audi, Autocar Image Source: Autocar Press Release is on Page 2 Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Ma…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
Audi announced this afternoon that the 3.0L TDI V6 did have a defeat device that allowed the engine to circumvent U.S. clean air laws. In a statement, the German automaker said that it failed to disclose three emission control software functions, also known as auxiliary emissions control devices (AECD) to the various agencies as required by law. One of devices, a 'temperature conditioning of the exhaust‑gas cleaning system' was deemed to be illegal by the EPA as it could detect when it was being tested for emissions and turn on the pollution-control equipment to cut emission levels down. Audi also announced the plan to fix the vehicles that will involve a software…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 1 reply
- 1.1k views
William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 23, 2012 Is there such a thing as too many crossovers? Not to Audi. They currently sell the Q3, Q5, and Q7, and there is a forth coming along. A spy photographer caught a Q5 mule undergoing some winter testing and many believe what lies underneath the body is the new Q6. You might be wondering how they reached that conclusion and its simple. The pictures show this Q5 a little longer and wider than the production Q5. The Q6 will be Audi’s competitor to the BMW X6 (don’t even ask why). Expect a coupe like shape and lowered stance. The engine range will include four-cylinder and V6 turbocharged engines in both di…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
The big stumbling block for Volkswagen and the EPA/California Air Resources Board (CARB) has been trying to figure out a fix for diesel vehicles with illegal software. Ever since CARB rejected Volkswagen's first proposal back in January, the three have been in negotiations. But now, an official from CARB says some vehicles may only get a partial fix. Speaking at a legislative hearing in California yesterday, chief of the California Air Resources Board enforcement division Todd Sax said it might not be possible for Volkswagen to provide a compliant fix for all of the affected models. "Our goal has been to fix the vehicles and return them to their certified configur…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
-
- Editor-in-Chief
- 2 replies
- 1.1k views
The blame game over the Volkswagen diesel emission scandal continues with the former chairman Ferdinand Piëch saying that Volkswagen's top brass knew about the cheating months before it came to light. German newspaper Bild reported yesterday that Piëch told prosecutors that he informed Martin Winterkorn and four other members of Volkswagen's supervisory board about the possible cheating with their diesel engines. The other members include, Stephan Weil, prime minister of the German state of Lower Saxony Bernd Osterloh, works council chief Berthold Huber, former IG Metall union head Wolfgang Porsche These members have "unequivocally and e…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
-
- 2 replies
- 1.1k views
William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 12, 2012 Well, this is different. Car Magazine is reporting that Audi has signed an agreement with Italian motorcycle maker, Ducati to possibly buy them. The deal would cost of 850 million euros (about $1.1 billion) The 850 million includes a 800 million euro debt. Sources at Audi tell Car the company will most likely offer between 50 to 100 million euros and take on the large debt load. So, why is Audi interested in Ducati? Well there are three reasons. One: Audi has a bit of motorcycle history with former brands DKW and NSU. Two: Ducati chairman Andrea Bonomi has said he views "'Ducati as the two-wheel equival…
Last reply by Hudson, -
- 2 replies
- 1.1k views
At last month's court hearing where Volkswagen announced a deal had been reached with the U.S. Government on the 2.0L TDI engine, we learned the two were still in negotiations over the 3.0L TDI V6. Now it seems that issue is coming to a close. Bloomberg has learned from sources that Volkswagen and U.S. Government are ironing out technical details and reviewing test results of a possible software fix for the engine. It is said that a new catalytic converter could be part of this as well. Sources go on to say a that the timing of a final agreement depends on a broader settlement of the diesel emission scandal. The 3.0L TDI is primarily used in a number of Audi produ…
Last reply by oldshurst442, -
- 3 followers
- 6 replies
- 1k views
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2086663/Hitler-copied-idea-iconic-Volkswagen-Beetle-Jewish-engineer-historian-claims.html
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 4 replies
- 1k views
The Volkswagen Golf is one of the German automaker's most important vehicles - currently is the best-selling vehicle in Europe. To keep this title, the automaker is planning a refresh for 2017. According to Autocar, Volkswagen isn't making any major changes to the exterior. There will be reshaped bumpers and revised head and taillights. The big changes are inside as Volkswagen is planning to implement its own version of Audi's virtual cockpit - 12.5-inch to display gauges along with the ability to display a map. Higher-end Golfs will be available with a large 9.5-inch touchscreen with the ability to use gesture controls. Engines are expected to include a turboch…
Last reply by Stew, -
Porsche is already at work on more variants for the Panamera. Motor Trend has learned from a source that work has begun on a model that will sit above the high-performance Turbo model. Using the Biturbo V8 from the Panamera Turbo, the source explained that Porsche would use various components from the 918 hybrid to produce somewhere in the range of 700 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of torque. There will also be the standard Panamera Hybrid, most likely using a supercharged V6. No word on when we could see either model. Source: Motor Trend View full article
Last reply by smk4565, -
One of the big questions coming out of the Volkswagen Diesel scandal was whether or not other automakers also manipulated emission tests. The German transport office at the moment doesn't have any evidence that says so. "At this point we have no indication of other manufacturers being involved," a spokesman for the office said at a government news conference today. Not the news Volkswagen wanted to hear as the company is beginning to feel the heat from European countries. France's prosecutors have opened a preliminary inquiry into suspected "aggravated deception" by the German automaker Separately, French consumer protection and fraud control authorities have o…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
-
- Editor-in-Chief
- 5 replies
- 1k views
Porsche seems to be following the same idea as Volkswagen with setting an ambitious sales goal for 2018. Porsche’s U.S. chief Detlev von Platen told Automotive News this week that he sees the brand selling 50,000 vehicles in the US by 2018. Now that might sound crazy, but Porsche is on track to sell 29,000 vehicles in the US this year. To help reach this goal, Porsche is counting on three models; the new 911, the Panamera GTS, and a new Cayenne Diesel. The Cayenne diesel will arrive at dealers sometime in late 2012 packing a 3.0L V-6 turbodiesel engine producing 240 HP and 406 lb-ft of torque. The diesel will join the hybrid version of the Cayenne. Source: Automotive …
Last reply by William Maley, -
-
Volkswagen is turning towards plug-in hybrid technology for the majority of its models till longer range batteries become a reality. This was announced at Volkswagen's annual media conference yesterday by Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn. Why plug-in hybrid tech? Winterkorn explained that plug-in hybrids are the best stop-gap technology with reducing emissions without sacrificing range. Now that doesn't mean Volkswagen isn't stopping work on electric vehicles. The automaker is currently working on electric systems that will have a range of more than 300 miles. One other note; the Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid will be coming to the U.S. next year. This news wa…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 0 replies
- 1k views
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…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 2 replies
- 1k views
Porsche has revealed an updated 2017 911 before its official debut at Frankfurt. The update introduces new turbocharged engines for the Carrera and Carrera S models. The 3.0L flat-six engine comes equipped with a set of twin turbos which adds an extra 20 horsepower. Here are the power ratings for both models, 911 Carrera: 370 horsepower, 331 pound-feet of torque 911 Carrera S: 420 horsepower, 368 pound-feet of torque Both engines will also see a 12 percent increase in efficiency, meaning a slight increase in fuel economy. As for transmissions, both models come with a seven-speed manual as standard. Porsche's PDK dual-clutch is available as an option. Porsc…
Last reply by smk4565, -
When Volkswagen admitted that it used illegal software in their diesel vehicles to cheat emission tests, questions arose as to whether or not any other automakers did something similar. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KPA) decided to investigate this and put 60 vehicles from various manufacturers, including Volkswagen, to the test. Their results revealed that Volkswagen was the only one automaker to cheat. These results will be published in a report later this month, but German business paper Handelsblatt learned about the investigation and results from various sources and spilled the beans on it. The KPA investigation started a few days after Volksw…
-
- 2 replies
- 1k views
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…
Last reply by smk4565, -
There appears to be some movement on the 3.0L TDI settlement between Volkswagen and U.S. Government. A source briefed on the 3.0L TDI V6 settlement told Reuters that Volkswagen will pay $200 million into a pollution reduction fund. This is on top of the $2.7 billion Volkswagen will be paying for the 2.0L TDI pollution reduction fund. This seems to be the only thing the two groups have agreed on at the moment. Yesterday, a hearing at U.S. Federal Court in San Fransisco was pushed back few hours to give them more time to negotiate. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said at the hearing the parties have made "substantial progress and I am optimistic that there will be a…
Last reply by daves87rs, -
-
- Editor-in-Chief
- 4 replies
- 1k views
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…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
-
- 3 replies
- 1k views
It seems we will be seeing the next-generation Porsche Panamera faster than anyone expected. Porsche announced yesterday they would reveal the 2017 Panamera on June 28th. Along with this announcement, Porsche released a teaser video for the model. There isn't much the video tells us about the sedan as it mostly spends its time talking about how people thought they were crazy for doing various things (like putting the engine in the rear). But thanks to the folks at Car, we have gotten our first look at a couple of undisguised Panamera mules. The basic shape remains, but it seems better proportioned and slightly sleeker. The back end borrows some ideas from the updated …
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 2 replies
- 1k views
Even though Volkswagen revealed the updated Golf only a couple months ago, rumors are beginning to fly on the next-generation. Case in point is a report from Autocar which say the next-generation Golf GTI could be boasting a mild-hybrid system to provide a boost both in power and fuel economy. A new 48V electrical system and integrated starter motor will allow Volkswagen to make some significant changes to the 2.0L four-cylinder. One change could be swapping the turbocharger for an electric compressor to allow for better low-end response and torque being available across a wider rpm spread. Reportedly, Volkswagen's goal for the new powertrain is 261 horsepower -…
Last reply by Frisky Dingo, -
-
- Editor-in-Chief
- 2 replies
- 1k views
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…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
-
- 2 replies
- 1k views
VW has announced the eight-generation of the Golf model with the most powerful Golf ever built for the North American market. The 2025 Golf GTI and Golf R offer a compelling blend of performance, technology and driver engagement and will be offered in the following trims per model: 2025 Golf GTI S trim SE trim Autobahn trim 2025 Golf R Black edition The Golf GTI has a fresh look with enhanced technology. The exterior has new headlights, front bumper, illuminated logo and a standard lightbar. The interior gets significant upgrades with a new freestanding 12…
Last reply by Robert Hall, -
The emission cheating that went back to 2006 and would land Volkswagen in deep trouble last September was an open secret in the automaker's engine development department. German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung along with regional broadcasters NDR and WDR reported on Friday some of the results of Volkswagen's internal investigation into the diesel cheating scandal. The cheating goes back to 2006 at Volkswagen's engine development department. With strict U.S. emissions standards looming, the department was given an impossible task; find a cost effective solution to develop clean diesel engines. Pressure from the board and fear of telling their bosses that it could no…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 3 replies
- 1k views
Volkswagen's dealers find themselves wondering what's next and if the diesel scandal would end. Dealers seemed hopeful when the initial fallout came as Volkswagen seemed to understand what could happen. The German automaker offered emergency aid to its dealers which earned Volkswagen of America's CEO Michael Horn a standing ovation at Volkswagen's national meeting. But three months on and a scandal that seems to go in a new direction every day, dealers are becoming worried and frustrated. "This thing isn't getting better with time. We don't have a fix. We don't have a timeline," said Alan Brown, chairman of VW's dealer council. The unknown, he added, is "what …
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
-
- Editor-in-Chief
- 2 replies
- 1k views
Porsche Chief Executive Wants A Ferrari Beater William Maley - Editor/Reporter - August 30, 2011 August 30, 2011 Porsche's chief executive is irritated because the company doesn't offer something to compete directly with Ferrari. "It always irritated me that the (most expensive) 911 tops out at 250,000 euros (about $360,000) and then the 918 continues starting at 750,000 euros (about $1,082,550). In between, Ferrari moseys around relatively comfortably and without any competition. That is where we need to be. There is still space for a larger sports car, one like the 959 that we built in the 1980s," said Matthias Mueller, Porsche's chief executive to Germ…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
-
- 4 replies
- 1k views
William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 10, 2012 During the first generation Porsche Cayenne's life, Porsche unveiled the Cayenne GTS. The Cayenne GTS was a hardcore performance version that offered a tuned naturally-aspirated V8 engine and other tweaks to make it one of fastest SUVs for its time. Now, Porsche is doing a new Cayenne GTS that will be shown at this month's Beijing Auto Show. The GTS is based on the Cayenne S, with which it shares a naturally-aspirated V-8 engine. Horsepower has been increased by 20 horsepower to 420. Transmission choice will be an eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission. All-wheel-drive will be standard. Perfo…
Last reply by Z-06, -
-
- Editor-in-Chief
- 6 followers
- 13 replies
- 1k views
New York - The updated 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan hasn't quite reached the U.S. yet, but at the New York International Auto Show today, Volkswagen took the wraps off a higher performance version of their small crossover. More Power, Less Weight Volkswagen is calling this the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo, quite a mouthful and somewhat confusing with the Turbo moniker as all Tiguans come equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. In standard form, the turbocharged engine in the regular Tiguan produces 184 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque. For the "Turbo" model, VW pulls technology from the GTI in the form of a larger turbocharger and some upgraded stre…
Last reply by ccap41, -
-
- 0 replies
- 1k views
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…
Last reply by William Maley, -
-
- Editor-in-Chief
- 2 replies
- 1k views
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 …
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
-
- 2 replies
- 1k views
Check out this very cool Video. So what do you think, the future of Auto's?
Last reply by Intrepidation, -
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]…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
-
- Editor-in-Chief
- 2 followers
- 2 replies
- 1k views
Days after the news came out that Volkswagen had outfitted a number of diesel vehicles with illegal software, the company set aside 6.5 billion Euros (about $7.2 billion) to deal with lawsuits and fines. But Volkswagen Group CEO Matthias Müller says that isn't enough. Speaking to reporters at Volkswagen's HQ, Müller said the 6.5 billion is just for the recall. "I can only speculate about any further provisions. Should there be a change in sales volumes, we would react rapidly," said Müller. So how much more could Volkswagen be in for? According to a report done by Credit Suisse, the worst-case scenario could see Volkswagen spending 78 billion Euros (about $84 …
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
-
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 1k views
Remember the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid? Most likely not as it made up a sliver of overall Jetta sales - about one percent according to Volkswagen spokesman. For the 2017 model year, the Jetta Hybrid will dropped from the lineup. Some of reason as to why the Jetta Hybrid wasn't a big seller was the high price. According to Automotive News, the Jetta Hybrid only came in the top SEL Premium trim that starts at $31,940. This is slightly hard to ask when the base starts at $18,500. Also, hybrid and electric vehicles have been taking tumble due to low gas prices and consumers drifting towards SUVs and crossovers. But the big reason we believe is that like most other hybri…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 3 replies
- 1k views
Autoblog
Last reply by CSpec, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 1k views
Volkswagen has been gung-ho on electric vehicles ever since it was revealed that it used illegal software on diesel vehicles to pass emission tests. The company recently unveiled plans to invest $82.5 billion into electric vehicles over the next five years. So it seems bizarre for Volkswagen's CEO to make this comment at the Geneva Motor Show. “Diesel will see a renaissance in the not-too-distant future because people who drove diesels will realize that it was a very comfortable drive concept. Once the knowledge that diesels are eco-friendly firms up in people’s minds, then for me there’s no reason not to buy one,” said Matthias Mueller. *record scratch* Ye…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
You would think the last thing anyone Volkswagen wants to admit is they still believe there is a place for their diesel vehicles in the U.S. Alas, Volkswagen's brand chief thinks differently. Herbert Diess told reporters at the Consumer Electronics Show that Diesels will still have a place in Volkswagen's U.S. lineup, despite the mess the company finds itself in. “I wouldn’t give up diesel, even in the U.S.,” said Diess. Diess pointed that with the latest emission technologies, diesels can be clean. He was also quick to point to the long range and high torque figures. At the moment, Volkswagen is trying to get approval from U.S. regulators to fix the nearl…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
Today at U.S. District Court in Detroit, Volkswagen pleaded guilty on three felony charges relating to the diesel emission scandal as part of a plea agreement. The three felonies are conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and introducing imported merchandise into the United States by means of false statements. "Your honor, VW AG is pleading guilty to all three counts because it is guilty on all three counts," said Volkswagen general counsel Manfred Doess at the hearing. As part of the plea deal, Volkswagen will pay $4.3 billion in penalties and have an independent monitor to oversee U.S. operations over the next three years. The deal also requires Volkswagen to con…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has given Volkswagen a reprieve on the diesel emission scandal. According to Reuters, CARB has extended the deadline to approve or reject Volkswagen's fix for the nearly 500,000 vehicles with the cheating 2.0L TDI to January 14, 2016. The reason for the extension is Volkswagen continued to submit "significant information and data" about the repair effort for the affected models since submitting the proposed fix back on November 20th. VW spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan tells Reuters the German automaker continues "to fully cooperate with EPA and CARB as we work to develop an approved remedy as quickly as possible." Volkswagen …
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
Former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn is already being investigated by German prosecutors over market manipulation because of the diesel emission scandal. But now, he finds himself under a new investigation by prosecutors on the suspicion of fraud. Reuters reports that prosecutors in Braunschweig believe Winterkorn knew about the cheat used on the 2.0L TDI well before the timeframe he has admittedly publicly. This suspicion comes as the result of numerous interviews with witnesses and suspects, along with raids on 28 houses and offices this week. "Sufficient indications have resulted from the investigation, particularly the questioning of witnesses and suspec…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 0 replies
- 998 views
Despite it being outed only a few days before its reveal, the debut of the Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak concept was quite the surprise at New York. But many of us are wondering the same thing: Why? "We really showed this as a concept without a clear production plan behind it. Our intention [is] to demonstrate that we very seriously look into the American needs. ... Volkswagen wants to be part of this market much more seriously than in the past," said Volkswagen's North American CEO, Hinrich J. Woebcken during a media briefing. Volkswagen's North America office wants to take more control as how the brand is run over the home office. We already saw some inkling of this…
Last reply by William Maley, -
If you're wondering when Volkswagen will resume sales of diesel vehicles in the U.S., you're going to have to wait a bit longer. Automotive News has learned that the German automaker hasn't applied for the necessary EPA approvals to start selling diesel vehicles in the U.S. "They need to address our concerns" before sales can resume, an EPA official said. Those concerns most likely relate to Volkswagen coming up with a fix that meets the standards of the EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB). As we have reported previously, Volkswagen might not be able to fully fix some of the TDI vehicles. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 4 replies
- 989 views
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…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 0 replies
- 988 views
Volkswagen's reputation has been taking a number of big hits due to the cheating software they used in a number of their diesel models to pass EPA regulations. But a new report says the company is planning to regain the trust of some of their owners. The Truth About Cars learned from a source that Volkswagen will be announcing a program that offers owners of affected TDI models (new and used) to recive a prepaid card. Two cards will be available to owners; the first will be a $500 card that can be used anywhere, while a second card - expected to be around $500 to $750 - can only be used at Volkswagen dealers. Details of this program are expected to be announced th…
Last reply by William Maley, -
Kenneth Feinberg is still hard at work on developing a compensation plan for TDI owners in the U.S. affected by the diesel emission scandal. But in an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, Feinberg says "there will be a generous solution." Now what that solution will end up being is unknown at this time. Part of the problem is Feinberg has his hands tied as Volkswagen and the EPA/CARB are still working on trying to figure out a fix for the 2.0L TDI engine. "..my hands are tied, while VW and the authorities do not resolve their differences. The original time frame could be delayed, therefore." The other problem is trying to fig…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
-
- Editor-in-Chief
- 2 replies
- 982 views
William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com December 21, 2011 Volkswagen's plan for world domination is now entering it's next stage. Starting with the next Audi A3, Volkswagen will begin to standardize components and technologies across forty different models. Volkswagen says the plan will help it lower production costs by 20%, cut assembly times by 30%, and save the company up to $6.5 billion per year. The plan will also let Volkswagen to build cars from different brands at the same plant. However, not everyone likes the idea of standardization. “If something goes wrong, then one may get hit by an epidemic plague. The more connected the structures, the hig…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
-
- 2 replies
- 976 views
When Volkswagen introduced the new T-Roc crossover last year, there were some who were hoping it would come to the U.S. But that would not be the case as would learn. Still, Volkswagen is planning a separate compact crossover that will be aimed at various global markets such as the U.S. and China. According to Automotive News, the new crossover known internally as Volks-SUV will sit underneath the Tiguan and be first built in China by the SAIC-Volkwagen joint venture with sales beginning in August. Production will expand to Argentina, Mexico, and Russia in 2020. "We will supply the U.S. from Mexico," said Volkswagen brand CEO Herbert Diess. No timeframe wa…
Last reply by daves87rs, -
-
- Editor-in-Chief
- 1 reply
- 974 views
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…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
-
- 1 reply
- 969 views
http://www.leftlanenews.com/volkswagen-nms.html Pictures after the jump.
Last reply by NOS2006, -
- 0 replies
- 968 views
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…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 967 views
Porsche is extending their idea of offer many models like on the 911 to the Panamera sedan. Currently, the Panamera is offered as, Panamera Panamera 4 Panamera S Panamera 4S Panamera S Hybrid Panamera Turbo Panamera Turbo S Now, Porsche is adding an eighth Panamera model called the Panamera GTS. The Panamera GTS uses the 4S as a base and builds from there. The 4.8L V8 is modified to produce 430 HP (30 horsepower bump over the standard 4S model) and 384 lb-ft of torque. Porsche's seven-speed PDK sends the power to all four wheels. That means the GTS can reach 60 MPH in in 4.3 seconds with a top speed of 178 MPH. Mechanically, Porsche lowered the…
Last reply by Z-06, -
Ahead of a November 20th deadline where Volkswagen must submit a plan to EPA about how they are planning to fix the nearly 500,000 vehicles with illegal emission software, Reuters has learned about a meeting between the EPA and officials from Volkswagen. According to sources, Volkswagen's powertrain development chief Friedrich Eichler will meet officials from the EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) to talk about the efforts being put forth by Volkswagen to fix the illegal vehicles. Sources go to say that officials from Audi will meet with the EPA and CARB in a separate meeting. Volkswagen and the EPA declined to comment about the meetings. Source: R…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
As we reported yesterday, Volkswagen has decided against revealing the preliminary results of their internal investigation as it would bring “unacceptable risks” to the company. It might have been a good idea as a new wrinkle has appeared in the diesel emission scandal. The New York Times has learned from two sources that a top technology executive prepared a PowerPoint presentation showing the automaker could fool the EPA's emission testing. The presentation was only a few pages long and explained the process of how the EPA did it. The presentation also talked about how the test could be fooled by a piece of code in the engine management software, turning on equipmen…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 1 reply
- 962 views
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 …
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 1 reply
- 959 views
William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 13, 2012 The Lamborghini Gallardo has been an important car for the Italian automaker - more than 12,000 Gallardos have been sold; the next bestseller is the discontinued Murciélago, at 4099 vehicles. So the next one has a lot to live up for. Car & Driver spoke with Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann to find out what to expect with the Gallardo’s Replacement. Winkelmann said the car will make “a clear cut” from the Gallardo, especially in the looks. “We always say that design is not an evolution but a revolution, and this will be the philosophy of the follow-up to the Gallardo.” Expect the replacement to …
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 3 replies
- 958 views
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…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
Volkswagen was planning to publish the final report on the external investigation done by U.S. law firm Jones Day. But in a move that surprised no one, Volkswagen has decided not to publish it. "I’m aware that some of you wish for greater transparency. Often the publishing of a full report is demanded. To be clear: there is no written final report from Jones Day, nor will there be. I ask for your understanding that for legal reasons Volkswagen is prevented from publishing any such report," said VW Chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch at the company's annual general meeting. Poetsch said Volkswagen would risk “massive fines" if the report was published. While Volkswagen …
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 2 replies
- 953 views
Drove through the VW dealer lot today by the mall. Was there literally two days ago, I swore I did not see the new 011 Jettas! After seeing an ad in the paper saying as much, and checking online inventory, indeed they had 2011 Jettas! A slew of them. I drove right by them the other day and did not notice, but went there again today, and yes they do exist!. HMMMMMM.....how's that for a first impression. ANYWAYS this is like one of those unboxing a cell phone videos. There is not much meat other than just a first sort of thought on the presentation. So I did not get to sit inside one. But here goes.... exterior. BLAND, however......tidy. Balanced, inoffensive, …
Last reply by regfootball, -
This morning at Volkswagen's headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, executives admitted there were parts of the company "tolerated breaches of rules" and would be 'relentless' in finding those involved in the diesel emission scandal. Volkswagen Chairman Hans Dieter Pötsch told reporters at the press conference that investigations into the affair were going well, but it would take time for the investigation to figure out which individuals were the key players. Poestch also reiterated that a small group of individuals were involved in the cheating. The key question is how did the cheating happen in the first place? Poetsch explained there were three key reasons, “Min…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 2 replies
- 952 views
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…
Last reply by ocnblu, -
According to the sources, Citi is representing Volkswagen as they shop for a co-investor willing to inject at least $1 billion dollars in Electrify America. This is being shopped among infrastructure groups, electrical companies and other energy companies such as big oil. Volkswagen, Electrify America and Citi have all declined to comment. Yet as various oil companies buy up electrical charging companies and manufactures of charging equipment, Volkswagen is now in the aftermath of their emissions cheating scandal that forced them to spend $2 billion in building out EV charging stations across America from 2017 to 2026 has now looked to join the long term energy supp…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 1 reply
- 951 views
Rumors have been flying around for a couple of years of Audi doing an RS3 sedan for North America. But there hasn't been any concrete evidence for it, just hints and speculation. Continuing this trend, Quattro World has learned from sources that the RS3 sedan is a go. Audi of America executives told employees at a recent summit that the RS3 sedan has been given the green light. Sources say the model will look slightly different from the current RS3 Sportback sold in Europe with new front end and headlights. A new turbocharged 2.5L five-cylinder with over 400 horsepower will be paired with a seven-speed S-Tronic gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive. The RS3 sedan is…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
Volkswagen was planning to release the preliminary findings of its internal investigation into the diesel emission scandal this month. But now, the company has scrapped those plans. In a statement, the German automaker cites strong objections from their lawyers and “unacceptable risks” to the company. But there might be more this than what Volkswagen is saying. Last week, Volkswagen finally reached a deal with the U.S. Government over the emission mess. By releasing the results, it might put Volkswagen in a difficult sport. “Publishing such a preliminary report would not only endanger the complex and confidential settlement talks [with authorities and plaintiffs]…
Last reply by Suaviloquent, -
- 2 replies
- 947 views
William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 14, 2012 Volkswagen is planning on bringing a electric vehicle over to the states sometime late next year. Volkswagen of America President, Jonathan Browning told Automotive News the company is planning on bringing a electric version of the Golf. Volkswagen will follow the same path as other automakers wherein they will only sell the Golf electric in certain markets before rolling it out nationwide. Browning says Volkswagen wants to offer a variety of alternatives for buyers, including diesels, compressed natural gas, and hybrids. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article
Last reply by crash900s, -
Volkswagen is making progress with moving on from the diesel emission scandal as they have announced a proposed agreement for the 3.0L TDI V6. Filed in federal court last night, the agreement totals $1.2 billion and hopes to resolve civil claims for 78,000 vehicles. The settlement includes, Buy back or terminate the lease of approximately 20,000 eligible 2009-2012 Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7 TDI models (dubbed the Generation 1 models). There is also the possibility of Volkswagen offering owners of these models a fix if approved by the U.S. Government. Repair the approximately 58,000 Generation 2 models (2013-2016 Volkswagen Touareg, Porsche Cayenne, and Audi…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
The diesel emission scandal has caused Audi to change up their development cycle. A source tells Car and Driver that Audi has sped up the development cycle for e-tron quattro and h-tron quattro models. The board has allegedly diverted engineering and financial resources toward these models and put all non-essential projects on the back burner. “Everybody is of course concerned about the aftereffects of the diesel crisis, and the thinking is that Audi has to show people we are serious about these kinds of cars,” said the source. “Every kind of thinking has changed since the diesel problems. We are pushing to bring zero-emission cars to market as fast as we can now—…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 1 reply
- 944 views
Audi had one more surprise up their sleeve this week. Today, the German automaker announced the SQ7. Positioned as the high-performance model, the SQ7 uses a 4.0L turbodiesel V8 with 435 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. This bests much of the competition when equipped with a diesel engine. But that high torque figure isn't the big story, it is how the SQ7 produces all of that power. The 4.0L V8 uses two conventional, sequential turbochargers and an electric compressor - a first in a production model. The electric compressor sits in the air path downstream of the intercooler, near the engine. Since it uses electric power to generate boost pressure (not exhaust …
Last reply by Frisky Dingo, -
- 3 replies
- 943 views
The past few years at Volkswagen haven't been smooth sailing with the diesel scandal coming to light with various executives being fired or stepping down, sales taking a nosedive, and various fines. Matthias Müller who has been Volkswagen AG CEO since the scandal broke has been trying his best to get the company back on track. But that might not be enough for him to keep his job. Bloomberg and German paper Handelsblatt have learned from sources that Müller will be stepping down as CEO on Friday. Possibly taking his place is Herbert Diess, head of the Volkswagen brand. According to Reuters, the decision will take place during a meeting of Volkswagen's supervisory boar…
Last reply by daves87rs, -
- 1 reply
- 942 views
A number of Volkswagen engineers have admitted that they manipulated CO2 emission data to meet ambitious goals to meet goals set by former Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn. German newspaper Bild am Sonntag (via Reuters) reports that engineers filled tires with more air and mixed diesel with their motor oil to make them use less fuel. This reportedly began after then-CEO Martin Winterkorn's announcement at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show that by 2015, the company would cut CO2 emission levels by 30 percent. Engineers at the time were afraid to tell the CEO that this goal was impossible and decided to cheat. "Employees have indicated in an internal investigation that th…
Last reply by oldshurst442, -
-
- Editor-in-Chief
- 2 replies
- 937 views
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…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
-
-
- Editor-in-Chief
- 1 reply
- 937 views
With automakers building/bringing over subcompact cars to the US, one automaker is missing in the action. That automaker is Volkswagen which built it’s empire on small vehicles (Beetle and Golf). When asked if the company would bring over any subcompact vehicles, like the Polo or new UP!, Volkswagen said no. Volkswagen cites the traditional argument of small cars having a small profit margin, especially when they have to be imported like the Polo and UP! Futhermore, Volkswagen recently re-established a production facility in the US and plans to expand capacity in an effort to become a true volume player over here. Because of their plans, Volkswagen will be expanding the…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
-
Finally, some good news in terms of the Volkswagen diesel scandal. According to German newspaper Die Welt, Volkswagen has reached a deal with U.S. authorities over its cheating of EPA emission tests. Not much is known about the deal, but sources tell Die Welt that key part of the deal will see Volkswagen paying owners in the U.S. $5,000 in compensation. This deal will be presented tomorrow to U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer at a hearing. We'll likely learn more about the agreement and what else it entails. UPDATE: Reuters has learned from their sources that Volkswagen has agreed to buy back up to 500,000 2.0L diesel vehicles in the U.S. Volkswagen may also offe…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
-
- Editor-in-Chief
- 2 followers
- 6 replies
- 934 views
Volkswagen has been teasing us with the I.D. Buzz for 6-years when they made the announcement back in 2017 that they would bring the I.D. Buzz to market. The standard wheelbase model has been on sale in Europe since May of last year, and today, Volkswagen is officially announcing the long-wheelbase version for sale in the U.S. starting next year. The ID.Buzz will not, as previously reported, be built at VW's Chatanooga plant alongside the ID.4, instead being built in VW's Hanover Germany plant. Powering the LWB ID.Buzz is a new 210 kW (286 hp) electric drive motor and a newer, larger 85 kWh battery, an increase over the standard length model of 201 kW and …
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
-
Almost five months after Volkswagen and the U.S. Government announced they had reached a settlement totaling $14.7 billion over the 2.0L TDI engine scandal, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer has given the final approval today in San Francisco . The approval marks a pivotal moment for the German automaker as they begin to move away from a scandal that has done a lot of harm not only to them, but also diesel fuel. The majority of the settlement will be used by Volkswagen to give owners of vehicles equipped with the 2.0L TDI four-cylinder two options, Have Volkswagen buy back the vehicle at NADA trade-in value before the scandal broke along with a one-time cash pa…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
-
To shoulder the massive costs that will come from the diesel emission scandal, Volkswagen has agreed to terms to take out a 20 billion euro (about $21 billion) bridging loan with a number of banks. Sources tell Reuters the decision to go with a number of banks allows Volkswagen to spread the debt out and that the company hopes to start paying back the loans next year by issuing bonds in the company. A few weeks ago, we heard rumors that Volkswagen was planning to take out 20 billion Euros in short-term loans to act as a buffer for upcoming fines. But since that report, the news has only gotten worse. Volkswagen has admitted that 430,000 vehicles in Europe have "implau…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 1 reply
- 933 views
We're getting to the point where it is becoming a bad idea mentioning 'could it get any worse' when talking about Volkswagen and the diesel scandal it finds itself embroiled in. Sooner or later, it will get one step worse. Case in point is Volkswagen admitting on Friday that their 3.0L TDI V6 used on a number of their vehicles does violate emission standards. Earlier in November, the EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) accused Volkswagen of using a defeat device in a number of vehicles with the 3.0L TDI V6. Volkswagen denied the allegations at the time. But Volkswagen and Audi told EPA and CARB officials this week that yes the 3.0L TDI V6 did violate reg…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 2 replies
- 932 views
Audi believes that the future of the brand will rest on electric vehicles. In fact, the German automaker wants to have 25 percent of vehicles sold to be electric. Now this goal is way down the line, but Audi is beginning to make this a reality with a number of electric vehicles going into development. They are also tackling how they will sell them. A recent piece in the New York Times said that dealerships were a stumbling block when selling electric vehicles either because they didn't know anything about them or pushed buyers into buying a gas-powered vehicle. Tesla is the only automaker that no problem with selling their models, but that is due to their decision of …
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
The Volkswagen diesel scandal has prompted the German transport minister to meet with the counterpart in the U.S. According to Reuters, Alexander Dobrindt will be holding talks today with Anthony Foxx, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation about the scandal. The report goes on to say that Dobrindt hopes to meet with officials from the EPA. That's not all that is taking place in the U.S. for Volkswagen. Another report from Reuters says the company has put plans of overhauling the management and overall strategy for the U.S. on hold till they deal with the litany of lawsuits and penalties. "What matters more than anything else right now is to sort out this disaster,"…
Last reply by Suaviloquent, -
Volkswagen will be cutting another big check. Today, the company announced that it had reached a settlement with Department of Justice over the criminal case on the diesel emission scandal. Volkswagen will plead guilty to three criminal felony charges and will pay $4.3 billion - $2.8 billion for the fine and $1.5 billion to settle civil cases. The settlement also requires an independent monitor to watch over the company for the next years. Volkswagen's board still needs to approve this settlement, but the company says the approval could happen today or tomorrow. If they waited, the parties would have to do it all over again with new people coming as part of President…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 1 reply
- 928 views
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
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
-
- Editor-in-Chief
- 3 followers
- 3 replies
- 927 views
I was wondering, what does Porsche get out of being a part of the VW group? Do they use any of VW's technology? Wouldn't they be better of as an independent car manufacturer specialized in produced super cars? Are they profitable?
Last reply by jabay, -
-
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 925 views
William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 5, 2012 At this week's Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen will unveil two vehicles. One being a concept and the other being a production model. Let's start with the concept; Volkswagen is showing off a refreshed version of their Cross Coupe concept shown back at the Toyko Motor Show. Aside from a new paint job (two-tone red and silver exterior paint instead of silver), it features a new powertrain. Gone is the gas engine used in Cross Coupe's plug-in hybrid system. In its place is a TDI engine which will increase horsepower from 261 to 302 and increase fuel economy to 131 MPG (US). And For The Second Vehicle…
Last reply by Robert Hall, -
- 1 reply
- 925 views
Audi has revealed some teaser images for an electric crossover concept that will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. Called the e-tron Quattro, the images show a vehicle having an upright grille, paired with sloping roofline and a tapering rear end. The overall shape of the concept has drag rating of 0.25 cd, the same rating as a Toyota Prius. Power will come from three electric motors - one on the front axle and two on the rear axles. A lithium-ion battery pack sits underneath the passenger compartment. Audi isn't saying how much power the electric motors produce but did say overall range will be over 310 miles. Now this concept is a preview to a produc…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
It came as a shock to many when Volkswagen admitted that it used illegal software to cheat emission tests with their diesel. But there was one group that wasn't surprised, automakers. Kent Falck, a future product specialist at Volvo said a recent event that many automakers were very suspicious of Volkswagen's emission results with their TDI engines. Falck explained that many were puzzled as to how Volkswagen was able to achieve lower emissions despite using the same suppliers as other automakers. “We have the same suppliers, we have Bosch, we have Denso, we are working with the same partners, so we know this technology doesn’t exist,” said Falck. “I have known tha…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 1 reply
- 922 views
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…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
Yesterday, we reported that Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess got a safe-passage deal from the U.S. Justice Department. This type of deal is very unusual and it was speculated that U.S. wasn't planning to charge Diess over the diesel emission scandal, or that he provided some sort of testimony. We might have an answer to how Diess got this deal. German tabloid Bild reports that Diess traveled to the U.S. last week to testify about the diesel emission scandal. Representatives from the FBI and Justice Department were present, as was Larry Thompson, the U.S. monitor appointed last year to oversee reforms at the company. Unfortunately, Bild doesn't mention any sources. R…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 1 reply
- 919 views
William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com January 19, 2012 Volkswagen currently sells four diesel models in the U.S.; the Golf, Jetta, Passat, and Touareg. Now, there’s word that a fifth diesel is joining the lineup. Autoblog has been told by Volkswagen that a diesel Beetle will premiere at next month’s Chicago Auto Show. No details about the diesel engine in the Beetle have been release, but bet on the 2.0L engine in the Golf, Jetta, and Passat ending up in the car also. More interesting is Volkswagen could offer the diesel engine in the upcoming Beetle convertible. We won’t know if this will actually happen or not until the drop-top Beetle is shown. Sourc…
Last reply by ocnblu, -
- 3 replies
- 917 views
How many models does the entire Volkswagen group sell around the world? 75? 125? How about 340 models. No that isn't a misprint. According to German business paper Handelsblatt, that is the amount all of the brands of the German automaker build. CEO Matthias Müller believes that is too many. "The total number of our today around 340 model variants, we are in the course of reducing," Volkswagen CEO Matthias Müller at a press conference last week. But how many models are going on the chopping block? Sources tell Handelsblatt that 40 plus models will be cut. "A decision on how many models will be phased out or ceased has not been taken yet," said a Volkswagen spo…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 1 reply
- 915 views
Today, Porsche unveiled the Cabriolet version of the 911. Porsche says the 911 Cabriolet is lighter than it's predecessor thanks to use of lightweight materials, including canvas, magnesium, and advanced high-strength steel. The Cabriolet is also wider and longer than it's predecessor. Porsche points out the 911 Cabriolet “preserves the typically sleek 911 coupe roof line.” due to a unique roof mechanism. Power for the 911 Cabriolet comes in the forms of a 3.4L direct-injection flat-six engine making 350 HP, 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 177 mph for the base Carrera and a 3.8L boxer six making 400 HP, 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 187 mph for …
Last reply by 67impss, -
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…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
Next Tuesday was the deadline that Volkswagen and the U.S. Government would have to finish their discussions on finalizing an agreement over the 2.0L TDI scandal. But last night, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer has given the two parties an extension to June 28th. Reuters reports that Breyers gave the extension after a request was made by the court appointment mediator, former FBI director Robert S. Mueller. In a written order, Bryer said "given the highly technical nature of the proposed settlements in these complex proceedings," an extension would be given. Volkswagen spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan confirmed to Reuters that the extension was asked by Muller. …
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 0 replies
- 905 views
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 …
Last reply by William Maley,
