Geneva Preview: Volkswagen Golf Variant official

VW just released the first photos of its third generation Golf Variant, which as we noted last week, will be officially unveiled at the Geneva Show in a few days. To be honest, I was never a fan of the Golf Variant and from the looks of it –and when I’m saying looks I mean it literally, this one won’t turn me into one either. Take a look at the rear end with those Mitsubishi Lancer tail-lights and you’ll get my point.

On the other hand of course, the 4,56 m long Variant boasts a luggage area of up to 690-liters with all-five passengers on board. If you toss down the rear seats capacity rises to 1.550-liters. For starters, the Golf Variant will be offered with the two petrol engines (102Hp 1.6 and 140Hp 1.4TSI) and two 1.9TDI diesels (105 and 140Hp). -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to check out the high-res image gallery

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VW to unveil 2008 Golf Variant at the Geneva Show

Although the German car-maker hasn’t announced this officially, thanks to a “chitchat” I had this morning with a VW European PR I learnt that, along with the Passat Bluemotion, VW will also unveil the station wagon version of the 5th generation Golf at the Geneva Show. Most probably based on the extended Jetta platform, the VW Golf Variant is expected to go on sale in Europe mid summer with the US market following later on the year. Picture Via: AMS

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VW Microbus…literally – by ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons!

Talk about rolling down with your car…. We have no idea how or why Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top guitarist and vocalist) transformed the classic VW Microbus into the extra-terrestrial “Bus Ball” you see in the pics. Actually, the only info we have on the “Bus gBall” is that Gibbons sent these photos to a pal of his named Corky Coker, who in turn published them on his blog. Nevertheless, we definitely think that it rocks…and rolls. Via: Autoblog.com & Coker Tire

Pic of the Day: Volkswagen Beetle “Yin & Yang”

If my information is correct, this wonderful sculpture with the two opposite facing & coloured VW Bugs is found in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Got to hand it to the artist (does anybody have any idea who it is) for using an automotive icon like the VW Beetle to portray the “Yin & Yang” philosophy, which describes two primal opposing, but complementary forces found in all things in the universe. Belissimo ! Via: Diariomotor

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Volkswagen CrossTouran – Official

VW is broadening it’s “Cross” family line-up with the presentation of the CrossTouran at the 30th Bologna Motor Show (7-17 Dec). Just like the “GTI” or “R” products, “Cross” represents an independent product brand in VW’s line-up that adds an “SUV” touch in terms of looks, to ordinary passenger models.

Although the CrossTouran is nothing more than a, well, Touran with an SUV bodykit –there’s no 4x4 system here, I have to admit that it looks quite better than its blunt counterpart. More specifically, the CrossTouran is distinguished by an all-around body protection pack that consist of a black-grained carbon fiber covering bumper lower sections, side running boards, wheel arches, side protective trim. The central air inlet in the front spoiler was also given a border in “matte chrome” look while the roof rails are silver.

The Cross Touran also receives new 17’’ alloys on 215/50 tires in front and, 235/45 tires at the rear. Finally, the off-road look is enhanced by raising the ground clearance by 12 mm. In order to gain those extra mm’s of ground clearance the CrossTouran was equipped with a modified version of the rough-track chassis that is optional for this series: it also includes a longer suspension system. In the interior the only difference between the CrossTouran and the Touran concerns the new available upholstery colors.

As for the engine range, the VW CrossTouran will be available with three petrol engines (1.6 102 Hp, 1.4 TSI with 140 & 170 Hp) and three diesel (1.9 TDI 105 Hp and 2.0 TDI with 140 & 170 Hp). Via: Autoblog.it & VW

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2008 Volkswagen Tiguan Video

Undoubtedly, the most significant debut at this year’s LA Auto Show, the Tiguan Concept is just one-step away from production. Based on the Golf V / Rabbit platform, VW’s answer to the Toyota RAV-4 and Honda CR-V will officially make its premiere as a production model in September 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Till then, take a few minutes off and enjoy this 4 min long video that we've taken the courtesy to dress with Manu Chao’s 1998 “King of the Bongo” song.

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VW debuts R-Line sport packs for Golf, Touran, Passat & Touareg

S-Line in Ingolstadt, R-Line in Wolfsburg… geez, those folks over at VW Group are full of surprises’ aren’t they! So what’s the R-Line? Nothing more, nothing less than sporty exterior and interior equipment packages available for the Golf, Touran, Passat and Touareg models. Officialy presented at the Essen Show, the R-Line pack will first be coming out in Germany in 2007.

So far the letter “R” has exclusively stood for high-performance cars such as the Golf R32 (250 hp), or the new Passat R36 (300 hp). The idea behind it: all R line products take up on the characteristic design elements that also distinguish the Golf R32 or the Passat R36. Via: VW & Autoblog.nl

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LA Show Exclusive: Volkswagen Tiguan Concept

Hold onto your butts because here’s VW’s first ever compact SUV. The Tiguan, which will make its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in a couple of days, puts VW right up against the heavyweight players of the category like Toyota’s RAV4 and Honda’s CR-V.

Don’t let the word Concept fool you, as with the exception of a few details like the bi-coloured tires, what you is what you will get when the car goes into production in the 3rd quarter of 2007. Although we admit that we were waiting for something more extravagant –don’t blame us, blame VW and its 2006 Concept A prototype… the Tiguan looks quite good, and it could be easily be characterized as a, “baby Touareg”.

Moving to the interior, for those of you living in Europe, yes you’re right: the Tiguan uses Golf Plus’s (MPV version of the Golf / Rabbit) dashboard! That’s no coincidence as the Tiguan is actually based on the Golf Plus platform which in its turn is based on the Golf/Rabbit/ Touran platform.

Based on previous information I gathered talking with VW people, the Tiguan uses Golf’s simple 4wheel drive system, dubbed 4MOTION. Despite the fact that the prototype is fitted with a TDI engine, the production version is expected to use VW’s wide range of petrol and diesel motors, including the Golf GTI’s 200Hp 2.0 TFSI. In Europe, the Tiguan will most possibly be offered with the new generation 1.4 TSI engine available in 140 and 170Hp versions.

So when is the Tiguan due to go on sale? Sources say it will be available in Germany right after its Frankfurt Motor Show presentation in September 2007 with other European countries following till the end of 2007 - beginning of 2008. As for the US, the most probable launching date is the first quarter of 2008.

Related Article: 2008 VW Tiguan Video

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Volkswagen Savanna & Passat Coupe Photo-scooped

German automakers are working overtime to present a whole new generation of cross-segment models that promise to fulfill our wildest imaginations. According to German car-magazine Autobild, VW Group is planning quite a few surprises on its part including two special versions of the Passat, both of whom are speculated to go into production in 2009.

The Savanna, based on the Passat Variant is what you could call, VW’s answer to the Dodge Magnum. The sporty estate differentiates itself from its conventional brother thanks to its sporty proportions. More specifically, Autobild say’s that the roof-line height is lowered in comparison to the Passat Variant by 90mm, while the width is increased by nearly 40mm and the rear overhang is 20mm shorter.The engine range will include VW Group’s 1.8 TFSI 160 Hp, 2.0 TFSI 200 Hp, 32.6 V6 FSI 300 HP, 2.0 TDI 140 Hp, 2.0 TD, 170 Hp & 3.0 V6 TDI 230 Hp.

While the Savanna will be priced quite close to the Passat Variant, that will not be the case with the Passat Coupe which will take on the role of closing the price-gap between the Passat and the Touareg/Phaethon models. Something like a “poor-mans” Mercedes CLS, the Passat Coupe will be all about style and –hopefully, driving dynamics. Powerplants are expected to include among others, a more powerful version of the 2.0 TFSI and the 300Hp 3.6 V6 FSI. Via: Autobild.de

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Scooped: 2008 Volkswagen Phaethon facelift

What the Pha…? While most of you have probably long forgotten about VW’s luxurious people carrier, that’s not the case with the “volks” over at Wolfsburg who still believe in the Phaeton. These spy pics reveal that VW is going to give a second chance to its Phaeton sedan that is undergoing a series of test’s before its official presentation (either in the Geneva Show in March 2007 either latter on in the Frankfurt Show in October). Via: Autoblog.it

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Video: VW Neeza Concept

A futuristic “playstation” style video from VW featuring its Neeza crossover concept that premiered a few days ago in the Auto China car show in Beijing. We took the liberty to spice it up with Baby D’s 1992 hit “Let me be your fantasy".

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Volkswagen Magotan Pics & Video – Auto China 2006

Volkswagen, or to be exact FAW-Volkswagen, spared us the surprise with its new Magotan sedan which, as you can see, is nothing more than a Passat with a "fancy..." new name. The Magotan made its world debut at the Auto China today and according to VW, it will go on sale in China sometime in 2007. I’ll spare you all with the press release which has no technical information anyway. The pictures and video speak for themselves. And even though there are no actual pics of the interior yet, you can see it in the video clip.

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Volkswagen Bora HS – Auto China 2006

I’m guessing your having and episode of déjà vu? Well you might be since this is nothing more than your usual 4th generation Golf hatch with the front end of the Chinese version of the Bora and a new set of taillights. For all those in the U.S., the Bora is what you know as the VW Jetta (the previous generation of course). (YAWN!!)

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Volkswagen Shanghai Neeza Concept - Official press release & pictures

So here we have it: VW Shanghai finally came out with the official press release and oh my – it’s paired with half a dozen of pictures! Makes you shiver doesn’t it? But, enough with the comedy. The Neeza concept is the work of VW Shanghai and as we have written in previous posts, it’s making its debut along with the VW Magotan (Passat based sedan) in the Auto China 2006 show in Beijing.

Press Release: The Neeza concept is a crossover between a sports coupé and an estate with an off-road appearance, and has been designed in China for China. The study combines Chinese and German design philosophies, signifying the future of new models from Shanghai Volkswagen. Produced with Chinese culture, tastes and requirements firmly in mind, it is a mix of traditional Chinese and modern European features.

The off-road look of the Neeza concept reflects the versatility of the model. The front of the concept features a grille and bumper design that is typically Volkswagen, yet traditional Chinese window engravings are incorporated into the grille design. The rear looks sporty, yet is also functional.

The Neeza concept offers a large, functional interior for both business and leisure purposes. The design is open with optimal comfort in mind, for example, the front seats swivel so passengers can face each other. Access to rear seating is simplified by rear doors which open towards the rear, while a large panoramic roof provides a bright interior.

The concept intentionally has neither a radio, navigation system nor other form of infotainment equipment. Instead a ‘Magic Box’ serves as an interface for radio and navigation systems, mobile phone, personal organiser and other devices.

The name Neeza was derived from "Ne-zha". Ne-zha is a celebrated figure from Chinese history. Ne-zha was a small boy with magic weapons who fought against evil spirits. His unequalled will, his youthful and foresighted spirit and courage reflect the idea hidden behind the character and the name of the concept.

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