ABT Scirocco

[ Via: PRESS RELEASE:
ABT Sportsline at Essen Motor Show

The VW Tourareg TDI Trophy truck that was unveiled at the LA Auto Show last week made its competition debut on Saturday in the Baja 1000. The 550-hp diesel-powered off-road racer finished the 1,000 km race in 13th place in its class after a seal failed in the gearbox. The Arciero-Miller team had to swap out the whole box mid-race, dropping the truck well down in the standings. The Touareg is powered by a modified version of the same 5.5-liter V12 diesel used so successfully in the Audi R10 TDI for the last three years. It's the first clean diesel ever to run in the Baja 1000.




[ Via: Autoblog (Volkswagen) ]
[ Tag: baja 1000, Baja1000, vw touareg, vw touareg tdi trophy truck, vw touareg trophy truck, VwTouareg, VwTouaregTdiTrophyTruck, VwTouaregTrophyTruck ]

LA 2008: VW Race Touareg 2

This is Volkswagens entrant in this weekend's Baja 1000: a spaceframe-chassis Touareg TDI with 75 cm of suspension travel competing in the top-dog Trophy Truck class and utilizing an oil-burning V12 with nearly 550 hp. That's a long way from the first VW win in 1967 that came courtesy of a VW Beetle converted into one of the soon-to-be-ubiquitous dune monsters. Driver Mark Miller won the Baja 500 last year in the first Race Touareg. Aided by helicopters and eight support vehicles, we'll find out on Sunday if he and navigator Ryan Arciero can take The Big One this year.

[ Via: Autoblog (Volkswagen) ]
[ Tag: baja 1000, Baja1000, la 2008, la auto show, la auto show 2008, La2008, LaAutoShow, LaAutoShow2008, motorsports, race touareg 2, RaceTouareg2, volkswagen, volkswagen race touareg 2, VolkswagenRaceTouareg2, vw ]

MkVI VW Rabbit & GTI coming to America next September

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the 2009 Volkswagen Golf GTIVolkswagen customers in the United States have been patiently awaiting the arrival of the new sixth-generation Rabbit and its GTI performance variant. And while it's still a little ways off, at least there's a light at the end of the tunnel as the German automaker has announced that the new model will hit the U.S. market in early September 2009. European customers, meanwhile, already began taking delivery of their new Golfs last month, with the GTI due to arrive there next summer.American versions will initially be available with the current 2.5-liter inline-five, a new 2-liter turbodiesel in the TDI version and the GTI's 2-liter TSI. A new 1.8-liter TFSI is expected to replace the base 2.5-liter unit, with 4Motion all-wheel-drive, TwinDrive hybrid and LPG versions to follow, as well as a possible all-electric version and a replacement for the current top-of-the-line R32 performance model. North American models will also come equipped with adaptive cruise control, adaptive chassis control and 19-inch wheels as standard. Of the current (fifth-generation) Rabbit, the GTI version accounted for roughly one third of models sold, which Volkswagen expects to continue with this new generation. In the meantime, you can check out the high-resolution images in the two galleries below.

[ Via: Inside Line ]
[ Tag: volkswagen, volkswagen golf, volkswagen gti, volkswagen rabbit, VolkswagenGolf, VolkswagenGti, VolkswagenRabbit, vw, vw golf, vw gti, vw rabbit, VwGolf, VwGti, VwRabbit ]

LA 2008: VW Jetta TDI named Green Car of the Year

There are a few standouts in the emerging green sector of the U.S. auto market that are hitting the market in 2009. BMW's first clean diesel in the United States, the 335d, is one such vehicle that has torque-loving enthusiasts salivating, and General Motors' upcoming Saturn Vue is the first application of the 2-Mode hybrid system in a front-wheel drive vehicle. No green car discussion is complete without a mention of the smart fortwo, which sports the best mileage of any non-hybrid car available. Of course, the new Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid from Ford are shaping up to be real contenders in the green mid-size sedan sweepstakes and they may take a chunk out of Camry hybrid sales when it finally debuts. Still, there is one '09 car that seems to offer the best of all worlds, with a relatively low starting price, excellent fuel economy and refined driving dynamics: The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. For these reasons, the oil-burner from Germany has been selected by Green Car Journal as the 2009 Green Car of the Year. We're not arguing with the decision, but you are, of course, free to make your voice heard in the comments section.

[ Via: Autoblog (Volkswagen) ]
[ Tag: 2009 green car of the year, 2009GreenCarOfTheYear, green car of the year, GreenCarOfTheYear, la, la 2008, la auto show, La2008, LaAutoShow, volkswagen jetta tdi, volkswagen jetta tdi green car of the year, VolkswagenJettaTdi, VolkswagenJettaTdiGreenCarOfTheYear, vw jetta green car of the year, vw jetta tdi, VwJettaGreenCarOfTheYear, VwJettaTdi ]

GM selling remaining Suzuki stake for $230M

General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner mentioned last week that, in addition to selling the HUMMER brand, other assets were being evaluated for sale, as well. While no other brands are likely to be sold off besides HUMMER, GM did announce this morning that it's selling all of its remaining stock in Suzuki. GM owns 16,413,000 Suzuki shares, which is about 3% of the Japanese automaker's traded stock. The value of the sale is estimated at $230 million, all of which should help keep the lights on at GM for an extra day or two if some form of government aid isn't approved this week by Congress.
Despite selling off its remaining interest in Suzuki, GM is still very much interested in continuing the two automakers' working relationship and may end up repurchasing a stake in the future. The giant American carmaker's interest in its Japanese competitor has fluctuated over the years, peaking in 2001 when it held over 20% of Suzuki's outstanding shares. In 2006, however, it sold 17.4% before today's unloading of the remaining 3%.


PRESS RELEASE

GM Sells Equity Stake in Suzuki Motor Corp.

Detroit – General Motors Corp. announced today it would sell its remaining equity stake in Suzuki Motor Corp. but based on a mutual agreement would continue the implementation and expansion of its business relationships with the company.

GM plans to sell 16,413,000 Suzuki shares, which is equal to 3 percent of Suzuki's total issued common stock, on the open market. Based on today's market price, the shares are worth approximately $230 million.

GM has held an equity stake in Suzuki since 1981, when it purchased approximately 5.3 percent of the Suzuki shares outstanding. GM's stake was diluted to 3.5 percent in subsequent years, but in 1998 GM increased its holding in Suzuki to 10 percent, and to slightly over 20 percent in 2001. In 2006, GM sold a 17.4 percent stake in Suzuki.

Suzuki and GM will continue promoting and implementing their existing projects, including development and collaboration on advanced technologies such as hybrids and fuel cells; joint operation of their CAMI vehicle manufacturing joint venture in Canada; collaboration on the development of powertrains; the cross-supply of OEM vehicles; joint global purchasing activities; and collaboration on entries in new emerging markets.

"We highly value our strategic relationship with Suzuki," said Rick Wagoner, GM chairman and chief executive officer. "Despite the sale of our remaining Suzuki shares, this action will have no impact on our existing bilateral business relationships. We look forward to continue building on our success to date with our long-term partner."

Suzuki and GM also agreed that they would discuss the repurchase of Suzuki shares by GM, should GM express its desire to do so at a future date.

[ Via: Autoblog (Suzuki) ]
[ Tag: general motors, GeneralMotors, gm, gm suzuki, gm suzuki sale, GmSuzuki, GmSuzukiSale, suzuki ]

NYT columnist calls on Steve Jobs to fix Detroit

In 2001, General Motors needed a revival and Bob Lutz was anointed The One. It was widely accepted that if anyone could breathe life into a struggling car company, it was him.
Fast-forward seven years, and GM is in the midst of a possible government bailout while its stock price sinks faster than a HUMMER's gas gauge on the freeway. It would seem that Maximum Bob's legendary straight-talking reputation for taking no prisoners and slicing through corporate red tape hasn't produced the results his supporters expected.
So if Bob Lutz can't save Detroit, who can? Steve Jobs, that's who. At least that's what Pulitzer Prize-winning Thomas Friedman says in his New York Times column. While some might be averse to the company, its products and/or its leader, Apple has made a ton of money while re-defining the computer, music and mobile phone industries. Isn't innovation what Detroit needs most?
What Friedman proposes is asking Steve Jobs to perform a "national service" for his country by taking reigns of one of Detroit's automakers for a year. The columnist has so much faith in the visionary talents of Jobs, he believes we'll all be lined up for a chance to buy a shiny new Chevrolet iCar. Or a JeepPro. Or a Mercury Lisa.
But we've heard in the past that Apple's CEO has been working for the other teams, so maybe Steve Wozniak could find some time in his schedule.

[ Via: MacDailyNews ]
[ Tag: apple, apple cars, apple icar, AppleCars, AppleIcar, bob lutz, BobLutz, icar, steve jobs, steve jobs car, SteveJobs, SteveJobsCar, thomas friedman, ThomasFriedman ]

LA Preview: VW to unveil diesel-powered Touareg TDI Trophy Truck

If Formula 1 is the pinnacle of on-road motorsports, competitive off-roading hits its apogee with the Baja Trophy Truck series. With vehicles sporting over 20 inches of suspension travel both front and rear, along with massive power provided by V8 engines, these trucks travel over the worst terrain imaginable at ludicrous speeds. Sounds like fun, right? Volkswagen thinks so, and while it's older Beetle-based buggies often make it through the race unscathed, albeit much slower than their big brothers, the automaker has decided to enter the top rung of the SCORE series and will debut its latest Touareg TDI to tackle the course at the upcoming LA Auto Show.
Boasting a turbocharged diesel 5.5L V12 engine that puts out 550 horsepower and a stump-pulling 625 lb-ft of torque, the 5,650-pound race-prepped Touareg should have the guts to keep up with the rest of the field. This will be the first turbo-diesel ever to compete at the Baja 1000 in the Trophy Truck class. Custom double A-arms up front and a four-link rear suspension provide 25 and 30 inches of wheel travel, respectively, and 37-inch BFG's will do their best to provide traction. VeeDub is set to officially unveil the truck on November 19th, just ahead of the 41st running of the big race.

[ Via: Autoblog (Volkswagen) ]
[ Tag: la 2008, la auto show, La2008, LaAutoShow, volkswagen touareg, volkswagen touareg tdi, volkswagen touareg tdi trophy truck, VolkswagenTouareg, VolkswagenTouaregTdi, VolkswagenTouaregTdiTrophyTruck, vw, vw touareg, vw touareg tdi, vw touareg trophy truck, VwTouareg, VwTouaregTdi, VwTouaregTrophyTruck ]

Japanese School Girl Wristcutters: So Wrong It Really, Really Hurts [Japan, Oh Japan]

Wowowow. I have no idea what the context of this clip is. I don't want to believe that these kawaii! schoolgirl wristcutters are real, peddled by schoolgirls winking and smiling as they lick the blood trickling down their wrists. But you know what? I honestly don't know what's real or not anymore. I just don't know. [Vidmax]

[ Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[ Tag: ]

SEMA 2008: VW Tiguan Performance Concept rocks the <strike>house</strike> CUV

[ Via: Autoblog (Aftermarket) ]
[ Tag: aftermarket, cuvs, sema, sema 2008, Sema2008, tiguan performance concept, TiguanPerformanceConcept, tuners, volkswagen, volkswagen tiguan, VolkswagenTiguan, vw, vw tiguan, vw tiguan performance concept, VwTiguan, VwTiguanPerformanceConcept ]

SEMA 2008: Volkswagen Super CC Performance Concept

The year's SEMA is as much about economical performance as it is about out-and-out performance. VW threw its hat Passat CC in the latter ring with the Super CC Performance Concept, created by the VW Design Center with the aid of APR, Recaro, H&R, and Brembo. The Super CC gets a grey pearl coat and blacked-out chrome, and pinstripe graphics from the hood to the rear spoiler that actually looks tasty in person.
Under the hood is the 2.0-liter TSI with a 3-stage APR turbo delivering Eco Mode (222 hp, 236 lb-ft.), GT Mode (252 hp, 268 lb-ft.) and Full Power Mode (311 hp, 313 lb-ft.). In Eco Mode, the car still get 33 mpg on the autoroute and 27 in the city. Inside, you sit on black Recaros with white piping. The car sits on wheels we're going to call Walter Paytons, because they are pure sweetness. Hiding behind those wheels are white Brembo calipers that will be torturous to keep clean, but they'll look the business after a wash. And those door handles, mounted low on the door of a dropped car, come up to our knees. Check it all out in the press release after the jump and the gallery of high-res images below.
UPDATE: Gallery of official high-res pics added.

[ Via: Autoblog (Volkswagen) ]
[ Tag: apr, concept cars, ConceptCars, passat cc concept, PassatCcConcept, sedans, sema, sema 2008, Sema2008, volkswagen, volkswagen passat cc, volkswagen super cc performance concept, VolkswagenPassatCc, VolkswagenSuperCcPerformanceConcept ]

Volkswagen developing car even smaller than up! with 117.6 mpg!

In Fall of 2007, Volkswagen unveiled a series of three mini car concepts called the up!, Space up! and Space up! Blue. Apparently the German automaker has determined that the tiny "four seat" up! just isn't small enough and is planning an even smaller machine to take on the Smart ForTwo directly. The goal is to create a two-seater that can achieve a fuel consumption rating of 2 L/100 km or 117.6 mpg! According to Auto Motor und Sport, the smaller car will be based on the up! architecture with power coming from a 1.0L three-cylinder diesel making 50 hp. VW has been testing a two-cylinder engine, but is unlikely to go that route. A twin would have to work too hard to provide any mileage benefit, so the slightly larger engine is likely to find a home in the new car. The first of the up! models are expected to debut in 2010 with larger models, and now smaller ones, to follow. Thanks to Christian for the tip!

[ Via: German Car Blog ]
[ Tag: volkswagen, volkswagen up, VolkswagenUp, vw up, vw up concept, VwUp, VwUpConcept ]

SEMA 2008: Ford stacks the ballot with concepts for election day

Click above for massive gallery of Fords from SEMA

[ Via: Tags: ford edge ]
[ Tag: ford edge, ford edge sport, ford escape, ford escape hybrid, ford focus, ford focus coupe, ford transit connect, FordEdge, FordEdgeSport, FordEscape, FordEscapeHybrid, FordFocus, FordFocusCoupe, FordTransitConnect, lincoln mks, lincoln mkx, LincolnMks, LincolnMkx, sema, sema 2008, Sema2008 ]

In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan S

Over the past decade, virtually every automaker in the world has first introduced an SUV (or two) and more recently a crossover utility vehicle (or two) in an attempt to address every possible market niche. Volkswagen is no exception, although the German brand was a relative latecomer to the party. Its first attempt, the mid-sized but decidedly heavy-weight Touareg was the first entry, and earlier this year VW added a second smaller CUV called the Tiguan. Unlike the Touareg, which was built on an all-new platform shared and co-developed with Porsche, the Tiguan is more closely related to VW's mainstream car models.
When the Tiguan was introduced in Europe at last years Frankfurt Motor Show, VW made a big deal of the fact that it was the only CUV in the world powered exclusively by "charged" engines. Technically this is not true, as the Acura RDX currently has only one powertrain available, a 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder. Nonetheless, all five of the engines available in the European Tiguan have either turbocharging or both a turbo and supercharging. While Europeans get a choice of four-cylinder engines running on gas or diesel, buyers here in the U.S. are stuck with only the most powerful gas engine, a 200-hp turbocharged and direct-injected unit. Find out what it's like to live with VW's new compact soft-roader after the jump.

[ Via: Autoblog (Volkswagen) ]
[ Tag: featured, tiguan, tiguan in the autoblog garage, TiguanInTheAutoblogGarage, volkswagen, volkswagen tiguan, volkswagen tiguan s, volkswagentiguan, VolkswagenTiguanS, vw tiguan, VwTiguan ]