OETTINGER tuned Scirocco one mean hot hatch

Today on Cars We Can't Have, Oettinger turns its eye toward Volkswagen's C30 Scirocco. There's history between the tuning firm and VW's windy coupe, so this could be viewed as an addendum to past work. What does a tuner do, if not enhance performance? Indeed, Oettinger has fiddled about underhood to wring 240PS from the 2.0-liter engine, and the smaller 1.4-liter TSI mill is good for an even 200PS at the hands of the tuner. Anticipating that more is always better, the future holds a further enhanced 2.0 liter TSI engine frothing out 350PS.
It's not just engine tweaks. The hotted-up Scirocco is low enough to scrape roadkill from the tarmac, thanks to an adjustable suspension. Holding the increased go power from the engine room in check are larger brakes, and it wouldn't be a tuner car without a body kit. Oettinger's bodywork changes are more classy than garish, and overall the look is successful at ratcheting our desire for the Scirocco up another notch.

[ Via: World Car Fans ]
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2010 VW Beetle to be 'more mature'

When it was first unveiled, the Volkswagen New Beetle's only mission in life was to emulate and modernize the look of the classic air-cooled Bug that was so popular in America during the '60s and '70s. The New Beetle's first restyling was so minor that you'd be forgiven for not even knowing it had been changed. Not so for the next update, a hardtop of which is due for the 2010 model year with a convertible following one year later. Such ergonomic deficiencies as a huge expanse between the driver and the windshield were acceptable in order to get the look right the first time around, but not any longer. Therefore, expect to see some radical changes for the cute little Bugger that will make what Volkswagen's own Walter De' Silva calls "a much more mature product." The word "mature" doesn't quite jive with the current New Beetle, so we're pretty interested to see how far this redesign will go.

[ Via: Tim in Sydney ]
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New VW Beetle could be North America's up! variant?

The VW Beetle is a cult favorite here in the States, but in Germany, it's not so well loved. That could be part of the reason why Volkswagen has been slow to produce a successor to the new Beetle, but word from Motor Trend is that two models could be coming shortly. The first Beetle will be based off the Gen-VI Golf and will hit production in 2010 or 2011.
Word out of Wolfsburg is that a second Beetle could be on the way as well, but this one would be based off the up! minicar. That would give VW a sub-brand Beetle lineup, kind of like what Toyota has with Scion, but with an eye on MINI buyers. The smaller up!-based Beetle would also be more true to the original Bug, which was a cheap and efficient "People's Car" with the engine out back (supposedly). Quality problems and a weak dollar have lead VW to struggle in the U.S. over the past few years, but an inexpensive, reliable car with top-notch fuel economy would go a long way toward reversing that trend.

[ Via: Motor Trend ]
[ Tag: Beetle,New Beetle,NewBeetle,up minicar,UpMinicar,Volkswagen,VW ]

Volkswagen unveiling two-door Elise fighter in LA, new sports car

Over the past five years, Volkswagen has continued to tease us with sports car concepts that never seem to come to fruition. Back in 2003, VW unveiled the Concept R in Frankfurt to critical acclaim and two years later, the wraps came off the EcoRacer, proving that the automaker was still kicking around the idea of a lightweight, affordable roadster for the masses.
In the interim, VW had two similar concepts that never left the studio, but when the Los Angeles Auto Show rolls along later this year, a new mid-engine coupe will be revealed, and this one actually has a shot at production.
According to Autocar, this newest concept aims to be a budget alternative to the Lotus Elise, balancing performance and fuel economy in a low-cost package. Sources suggest that the coupe will feature either a 168 hp, 1.4-liter TSI gasoline engine or a 125 hp, 1.6-liter TDI mounted amidships and sending power to the rear wheels via a seven speed DSG gearbox. If and when the production version debuts in 2011, the coupe's curb weight is pegged at just over 2,200 pounds, allowing it to run to 60 in under seven seconds while still returning over 55 mpg.
If the project is given the green light, the same architecture that underpins the VW variant could form he basis for the oft-rumored and continually denied Audi R4. And with Porsche's stake in V-Dub, that means a 914 successor is just a badge and prayer away.

[ Via: Autocar ]
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