VW considering speedster, SUV variants of new New Beetle

With retro rides – from the Fiat 500 to the Dodge Challenger – popping up left, right and center, it would be all to easy to forget the vehicle that started the trend: Volkswagen's New Beetle. Now with ten years on the road since introduction in 1998, the New Beetle is getting a little long in the tooth, but VW is preparing to launch its successor. However, while the current version is available only in two versions (coupe and cabrio), the next iteration may come with a few new twists in the lineup, mirroring the steadily-evolving range of variants of the MINI. That is, if the latest reports are to be believed.Engineering is tipped to already be underway in Germany, with styling being carried out in California and production confirmed to continue in Mexico. Among the new body styles reportedly under consideration in Wolfsburg are a two-seat speedster version, as previewed by the Ragster concept from Detroit '05, and a potential SUV like the 2000 Beetle Dune concept. The next Beetle is tipped to be based on the current Mk5 Golf/Rabbit, rather than the upcoming sixth-generation platform.

[ Via: 4Car ]
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Volkswagen debuts zero-emission Tiguan HyMotion in the U.S.

Volkswagen has shown off its Tiguan HyMotion Fuel Cell Concept for the first time in California. The five-passenger SUV, based on the Volkswagen Tiguan, features a hydrogen fuel cell powering an electric motor. The electric motor may also pull power from a 6.8 Ampere-hour lithium-ion battery that is recharged by recuperating braking energy. The VW hybrid generates 107 horsepower under normal conditions. With assist from its auxiliary energy battery, the total output increases to 134 horsepower. According to VW, that is enough power to push the Tiguan HyMotion to 60 mph in about 14 seconds and a top speed is 93 mph.While the performance is less-than-stellar, you have to remember that the Tiguan HyMotion produces zero tailpipe emissions. Yes, the only thing coming out of the pipe is clean water vapor. It's a concept, however, so don't expect to see it in showrooms anytime soon.

[ Via: Autoblog (Volkswagen) ]
[ Tag: Concept, Electric, Hybrid, Hydrogen, HyMotion, Lithium battery, LithiumBattery, Tiguan, Volkswagen ]

eBay Find of the Day: Volkswagen Touareg Harley-Davidson edition

Click to view the Harley edition Touareg in our galleryVolkswagen and Harley-Davidson are two motor companies with highly recognized images, but those images don't much overlap. That is, until now: someone has cooked up his own Harley edition Touareg. But while the special badging might look at home on a Ford F-150, it doesn't quite fit on a VW.Aside from the emblems affixed to the wheels, grille, tailgate, sill plates and steering wheel, there's really nothing that makes this any different from any other 2004 model Touareg. It's got 42k miles on the odometer and a rich brown saddle leather interior, and with four days remaining 'till the digital hammer drops, bidding is up to $13,600. An actual Harley, and any measure of good taste, are not included.

[ Via: Motive ]
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