Rumormill: VW Microbus back on the table?

The 2001 VW Microbus concept was really cool; so much so that it looked like it was headed for 2005 production. Then the project started getting expensive at the same time the U.S. dollar began to hit the skids. So, then-boss Bernd Pischetsrieder swung the axe, and it was curtains for the retro breadbox. Fast-forward to the present. Instead of a spiffy new Microbus, we now have the Routan, which is fake German for "Dodge Caravan." Not very exciting, to say the least.
A revival of Flower Power's official vehicle seemed hopeless -- until now. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that VW's entertaining the possibility of a 21st-century Microbus built on the same platform as the new sedan that'll pe produced at VW's Chattanooga, TN facility. An unnamed "senior Volkswagen official" told the paper that European production's basically a non-starter, and Volkswagen Group of America's Jill Bratina played it coy, saying only that a second vehicle line out of Chattanooga is "conceivable in the foreseeable future." A locally-built, car-based Microbus is an idea that certainly piques our interest. How about yours?
(Oh, and by the way, should you ever decide to move to Brazil, you can still kick it old-school down there in the meantime.)

[ Via: Squob.com ]
[ Tag: chattanooga, kombi, microbus, volkswagen, vw ]

Paris Preview: Subaru debuts boxer diesel Forester and Impreza

Subaru debuted its new 2.0L diesel boxer engine earlier this year in the Legacy and Outback, and soon it will also be offered in the Forester and Impreza, though only in Europe. These two latest models to feature the unique horizontally opposed oil-burning engines will debut at the Paris Motor Show next month. The Forester 2.0D will offer 147 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque while returning 44.8 combined mpg in the European cycle, which is class-leading for a small CUV over there, while the Impreza 2.0D offers 148 hp and 258 lb-ft (fuel economy for the Impreza 2.0D was not released for some reason). The diesel Forester will hit showrooms later this month while Euro shoppers will have to wait until January for the diesel Impreza. While we certainly hope Subaru is tweaking its 2.0L diesel boxer engine to meet emissions standards in all 50 U.S. states, we haven't heard one word about it.

[ Via: Autoblog (Subaru) ]
[ Tag: diesel forester, diesel impreza, diesel subarus, DieselForester, DieselImpreza, DieselSubarus, subaru forester 2.0D, subaru impreza 2.0D, SubaruForester2.0d, SubaruImpreza2.0d ]

VW picks five best Campervans from each generation for display

There are few vehicles which can approach the Volkswagen van for sheer classic presence. Today, early examples of the first-generation models are so desirable that they can fetch more money than any current van on the market. That's mighty impressive for a vehicle which sold for very low prices when new. And who could possibly forget the Campervan conversions which were available right from the factory? Apparently, Volkswagen isn't completely unaware of its illustrious rear-engined past. The automaker has selected five Campervans to take part in a special part in this year's Vanfest, which takes place this month in the U.K. The five winners represent one model from each of the five generations that VW has been selling its commercial vans. Our favorite has got to be the 1966 split-window Transporter, complete with Safari windows. Seriously, as far as Campervans go, it just doesn't get any better than that. Looking at these past designs, we wonder how Volkswagen ended up choosing a restyled Chrysler minivan for its U.S. Routan. They can make up for it, at least a little bit, by cutting its roof off for a proper camping conversion. Yeah... not likely.
Press Release:
WINNERS OF VANFEST 'FIVE GENERATIONS OF CAMPERVAN' DISPLAY

The winning Volkswagen vans have been chosen for the 'Five generations of Campervan' display at Vanfest, Europe's largest gathering of Volkswagen vans, which takes place at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern from 12 to 14 September.

The competition for owners to have their vans selected for the special display and each receive £100 worth of items from the retro collection of Volkswagen merchandise was supported by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and the organisers of Vanfest.

The oldest van chosen to represent the first generation of the Volkswagen Transporter is a valuable 1966 'split-screen' Samba entered by its proud owner Simon Callum.

The second generation 'bay window' model chosen for the display is Allan Ward's 1968 Devon Eurovette, while the third generation, often known as the T25 or 'wedge' is a 1990 Atlantic owned by Philip Clegg.

A red customised 2002 campervan conversion owned by Michael and Anne Whitburn represents the fourth generation of the Transporter, while Martin and Blanche Adams will have the newest van on display with their cool, black Volkswagen California camper complete with chrome accessories as an example of the current fifth generation model.

Over 10 million Volkswagen Transporters have been built since production started with the iconic 'split-screen' model in 1950, which must make the Transporter one of the most popular vans in the world.

Now in its fifth generation, today's California camper is now produced directly by Volkswagen at its own factory to the same high standards as all its vehicles, and sold in the UK with a three year warranty.

The versatile and practical design of Volkswagen campers has made them a great success for travelling as well as an every day vehicle. The latest California, for example, quickly transforms from a car that fits into multi-storey car parks, into a home from home with an electrically-operated pop-up roof, two double beds, kitchen with fridge, sink and two burner hob, a four-seater lounge with table, plus an outside table neatly stored in its side door with two deckchairs stowed in the tailgate.

The full retro collection of Volkswagen merchandise can be seen and purchased at www.volkswagenmerchandise.co.uk. For more details of the California camper, visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/california, or call 0800 717131 for a brochure.

[ Via: Autoblog (Volkswagen) ]
[ Tag: camper van, CamperVan, volkswagen, volkswagen bus, volkswagen camper, volkswagen samba, volkswagen transporter, volkswagen van, volkswagen vanagon, VolkswagenBus, VolkswagenCamper, VolkswagenSamba, VolkswagenTransporter, VolkswagenVan, VolkswagenVanagon, vw camper van, vw type 2, vw type ii, VwCamperVan, VwType2, VwTypeIi ]

Volkswagen offering 0% financing on all 2008 models

Volkswagen typically shies away from massive rebates, but tough sledding on the sales floor had led the German automaker to take drastic measures. All 2008 models can be had with 0% financing for a limited time, which should help VW dealers clear inventory before the '09 models arrive. The 0% deals vary in duration depending on the model, with most models receiving the special financing for 60 months. You can even get a GTI interest free for five years.
Almost every automaker is breaking the bank with incentives to keep declining sales and increased inventories in check. VW is one of the few automakers that fared fairly well in August sales, so something as drastic as 0% financing is a bit of a surprise. Given that the competition is doing it, though, the German automaker may just be keeping up with the Joneses. Thanks for the tip, Jay!

[ Via: Volkswagen ]
[ Tag: 0 financing, 0Financing, interest, jetta, rabbit, routan, volkswagen, VW ]

Ford, Toyota adopt Netflix technology for bill paying

The long-time comeback for inquiring creditors has always been the once fail-safe "The check is in the mail." That oldie but goodie won't work anymore if you've purchased a new vehicle from Ford or Toyota's credit arm. The two automakers have adopted bar code scan technology that tells each company whether or not your check actually is in the mail. The same technology is used by Netflix to determine when a subscriber has sent back a DVD, which enables the cloud-based DVD rental service to send that customer another DVD before the first actually arrives back.
Though the bar code scan technology can be a hassle for people trying to get credit companies off their backs, it actually helps them, as well. If a payment was lost in the mail or some unforeseen natural disaster like a hurricane puts your check under five feet of water, the credit companies will know and you won't have to pay a late fee. Also, if your check really is in the mail then they won't bother with the annoying phone call all together, as they'll already know it's headed their way.

[ Via: CC2.0 ]
[ Tag: credit arm, CreditArm, Ford, ford credit, FordCredit, netflix, toyota, toyota credit, ToyotaCredit ]

VW and its dealers butting heads over Jetta TDI?

We recently received a note from an anonymous source indicating that there's a mildly strained relationship between VW and some of its dealers. The source of the consternation seems to be the highly anticipated Jetta TDI, which was just recently released in the U.S. market. Apparently, Volkswagen of America has gotten complaints that some dealers are adding a significant markup on the new and desirable model -- a big problem for many automakers when a new model makes its initial introduction. The dealers are eager to make some money on the new cars while VW is concerned that customers may just look elsewhere because they feel they're being treated unfairly. What's more, some VW dealers may not be all that excited by the new model as there aren't that many available quite yet.
This is a situation that's frustrating for the dealers, VW and, most importantly, prospective customers. Volkswagen promises that the situation will improve, and we hope it does. If the clean diesel engine is truly capable of returning the kind of fuel mileage that VW says it can, the Jetta TDI sedan and Sportwagen may indeed offer an ideal alternative to gasoline-sipping hybrids, that is, if customers can put up with the buying process.

[ Via: Autoblog (Volkswagen) ]
[ Tag: clean diesel, CleanDiesel, jetta tdi, JettaTdi, volkswagen, volkswagen jetta, volkswagen jetta diesel, volkswagen jetta tdi, VolkswagenJetta, VolkswagenJettaDiesel, VolkswagenJettaTdi, vw dealer, vw jetta diesel, vw jetta tdi, VwDealer, VwJettaDiesel, VwJettaTdi ]

Rumormill: Mid-engine Audi R3 to replace TT

Over the past week, CAR has donned its prognostication cap and tapped it's "internal sources" in an attempt to foretell Audi's future product plans. A few of stories have ranged from inane to insane, but one post seems entirely plausible and has blinded us with excitement.
Audi's mid-engine R4 was pronounced stillborn this past year, but with Volkswagen bringing its own midship concept to the Los Angeles Auto Show this November, Audi might revive plans its own version to market in the next five years. The new R3 would effectively replace the TT, providing a better business case for VAG to produce a mid-engine platform and silencing critics that have constantly complained that the TT is merely a tarted up Golf.
If the Volkswagen version is well received and given the green light, expect it to debut in 2013, with Audi's variant following shortly thereafter. In an attempt to keep from directly competing with the Porsche Boxster, Audi will exclusively offer the R3 with four-cylinder engines, including a 180 hp, 1.8-liter TFSI, 220 hp, 2.0-liter and a 280 hp, 2.0-liter on the S-line model. Diesels are also being considered, ranging from a 125 hp, 1.6.-liter to a 204 hp, 2.0-liter.

[ Via: Autoblog (Volkswagen) ]
[ Tag: audi, audi r3, AudiR3, r3, volkwagen, vw ]