Electric Volkswagen up! gains an "e" before the name. e-up!

Even though sales of electric cars are smaller than was predicted, car companies continue to present fully electric models. This time it was Volkswagen that brought to the Annual Press and Investors Conference in Wolfsburg their first fully electric production vehicle, the five-door e-up!.

For such a small electric car it has some very interesting specifications. The 18.7kWh battery is more than enough to give this vehicle a range of 150km (93 miles), more than enough to travel within the city, and it can be charged up to 80% in just 30 minutes. The car weighs just 1185kg (22607lb) with the lithium-ion battery.

The electric motor has a peak power of 60kW (82hp) while the continuous power is rated at 40kW (55hp). The maximum torque is of 210Nm from almost 0rpm. The car won't be able to pass the 135km/h (84mph) and will accelerate from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in a respectable time of 14 seconds.

The public presentation will take place at the Frankfurt Motor Show, to be held from September 10, 2013 to September 22, 2013, with orders starting right after that.

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Giugiaro (Volkswagen) Parcour X-GT concept looks funky

Volkswagen through ItalDesign Giugiaro presented a curious novelty at the Geneva Motor Show. It looks like some kind Rally Fighter rival and promises to offer supercar performance in all types of terrain. But the best news is that it uses parts from Lamborghini like the engine and gearbox.

The Lamborghini engine used is the 5.2 liter V10 with 550hp mated to an automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive system also borrowed from the Italian brand.

It weighs 1550kg but that doesn't mean it isn't fast. It will accelerate from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of almost 320km/h (199mph). Cool numbers for a car that can go off-road, specially if you think that the recently introduced Porsche 911 GT3 is 0.1 seconds faster but has a lower top speed.

I specially enjoy the De Tomaso Pantera look both in the coupe or roadster version.

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2013 Volkswagen Golf Variant revealed. Will be at the Geneva Motor Show

Another day, another car got revealed on the web before the official presentation. This time it was the Volkswagen Golf Variant that got an leaked to the web but to our sadness it is pretty much a longer version of the normal Golf. Even the bumpers are the same.

The version you see here is the TSI BlueMotion in a pretty blue color with roof bars and rather large looking five double-spoke wheels. While the car wasn't officially revealed we can say with some certainty that the engine range will be the same as the standard Golf (1.2 and 1.4 liter TSI, and the 1.6 and 2.0 liter TDI, ranging from 85hp to 150hp).

I am sure Volkswagen will reveal a little more in the following days or even hours. But you can see it live at the Geneva Motor Show.

Source: autowp

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Volkswagen brings the e-Co-Motion concept to Geneva. Another electric vehicle.

Volkswagen had a little surprise for us. The German brand will bring to the Geneva Motor Show a concept of an electric van that is smaller in size compared to the Transporter T5 (California) but it will be able to transport 800kg (1760lbs) in the cargo compartment that has 4.6 cubic meters of volume.

Production wasn't confirmed but we could see it labeled as the Volkswagen Caddy in the near future, or a completely new model to sit between the Transporter and the Caddy. For now we know it has 4.55 meters (179.13 inches) long, 1.90 meters (74.8 inches) wide and 1.96 meters (77.17 inches) tall.

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Volkswagen will also present the Golf GTI in Geneva.

Volkswagen recently announced they were going to publicly display the Golf GTD at the Geneva Motor Show, and today we found out the GTI will also make an appearance in Geneva. The seventh generation Golf will have for the first time a GTI version with two power levels.

There is now a standard version with 220hp and the GTI Performance with 230hp and a front axle differential lock. The engine is the same turbocharged 2.0 liter four cylinder TSI petrol unit with direct injection, and while the power output is different, the maximum torque is the same 350Nm in both versions of the GTI.

You can choose between a manual six-speed gearbox or the automatic six-speed DSG transmission. The standard GTI has a top speed of 246km/h (153mph) and will accelerate from to 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.5 seconds, while the GTI Performance is faster 4km/h (250km/h or 155mph) and 0.1 seconds (6.4 seconds), respectively.

Both versions come with a Stop-Start system and have an average fuel consumption of 6.0l/100km with the manual gearbox, but if you choose the optional six-speed DSG that value will rise to 6.4 and 6.5l/100 for the GTI and GTI Performance.

The look of the GTI is practically equal to the GTD with the exception of the red stripe that passes through the front grille and continues into the headlamps. With the GTI we also get two chrome tailpipes, a sport suspension, 17 inch “Brooklyn” GTI wheels with 225/45 size tyres, special side sills, a diffuser, smoked LED rear lights and LED licence plate illumination. All of that is only available with three exterior colors; “Tornado Red”, “Black” and “Pure White”.

Inside we have the classic tartan pattern “Clark”, a black roofliner and red ambiance lighting, besides the excepted sport steering wheel, GTI gear shift grip and instrument cluster, special trim strips and stainless steel pedals and foot support.

You can order your new GTI from 5th of March for a starting price of €28.350 ($36.990 or £24.470) in Germany.

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Volkswagen also revealed today the new Golf VII GTD

While we are still waiting for the production version of the Golf GTI, Volkswagen decided it was time to first show the fastest diesel version of the German hatchback, the GTD. Volkswagen also confirmed the GTD will have its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. 

From what we saw in the sixth generation Golf, the GTD had the same aspect of the GTI, we can pretty much say this is how the GTI will look like and is pretty equal to what we saw as concept last year at the Paris Motor Show.

The new GTD will come with a four cylinder 2.0 liter engine that produces 184hp (135kW) at 3500 to 4000 rpm and 380Nm (280lb/ft) at 1750 to 3250rpm, connected to a manual six-speed gearbox or if you want an automatic six-speed DSG transmission.

While it won't be faster than a GTI, the GTD will go from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 7,5 seconds and will stop accelerating when it reaches 230km/h. But like most diesels you will still be able to save some fuel, it will average with the manual gearbox 4.2 liters every 100km and will emit 109g of CO2 per km. If you choose the DSG the values rise to 4,7l/100km and 119g/km of CO2 (122g/km for the four door)

Outside we have specific bumpers for the GTD, smoked LED rear lights with LED licence plate illumination, chrome dual tailpipes on one side (the GTI will have one on each side), 17-inch GTD wheels with 225/45 tyres, side sill trim, diffuser, sport suspension and a large roof spoiler.

While the interior will have sport seats in tartan pattern (“Clark”), a black roofliner, sport steering wheel, stainless steel pedals and foot support, besides a GTD gear shift grip, GTD trim strips and a GTD instrument cluster.

Orders begin on the 5th of March with a base price of €29.350 ($38.720 or £25.380) while deliveries start from June 2013 in Europe.

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Volkswagen introduces the XL1. Has a combined fuel consumption of 0.9liter/100km

The Volskwagen XL1 with his plug-in hybrid system, consisting of a two-cylinder TDI engine with 48hp (35kW), electric motor 27hp (20kW), 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) and alithium-ion battery, will have an average fuel consumption of 0.9 liter every 100km, while emitting only 21g/km of CO2.

It is also the most aerodynamic production car at the moment with a Cd of just 0.189, and combined with its low weight of 795kg you will be able to save a lot in fuel. But you won't go anywhere fast. The small car has a top speed of 160km/h (100mph) and will accelerate from a standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in 12.7 seconds.

A full battery charge will give the XL1 a range of up to 50km (31 miles) which is more than enough for city travels.

But it will look fast since it is 3888mm long, 1665mm wide and just 1153mm tall, making it even smaller than a Porsche Boxter. Inside it has room for 2 seatss, side by side, but the passengers will sit slightly offset.

The price wasn't revealed and neither was the release date.

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Volkswagen introduces the Cross up! ahead of the Geneva Motor Show

The small city car gained a tougher look thanks to the new silver roof rails, black plastic cladding for the wheel arches, side skirts and the lower part of the front and rear bumpers. Also new are the 16 inch wheels with a tire size of 185/50 with a higher suspension.

Mechanically the Cross version is equal to the normal version, with the same three-cylinder gasoline engine producing 75hp (55kW) mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Volkswagen didn't reveal if there were any changes to the car's traction control system, so we can't say if you can go to a dirt road or not.

On the inside we have a special trim for the seats in red or dark gray, besides a new matching instrument panel, floor mats, a leather package for the steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake, plus chrome surrounds for the air vents and speedometer.

The public presentation will take place at the Geneva Motor Show., with sales starting in late summer from 13.950 euros ($18.650 or £11.800).

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Volkswagen presents the Beetle GSR Limited Edition in Chicago

This Limited edition, with only 3500 produced, was presented at the Chicago Auto Show and is based on the 40 year old Beetle 1303 S which was the sportiest series production Beetle at that time. The Beetle GSR, just like its predecessor, has a yellow/black paint making it easily recognizable.

While the original model had a 50hp engine, the new version is equipped with an engine that produces 210hp (155kW) and 280Nm (207lb/ft) from 1700rpm, making it capable of accelerating from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in just 7.3 seconds. It has a top speed of 229km/h (130mph) but an average consumption of just 7.3l/100km.

Regardless of where you buy it, it is available with an automatic six-speed, dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) as an alternative to the six-speed manual transmission.

Inside we also have R-Line racing track sports seats (with fabric covers and contrasting yellow stitching; US version in black leather), a high-grip leather sports steering wheel (it also has the contrasting yellow stitching) with the R-Line logo and a limited edition badge with the special edition number (1 to 3,500).

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Spain will get another major investment from a carmaker

The German company Volkswagen said last week it would invest around 785 million euros ($1 billion) in a plant in northern Spain over the next five years, making it the third company in recent months that announced a major investment in that country with severe economy problems.

First it was Ford that said they were going to move production from their Belgium factory to Spain, then Renault announced it was hiring 1.300 new people, but just last week Nissan canceled the plans to expand production of a new model in Spain because they didn't reach an agreement with union workers adding that Spain was losing 4.000 jobs and an investment of 130 million euros.

The Volkswagen plant is in Pamplona in the region of Navarra, can produce up to 1.400 vehicles every day and provides work for 4.600 people, so this was good news for the struggling country. But the Spanish government boasted that these investments happen because "they are the result of a labour market reform that makes the country more competitive for businesses and also makes it cheaper for companies to hire and fire employees.".

I am not sure if its a good thing to make it cheaper to fire people but it seems that's what the companies want.

Source: reuters

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Volkswagen CrossBlue diesel plug-in hybrid SUV concept

Yesterday I showed you an image of a concept that Volkswagen would reveal at the Detroit Auto Show, and today the German brand revealed the name, in addition to more pictures and information about their future SUV.

The concept has room to sit six people, but if it gets built, it will have room for seven. It was designed specially for the North American market, and contrary to what was stated earlier, this concept is 5m long and will not be slotted between the Tiguan and Touareg, but above the Touareg (4.8m).

The powertrain comprises a diesel engine, two electric motors and a siz-speed dual-clutch transmission and is good for 225kW (306hp) and up to 700Nm of torque. And you need all of that torque to move such a big car, yet it does 0 to 100km/h (32mph) in 7.5 seconds.

When the lithium-ion battery, with a capacity of 9.8kWh, is fully charged you can drive it using only electric power for up to 14miles (22km) with a top speed of 120km/h (75mph), while using the diesel engine (EA288 140kW/190hp) it can reach 204km/h (127mph).

You can use it as a FWD, AWD or RWD car. Front-wheel drive via the TDI engine and the front electric motor (40kW), four-wheel drive with the TDI engine and both electric motors, and rear-wheel drive when using the rear electric motor (80kW).

This is SUV is big, really big, with 4,987mm its length is greater than the Range Rover, and with 2,015mm wide and 1,733 mm tall, it also wider and shorter, making it look more aggressive. The boot has room for 335liters and with all the seats down, almost 2000liters.

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