Volkswagen Develops Touareg TDI For Famous Baja 1000

via Paddock Talk

In the 2008 motorsport season, Volkswagen of America, Inc. will start contesting the popular U.S. off-road racing series SCORE with a Touareg TDI. The Touareg TDI will be developed specifically for the extremely tough demands of the Mexican peninsula Baja California, which, since 1967, has been the annual venue of the most famous event of this kind – the Baja 1000. The Volkswagen prototype will be prepared for the "SCORE Trophy Truck Open Production – Unlimited Class".

"Volkswagen’s history in off-road racing dates back to the first Baja 1000 in 1967," stressed Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. "In the world famous Dakar Rally, which at a length of 9,000 kilometres over 15 legs is the most demanding offroad competition of all, as well as in the Pikes Peak Hillclimb Race and in the Baja 500 in June 2007 Volkswagen achieved remarkable results. These experiences, which we gained with innovative diesel engines in the various offroad vehicles, are helping us to build a Touareg TDI prototype that will master the very special challenge of a Baja and thrill the enthusiastic American audience."

Sal Fish, President and CEO of SCORE International, who recently paid a visit to Volkswagen Motorsport in Germany, welcomes the commitment: "Over the past 40 years, Volkswagen’s vehicles and technology had a significant impact on how the SCORE Baja events basically developed. We look forward to the future of this partnership and also to clean diesel technology making its way into our sport." With 13 victories since 1967, Volkswagen has shaped the Baja 1000 as one of the leading engine manufacturers, particularly in the first two decades. To this day, several classes of the non-stop race across the Baja California peninsula are specifically reserved for Volkswagen models as well as for vehicles with Volkswagen components.

The driver line-up for the Touareg TDI prototype that is supposed to make its début at the end of 2008 has been determined already: Mark Miller from Arizona, Volkswagen factory driver since 2005, who, in fourth place overall finished the Dakar Rally in January 2007 as the best of the factory drivers, is part of this motorsport programme, as is his compatriot Ryan Arciero. In addition, Miller at the wheel of a Volkswagen Race Touareg was the best driver of a diesel-powered vehicle at the Baja 500 in June. Arciero in a production-derived Touareg V10 TDI in the "Alternative Fuel Diesel Truck High-Performance Showroom Stock division" set a new record in the world famous Pikes Peak Hillclimb Race in July.

SCCA, Volkswagen announces new TDI series

via Motorsport.com

Volkswagen and SCCA Pro Racing to Feature Clean Diesel Power in Jetta TDI Cup

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (November 1, 2007) -- Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced at the 2007 SEMA Show that it will bring TDI clean diesel technology to select North American race tracks starting in May 2008. The Jetta TDI Cup series will be sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Racing Ltd., and will appear at up to eight major racing venues in North America during 2008.

"The Jetta TDI Cup racing series will celebrate Volkswagen's diesel technology and heritage in motorsports as good, clean fun," said Stefan Jacoby, CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "Not only will the young drivers gain real-life track experience in a factory-prepared race vehicle, it will allow them to develop their own mindset of today's clean diesel technology, and foster increased awareness of its advantages in this new era of environmental sensitivity."

The Jetta TDI Cup shifts gears from the previously announced GTI program, allowing Volkswagen to showcase the power and performance of its new clean diesel technology, available in the upcoming 2009 Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen. With up to 30 Jetta TDI's competing in the hands of aspiring, young drivers, this unique motorsport offering will highlight a new, exciting platform of racing that does not currently exist -- a full field of clean diesel powered vehicles.

"With the Jetta TDI Cup, Volkswagen has created an amazing platform to develop young drivers and expand their knowledge about clean and quiet diesel technology," said Bob Wildberger, president and CEO, SCCA Pro Racing, Inc. "We look forward to the series in hopes that it will attract more attention to the drivers and advantages of diesel power."

The Jetta TDI Cup racecars will be optimized for track performance and safety. To focus on the skill of the young drivers and to ensure performance parity, proper maintenance and safety standards, all vehicles will be owned and maintained by Volkswagen. The heart of the Jetta TDI Cup racing vehicle will be the all-new, high-tech 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine rated at 170 horsepower and nearly 300 ft.-lbs. of torque in racing trim. The Jetta TDI race vehicles will be outfitted with a six-speed automatic DSG® transmission, electro-mechanical power rack-and-pinion steering system, and advanced multi-link fully independent race-tuned suspension, driver airbag supplemental restraint system, and four-wheel ABS racing brakes.

Signifying Volkswagen's environmental commitment, the Jetta TDI Cup series will be certified as CarbonFree by Carbonfund.org. Additional program details will be available at www.vwmotorsportusa.com by mid-November 2007.

SCCA Pro Racing Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sports Car Club of America, Inc.-a 55,000-member organization dedicated to motorsports events. SCCA Pro Racing sanctions four separate professional racing series: the SPEED World Challenge Championships, SIRIUS Satellite Radio Mazda MX-5 Cup, Formula Russell and F2000 Championship Series. Each series holds events on high-profile race weekends and annually crowns champions. On the web at www.sccapro.com.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com.

Thousands of VW staff halt work amid Porsche spat

Thousands of workers at Volkswagen AG's western German plants temporarily downed tools on Wednesday amid a labour row with Porsche AG, the biggest shareholder in Europe's biggest carmaker.

The VW works council said 40,000 staff at its main plant in Wolfsburg alone stopped work to be briefed on the dispute over workers' rights at a new holding company being set up to hold the Porsche and Piech family's stakes in the two companies.

VW workers want more say at the holding company in case Porsche increases its 31 percent VW stake to a majority, now that a German law capping voting rights at VW has been struck down. Porsche has rejected the demand.

"There is great disquiet and insecurity among the staff," deputy VW works council head Bernd Wehlauer said, adding some workers worried that Porsche may try to break up Volkswagen should it gain control, something Porsche has denied.

Volkswagen said it would be able to make up lost production from the one-hour work stoppages.

Volkswagen Showcases Clean Diesel and Personalized Performance at SEMA

Three New Specialty Vehicles Highlight Personalization, Performance and Clean Diesel

Volkswagen of America, Inc. is showcasing its commitment to clean diesel performance and unique vehicle personalization with three new concepts on display at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show.

Volkswagen's Dieselution Tour, a mobile marketing exhibit showcasing clean diesel, will be staged outdoors in the plaza and will provide the backdrop for the latest in clean diesel performance and unique Volkswagen personalization.

For the 2007 SEMA show, Volkswagen blends concept car design, aftermarket tuning and creativity to illustrate how their already exciting line-up can be transformed into unique high-performance, one-of-a-kind vehicles.

2009 Jetta TDI SportWagen
Powered by the 2.0L Clean Diesel TDI, delivering 140 horsepower and 235 ft.-lbs. of torque, the new Jetta SportWagen does not conform to old station wagon stereotypes.

Using readily available body components and finished in custom paint and graphics, this Jetta TDI SportWagen demonstrates what can be done to personalize a Jetta. To reinforce the sport in this wagon, the Jetta's underpinnings were upgraded by H&R Springs to lower its ride height, and make its handling razor sharp.

The Jetta TDI SportWagen remains firmly planted with 19 inch Sportec Wheels and Yokohama Tires wrapped around an upgraded Brembo brake kit, providing high performance stopping power. Hella provides up-level lighting components that add a unique flair to the styling.

2008 Passat Station Wagon
With the North-American debut of the Passat Wagon Hi-Def styling package, Volkswagen shows that the need for practicality doesn't mean sacrificing an enthusiast's desire for personalization. The exterior Hi-Def styling package is complemented with European specification Hella lighting and 18-inch Velos wheels wrapped in Nitto performance tires.

Demonstrating that your kids can live the enthusiast lifestyle along with you, Recaro child seats help provide a safe seating environment in the event their parents decide to responsibly explore the performance of Volkswagen's fantastic 2.0 L TFSI engine, rated at 200 horsepower and 207 ft-lbs. torque. This concept Passat shows how an enthusiast can have their cake, and carry it, too.

2007 GTI 4 door
Using the GTI high-performance 2.0 L TFSI engine with 200 horsepower and 207 ft.-lbs. torque mated to a six-speed transmission, the team mounted R32 brakes and rotors, Volkswagen lowering springs and a custom Vibrant Performance center exit exhaust. With the availability of both Thunder Bunny and R32 components, the GTI was dressed with a new Thunder Bunny front bumper, flared side skirts, and R32 rear valance, creating a sporty and aggressive street style. Completing the exterior styling is custom Hella lighting, darkened tail lamps, and soon to be introduced 18-inch Karthoum wheels finished in black with machined highlights. The wheels are wrapped in Nitto high-performance tires.

The interior was upgraded with styling and protection accessories meant to highlight the GTI's sporty interior. Leaving the original head unit intact, Rockford Fosgate integrated a new powerful sound system in the GTI. To capitalized on the GTI's new audio equipment, Volkswagen's Electronic Research Laboratory installed its latest iPod(R) adapter system which easily installs into most Volkswagen models with satellite radio. This new plug and play adapter allows users to control iPod(R) functions through their factory radio, and see artist, song, and playlist information.

Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.

For the lowest local dealer prices on this car, go to PriceQuotes.com, where one fast form can provide you with up to four competitive quotes from local dealers. Recommended by The Auto Channel.

Volkswagen Eos: The new breed of convertibles

via Chicago Sun Times

Retractable hardtop convertibles used to be found only in the garages of the well-heeled. In recent years they have become widely available and affordable for the masses of mobile sun worshipers. Each year a different manufacturer introduces a new and better version of the all-season convertible. This year both Chrysler and VW introduced hardtop four passenger convertibles.

I recently tested two versions of the VW Eos: a 2.0-liter version and the beefier 3.2 liter six cylinder model.

Arguments eliminated
The biggest drawbacks to convertible ownership used to be noise, weather sealing, theft protection and safety/crash protection. All are eliminated in the Eos with the CSC (coupe-sunroof-convertible) five-panel roof that converts with the flick of a switch from a hard-top, with integrated sunroof and heated-glass rear window, into an open-air convertible. Another benefit is that a hardtop will not shrink, crack or fade noticeably.

How it works
The Eos' panoramic, tinted glass power sunroof is integrated into the folding roof. The externally guided, tilt-and-slide sunroof with automatic pinch protection gets "sandwiched" between roof panels as the hard-top is lowered via eight hydraulic cylinders with mechanical linkages. For about 25 seconds the top performs a mechanical ballet until it is completely lowered. The vehicle must be stopped and the ignition on for the top to be raised or lowered.

One of the test vehicles came with the optional Trunk Lid Assistance program featuring integrated bumper sensors that monitor up to 20-inches behind the vehicle and prevent the roof from operating if any object or obstruction is detected. Preserving the limited storage area (10.5 cubic-feet top up, or 6.6 cubic-feet top down) is a cargo cover that must be in place and latched for the roof to be lowered.
What really puts this car over the top is the highly integrated sliding glass roof panel that was great for letting fresh air and sunlight in during short hops.

Exterior has its charms
The short and fluid bodylines are accented nicely with chrome trim pieces and attractive alloy wheels. The Eos has a high "C" factor as in cute. My wife, numerous friends and passersby indicated that they thought the Eos was a "cute little convertible".

Open up to a nice interior
Spending time in both versions of the Eos was a pleasurable experience. A nice assortment of gauges and controls are handsomely displayed in the attractive dash and bordered by either chrome, walnut wood or simulated brushed aluminum trim. I liked the twelve-way power sport driver and front passenger seats. I was very impressed by the high quality of the materials used, the leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the soft touch interior surfaces. There is also a high level of standard equipment in both models. Seating comfort is good and well bolstered. There is a decent amount of rear seat leg and shoulder room however this is not a four-door sedan and the high beltline of the Eos can make some feel like they're riding in a tub.

Two powertrain options
The test period began with the Eos 2.0T featuring 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The 2.0T is EPA-rated (2007) at an estimated 23 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. If you want to step up the performance level the Eos 3.2-liter V6 delivers 250 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. The EPA rates this engine at 22/29 (2007), not too shabby for a V-6.

A six-speed manual transmission with hydraulic clutch comes standard with the Eos 2.0T. The Eos 3.2-liter V6 model features the double clutch DSG six-speed transmission with Tiptronic. The automatic is smooth, crisp and the gear ratios are nicely spaced, especially for the 3.2-liter models.

Drive response
Eos comes with a front McPherson strut concept with triangular wishbones and self-leveling shock absorbers. In the rear is a fully independent, four-link suspension.

You would naturally assume that the 3.2 out powers the 2.0 and it does, but off the line the 3.2 is a dog. Both versions are front wheel drive and torque steer is muted pretty well. Curiously the 2.0 model came with 18-inch alloy wheels and tires and the 3.2 had 17-inch wheels and tires. Available driver/safety aids include: four-wheel ABS (anti-lock braking system) and an Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) with brake assist and brake-disc wiper system, Anti-slip regulation (ASR) and an electromechanical power steering setup. The ride was very smooth and predictable, the body remained tight and the suspension damped out the rough stuff without deleting road feel.

Top goes down; price goes up
The 2.0-liter Eos starts at $28,000 and $37,000 for the Eos 3.2-liter. The test car topped out at $31,700 and $40,000 respectively including destination charges. These figures are competitive with the Pontiac G6 hardtop convertible, the Volvo C70 and the hardtop Chrysler Sebring.

So will hardtop convertibles completely replace soft top convertibles-no. The old school charm of a ragtop may appeal to some, however I would only consider a retractable hardtop convertible for the reasons outlined earlier.

Volkswagen to price US cars more aggressively

via The Economic Times

Volkswagen plans to prices its vehicles in the US market more aggressively and drop costly features many customers there don't want, Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn was quoted as saying.

The idea is to narrow the sales gap that separates Europe's biggest carmaker from larger rival Toyota Motor Corp of Japan, a daily reported.

"We have definitely added too many technical items that (American) customers don't want to pay for," Winterkorn said.

By tailoring its cars more to US tastes, he said, it could offer future versions of its Jetta and Passat models below what they sell for now.

The Jetta starts at about $17,000 in the US market, while the Passat starts for roughly $23,900. Toyota's Corolla is priced about $15,200, while the larger Camry starts at about $20,000, the paper said.

Volkswagen Profit Surges More Than 50 Percent

via The New York Times

Operating profit at Volkswagen rose more than 50 percent in the third quarter, thanks to resurgent earnings at its core VW brand, after the carmaker cut thousands of jobs last year.

After initially trading sideways, shares in VW were swept up by overall positive sentiment for the sector. Its French rivals PSA Peugeot Citroën and Renault rallied as well after strong results published late on Thursday.

Volkswagen’s finance chief, Hans Dieter Pötsch, said in a conference call that strong earnings growth would continue.

VW increased quarterly operating profit to 1.46 billion euros ($2.1 billion), easily beating the average estimate of 1.31 billion euros in a Reuters poll of 17 analysts.

The group affirmed that it expected to earn at least 5.1 billion euros before tax in 2007, a year earlier than the original goal, adding that its operating result would grow “substantially” over last year’s figure of 4.38 billion euros before special items.

“VW is set to not only easily surpass its year-end 5.1 billion euros pretax target, but we think it could even exceed 6.5 billion euros,” Morgan Stanley analysts wrote, adding that earnings could plunge 77 percent in the fourth quarter and still meet VW’s target.

But an analyst for Sanford C. Bernstein & Company, Stephen Cheetham, wrote that VW was at “an all-time valuation peak reflecting both peak earnings and a bid premium: we believe the risks are skewed to the downside and rate the stock ‘underperform.’”

Net liquidity at VW’s automotive operation at the end of September increased by almost 70 percent, to about 13.9 billion euros, after it radically reduced its debt, while free cash flow stagnated mainly because of expenses incurred in building its stakes in the European truck makers MAN and Scania early this year.

In an interview to be published on Saturday in Süddeutsche Zeitung, Volkswagen’s chief executive, Martin Winterkorn, pledged to increase productivity every year by 10 percent and to ensure that parts for future models can be more easily assembled.

VW adds twincharger to Golf, Jetta, Eos and Passat

via Channel4

The Volkswagen Golf, Golf Plus, Jetta, Eos and Passat are now available with the new 1.4 TSI petrol engine.

The TSI is VW's twincharger system that combines a supercharger (which kicks in at low speeds and from initial acceleration) and a turbocharger (at higher and cruising speeds) to boost engine power. Output is up to 122bhp - more than the 115bhp of the 1.6 FSI engine this unit replaces - with torque up 30% to 155lb-ft.

This downsized engine delivers downsized running costs, too, with reduced fuel consumption plus lower carbon dioxide emissions and thus less punitive tax bandings. The Golf 1.4 TSI, for example, returns 44.8mpg and 149g/km, compared to the outgoing 1.6 FSI's 42.2mpg and 161g/km.

Buyers can choose from a six-speed manual or, from early next year, seven-speed DSG (Direct Shift) gearbox. Prices start from £14,152 (Golf 1.4 TSI manual three-door) with the Golf Plus 1.4 TSI from £15,302, Jetta 1.4 TSI from £14,952, Eos 1.4 TSI from £19,847 and Passat 1.4 TSI from £15,672. That's a small price rise over the 1.6 FSI, but in the Passat, an autohold function for the parking brake, previously a £50 option, is now standard-fit.

UAE Desert Challenge: Good start for Volkswagen´s Sainz and de Villiers.

via MarathonRally

Volkswagen factory drivers Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn (Spain/France) and Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (South Africa/Germany) made a good start to the UAE Desert Challenge in Dubai. At the prologue of the six-day desert rally covering a merely two-kilometre offroad distance not far from the famous Burj Al Arab hotel, both factory teams finished in the top ten in front of a sizable turnout of spectators. On Monday morning, the season finale of the FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup will continue with the first of five desert legs leading from the sheikhdom of Abu Dhabi across 272 timed kilometres to the bivouac in the Moreeb desert.

Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director): "The prologue offered the many spectators the attractive opportunity of a close-up experience of the Race Touareg right in the middle of Dubai. For our drivers, this was merely a brief warm-up. Today was not about clinching a stage victory but about securing favourable starting positions. The crucial part of the rally only starts on Monday, and it’s an advantage not having to open the first leg of dunes."

Carlos Sainz (E): "I deliberately didn’t attack so I wouldn’t have to be the first driver starting to the rally on Monday. I rather liked the short opening distance, and the many spectators probably had fun as well. The next five days will be crucial, when we won’t be seeing any solid ground but only soft desert sand."

Giniel de Villiers (RSA):: "The prologue was primarily about not making any mistakes. Now we’ve got a very good starting base. We’re now looking forward to the first long desert leg on which a very quick course is awaiting us."

Volkswagen Revs Up Touareg With 350-HP R50 Edition

The world premiere of the new high-performance Volkswagen Touareg R50 is set for October 11 at the 2007 Australian International Auto Show.

The Touareg R50 is a hot-rod riff on the current Touareg V10 TDi model, which delivers 308 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. The Touareg R50's 5.0-liter diesel V10 makes 350 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, getting it from zero to 62 in 6.7 seconds. It features 4 Motion all-wheel drive and also gets bigger wheels and tires, as well as an upgraded suspension. The German automaker boasts that this version of the Touareg is "one of the most powerful SUVs in the world."

Expect exterior and interior tweaks on the Touareg R50, too, courtesy of Volkswagen Individual GmbH.

Volkswagen continues to flesh out its "R" label, which includes the R32 and the Passat R36, introduced at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show in September.

What this means to you: "R" can mean many things when it comes to the new VW Touareg R50: There's rocket, revved-up, reinvigorated, resplendent...

Volkswagen Up! Concept unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show

via NewsPress

Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn today unveiled the innovative Volkswagen up! city car concept vehicle at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Based on a completely new platform and drivetrain and measuring just 3.45 metres in length the up! marks the return to the rear engined layout once seen in the iconic original Beetle. The up! concept, designed by a team overseen by Chief Designer of the Volkswagen Group, Walter de Silva, marks the debut of a new styling direction with simple features while retaining the instantly recognisable Volkswagen 'face'. At the rear is a tailgate section constructed entirely out of a transparent material, inset into the centre of which is a glowing Volkswagen roundel.
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Walter de Silva commented: 'The up! is not a car whose form will become obsolete within a very brief period of time. The up! is a clear and strong statement for future Volkswagen design.'

The challenges facing the Volkswagen engineering team, led by Director of Concept Development, Ralf-Gerhard Willner were considerable. The up! concept is intended as inspiration for a new family of small, extremely efficient vehicles.

The up! concept can be powered by a choice of highly compact two- or three-cylinder engines depending on the specific market. The up! concept is intended as a car for all languages.

Despite its modest proportions the tightly packaged up! concept vehicle is capable of carrying four adults. The maximum potential interior space was created by pushing each of the four wheels as far into the corners as possible. This not only frees up space and reduces front and rear overhangs but also improves vehicle stability. The need to maximise efficiency continues to the vehicle's interior. Each of the individual, lightweight passenger seats, which feature inflatable pockets to maximise comfort, can be folded and removed from the vehicle if necessary in order for larger loads to be carried.

The up! concept rethinks the way in which both the driver and passengers interface with the vehicle. Unique software linked to a touch sensitive screen has the ability to sense specific hand movements of the user to access the climate, entertainment and vehicle function controls. A second screen, mounted ahead of the driver, relays critical information on the vehicle's systems along with an instantaneous read-out of the amounts of CO2 being emitted.

Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Board Member with Responsibility for Technical Development, commented: 'For Volkswagen the response of Frankfurt Motor Show visitors will be a decisive test to determine whether the concept has the same kind of potential possessed by the Beetle at one time or by the Golf today.'

VW Touareg R50 is The Ultimate Diesel SUV

It's time for the Touareg to be pumped up to the degree of R!

The 5.0-litre V10 TDI is the range topping engine for high-end Volkswagens like the Touareg and in Europe, the Phaeton. Rich in both power and torque, it makes for a truly unique flagship engine. The 310 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque it produces might be enough to satisfy most, but for the performance SUV connoisseur, this is more sufficient than sublime. Volkswagen's engineers have cured this "problem" in the new performance Touareg R50 by tweaking the engine to up its horsepower and torque outputs. These gains equate to 35 horsepower and 73 lb-ft of torque, bringing the total up to 345 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, which should help things out for this hauling 'ute.

The enhanced engine allows the Touareg R50 to sprint to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, which is a concerted improvement over the regular V10 TDI's 7.4second time. That's well off the pace of its high-performance rivals from Porsche and Land Rover, but the payoff will be in its flexibility. The V10's massive torque should make it supremely quick when on the move, such as when passing or accelerating from 80 to 120 km/h. What really makes the R50 unique is that it's actually a fairly thrifty vehicle for its performance and its size. It uses just 9.6 l/100 km on the highway, and has an overall average of 12.6 l/100 km, which incidentally is identical to that of the regular V10 TDI. These numbers also make it the most fuel efficient Touareg when compared to the 3.6-litre V6 FSI and the 4.2-litre V8 FSI sold in North America!

The R50 is the most powerful R-Series car to be produced, and it does it in a rather interesting way, but make note that this isn't the most powerful Touareg ever made. That honour goes to the very limited Touareg W12, which features none other than the unique 6.0-litre W12engine from the Phaeton and A8.

In addition to the pumped up TDI engine, Volkswagen has beefed up the R50's suspension to include a new high-performance sport mode. It further lowers the suspension by 20 mm (0.8 inches), and firms up the air dampers to give the sensation of a firmly sprung sports car for improved body control.

As you'd expect from an R-series Volkswagen, other changes have been made to its exterior and interior. The SUV sports a unique body kit that gives it a handsome but sporty appearance, as do the new 21-inch alloy wheels, and buyers can choose from a variety of different colours including the trademark bright blue paint first seen on the first R32 Golf. White, gray, silver and black are also offered. The R50 also features blue-painted calipers, flared wheel arches and a matte chrome front grille, items that are common amongst R-series cars.

It's highly unlikely that the R50 will make it to North America, though if it did it would become an instant collectible. The vehicle's price in Europe is 88,260 euros, the equivalent of about 125,000 dollars.

Porsche accelerates takeover plan as 'VW Law' rejected

via The Independent

A piece of German industrial tradition was consigned to the scrapheap yesterday by the European Court of Justice. Germany's "Volkswagen Law", which in effect protected the car giant from takeover, was struck down.

VW has been shielded since 1960 by a law that limits investors' voting rights to a maximum of 20 per cent, to protect a strategic national asset. A stake of 20 per cent owned by the German state of Lower Saxony, where VW is based, also helped prevent unwelcome attention. The Court stated that the German government, which was defending the law against a case brought by the European Commission, "failed to demonstrate why such a position has to be maintained in order to protect the general interests of minority shareholders". The decision cannot go to appeal. Lower Saxony will retain its holding.

The move opens the way for Porsche, a 31 per cent stakeholder, to gain control of VW. Last month, Porsche said that it wanted to "significantly" increase the holding, and it said yesterday that it will "exercise its rights" as an investor. VW is important to Porsche because it supplies technology and manufacturing fac-ilities for its products, especially the highly profitable Porsche Cayenne, the SUV credited with keeping Porsche solvent. VW will build the forthcoming four-door Panamera sports car.

Should access to VW be jeopardised, the independence of Porsche itself would be threatened. The possibility of a foreign, possibly private equity, bid for VW prompted Porsche to protect its position in 2005. After Porsche's holding surpassed 30 per cent, it was forced to make a bid for VW and in March offered €35.9bn, the lowest legally permitted amount. The offer lapsed in May, and Porsche can now increase the stake to 50 per cent without having to make an offer to all shareholders.

"I now see Porsche flexing its muscles and going for outright control," said Stephen Pope, chief global market strategist at Cantor Fitzgerald. "That may bolster margins at VW and generate new cross-fert-ilisation ideas."

There are close links between the companies. Dr Ferdinand Porsche designed the original Beetle in 1936, and his grandson, Ferdinand Piech, is chairman of VW and the controlling shareholder in Porsche. Wendelin Wiedeking, chief executive of Porsche, is a member of the supervisory board of Volkswagen.

The two families have high hopes for Porsche and the VW group's varied brands, comprising VW, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Skoda and Seat. VW's chief executive Martin Winterkorn said in July that the car maker would reach his goal for group profit of €5.1bn in 2007, a year earlier than planned. Mr Winterkorn is planning 12 new vehicle models over the next three years across the group, to boost sales 33 per cent to 8 million vehicles. The ultimate aim is to match Toyota in volumes and profitability; that will require a more determined effort to cut costs than has been seen hitherto. Without the spur to efficiency of a hostile takeover, the question is whether Porsche's cosy relationship with VW will help or hinder that goal.

The New Volkswagen Tiguan Awarded Five Stars By Euro

via CarPages

The new Volkswagen Tiguan has been awarded a maximum five star rating for occupant protection by Euro NCAP ahead of its launch in the UK next year.

In addition the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) awarded the Tiguan four stars for child safety and two stars for pedestrian protection.

The new Tiguan benefits from an extremely rigid body structure to afford as much protection as possible for the passenger safety cell. Constructed out of high tensile steel the Tiguan features panels designed to deform in the event of the accident to soak up the energy of an impact. Despite the keen focus on the strength of the Tiguan, Volkswagen engineers also reduced the potential mass of the chassis to bring the overall kerb weight of the vehicle to as little as 1,451 kg.

Porsche denies report may break up Volkswagen

via Reuters

Sports car maker Porsche denied a German magazine report that it plans to break up Volkswagen.

WirtschaftsWoche reported in a preview of its Monday edition that Porsche was seriously considering the option of breaking Europe's biggest carmaker into individual companies.

"That is absolute rubbish. There are no such plans. That is the thinking of hedge funds, not of Porsche," said a Porsche spokesman on Saturday.

Porsche holds 31 percent in Volkswagen and may boost its stake to a majority after a German law capping its voting rights was recently struck down.

In a setback to VW workers, a court this week also let Porsche create a new European holding company, Porsche Automobil Holding SE, into which Porsche plans to put its VW stake. VW labor leaders are trying to get more influence at Porsche Automobil in case Porsche does raise its shareholding.

The dispute has triggered a rare public split between the works council heads at VW and Porsche.

But the Porsche spokesman said on Saturday that Uwe Hueck, of Porsche, and Bernd Osterloh, of VW, planned to meet on Tuesday to set aside their differences, confirming a report in Germany's Focus magazine.