Touareg R Hybrid Rumour

According to a recent report, Volkswagen is developing a Touareg R Hybrid.

While details are limited, the model is rumored to use a 500 hp (373 kW / 507 PS) turbocharged V8 and a 47 hp (35 kW / 48 PS) electric motor. This would give the sport-ute a combined 547 hp (408 kW / 555 PS) which would put it on par with the BMW X5 M / X6 M, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, and Mercedes ML63 AMG.

Besides the new powertrain, the R Hybrid would boast an aerodynamic body kit, a sportier suspension, and beefier brakes.

The SUV could be unveiled at 2011 North American International Auto Show with sales starting in the spring.
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Hybrid Beetle

Autocar reports that VW is planning a "radical design" for the next-generation bug, set to debut at next year's Detroit auto show. The redesign will include a hybrid Beetle with a drivetrain resembling what was seen on the New Compact Coupe concept at this year's Detroit show--a lithium-ion battery pack, 20 kilowatt electric motor with a li-ion battery pack, 177 horsepower, 110 pound-feet of torque, and an average of 45 miles per gallon. The hybrid Beetle may not match those numbers exactly, but chances are it will come close.

The Beetle isn't the only upcoming electric option from VW. Aside from the already-unveiled hybrid Touareg, VW plans to release a hybrid Jetta in 2012 as well as an all-electric Golf in 2013.

Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion named Green Car of the Year

Now officially the Green Car of the Year, the Golf BlueMotion has been built to be a desirable car that's big on performance but low on running costs, according to the publication's editor-in-chief Steve Fowler.

"The Golf BlueMotion does an enviable 74.3mpg and emits just 99g/km of CO2, which means it is exempt from road tax . it's a package that's hard to beat. VW dealers are going to be busy," he added.

In the individual categories, the Fiat 500 retained its greenest supermini title, while the family car award went to the Volkswagen Passat.

At the top end of the market, green awards were bestowed on the BMW 320d in the executive class, while the most environmentally-friendly sports car was named as the Honda CR-Z.

Honda recently made a small piece of history in the world of eco-motoring when it launched production of the Auris Hybrid at the Burnaston plant - the first hybrid vehicle ever to be mass-produced on European soil.
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Volkswagen to Revive Lupo

Volkswagen is set to revive the Lupo name which went out of production in 2005. The company will revive it as the entry level model in the lineup.

Volkswagen is expected to expand across four different brands as part of its efforts to become a global leader by 2018. With the codename, UP, the Lupo will be added to the Audi, Seat and Skoda lineups. It will replace even the compact car Polo to become the entry level car from Volkswagen.

The Lupo will be produced in Slovakia and will be the first model in the New Small Family (NSF) from the company. Volkswagen has launched various ‘Up’ Models in the last few years displaying its capabilities in interior space, electric vehicle engineering, hybrid technology and light weight technologies.

The Lupo will 2-inches narrower, 20-inches shorter than the Polo and it while it will be 1.3-inches taller. The company is expected to launch the car with a 65-hp 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine and a 75-hp 1.2-liter diesel. Initially the car will be launched with a 3-door and later a 5-door model will launched with an 85-hp 1.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder.

Volkswagen will also introduce the electric version of the car in limited markets in the United States.
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VW to Buy SsangYong Motor?

It appears Volkswagen isn’t busy enough with getting Porsche and being its sole owner. VW is now bent on taking over the South Korean automaker SsangYong Motor, which is operating under bankruptcy protection.

Months ago, SsangYong suffered a vicious strike when hundreds of workers decided to occupy a factory and shut down production entirely. Volkswagen has neither confirmed nor refuted the reports so far but it is believed that SAIC, the former SsangYong owner, collaborated with VW through the Shanghai VW joint venture.

2010 VW Sharan

The next generation Volkswagen Sharan has been spied by Zack Newmark during hot weather testing in the American Southwest. Due to be released as 2010 model year vehicle, the van should get its debut in Geneva next year.

VW Launch Sirius

SIRIUS XM and Volkswagen of America announced that Volkswagen customers will receive an introductory 3-month trial offer of the "SIRIUS Everything" package upon the purchase of SIRIUS-equipped "Certified Pre-Loved" Volkswagen vehicles sold in the U.S.

"The launch of this certified pre-owned program strengthens our shared commitment to give drivers the very best audio experience possible," said Steve Cook, Group Vice President and General Manager, SIRIUS XM Radio. "Volkswagen's award-winning 'Certified Pre-Loved' program is part of our expanded offering of the best audio entertainment in certified pre-owned vehicles."

Volkswagen has exclusively offered SIRIUS beginning with its 2007 model year vehicles. SIRIUS is currently standard on the GTI, GLI, Eos, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Passat, Passat wagon and Touareg. SIRIUS is also standard on select Tiguan, Jetta and Rabbit packages.
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