2010 VW Golf TDI

Volkswagen is ever expanding their TDI offerings for 2010 to include redesigned Golf. Yes, we are losing the Rabbit nameplate once again, but the new Golf will be more than welcome with its fresher look and new list of features.

The big news for diesel fans is the addition of the 2.0 liter clean diesel engine that debuted last year in the 2009 Jetta. The 140 turbo-diesel four will be available with both a 6-speed manual as well as a 6-speed DSG transmission. Both gearboxes will provide a 0-60 acceleration time 8.6 seconds. That is not at all slow, and with the choice of transmissions promises to be fun too. Best of all, like the Jetta the Golf TDI will be also 50 state legal.

Standard features to the TDI model will include a premium touch-screen stereo system with 6 CD in-dash changer, satelite radio, and a handsome three-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel. Other interior goodies abound like leather shift knob and E-brake handle, essentially giving you many of the interior upgrades found in the sporty GTI model.

2010 Volkswagen New Beetle Final Edition

The Volkswagen New Beetle entered production in 1998, and like it predecessors it was a very successful model. But Volkswagen is preparing to end the current generation of the iconic models; and to mark this even today at the Los Angeles Auto Show they have revealed the New Beetle Final Edition, for both coupe and convertible models. The company will build 1,500 units each, and prices will start at $20,240 for the coupe and $27,170 for the convertible model.

The Final Edition beetle features a special Aquarius Blue paint with a painted black roof on the coupe, and a two-tone Aquarius Blue and Campanella White paint scheme with a white top on the convertible. Both the coupe and the convertible have a full sport suspension and special 17-inch alloy wheels that provide a more fun-to-drive stance, and make getting from point A to point B even more exciting.

Delhi Auto Expo 2010 – Volkswagen

Volkswagen AG is fast becoming the world leader in the automotive industry. It has already become the largest producer surpassing Toyota. The company is now planning its aggressive marketing strategy in the Indian automobile market. It first push will come at the Delhi Auto Expo in January 2010. Volkswagen India is planning to introduce its small car model VW Polo. It will be the first family car from the company in its Indian product portfolio. VW currently sells its premium sedan models Jetta and Passat. It also introduced its luxury small car model Beetle in India which has been received well by the Indian customers. VW will display these models along with its SUV model VW Touareg in India.

The new VW Polo will be positioned in the A2 segment of small cars and will compete with models like Maruti Swift and Fiat Punto. The car will finally hit the Indian roads by March 2010. VW has booked a 1500 sq. mt pavilion at the Delhi Auto Expo to exhibit its existing product range along with its upcoming models in India.
Volkswagen is also planning to launch yet another small car model ‘Up!’ in India. It is expected that the model will be showcased at the Auto Expo. Up! will be placed below VW Polo but it is still not clear when the car will finally hit the Indian roads. VW may also showcase its sedan model VW Golf that is positioned above Polo in the international markets. Golf may not be introduced in the Indian market soon and may be present only for display purpose.

2010 Camaro’s designer headed for Volkswagen

The 2010 Chevy Camaro is one of the most polarizing and aggressively styled vehicles to hit the road in 2009, but now its designer is set to leave GM after 10 years of service. Designer Sangyup Lee is reportedly going to be taking post in VW’s California-based design studio in 2010.

Lee was born and raised in Korea, and as a result experienced virtually no American car culture – with his first experience with a Camaro being at the age of 20. Lee got his start in American car culture when he moved to the U.S. in 1995 and began his education at the Art Center in Pasadena studying transportation design.

After finishing his education, Lee moved to Europe where he spent time with both Porsche and Pininfarina, before moving back to the U.S. to begin his 10-year stay with GM. During his tenure with GM, Lee worked on the Buick Velite concept, Stingray concept and most famously, the new Chevy Camaro.

Volkswagen Passat Named as Large Used Car of the Decade

The fifth generation Passat, produced between 1996 and 2005, has been awarded the coveted title of Large Used Car of the Decade by the used car valuation specialists, CAP.

The ‘all-new’ Passat, revealed to the public at the 1996 Paris Motor Show, was hailed as a step forward in the upper medium class setting new benchmarks for quality, refinement, styling and performance. These improvements were recognised at the time with the Passat receiving a string of industry accolades including the prestigious European Car of the Year at the 1997 Auto 1 awards.

Mark Bulmer from CAP Black Book explained: ‘The Volkswagen Passat is a byword for quality, and the model launched in 1996 was a quantum leap forward in every area most important to the trade and the used car buyer. Volkswagen’s attention to detail meant that this Passat offered the sense of a prestige vehicle but at a mainstream purchase price. Legendary reliability means a deserved reputation as a dependable ‘workhorse’ and robust engineering and build quality means it is a safe bet even with mileage into six figures.’

Bulmer continued: ‘The new range of diesel engines offered a leap forward in terms of the balance between performance and economy, a combination at the very heart of success in the used car market. This quality set the 1996 – 2005 Passat apart from many other cars in its sector which could often prove prohibitively expensive to live with. By offering prestige quality at a mainstream price this Passat also influenced other manufacturers to up their game in terms of the quality of their own offerings.’

Commenting on the award, John French, National Used Car Manager for Volkswagen UK: ‘The Passat has always performed strongly and is well established on the used market with the strength of the brand image and residual values both ensuring high demand. I think it is a real credit to Volkswagen’s consistent focus on build quality and reliability that the previous generation Passat has performed so strongly and has been awarded this accolade.’

Volkswagen and Suzuki to Begin Work on Small Vehicle in January

Once Volkswagen and Suzuki employees return from the holidays on January 10, work will begin on joint projects, according to an Automotive News report.

It is expected that a low-cost car for developing countries is central to the tie-up between the two automakers. Recently, Volkswagen took a 19.9% stake in Suzuki. The stake was reported to be worth about $2.5 billion.