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Volkswagen’s electric Milano Taxi concept is very cool

April 21, 2010 at 12:16 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Volkswagen

This is the taxi of the future, according to Volkswagen. VW, which will launch its first production electric vehicles in 2013 has shown this electric driven taxi at the Hanover Trade Show. Called the Milano Taxi concept, it is a city MPV tailored to the needs of taxi drivers and passengers with innovative details such as a swivel-sliding door that opens in a forward direction and customisable taxi touchscreens.

The green and black paint of the concept cab is a tribute to the fashion capital of Milan, where taxis were once painted like this. VW says that the Milano’s styling bears similarities to the iconic Volkswagen Samba Bus of the 1950s, and this plus its emissions-free drive and practicality could “make it a highly coveted vehicle in cities like New York and Tokyo”.

“One door less is all the more for a taxi,” said Walter de Silva, VW Group’s Head of Design. The safest way to enter and exit a taxi is on the sidewalk side, which explains why the LHD Milano’s single swivel-sliding door opens on the right side. The door also extends well into the roof, so the opening is very tall. The Milano’s dimensions is 1.60 m tall, 3.73 m long and 1.66 m wide. Like the Samba Bus, the outer roof areas are transparent; combined with a panoramic glass roof, passengers get a spacious feel and great views of the cityscape above.

Also, the need for passengers to always have to gaze at the taximeter in front to see the current charges is now a thing of the past (the meter in our Proton Iswara cabs are always conveniently shielded by the gear stick!). An 8-inch touchscreen in the Milano’s rear not only displays charges, but incorporates a credit card reader as well!

This cute cab has a top speed of 120 km/h and is driven by an electric motor with 85 kW (50 kW continuous power) powered by a lithium-ion battery located underfloor. VW says that the battery’s storage capacity of 45 Kilowatt-hours (kWh) and the Milano’s relatively low weight (1,500 kg) allows it to cover distances of up to 300 km. The battery can be recharged to 80% capacity in just over one hour.

More pictures after the jump!
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CNG powered VW Scirocco to take on Nürburgring 24 hours

April 19, 2010 at 11:45 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Motorsports, Volkswagen

Volkswagen is set to again unleash its green racers on the circuit nicknamed “green hell”. The car in question is the Scirocco GT24-CNG, and three of those will make a return to Nordschleife to race in the Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race held from 12-16 May.

The Scirocco GT24-CNG is powered by a 2.0-litre TSI engine powered by natural gas, reducing CO2 emissions by 80 per cent over a conventional petrol engine. The unit is a development of the powerplant that secured class victory last year and sees power output increased to 325 bhp from just under 300 bhp. 2010-spec cars also have larger braking systems to reduce maintenance intervals and two extra light units in the front bumper to improve visibility.

One of the three cars, which will be driven by Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Management Board for Technical Development and Prof Dr Stefan Gies, VW’s Head of Chassis Development, will be the testbed for an active electro-hydraulic differential designed to combine the functionality of the standard unit with improved handling characteristics and a reduction in understeer. If it passes this ultimate test of endurance, perhaps we’ll see this feature in VW’s upcoming road cars.

Will Team VW improve on last year’s best placing of 15th? Early signs are promising, with driver Nicki Thim recently posting a lap record on the Nordschleife circuit for a front-wheel drive vehicle in a time of 8m 47.337s.

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Volkswagen and Suzuki to co-develop Thai eco-car?

April 12, 2010 at 12:07 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Suzuki, Volkswagen


Nissan became the first company to launch its eco-car in Thailand with its new March at the recent Bangkok Motor Show. Other Japanese carmakers like Toyota and Honda are expected to follow suit; the latter showed off its New Small Concept at the Thai show. Meanwhile, Volkswagen and Suzuki are likely to help each other develop an eco-car in Thailand, according to an industry source.

Bangkok Post reports that a senior official at Thailand’s Board of Investment (BoI) confirmed the German and Japanese automakers were negotiating about collaborative possibilities. Small car expert Suzuki is already a certainty, after reaffirming its stand to go ahead with a 7.5-billion-baht eco-car venture in Thailand last year. VW meanwhile, was among seven automakers applying for promotional privileges from the BoI. The state agency approved the proposals of six companies (Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Tata), but asked for additional details from Europe’s biggest carmaker.

The industry source said that Volkswagen had now embarked on a new push and was negotiating with Suzuki about jointly developing the small, fuel-efficient cars in Thailand. It was previously reported that VW planned to invest 27 billion baht for the eco-car project, a sum much higher than the others. This was because VW has no presence in Thailand and needed to start its venture from scratch, including parts sourcing. Suzuki could be the answer to these obstacles.

Suzuki, now 19.9% owned by VW, is commited to build facilities for pressing, welding, painting, assembly and engine production. Its plan is to start producing 1.3-litre eco-cars in 2012, initially at 10,000 units per year. Suzuki majors in small cars and is an established player in India and ASEAN, and these were among the star points Volkswagen saw when it bought into the Hamamatsu based company. Well, it looks like Wolfsburg is getting its first “dividend” with this Thai eco-car scenario.

Malaysian carbuyers could stand to enjoy some spill over effects of these developments in Thailand. To qualify for eco-car duty cuts and tax breaks, 70% of production must be for local consumption, which means eco-car participants can export the rest of these small, fuel sipping cars – and as the region’s biggest passenger car market, I can bet we figure in their plans.

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Volkswagen limited edition ketchup – only 1,000 bottles!

April 9, 2010 at 4:26 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Laughs, Volkswagen


Click to enlarge image

It’s too late for an April’s Fool joke, so let’s try to take this seriously shall we. VW has launched Volkswagen Classic Ketchup, of which just 1,000 bottles will be available, at Techno Classica 2010 in Essen. It costs 3.00 Euros at the show, and those who visit Wolfsburg can also buy these as souvenirs.

Volkswagen Spiced Ketchup was born back in the 1970s (a collaboration with Kraft) as the ideal complement to VW’s curry sausage. It is said to have a thicker “viscosity” than standard ketchup and a unique flavour, the recipe for which is, like that of the curry sausage itself, as closely guarded a secret as any classified automotive R&D project.

In 1997, Volkswagen began officially bottling and selling the Spiced Ketchup. In that year, 20,000 bottles were sold. Since then the sauce has gone from strength to strength (in numbers, not spiciness): in 2009, over 425,000 bottles were sold and in the first 10 weeks of 2010, 100,000 bottles have already been sold. The difference between Volkswagen Spiced Ketchup and Volkswagen Classic Ketchup? VW asks us to imagine the culinary equivalent of the first and sixth generation Golf GTI!

Alongside ketchup, Volkswagen is also putting on show some of its classics, among them significant cars like the K70, Iltis all-wheel drive, Golf Country Crossover and the Tarek off-roader.

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Is this a leaked sketch of the Polo Sedan?

April 6, 2010 at 1:01 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Rumours, Volkswagen

This is allegedly a leak sketch of the new Volkswagen Polo sedan bodytype. It doesn’t look particularly surprising as the change to a sedan bodytype is quite straightforward – adding a boot. There are no awkward lines to be smoothened out as the Polo has quite a squareish straight-cut design to begin. It won’t be the first time the Polo has been turned into a sedan either. We’ve also featured a ‘chopped image of a Polo Sedan in the past. It would be very interesting for the Malaysian market if a Volkswagen Polo Sedan can be locally assembled in Proton’s Tanjong Malim plant and offered to Malaysians at a price of perhaps RM80k+ to battle the Vios and the City.

Source

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Volkswagen Group dominate World Car Awards

April 5, 2010 at 5:53 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Audi, Cars, International News, Volkswagen


The Volkswagen Group went home happiest at the recent 2010 World Car Awards. The main World Car of the Year gong went to the Volkswagen Polo, VW’s Bluemotion eco banner took home the World Green Car award and Audi’s R8 V10 was deemed the best performance car. The only award VAG didn’t win was the World Car Design of the Year, which went to the Chevrolet Camaro.

59 automotive journalists from 25 countries around the globe played jury, and they chose VW’s B-segment supermini over 29 other nominees. Announced in the New York’s Jacob Javits Center, the annual WCOTY awards recognise the year’s most outstanding vehicles based on merit, value, safety, environmental impact, significance, and emotional appeal.


Meanwhile, VW’s BlueMotion brand consisting of the Golf, Passat and Polo, got the green car nod over finalists Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius. “It is not necessary to add an electric motor and a heavy battery pack to achieve class-leading efficiency. Based on Volkswagen’s common rail diesel engines, the BlueMotion models are among the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market. In fact, the Passat BlueMotion can travel just about 1,000 miles on one tank of fuel in the European cycle. As far as internal combustion engines go today, these models are the ultimate you can get,” the jurors explained.

For the World Performance Car title, the Ferrari California and Porsche 911 GT3 were the front runners alongside eventual winner Audi R8 V10. Previous winners were the Nissan GT-R in 2009, the Audi R8 in 2008, the Audi RS4 in 2007 and the Porsche Cayman S in 2006.

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Volkswagen Group Malaysia CKD local assembly plans to be finalised by mid 2010!

March 25, 2010 at 9:37 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Volkswagen

We could be looking at more affordable CKD Volkswagens in Malaysian showrooms by early 2012, if Volkswagen Group Malaysia’s plans are on schedule. VGM MD Andreas Prinz said yesterday at the opening of Volkswagen’s new 3S centre in PJ that the company would be finalizing its CKD plans by the first half of this year.

The company is currently still finalizing various options such as local partners as well as where the plant will be. Once finalised, it would take another 12 months to 18 months before the plant is ready to churn out locally assembled Golf GTIs for local consumption. The plant will apparently cater for both local consumption as well as regional exports. It would be Volkswagen’s second ASEAN assembly plant after the Touran assembly plant in Indonesia. The Indonesian plant is expected to slowly become a full fledged manufacturing plant instead of just doing assembly.

Mr Prinz also revealed that there will a few interesting Volkswagen launches this year. He mentioned a 1.4 litre Golf – could it be that we’re finally going to see a twin-charged Golf Sport TSI here in Malaysia? Or is it the Golf 1.4 TSI with the single turbocharger making 122 horses? Other models coming up by the middle of this year are a 1.4 litre version of the Scirocco and a 1.2 litre version of the Polo. He didn’t mention this at the event but according to VW’s website itself, the Passat CC is also apparently being updated with the DSG gearbox, replacing the 6-speed auto.

The new RM1.2 million PJ 3S centre is located at Jalan 222 and is operated by F A Wagen Sdn Bhd, a member of Federal Auto Holdings Berhad. It is also the first authorised outlet in Malaysia to achieve total compliance with Volkswagen’s new corporate identity. The branch has a 4,600 square feet showroom capable of displaying up to seven cars. The service centre is equipped with 8 work bays and the latest diagnostic systems and specialised tools needed to service the new generation of Volkswagen models offered here in Malaysia. There is also a dedicated body repair and painting facility with a baking oven. F A Wagen plans to open two more branches within the next 12 months. This includes a purpose-built 6-storey flagship in Glenmarie, Shah Alam that is targeted to commence operations in September 2010 and a 3S branch in Johor Bahru that is scheduled to open in 2011.

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Williams trying to lure Volkswagen into F1?

March 22, 2010 at 11:37 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Volkswagen

Is Williams trying to do a Brawn GP and sell the team to a manufacturer? Well, according to Autocar, which quotes German publication Bild, boss Frank Williams is dangling his F1 team in front of the Volkswagen Group, which is expected to enter the pinnacle of motor racing from 2013. Williams used to partner BMW before Munich bought into Sauber and currently uses Cosworth engines.

“We are stronger with a manufacturer than as a private team,” Williams told Bild. “No question. And of course we have an affinity with Germany. I remember well, quite early on, we went to the races with VW buses – we sometimes even slept in them. German cars are great. With Mercedes, Brawn won the title last year, and with McLaren in the previous year. And now they are up there with their own team.”

According to Bild, Williams, who sold a 20% stake in his team to Austrian investor and race driver Toto Wolff late last year, could sell his remaining stake to VW if Wolfsburg decides to enter the sport. VW’s motorsport chief Kris Nissen is said to want F1 to improve its image, drive down costs and improve its stability before the group commits itself. He was also quoted before saying that VW will continue to concentrate on its successful Dakar Rally programme for at least two more years. VW is currently the team to beat in Dakar after winning back-to-back editions since the race moved to South America.

VW’s involvement in single seater racing is currently limited to Formula 3 racing. It supplies 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines to teams in the Formula 3 Euro Series, ATS Formula 3 Cup and the British Formula 3 Championship.

Source

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Volkswagen’s R is now a separate full-fledged performance division

March 17, 2010 at 4:59 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Volkswagen

Mercedes-Benz has AMG, BMW has its M and now Volkswagen’s R joins these famous names as a proper, full-fledged performance division. From now on, Volkswagen R GmbH will be responsible for sporty, performance versions of Volkswagen cars as well as R Line design packages and luxurious Volkswagen Exclusive items. VW’s current range has two full-on R cars, the Scirocco R and the Golf R, and blue seems to be the “official colour” of the brand.

The formation of Volkswagen R GmbH is VW’s response to the “increased global demand for individualised vehicles with contemporary sportiness and exclusivity”. Based in Warmenau near Wolfsburg, the division employs 350 staff. “Our vehicles contribute to the emotionalisation and growth of Volkswagen brand,” explained Ulrich Riestenpatt, General Manager of Volkswagen R GmbH.

Click here to see a video of the Golf R and Scirocco R strutting their stuff on track!

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Volkswagen’s Geneva showstars in the metal!

March 2, 2010 at 11:07 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Cars, Volkswagen

We have seen more Volkswagens than any other marque since stepping on Swiss soil yesterday (Audis also outnumber their premium rivals in the eye census) and Europe’s largest carmaker dominance of its home region won’t be ending anytime soon judging from its 2010 product blitz that continues in Geneva. Moments ago, Wolfsburg slid the cloth off few new models, namely the Sharan MPV, Touareg Hybrid, Polo GTI, Cross Polo and the Cross Golf. It was the first look of these cars in the metal after online reveals.

As a recap, the Polo GTI is powered by a 1.4-litre TSI engine with both turbo and supercharger, producing 178 bhp and 250 Nm of torque from 2000 rpm. Naturally, the Euro 5 engine is mated to a 7-speed DSG and power is channeled via VW’s XDS electronic differential lock. Compared to its predecessor, the 1194 kg new Polo is 25% more frugal with combined consumption of 16.9 km/l. VW calls this “textbook downsizing”. We agree.

Alongside the chilli red GTI is the CrossPolo with a “rugged, all-terrain look”. This pseudo-SUV variant of the Polo supermini sits 15mm higher than the standard car, as opposed to the GTI, which sits 15mm lower than the regular Polo. Besides the SUV-style body cladding and roof rails, the CrossPolo comes with really stylish 17-inch wheels and a wider range of interior trim colours. The first units will reach German customers in May; this model is bound to be popular if brought into Malaysia.

The second “Cross” model launched is the CrossGolf. Based on the Golf Plus, the CrossGolf aims to “bridge the gap between the SUV and MPV”. However, other than a raised driving position, we see very little of MPV or SUV qualities here – there’s no seating beyond five and no 4Motion AWD. However, like its smaller sibling, the CrossGolf gets SUV looks, 17-inch “Budapest” wheels, efficient TSI/TDI engines and DSG as an option. It’s raised by 20mm over the standard car.

The new Touareg SUV comes with VW’s first ever hybrid system. Consisting of a 3.3-litre V6 engine and an electric motor imaginatively called e-motor, the hybrid SUV can produce up to 375 bhp and 580 Nm while consuming only 12.2 km/l in the combined cycle. This Touareg can be solely propelled by electric at speeds of up to 50 km/h. Click here for more info and images.

Of the lot, the most recent online reveal was of the Sharan MPV, which we have detailed comprehensively in a recent post. Click here for information and the full gallery.

A live gallery of Volkswagen’s Geneva exhibits await you after the jump!
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