volkswagen

While their competitors add compacts, hybrids, and electric cars, Volkswagen and Audi are pursuing a different product strategy in the United States.

Both VW Group brands want the volume and higher profits that go with larger vehicles.

VW just launched the Passat sedan designed for the United States and built at its new Chattanooga, Tenn., factory. The U.S. Passat is larger though less expensive than the version sold in Europe.

VW executives have talked about selling a small car like the European Polo in the United States. But for now they are focusing on the Passat and two other … Read more

The 2012 Ford Focus Electric, 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas, 2012 Mitsubishi i, 2012 Toyota Prius v, and 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI are all finalists for 2012 Green Car of the Year, Green Car Journal announced today in a press release.

The winner will be announced during a press conference at a Los Angeles Auto Show press day on November 17. This marks the seventh consecutive year the award has been given out.

Green Car Journal editors considered dozens of models that were designed to reduce their environmental impact and be more energy-efficient. According to the press release, the cars … Read more

The Toyota Camry became the best-selling car in the U.S. by giving families safe and uncomplicated transportation. Now Volkswagen wants in, positioning its 2012 Passat to grab a chunk of the midsize sedan market.

The new Passat comes out with a 2.5-liter engine, displacement that neatly fits the segment, and fuel economy in the mid-20s. Its roomy cabin fits five in comfort, and it has a long trunk. All of these factors make it compare with the Camry, Accord, Altima, and Fusion.

But it is not entirely content to run with the pack. Its engine has five cylinders … Read more

Belgian design company Quinze & Milan will show a "creative reinterpretation of the new seven-seater" Chevy Orlando at the Superbrands London exhibition occurring September 22 to 25.

The seven-seater Orlando is no longer made for the U.S. market, but it was chosen be in the designers' showcase for the 100th anniversary of Chevrolet.

Making it look a bit like the Volkswagen Polo Harlequin, Quinze & Milan used its QM Foam product on the interior and exterior of the Chevy crossover. The design company said in a press release that the modded car demonstrates QM Foam's versatility … Read more

Drag Racing for Android puts you in the driver's seat of your favorite street racer. With more than 50 real cars to choose from, dozens of upgrades, and a nearly unlimited pool of opponents, don't be surprised to find yourself behind the wheel for hours at a time.

The game offers four racing modes to choose from. You can Race Offline against the computer, Quick Race one-on-one against an online opponent, join the Pro League against a group of online competitors, or race against Friends. Also, you can choose either quarter-mile or half-mile races, with the shorter distance … Read more

With its updated Volkswagen-standard grille, the 2012 Eos looks very similar to the new Jetta. The models are about the same size. But the Eos comes with a retractable hardtop, a Transformers-like piece of engineering that takes the car from a solid roof to an open-air cabin at the push of a button.

The Eos' engine is the same as used in the GTI, offering much more power than the Jetta. And the dual-clutch transmission would seem to indicate some sports car DNA in the Eos. But with the retractable hardtop taking weight off the front drive wheels and a … Read more

The maker of the "People's Car" is now asking people to get Up.

Volkswagen today revealed photos and some information on the Up hatchback. The German automaker previously introduced the Up as a concept car at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show. The production version of the subcompact will be introduced in Frankfurt in September.

The Up is a line of low-emissions, minimal footprint vehicles for the European market. CNET covered the debut of the thrifty Up Lite concept at the LA Auto Show in 2009.

Volkswagen revealed there will be three versions of the Up: The entry-level … Read more

It's not too late to experience the 2011 Summer of Love--at least in Lego form. A red Lego VW camper van set will soon be hitting the highway for some psychedelic road-tripping.

Modeled after the T1 Camper from 1962, also known as the "Kombi" the Lego version includes the "V" shape three-way color split at the front; rounded roof and window frames; and opening "splittie" safari front window. All of the doors open and the roof pops up in this re-creation of the iconic vehicle.

The designers at Lego thought of everything. The exterior sports three subtle curves around the front and contouring that continues along the sides. A representation of the flat-four air-cooled VW boxer engine fits above the rear axle--as it would in the original. And the interior of the camper comes complete with Lego versions of a fold-down bed, a kitchen sink, a cupboard that opens, a mirror, and a lava lamp.

Lego hippies, however, are not included. … Read more

DETROIT (Reuters)--U.S. auto safety regulators have opened preliminary investigations into new Ford Motor Mustangs with manual transmissions for possible shifting problems and diesel Volkswagen Jetta sedans for possible fuel leaks.

Spokesmen for both automakers said they were not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the issues and were cooperating with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in its preliminary evaluations.

A preliminary investigation is the first step in a process that could lead to a recall if regulators determine that a manufacturer needs to address a safety issue.

The NHTSA said on its Web site that … Read more