Volkswagen 2028: A Glimpse into the Automotive Future

It’s the year 2028; China’s population has surpassed the 3 billion mark, man has landed on Mars, Jenna W Bush has followed in the footsteps of her sister Barbara becoming the second female President in the history of the U.S., and gas prices have dropped to $20 a gallon. But most people don’t really care (about gas prices, that is) as their cars are equipped with hybrid powetrains that utilize ultra efficient diesel engines that consuming less than half a gallon of fuel to create enough electricity to power the car for more than 100 miles.

Well, at least that’s how we envision the future. But you can also check out VW’s new interactive site called “Volkswagen2028” that attempts to give us a glimpse of the automotive world of tomorrow. Aside from the Up! that we first saw at last year’s Frankfurt Show, the German carmaker has also created three more concept cars: the sporty two seater “EGO”, the spacey and versatile “ROOM” and the three-wheeler city dweller “ONE”. -High-Res Image gallery after the jump

Link: VW2028

Lego Releases Classic Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen and LEGO fans alike are in for a treat with this one. Based on the iconic 1960 “Charlotte” model, the 16" (41cm) long and 6½" (16cm) high LEGO Beetle features a series of realistic details and functions like opening doors, hood and trunk, a spare tire in the front and engine in the back, a movable stick shift, opening glove compartment and seats that fold forward. In the U.S., the LEGO Beetle is priced at $119.99. -More pics after the jump


Via: Jalopnik

Insider: Volkswagen Product Plan 2009 – 2011

We just got word from an inside source of ours on Volkswagen’s product plan for 2009 – 2011. First up is the new, sixth generation Golf (Rabbit in the States) that will be available in most European markets by early 2009. In the summer of the same year, VW will launch the next generation Polo that will compete in the supermini segment against the likes of the new Ford Fiesta and Peugeot 207. Towards the end of 2009, the German automaker will reveal the new Touran 7-seater minivan and the Golf Plus, both of which are based on the Golf. -Continued

In early 2010, Volkswagen will take the wraps off the all-new Passat Sedan and Station Wagon models while later in the year, the Germans will uncloak the second generation Touareg SUV that will go on sale in late 2010 or early 2011. Last up is the all new VW Beetle that will be available in most markets during the first quarter of 2011.

VW Scirocco R 3.0 TFSI Teaser or… Photoshop?

This allegedly official, teaser image of the VW Scirocco R has appeared on several sites on the web today. We tried to verify the teaser image, but we came out empty handed. However we did find a picture of the Nurburgring 24h endurance race Scirocco GT24 that looks too similar to be ignored. Our take? While a future top-spec version of the Scirocco equipped with Audi’s new 290Hp 3.0 TFSI isn’t out of the question, we believe that the teaser image is nothing more than a product of an imaginative photoshop artist. See the Scirocco GT24 image after the jump. -Continued

Via: Autoblog.nl

Tres Chic VW Beetle Trailer

When a person has taste, even a trailer can become a piece of art. Created from a chopped classic VW Beetle, the elegantly styled motorcycle/scooter trailer was apparently spotted somewhere in France.

Thanks for the tip Pete! , Via: Motorbiker

Huge Hail Storm Damages 30,000 New Volkswagens

Up to 30,000 brand-new Volkswagen cars were damaged last Sunday when a brief but vicious storm with hail the size of pingpong balls hit a lot filled with new cars at a plant in Emden, on the North Sea coast in Germnay. The parked cars were waiting to be shipped to dealerships overseas as Emden is one of Europe's three main vehicle-transportation ports.

VW company spokesman Christoph Adomat told the Süddeutsche Zeitung that the vehicles parked outside suffered chipped paint and/or dings, but luckily no windshields were broken. Although VW will definitely get paid by insurance, it remains unclear whether the damaged cars will be repaired and if not, what will happen to them.

Volkswagen Scirocco: 55 High Resolution Images / Wallpapers

The countdown for the market launch of VW’s new hatchback-like coupe has already began as the third generation Scirocco is set to arrive in Europe in August. No thanks to the current exchange rates between the Euro and the US dollar, the Scirocco won’t be heading to the States, which is quite a setback for VW as thousand of American consumers are lining up to buy fuel efficient compact cars.

In Europe, the Scirocco will be offered initially with two petrol engines, the 1.4-liter TSI that combines a supercharger and turbocharger developing 160Hp and the Golf GTI’s turbocharged 200Hp 2.0-liter TFSI. Shortly after the Scirocco’s engine range will be enhanced with the addition of a supercharged 122Hp 1.4-liter TSI petrol unit and a 140Hp 1.4-liter turbo diesel. Depending on the powertrain, the Scirocco’s average fuel consumption ranges from 5.4 to 7.7 litres per 100km (30.6 to 43.6 MPG).

Follow the jump for our high resolution image gallery that also contains pictures of the first and second generation Scirocco as well as the 325Hp racing version that took part in the 24h of Nurburgring in May. -Continued