VW unveils ist CrossBlue SUV Hybrid concept
Cross Blue update:
Volkswagen is still very much dead-set on meeting its goal of selling 800,000 vehicles in the United States by 2018. And while the company has said on several occasions that it will not be expanding its lineup to models smaller than the Golf, there's certainly room for expansion elsewhere in its portfolio. At the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, Volkswagen debuted its CrossBlue concept – a three-row, midsize crossover designed specifically with the US market in mind. And during a roundtable discussion at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this month, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America Jonathan Browning told us that a midsize CUV is the company's "top priority" in the US.
But let's be clear: The CrossBlue is not a replacement for the Touareg, or any other vehicle in the company's US lineup (except maybe the Chrysler-supplied Routan minivan). This will be an all-new offering built on Volkswagen's scalable MQB architecture – the same platform that underpins the Mk7 Golf, among other products. To give us a better idea of exactly what's in store for the new CrossBlue, Volkswagen flew us out to Germany's Siegerland Airport the day before the Frankfurt show to give us an up-close-and-personal look at its all-important new crossover.
Inside, there isn't anything remarkable in terms of design or packaging, with a modern, forward-thinking cabin that incorporates all of the basic infotainment and driver convenience functions into an airy, spacious cockpit. The sloping center stack features control knobs that are flush with the main surfacing, and raise up when the vehicle is started – just like the gear selector on modern Jaguar products.
All credit for this info goes to Autoblog.com and author Steven J. Ewing
The full article can be found here.
Volkswagen rolls out Cross Blue SUV Concept
Full story credit to myfoxdetroit.com:
Volkswagen rolls out Cross Blue midsize SUV concept - Fox 2 News Headlines
Could this be the Amarok wagon alternative??! Let hope so. And lets hope that hope that VW decide to build it for more than just the Nth American market as its sure to have loads of appeal all around the world as a solid competitor to the lucrative midsize SUV market.
Volkswagen rolls out Cross Blue midsize SUV concept - Fox 2 News Headlines
Could this be the Amarok wagon alternative??! Let hope so. And lets hope that hope that VW decide to build it for more than just the Nth American market as its sure to have loads of appeal all around the world as a solid competitor to the lucrative midsize SUV market.
VW Amarok Wagon??
Has anyone been able to confirm if VW will produce the Amarok in a 7 seater? Over the past 18mts automotive websites and forums all over the world have mentioned the possibility of an Amarok wagon for various international markets however as yet there appears to be no word of the Amarok wagon from VW.
Certainly there are a number of international markets that the Amarok would be well suited to, the US would probably be head of that queue however there is also strong demand in South Africa, Australia and Asia. Toyota have a strong grip on most 4x4 segments, however they are less popular in the European markets due to the stricter emission regulations which as left the manufacturer on the back foot trying to improve the efficiency of its vehicles. The lead from the European markets is starting to make traditional buyers of Japanese 4x4 and commercial vehicles rethink their purchase as fuel prices continue rapidly increase with the cost of supplying the gogo juice being a substantial influence in overall purchase price.
As a 4x4 the Amarok has already shown that it is more than comfortable off road and despite its smaller
engine capacity and shows no sign of giving anything away to the more established brands. The accessories market ramping up is supply Amarok accessories and over time drivers will be able to purchase just about any accessory they desire.
So it remains to be seen if the Amarok Wagon will become a reality. Lets hope so, as there is a huge market out there of VW drivers who really want one of these in their driveway.
As a 4x4 the Amarok has already shown that it is more than comfortable off road and despite its smaller
engine capacity and shows no sign of giving anything away to the more established brands. The accessories market ramping up is supply Amarok accessories and over time drivers will be able to purchase just about any accessory they desire.
So it remains to be seen if the Amarok Wagon will become a reality. Lets hope so, as there is a huge market out there of VW drivers who really want one of these in their driveway.
Volkswagen Offers Authentic Restoration Services for Vintage Microbuses
Volkswagen Offers Authentic Restoration Services for Vintage Microbuses
— Volkswagen fans who favor the vintage models have something new to be excited about. Volkswagen has announced that they are now providing restoration services to the general public. Now collectors and nostalgic drivers can have their microbuses reworked to reflect all their original glory. Volkswagen began restoring vintage Transporters back in 2007. However, all the [...]
300 VW fans come together after getting bug
300 VW fans come together after getting bug
Shared from www.odt.co.nz
by Debbie Porteous
What is it about Volkswagens that would attract 300 people in 140 vehicles to Dunedin for a weekend of V-dub-love?
According to those parked up at the VW Nationals car show, held at the Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday, there were many reasons the German people's car remained all sorts of people's car.
Wellington Kombined Club member Paul Bonsey said enthusiasm for Volkswagens was actually an infectious disease.
He managed to pass it on about eight years ago to mate Gary Manley, who then bought a 1980s Kombi van, (known as "the Flat", because there was basically a whole household inside), similar to Mr Bonsey's.
The pair now travelled together to Volkswagen club events across the country.
"It's a social thing really," Mr Bonsey said. "It's a big worldwide club. We are all people getting together to share a common interest."
Mr Manley said people often modified their vans, and it was interesting to attend shows and see what people had done to vehicles.
"You don't want to start a conversation on what is better though," Mr Manley warned.
Invercargill woman Jo Dennis, who bought a 1968 Beetle eight months ago, said she liked Volkswagens because they were "cute and round and made such a cute noise ...".
Her friend Brenley Marshall (23), also from Invercargill, who owned a Beetle and a Golf, said he liked Volkswagens for their mechanical simplicity, although he admitted he missed out on showing his Beetle at the Nationals this year after he pulled it apart and did not have it back together in time.
After spending 30 hours a week for three years fixing up his 1964 Beetle, including installing leather Peugeot seats and a modern sound system, Lyttelton man Clive Argyle, who intended to use the car as an everyday runabout, said he had been forced to buy a bicycle to get about on instead, because he did not want to get the Beetle wet or dirty.
"I just like the style. They're just better than Japanese junk. And it's nice to have a classic car with modern things in it."
The Hopkinson family, of Christchurch, said they loved the community around Volkswagens and enjoyed family holidays in their 1961 Kombi van with friends who also had a Kombi van.
Their van still had many of its original fittings, although dad Neil, a longtime Volkswagen fan, had lowered it a little for "a better ride" and a "cooler" look.
There had been a few roadside repairs, he said, "but other vans don't have the personality".
The Vehicle of the Show prize was awarded to a car 16 years in the refurbishing - and not quite finished yet - a bright yellow 1973 Beetle belonging to Dunedin couple Ken and Margaret Berry.
But maybe it was Mr Bonsey who summed why they all loved VWs so much. "We're just VW nuts," he observed.
Shared from www.odt.co.nz
by Debbie Porteous
What is it about Volkswagens that would attract 300 people in 140 vehicles to Dunedin for a weekend of V-dub-love?
According to those parked up at the VW Nationals car show, held at the Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday, there were many reasons the German people's car remained all sorts of people's car.
Wellington Kombined Club member Paul Bonsey said enthusiasm for Volkswagens was actually an infectious disease.
The pair now travelled together to Volkswagen club events across the country.
"It's a social thing really," Mr Bonsey said. "It's a big worldwide club. We are all people getting together to share a common interest."
Mr Manley said people often modified their vans, and it was interesting to attend shows and see what people had done to vehicles.
"You don't want to start a conversation on what is better though," Mr Manley warned.
Invercargill woman Jo Dennis, who bought a 1968 Beetle eight months ago, said she liked Volkswagens because they were "cute and round and made such a cute noise ...".
Her friend Brenley Marshall (23), also from Invercargill, who owned a Beetle and a Golf, said he liked Volkswagens for their mechanical simplicity, although he admitted he missed out on showing his Beetle at the Nationals this year after he pulled it apart and did not have it back together in time.
After spending 30 hours a week for three years fixing up his 1964 Beetle, including installing leather Peugeot seats and a modern sound system, Lyttelton man Clive Argyle, who intended to use the car as an everyday runabout, said he had been forced to buy a bicycle to get about on instead, because he did not want to get the Beetle wet or dirty.
The Hopkinson family, of Christchurch, said they loved the community around Volkswagens and enjoyed family holidays in their 1961 Kombi van with friends who also had a Kombi van.
Their van still had many of its original fittings, although dad Neil, a longtime Volkswagen fan, had lowered it a little for "a better ride" and a "cooler" look.
There had been a few roadside repairs, he said, "but other vans don't have the personality".
The Vehicle of the Show prize was awarded to a car 16 years in the refurbishing - and not quite finished yet - a bright yellow 1973 Beetle belonging to Dunedin couple Ken and Margaret Berry.
But maybe it was Mr Bonsey who summed why they all loved VWs so much. "We're just VW nuts," he observed.
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