The 2009 Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI makes a lot more sense than the standard gasoline Touareg V-6 and V-8 models, but it's still a niche vehicle with niche appeal. That's an assessment that TheCarConnection.com couldn't quite steer around after a week and some 650 miles with the TDI. To see why...Read More»
Audi fans: we have good news and bad news. The good news? Audi has released a sketch and a teaser image for the upcoming 2010 Audi A5 Sportback, and although we can only see a sliver of the vehicle in the photo, we're definitely intrigued. In sketch form, the "five-door coupe" appears boxy but...Read More»
Volkswagen has released a more efficient, eco-honed BlueMotion version of its Touareg TDI in Europe and the U.K. The new Touareg BlueMotion employs a host of efficiency improvements, including engine optimization, better aerodynamics, a more efficient alternator, and low rolling resistance tires...Read More»
Volkswagen’s high-performance turbo-diesel hatchback, the Golf GTD, goes on sale today in Germany. Yeah, we know it’s highly unlikely for the U.S., but we just have gush about it and show you some of these new photos. Plus, it reminds us, minus the eco-friendly powertrain, what we have coming...Read More»
Here in the U.S., police generally make do with high-volume, low-tech fleet vehicles like the long-lived Ford Crown Victoria or the more recent Chevrolet Impala or Dodge Charger - all perfectly capable of the job, but not particularly luxurious or sporting. In the UK, however, things are apparently...Read More»
In remarks to the automotive and environmental press last week in Seattle, Volkswagen of America president and CEO Stefan Jacoby said that while the automaker is considering electric vehicles along with other alternatives, he does not see EVs or advanced plug-ins becoming a significant portion of...Read More»
Last weekend we drove VW's brand-spanking new 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 powered Touareg TDI. It's VW's second vehicle in its diesel onslaught for 2009, made possible by the German obsession with the oil burner, and it's the first time they've put their new clean diesel in the big SUV. So is "Clean...Read More»
Volkswagen's feeling a little punchy these days. Across the pond, VW is angling to buy Porsche AG, the other major holding of its parent company, Porsche. And on this side of the Atlantic, Volkswagen has launched not one, but two ad campaigns. One's pretty standard, but the other is definitely on...Read More»
Given today's economic climate, most companies are thinking about downsizing (some more than others). BMW and Mercedes-Benz aren't immune to that pressure--though they're thinking less about staff and more about powertrains. Here in the U.S., BMW and Mercedes engines are pretty robust things that...Read More»
Audi fans: today is your day. Well, assuming you're fans of the Audi Q7, that is. (For everyone else, it's just Wednesday.) Audi's popular crossover is having some work done before the 2010 model hits the lots later this year. Under the hood, there'll be three different options for buyers. On the...Read More»
“Could you imagine a four-cylinder diesel?” asked a Mercedes-Benz exec, right after showing off the company’s new E-Class range for 2010. The question, posed by sales and marketing VP Klaus Meier, followed his proud descriptions of the 2010 E350 BlueTec. The diesel model in the new E-Class...Read More»
BMW's M, or Motorsports, division will introduce "the next milestone in its illustrious history," the BMW X6 M, at the New York Auto Show next week. It's an even more aggressive version of the already over-the-top Sports Activity Coupe that's been polarizing opinions in the automotive world. They...Read More»
Proving that the threat of bankruptcy proceedings makes for the unlikeliest of bedfellows, we found out from folks at PickupTrucks.com that the Blue Oval and the Bow Tie are getting together to make a diesel love-child. Yup, the 4.5-liter Baby Duramax that site Chevrolet Reports recently reported...Read More»
Volkswagen was thrilled to show off the new 2011 Polo at the recent 2009 Geneva motor show. So thrilled in fact that they also dropped a BlueMotion concept. Although using the word "concept" on this car doesn't quite work for me as this car is exactly what will be seen on the roads of Europe in a...Read More»
A delegation of the big wigs from Germany, a delegation of Lower Saxony including the former Minister of Economics, Labor and Transport, Walter Hirche, have dropped in to take a quick peek at the progress made so far at the new Volkswagen factory going up in Tennessee. That's a pretty high-brow...Read More»
Today BMW confirmed that its U.S. re-introduction of Ultimate Driving Machines with diesel engines will come with buyer incentives in the form of tax credits. Specifically, its 2009 335d sedan and 2009 X5 xDrive35d qualify for the Internal Revenue Service' Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Tax...Read More»
Although the A3 TDI's arrival to the U.S. market has been pretty much confirmed for months, Audi made it formal in its press conference at the North American International Auto Show. At a Detroit auto show where the dominant theme so far is fuel consumption, it’s appropriate. TheCarConnection.com...Read More»
With more ridges and more resistors, the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is certainly the edgiest and most technologically complex mid-size sedan ever produced by the German automaker. The new sedan went on display for a select audience in Detroit prior to the 2009 Detroit auto show, but the new vehicle...Read More»
Honda says the latest rendition of the long-lived S2000 roadster will be a “club-racer-inspired” version due at theNew York auto show. Honda promises the new edition will take the two-seater’s performance to “an entirely new level.” The new edition will be dubbed the S2000 CR and will be...Read More»
