Volkswagen is introducing a new 160hp version of its 1.4-liter TFSI engine. This engine and the 122hp version are replacing VW's 1.6 FSI and 2.0 FSI engines which produced 115 and 150hp, respectively. This change in the engine lineup will start in the Golf Plus, Jetta and Golf Variant versions.

As we mentioned before, Volkswagen is dropping its direct-injection diesel technology (pump-injection), first used two decades ago, and will join the rest of automakers in using common-rail injection technology for its diesel drivelines. This new 2.0 HDi dCi CDi CDTi TDI is already Euro 5 compliant. Although it was announced as coming in the new Golf VI, Germans can already buy the 2.0 TDI mated to the Jetta and Golf Variant (pictured above) and, later, in the Golf Plus. Although power remains unchanged from the old 2.0-liter at 140hp and fuel consumption is kept at 5.5 l/km (43mpg U.S.), CO₂ emissions are down to 143 grams of CO₂ per km and torque improves up to 320 Nm (236 lb-ft).

[Source: Auto News]

Although the current signature for the "greener" VW Golfs is BlueMotion, there have been at least two models in the Golf's past that should be considered green for their time. German's Auto-News has published a complete report about special-edition Golfs and there are two green variants: One is an ancestor of BlueMotion itself and the second one is an EV.

Back in the early '80s, VAG-group cars had a formula to save gasoline which was called "E" and was used for large cars such as the VW Passat or the Audi 100. The trick was a button on the steering wheel that turned off the engine at traffic lights. The engine came back to life when engaging first gear. Sound familiar? Basically, this is what modern Stop/Start systems perform automatically. However, the 1981 Golf E with a stick shift of 3+E gears, could only save fuel with improved aerodynamics on the A-pillars, narrower tires and a fuel economy display that also suggested when to switch gears. The engines? A whopping 50hp gasoline or a 54hp atmospheric diesel.

Regarding EVs, Volkswagen introduced an all-electric Golf in 1995. Called the "City Stromer" (City Electric), it really showed the effects of the 16 massive (and, at 480kg, heavy) lead-acid batteries that fed the 24hp motor: 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) took 27 seconds. After some additional research, we found that this Golf could only carry 4 people, used a SIEMENS three-phase alternating current synchronous motor with permanent magnet excitation which was water cooled. Performance is far from a Tesla Roadster's: maximum speed of 100 km/h, and a range of 70 km in summer and 40 in winter. But it had brake energy recovery, and those numbers aren't too terrible, right? We even found a video of this one after the jump (in Czech).

[Source: Auto-News]

Click above for complete gallery.

Although it is supposed to be introduced on Wednesday, the photos of the sixth generation of the Golf are now available online. The official introduction of the car is still set for October 2nd in Paris. This new generation gets the Scirocco frontal treatment although it's more an evolution than a revolution from the current model. Why is this interesting? VW is phasing out the last of their older TDI technology to become HDIs, and both the Polo and the Golf (Rabbit as it's known in the U. S.) will be the first models to get these diesels. Until now, VW's older diesels used pump injectors, but they're switching to common-rail technology, as the rest of competitors (namely the PSA HDI diesels and the Opel/Fiat CDTIs). The Golf is also expected to get a brand-new 1.6-liter TDi that will lower consumption and improve emissions, to get under the magical 120 g/km figure.


[Source: Le Blog Auto]

Gajillionaire Donald Trump wants to spend £1 billion ($2,005,048,751.80) building the world's largest golf resort. It would feature two golf courses along with a 5-star hotel on 1,400 acres of "spectacular sand dunes" at Balmedie Beach in northeast Scotland. Not surprisingly, there is some amount of environmental criticism of the plan. To silence the critics, "The Donald" is planning on supplying each of the 500 planned properties, and possibly some for the 950 other holiday homes intended for the area, with their very own Smart ed.

If you're worried that Mr. Trump is just using some electric cars to greenwash his project, don't. His assistant in Scotland, George Sorial, assures, "We aim to protect and enhance the environment in everything we do." While it seems likely the development will eventually happen, we suggest the local inhabitants "see" his electric car and "raise" him a wind and solar farm. Check out the gallery below for photographs by Brian Morgan, Richard Le Sueur and Derek Ironside of the breathtaking seaside vistas Trump plans to destroy enhance with his development for wealthy vacationers.


[Source: Scotsman.com]

Click above for high-res gallery of the VW Twin Drive Golf

Details on the new Volkswagen Twin Drive are still sketchy at best, but here's what we know so far: The Golf chassis definitely has two powerplants like any other hybrid, one internal combustion engine along with an electric motor. From what we can tell, the car is likely to use lithium ion batteries stored in the cargo hatch and likely supplied by Sanyo. We don't think that the powerplants are connected in any way, so there would be no charging of the batteries by the engine, but we're waiting for more clarification on the matter. If regenerative braking were employed, this could be the first production through-the-ground hybrid. VeeDub is claiming an electric-only range of about 50 kilometers, or 31 miles if you live here in the U.S. If there is indeed no way to recharge the batteries without plugging in, the 122 horsepower 2.0L turbodiesel engine would completely take over, leaving the 82 hp electric motor along for the ride. There are two separate fuel gauges in the cockpit, one for liquid fuel and the other for battery charge.

Perhaps keeping the two powerplants separate allows for the creation of the hybrid without the licensing of any previously existing technology. Twenty of these Twin Drive Golf's will be tested until 2012 and will be charged using only renewable electricity. That last point is important, considering that much of Germany's power comes from less-than-clean coal. We'll let you know of any additional production plans as soon as we're aware of any.


[Sources: Volkswagen, Earthtimes.org, Autoblog]

My only concern when it comes to packing the trunk is: will my new Mulholland golf bag fit in my old Jaguar roadster? Seems packing the boot is more complicated for everyone else according to Industry Week. Consumer products manufacturer SC Johnson & Son uses a "Truckload Utilization" system and they say it has eliminated 1,882 tons of greenhouse gases, caused 2,098 fewer trucks to be used, fuel use cut by 168,000 gallons and saved the company $1.6 million in the last 12 months.

Loading a truck seems simple to me but Pat Penman, director of global environmental and safety actions at SC Johnson, called it a "science." Turns out it's not just a really simple game of Tetris with lots of cube shaped-packages. You have to consider things like "consistently hitting a trailer's maximum weight."

For example, a truck load of SC's Ziploc bags might be too light, so SC is now mixing products like Pledge or Windex in those shipment to get to the optimum weight. The considerations are not just in the back either. If it's just a day trip, SC uses a truck without the sleeping compartment to save weight. Industry Week links to a game you can play (They ask for your last name and e-mail but no e-mail confirmation is sent. You can start to play right after entering the data) with some of the other considerations like axle weight and products that must ship.

Sure, years ago, this would have been considered logistics or efficiency stuff but today it's "green." It's also interesting and kinda cool to read about it. I have gained a whole new respect for packing the trunk. More than I ever thought I would have.

Related:

• Coke to add 120 hybrid trucks to its US fleet in 2008
• UPS expects to save $600 million by favoring right hand turns
• Wal-Mart receives its first Peterbilt hybrid big rig

[Source: Industry Week]

The Volkswagen Golf (or Rabbit, if you're a Yank like me and always prefer a car's name to reference a potential meal rather than a game for old people) has just been awarded Car of the Year by ACFO, an organization that produces a bi-monthly journal called "Fleet Operator." CotY was awarded to the Golf for "delivering operational performance, whole-life cost control and driver appeal as well as an environmental edge." In other words, it's one of the best Euro-boxes out there for professionals and consumers alike.

So why isn't it as popular here? It is the exact same vehicle, with only some different engine options, though the ones offered in the States are still quite good. A wise man named Jack Handey once wrote, "Instead of building newer and larger weapons of mass destruction, I think mankind should try to get more use out of the ones we have." So instead of pining after the fun, practical microcars being enjoyed by so many across the pond, why don't we try to appreciate and, I don't know, buy the ones we already have here.

[Source: ACFO via Newspress]

Click on the image for a gallery of high-res images of the 2007 Volkswagen Passat.

This is the second part of a review of the 2007 Volkswagen Passat TDI. Yesterday we covered the Passat's pricing, appearance and some of its many features. Click here to read part one.

Today we cover the interior, safety, economy and on-road performance.

Probably the first thing you'll notice if you hop in and go to turn the car on though is the key fob itself. Instead of a traditional key, the entire key fob slots into the dash for push-button electronic on / off operation. VW thought of everything though because hidden inside the key fob is a "conventional", plastic key which can gain you access to the vehicle but will not start it up. This allows you to leave the (expensive - $500!) key fob locked in the car while you go surfing and just take the plastic key into the water.



Like the on / off control, the parking brake is also a push-button job located close to the ignition switch, and must be engaged for the car to be turned off. An associated feature is the Auto Hold function which neatly answers the question, "I'm on the side of a hill and I don't have a hand brake to stop me rolling back down, what do I do?" Again a push-button operated feature, this time flanking the transmission, Auto Hold automatically activates the electronic parking brake for painless hill starts. Eliminating the hand brake has the added benefit of freeing up room around centre console, resulting in a simple, uncluttered layout.

Continue reading part two of the review after the jump.

Click on the image for a gallery of high-res images of the 2007 Volkswagen Passat.

Late last year I had the pleasure of helping my father choose his new vehicle, and after determining that he wanted a diesel sedan, we quickly narrowed the possible options - BMWs, the 300C, Audis, Peugeots, Mazdas, Fiats, Alfas and VWs - down to the Volkswagen Passat. Offering a great blend of size, comfort, features, diesel economy and price, he picked the Passat up in late November last year. Having helped pick it, I am biased about this car. But that said, let's look at why it worked for my father and me.

The 2007 Volkswagen Passat TDI leads VW's car line-up in Australia as their largest model apart from the Touareg luxury SUV. The 2007 Passat offers three models each in a sedan and wagon format ranging from AUD$42,990 (US$34,056) for the Passat 2.0 TDI Sedan 6 Speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmission, through AUD$44,990 (US$35,641) for the Passat 2.0T FSI Sedan 6 Speed Automatic and topping out at AUD$54,990 (US$43,563) for the Passat 3.2 V6 FSI Sedan 6 Speed DSG. The wagon equivalents of each adds $2,000. Frankly I don't understand this pricing scale because the TDI delivers better fuel economy and good performance via VW's outstanding DSG 6-speed gearbox, in which the clutch and gearshift are controlled electronically, for a lower price than the equivalent automatic petrol model.

Despite the array of standard features in the Passat, there are still a good dozen options that you can play with if your wallet allows including sunroofs, sat nav, bi-xenon headlights with dynamic cornering, leather upholstery etc. My father however had a limited range of options due to the fact that multiple Volkswagen dealers in our area quoted delivery times of over six month and as high as nine months due to a global shortage. So, when he was presented with a silver model kitted out with black leather upholstery, he signed up straight away.

Continue reading part one of the review after the jump.

Click on the image for a gallery of high-res images of the Volkswagen Touareg.

Truck Tend is reporting that Volkswagen has changed its plans to introduce a range of hybrid models including in its entry level vehicles. Apparently VW's recently ousted CEO was planning to introduce hybrid versions of relatively cheap models such as the Jetta and the Golf/Rabbit. The new head of VW, Martin Winterkorn, doesn't agree with the old strategy pointing out that high mileage diesel variants of these models already exist.

With hybrid powerplants apparently costing VW almost $2,600 extra per vehicle, its been decided that the Touareg luxury SUV can more easily absorb the additional cost and is a better candidate for improved fuel economy.

Currently the Touareg offers three engine options, a petrol V6 or V8 and a monstrous diesel V10. Fuel economy for the three is estimated by the EPA at 15 mpg city / 20 mpg highway for the V6, 14 mpg city / 18 mpg highway for the V8 and 17 mpg city / 23 mpg highway for the V10 TDI. Clearly the V10 TDI is the most desirable option, but you have to pay for all that torquey goodness - the V6 starts at $37,990 while the V10 TDI starts at $59,020 according to Volkswagen's website.

The higher cost of a Touareg means that offering a hybrid option on even the entry level model would add just 7 percent to the cost. In comparison, with the Jetta starting at $16,490, offering a hybrid option on the base model would add almost 16 percent to the cost.

Analysis: I'd love to see a hybrid Golf, especially a diesel-electric plug-in hybrid! But realistically, this updated plan for rolling out hybrid technology makes a lot of business sense for Volkswagen. Their diesel Golf for example already delivers fantastic fuel economy of 5.7 L per 100 km / 41.3 mpg (Australian rating) for a combined city/highway cycle. This way the people who can afford hybrid Touaregs also get to beta test the system for the rest of us!



Related:

• Car and Driver's first drive of the new 50-state-legal Jetta TDI
• VW Passat BlueMotion to debut in Geneva
• Volkswagen betting each way on powertrain technologies

[Source: Truck Trend]

John Taylor and wife Helen, both in their 50s, set a Guinness world record by driving 18,001 miles on only 344 gallons of gas in their unmodified VW Golf. That equates to 52.29mpg.

The Taylors were on the road for 78 days, driving through Europe, Asia, and North America. The trip started and ended in London.

The trip was a challenge from Shell after the Taylors had shown the oil company they made a 522-mile trip in a Subaru Impreza without refueling. Shell says the Taylors were chosen because of their record-breaking experience. They share 34 driving records.

John said that journalists often pressed for details on their relationship during stops, and many "tried to get us divorced."

[Source: The New Paper]

Volkswagen will not produce any diesel-engine Jetta, Golf or Beetle models in America in 2007 because the cars do not meet new federal emissions standards that take effect this fall, according to an article in Sunday's Detroit Free Press. Diesel model sales boomed for VW in 2006 and accounted for almost 23 percent of the company's sale in the first four months of the year. To fulfill demand, VW will build extra 2006 diesel Jettas, offer a 2007 diesel Touareg SUV, and will build a diesel Jetta that is compliant with emissions laws in all 50 states for the 2008 model year.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Sales of diesel vehicles made up 22 percent of Volkswagen's sales in the United States last month, Bloomberg reported Monday. A Morgan Stanley analyst quoted in the article said that the fuel economy of diesel cars and rising gas prices caused the increase. Volkswagen's total sales were up 11 percent last month, so there's more to the increase than just fuel economy.

Volkswagen sells three diesel models – of the Jetta, the Golf and the New Beetle – in the United States, according to the article. About 40 percent of Jetta and New Beetle sales were diesel models, compared to only 13 percent for the Golf. The new Rabbit will soon replace the Golf. In previous years, diesel models made up between 12 and 14 percent of Volkswagen's sales.

[Source: Bloomberg] [Update: this story and others had "Volkswagon" typos corrected, thanks to Phil]

Volkswagen TSI engine found in Europe in the Golf GT won the "Best New Engine of 2006" award. The TSI engine combines a supercharger with a turbocharger. The engine, with a displacement of 1.4 liter, produces 170 bhp and uses 7.2l/100 km. The high specific output of the engine allows this engine to compete with engines of higher displacement (and higher fuel consumption). The TSI engine won the 1 liter to 1.4 liter category, and was picked the overall winner by the jury, made up of 61 automotive journalists from 29 countries. The engine is used in both the VW Golf and the VW Touran, but is currently not available in the United States. It's nice to see fuel efficient engine solutions get the award, as opposed to last year's winner, the BMW M5 V10 engine.

[Source: VW Press Release]