Diesel to Have Its Day in U.S., Proponent Says

By Jim Mateja
WardsAuto.com, Oct 20, 2011 8:53 AM

CHICAGO – The formula for diesel vehicle growth in the U.S. comes down to a simple equation.

As the number of auto makers selling diesels increases, the number of motorists buying them will increase, too, insists Jeff Breneman, executive director of the U.S. Coalition for Advanced Diesel Cars, which represents suppliers to diesel producers.

Breneman tells a meeting of the Midwest Automotive Media Assn. here this week that pending government legislation requiring auto makers to obtain 54.5 mpg (4.3 L/100 km) from their vehicle fleets by 2025 has helped stoke interest in oil-burners.

But, he adds, the fact European auto makers selling diesels in the U.S. have seen unexpected demand fueled by consumer concerns for great mileage and travel range between fill-ups has prompted other car manufacturers to offer diesels in the U.S. as well.

The list includes a Mazda6 diesel planned for 2012 and, more importantly, a diesel Chevrolet Cruze slated for 2013.

An offering from General Motors’ volume division gives the diesel credibility and endorses the engine as a viable alternative to hybrids or electrics, Breneman says.

“The fact that Chevy will offer a diesel Cruze in 2013 is huge,” he says. “The gas-powered Cruze will get 40 mpg (5.9 L/100 km), so the diesel is expected to get 50 mpg-plus (4.7 L/100 km), and that will make it a game-changer.

“Ford, Toyota or Honda haven’t got a diesel for the U.S. yet, but get ready for 2013-2014. That’s when we’re going to see a lot more diesels.”

Breneman says the key to growth is availability, and that will be favorably affected by more auto makers offering more diesel models here soon.

“When given a choice between a diesel- or gas-powered Jetta, 33% of motorists opt for the higher-mileage diesel. But when the supply of diesels is gone, it takes at least six to eight more weeks for the boat to arrive with a fresh supply,” he says, adding he hopes shortage issues will be solved with more players in the game.

The 54.5-mpg mileage standard is just one reason for future growth.

“Emission regulations are now about the same in Europe and the U.S., even California, so it makes it economically feasible for auto makers to develop one product for all those markets,” he says.

“And with the 54.5-mpg regulation coming in 2015, the auto makers have a 14-year window to invest the capital in diesels without U.S. regulations pulling the carpet out from under them.”

Another positive influence is infrastructure, with 80,000 U.S. service stations, or 52%, having a diesel pump.

By comparison, electrics require costly charging stations short distances from one another, and only about 1,000 are in place, Breneman says.

Fortunately, many consumers are too young to recall GM’s failed attempt at offering diesels in the 1980s, he adds.

“They don’t remember the GM experiment, but are old enough to recognize the Volkswagen Jetta and Passat (in diesel version) as great cars.”

Breneman insists diesels deserve a chance that the government has been reluctant to give them.

“We’ve had the flavor of the month from our government for decades,” he says. “Once it was going to be hydrogen fuel cells and a hydrogen highway, but that was proposed 11 years ago and where’s the first hydrogen-fuel-cell car? (ahem.... http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/ )

“There also was going to be ethanol cars and hybrid cars and electric cars. The government has always told us what technology it wanted, but what we are saying is. ‘Tell us you want 50 mpg fuel economy and let us decide the technology.’”

Source;
http://wardsauto.com/ar/diesel_have_day_111020/

2012 VW Beetle

I've gotta say, I really like what they did with the backend....Source with write up; http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/18/2012-volkswagen-beetle-revealed/

2012 VW Beetle Spied

Source w/writeup and more pics;
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/spy-shots-2012-volkswagen-new-new-beetle-caught-undisguised/

VW Toureg Sport Concept

This is one awesome concept, I love the roof scoop....Do you enjoy watching the Dakar Rally? If so, then you probably have day dreamed about driving those awesome off-road racers to the mall or to work. Only problem is, while these racers have minor details like the shape of the headlights and names in common with models you’d find in showrooms, technically, they’re completely different.

Take the Volkswagen Touareg for example. The one that races in the Dakar Rally has little in common with the one you’ll find in the showrooms. That, however, could change if they decide to put the Race Touareg 3 concept into production.

Unveiled at the Qatar Motor Show, this concept marries the madness of the rally machine with some civility from the road going version. Thankfully it is more like the rally car than the normal showroom model.

Not only does it look like the racer that just won the 2011 Dakar rally, but it has the same powertrain also. So you get the same 2.5-liter turbo-diesel engine that produces 296-hp and a whopping 442 lb ft of torque. Power is sent to all wheels via a 5-speed sequential gearbox that has a three-plate ceramic clutch and three limited slip differentials. In other words, this vehicle doesn’t even know the meaning of getting stuck.

It’s quick too, 0-60 mph takes just 6.1 seconds and tops out at 117 mph (due to those large dune bashing tires, otherwise it would have been even faster).

While the cockpit of the race versions have no interior trimming whatsoever, the Race Touareg 3 concept has a fully finished, well appointed interior.

And now the bad news, this awesome concept is just a concept. There are no production plans yet, but if everyone bugs VW enough, they could put it into limited production. Hey, these things have happened before. So if you would like to park one of these on your driveway, tell those Germans at VW to make one for you and your friends.

Watch out Ford Raptor.

Source;
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/01/volkswagen-race-touareg-3-concept-brings-dakar-to-the-street.html

Road & Track: Next Gen VW Beetle Spied!

Hmmm, not sure what to think of the 'normal' windshield rake....
Spy photographers have captured images of the next generation New Beetle coupe undergoing road testing in Germany. A lower roofline and re-profiled tail offer hints that Volkswagen is planning to boost the retro appeal of the next Beetle, while also providing a welcome increase in usability and rear passenger comfort.

The New Beetle has always been about nostalgia. Unfortunately, our complaints about the current model sound like we could be writing about the original Beetle, which lasted in the U.S. market until 1980. A cramped rear seat, dated chassis, limited cargo room, and recent sub-par safety ratings have seen the competition go flashing past VW’s retro machine during its 13 year production run.

That’s right, the New Beetle has been on sale (and virtually unchanged) since 1998. If you love the rounded looks and have loads of happy Beetle memories, this comes as great news. But if you’re looking for an economy car that is fun to drive and has a premium feel to it, there are many better choices out there. The Mini Cooper , Scion tC and even the latest version of the VW Golf all make the New Beetle feel its age.

At a glance, these spy images don’t look dramatically different from the current new Beetle. Take a closer look and you’ll spot a longer and lower greenhouse that is less rounded than before. This should offer a much needed increase in rear headroom. The test mule also appears to have a longer tail-end, the rear screen is more vertical than before and there is a noticeable increase in rear overhang.

The new tail treatment should be far more practical, especially when it comes to cargo room. The 2010 New Beetle offers a miserly 12 cubic-feet of luggage space. A 2010 VW Golf is only fractionally better (12.4 cu-ft), but its wide-opening hatch and squarer shape of the cargo space is more convenient to use.

Engines will come from the Golf, which means a 170-bhp 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine will be standard with a choice of 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. At present, the New Beetle convertible is an automatic-only offering. We’ll see if that holds true when the newest New Beetle officially arrives early in 2011.

It will also be interesting to see if VW sticks to its recent ‘more for less’ pricing philosophy. The recently updated Jetta and next year’s New Midsize Sedan (most likely badged a Passat) are aggressively priced – in the case of the 2011 Jetta, the base model costs thousands less than the cheapest version of the outgoing model. The current New Beetle is priced at $19,440, a not insignificant sum for a car that puts a premium on form instead of function.

Source;
http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-cars/spy-photos/spy-photos-of-next-generation-volkswagen-new-beetle

Retro Take for 2012 New VW Beetle Design Study

Hmmph....I like it....
There's a lot of speculation going around about whether or not Volkswagen will introduce a second generation of the New Beetle. Either way, independent designers from all four-corners of the world are continuing to offer their take on how a 2012 New Beetle should look like.

This here design study for a New Beetle MkII was penned by our Brazilian friend Eduardo Oliveira, who you may remember from previous concepts like the 2012 Jetta, Hyundai i30 Sedan and Ford Thunderbird CC. Unlike David Cordoso's futuristic-looking proposal (see here) that we showed you back in May, Oliveira's design for the New/New Beetle is far more retro.

Source (with more pic's);
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/06/retro-take-for-2012-new-vw-beetle.html

Next Gen VW Jetta

Hate to say it, I'm not the biggest VW fan, but they do drive nice. Not sure what to think about this, looks something like what a Saturn/Subaru marriage would look like.... ah, who am I to judge....
VOLKSWAGEN has unveiled an all-new version of its Jetta saloon – but this time it’s not based on the bigger-selling Golf hatchback.

We will have first official pictures of the car from 4.00pm, when the embargo is lifted - until then, you'll have to make do with these scoop images.

While there are still a few pieces of body-coloured camouflage on this 2011 Jetta prototype, most of the car is completely production-ready.

And while VW seems to have stuck fake, Toyota-looking badges on this car, it only takes a quick look at the steering wheel centre cap to see the VW logo under a thin piece of tape!

Internally known as NCS – or New Compact Sedan – this updated Jetta will be built on a re-engineered fifth generation Jetta platform. Expect the new car to be longer and wider than the current model.

The Jetta name will likely be carried over, and assembly will continue to take place at Volkswagen's Puebla, Mexico, plant, but the new Jetta will be somewhat longer and a bit wider.

Volkswagen will hope to sell 160,000 units annually as they try to lure potential Corolla and Civic buyers in the U. S. with its lower base price. The car will also make it to European dealers but is – again – not expected to be a hot seller. (?!?!?!?!?)

Source;
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/253048/new_jetta_puts_the_boot_in.html

Volkswagen’s electric Milano Taxi concept

Now, that's just too cool....
This is the taxi of the future, according to Volkswagen. VW, which will launch its first production electric vehicles in 2013 has shown this electric driven taxi at the Hanover Trade Show. Called the Milano Taxi concept, it is a city MPV tailored to the needs of taxi drivers and passengers with innovative details such as a swivel-sliding door that opens in a forward direction and customisable taxi touchscreens.

The green and black paint of the concept cab is a tribute to the fashion capital of Milan, where taxis were once painted like this. VW says that the Milano’s styling bears similarities to the iconic Volkswagen Samba Bus of the 1950s, and this plus its emissions-free drive and practicality could “make it a highly coveted vehicle in cities like New York and Tokyo”.

“One door less is all the more for a taxi,” said Walter de Silva, VW Group’s Head of Design. The safest way to enter and exit a taxi is on the sidewalk side, which explains why the LHD Milano’s single swivel-sliding door opens on the right side. The door also extends well into the roof, so the opening is very tall. The Milano’s dimensions is 1.60 m tall, 3.73 m long and 1.66 m wide. Like the Samba Bus, the outer roof areas are transparent; combined with a panoramic glass roof, passengers get a spacious feel and great views of the cityscape above.

Also, the need for passengers to always have to gaze at the taximeter in front to see the current charges is now a thing of the past (the meter in our Proton Iswara cabs are always conveniently shielded by the gear stick!). An 8-inch touchscreen in the Milano’s rear not only displays charges, but incorporates a credit card reader as well!

This cute cab has a top speed of 120 km/h and is driven by an electric motor with 85 kW (50 kW continuous power) powered by a lithium-ion battery located underfloor. VW says that the battery’s storage capacity of 45 Kilowatt-hours (kWh) and the Milano’s relatively low weight (1,500 kg) allows it to cover distances of up to 300 km. The battery can be recharged to 80% capacity in just over one hour.

Source (check it out with more pic's);
http://paultan.org/2010/04/21/volkswagens-electric-milano-taxi-concept-is-very-cool/

Ward's: Smaller Players at Risk, Too

By Jerry FlintWardsAuto.com,
Feb 9, 2009 9:20 AM

We all know General Motors and Chrysler are at risk of going bankrupt in the U.S. But are they the only auto makers on the edge?

Toyota, Honda (phew) and Nissan may be losing money here, but they certainly will survive. Likewise, BMW Mercedes and Porsche are in no danger. But what about Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Subaru, Saab, Volvo and even Volkswagen?

Frankly, some of these companies may fold their tents in North America. They’ve been struggling for years in the U.S. and this is not likely to change soon.

I don’t dislike any of these auto makers, but look at their circumstances: Mitsubishi has a UAW-represented factory in Illinois capable of building more than 200,000 vehicles annually. This year production fell to 58,000 units from 79,000 last year. Sales in 2008 totaled just 97,000 vehicles, compared with 260,000 a decade ago.

Suzuki is a significant global player, the No.1 car maker in India. It sells cross/utility vehicles and pickups in the U.S, but it is best known here for small cars and motorcycles. Suzuki has an assembly plant in Canada, a joint venture with GM. But the plant turned out fewer than 13,000 Suzuki cars last year, against prior year’s 32,000.

Suzuki sales were 85,000 last year in the U.S. against 102,000 in 2007. Again, I like Suzuki, but its marketing budget can’t compete with the big boys.

Subaru cars generally are very good. The auto maker pioneered all-wheel-drive cars in the U.S., and you could say it invented the CUV with its Outback model. Yet, Subaru built just 92,000 vehicles in 2008 in its Indiana (again UAW) plant, against 109,000 in 2007.

Now Toyota has a piece of Subaru and is producing cars in the plant, too, which pushed total production to 183,000 units, more than the 147,000 produced in 2007. Subaru’s 2008 sales of 188,000 in the U.S. actually were up a notch from 2007, and up in January, too, while almost every other auto maker saw sales fall off a cliff.

Still, Subaru never has been able to become a volume player. If Toyota were not using the production capacity, the Indiana plant would be a huge financial drain.

Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Subaru all suffer from the same problem: They don’t have enough money and marketing muscle to compete with the likes of Toyota, Honda and Nissan.

Then there is Volkswagen. Talk about dreaming big. VW is building a new plant in Tennessee, and its executives are talking about tripling U.S. sales in 10 years to 1 million (including 200,000 Audis). I’ll give VW credit; last year was not a bad year, with sales down only 4% in 2008, while the market as a whole dropped a horrific 18%. And everybody seems to like the new Jetta diesel.
But VW has lost billions in the U.S. in recent years and may have lost money last year, too. Tripling sales to a million? In the dismal economic environment of the next few years, this sounds like a fantasy.

Here’s the problem. Most car buyers think of Volkswagen as a low-priced car. But VW can’t keep prices low when it imports cars and components from Europe, not with the strong euro. And it has trouble selling higher-priced models with the VW logo on the hood.

A new Tennessee plant will give VW great growth potential, but the dealership network is weak after decades of poor sales, and executives in Germany don’t seem to understand the U.S. market.

Meanwhile, GM’s Saab and Ford’s Volvo continue to struggle. Both build fine cars but are terribly squeezed for marketing money.

The point is there are other auto makers in bad shape in the U.S. besides Detroit nameplates. If all the companies mentioned here quit the U.S., we’re talking 800,000 cars and trucks. Imagine how the U.S. market would change if that volume were split up among the survivors,

Source;
http://wardsauto.com/commentary/smaller_players_risk_090209/