04 April 2007 - AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Volkswagen’s first-ever SUV has been restyled for the 2008 model year, returning as the Touareg 2. The updated version will enter showrooms with refreshed exterior styling, an impressive list of safety features and vehicle capabilities, and three powerful engine options. After its U.S. debut at the New York International Auto Show, the Touareg 2 arrives at dealerships later this spring, with pricing starting at $39,320.
Volkswagen 2008 Touareg 2 - Photo: Volkswagen
Taking design cues from others in the Volkswagen model lineup, the Touareg 2’s updated exterior styling now echoes the brand’s signature design with its new Volkswagen “face”— specifically its chrome front grille. The Touareg 2 also has a redesigned aerodynamic and sporty rear spoiler with integrated third brake light. Other distinctive exterior features include 17-inch alloy wheels, standard on the VR6 FSI, and 19-inch alloy wheels, standard on the V8 FSI and V10 TDI Twin Turbo models; redesigned headlamps and darkened taillights; redesigned luxury seating system, with standard 12-way power driver’s seat; and four all-new exterior color options – Alaska Gray, Cranberry, Galapagos and White Gold.
Triple White New Beetle - Photo: Volkswagen
13 March 2007 - AUBURN HILLS, Mich. –Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that the limited edition Triple White New Beetle convertible is now available at dealers. Only 3,000 customers will have the opportunity to own this truly special edition.
The Triple White New Beetle convertible features a unique Campanella white exterior, a white interior, and white convertible roof boot. The Triple White New Beetle convertible takes its color palette from the original Super Beetle convertible of the late 70s. This modern day rendition includes 17-inch ‘Oktopus’ alloy wheels, a three-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel, white leatherette seats and center armrest. Also included are black carpeting, floor mats and door panels along with Sirius Satellite Radio. Another distinctive feature of the Triple White New Beetle convertible is the special front seat headrests ingrained with the New Beetle convertible icon.
The Vision of Ultimate Driving Pleasure:
The BMW M3 Concept Car.
BMW M3 Concept - Photo: BMW
Its very name is a symbol for unique performance on the racetrack and in everyday traffic. For two decades, BMW M3 has embodied the athletic heart of the brand in its most fundamental and succinct form. Its dominating role in motor sports and the ultimate driving experience it affords the driver on the road are inseparably intertwined. The qualities on which this synthesis is founded have given the BMW M3 the exceptional status it enjoys the world over.
05 March 2007 - AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Volkswagen of America, Inc. and Stanford University will participate in this year’s DARPA Urban Challenge on November 3, 2007 with a completely autonomous 2006 diesel-powered Passat wagon. The robotic Passat will compete on a 60-mile mock urban course that involves merging with traffic, crossing traffic circles and negotiating busy intersections while following traffic laws.
Stanford Racing Team's entry in the 2007
DARPA Urban Challenge - Photo: Volkswagen
The Passat wagon – named ‘Junior’ in homage to Leland Stanford Jr., founder of Stanford University – is equipped with electromechanical power steering and electric throttle, gear shifter and parking brake. Volkswagen of America’s Electronics Research Laboratory modified these electric systems as well as the brakes to be completely computer-controllable. Custom mountings for the wide array of sophisticated sensors were also designed and built at the ERL. Intel Core 2 Duo processors, including multiple processing units per chip, make up the car’s “brains”; together with the software developed at the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab—the car will be truly autonomous.
3.9 l/km fuel economy and 102 g/km CO2 as a sign of the times
Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion - Photo: Volkswagen
Wolfsburg / Geneva, 05 March 2007 - Volkswagen is mobilizing one of the most environmentally-friendly cars in the world to be used as shuttles for the Geneva Motor Show starting tomorrow: the Polo BlueMotion. The successful best-seller – production volume has tripled since being introduced in mid-2006 – gets by on only 3.9 liters of diesel over 100 kilometers. Its CO2 emissions are only 102 g/km. That’s nearly a magical number in the context of current discussions on global warming. For this reason, exactly 102 Polo BlueMotions will be available during the press days to be used as shuttles for journalists and business visitors. And that has symbolic value.
