VW releases another official video starring the new Volkswagen CC, unveiled last November at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. The new sedan from the German carmaker will be available with an engine range composed of 6 direct injection units: petrol options are a 160 hp 1.8-litre TSI, a 210 hp 2.0-litre TSI and a 3.6-litre V6 FSI producing 300 hp, while the diesel line-up includes a 140 hp 2.0-litre TDI, a 170 hp 2.0 TDI and a 2.0 BlueTDI delivering 140 hp. All these engines will be offered with a dual clutch DSG transmission option, which will be part of the standard equipment for the V6 only, whereas the all-wheel drive 4Motion will be immediately available for the V6 and, at a later time, for the diesel units as well.

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VW releases three official videos starring the new Volkswagen CC, the new sedan from the German manufacturer that has been introduced to the world at the last Los Angeles Auto Show, back in November.

The CC will make its commercial debut worldwide in a just a few weeks with an engine line up made of 6 engines, all of which with direct injection: on the petrol side we have a 160 hp 1.8-litre TSI, a 210 hp 2.0-litre TSI and a 3.6-litre V6 FSI producing 300 hp, whereas the diesel options are a 140 hp 2.0-litre TDI, a 170 hp 2.0 TDI and a 140 hp 2.0 BlueTDI unit. The V6 comes with a dual clutch DSG transmission, which will be made available for the other engines as well as an optional extra. The 4Motion all-wheel drive will be immediately available for the V6 and, at a later time, for the diesel units as well.

Other highlights of the model include: the Side Assist Plus system (which warns drivers if there’s a vehicle in the blind spot), the Lane Assist system (which alerts drivers when crossing the center line), the Dynamic Light Assist (that adjusts the headlights according to other vehicles on the road), bi-xenon headlights, adaptive fog lights, LED tail lights and even a camera that recognizes the road signs. To watch the other two videos, click on the ‘Continue reading’ link below.

Continue reading: Volkswagen CC: official videos released

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In view of its upcoming debut on the European market, Volkswagen releases an official photo gallery of the new Volkswagen CC, premiered last November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The new model will become available in Germany at the beginning of February and will then enter the other European markets toward the end of the same month. After that, in the spring, the new saloon-coupe from the German manufacturer will also hit the VW showrooms in North America, Russia and Asia.

The new model boasts a number a new features that sets it apart from the Passat model it basically derives from: bi-xenon headlights, adaptive fog lights, LED tail lights, aluminum inserts, multi-function steering wheel, a camera recognizing the road signs and the Dynamic Light Assist, a system that adjusts the headlights according to other vehicles on the road. The Volkswagen CC also makes use of the Side Assist Plus system, which warns the driver if there’s a vehicle in the blind spot, and the Lane Assist system, which alerts the driver when crossing the center line.

The engine range of the CC includes six engines, three diesels and three petrols, all of which with direct injection, start-stop system and KERS. The three petrol options are a 160 hp 1.8-litre TSI, a 210 hp 2.0-litre TSI and a 3.6-litre V6 FSI delivering 300 hp, while the diesel line-up is made of a 140 hp 2.0-litre TDI, a 170 hp 2.0 TDI and a 2.0 BlueTDI producing 140 hp and homologated for the Euro 6 standards. All variants will be offered a dual clutch DSG transmission option, which will be part of the standard equipment for the V6 only, whereas the all-wheel drive 4Motion will be immdiately available for the V6 and, at a later time, for the diesel units as well.

View the full Volkswagen CC photo gallery

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Volkswagen will introduce its new Passat Alltrack at the Tokyo Motor Show and at the Bologna Motor Show simultaneously. The model is a crossover off-road version of Passat Variant - inspired by the “allroad” approach often used by Audi - and will come with an engine range composed of a 1.8 TFSI (160 hp) and a 2.o TSI (210 hp) petrol engines as well as a 2.0 TDI diesel unit (in power steps of 140 and 170 hp), all of which coupled with a 6-speed dual clutch DSG transmission. Almost all versions will be all-wheel-drive as there will be also a front-wheel-drive option with manual gearbox for the TDI 140 hp unit.

The standard Passat bodywork underwent just slight changes to fit the Alltrack powertrain, and now it features more protective bumpers, plastic covers for the fenders and a ride height increased by 30 mm. The car uses VW’s ‘Off-Road Driving Programme’, which works up to 30 km/h (18.6 mph) and electronically tunes equipment including the electronic differential, ABS, torque control, hill descent and - in DSG-equipped cars only - gearbox shift points to provide a more effective off-road drive. The model also uses 18″ rims, alcantara and leather upholstery, climate and cruise control, multi-function steering wheel, Bluetooth and sat nav.

Volkswagen Passat Alltrack will enter the market in 2012. Prices are yet to be confirmed, but since the car will be positioned at the top of the Passat range, between the Passat Estate and the Tiguan crossover, we would expect it to cost at least 30,000 €.

View the full Volkswagen Passat Alltrack photo gallery

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Volkswagen Passat CC is the last car of the current range to make the switch to the new design scheme adopted by all VW models, featuring the new signature front end. This and other subtle changes have been introduced during the mid-life restyling of the model, which will be presented to the public at the imminent Los Angeles Auto Show (November 18-27) and will then become available at VW’s showrooms in early 2012. The new model is easily recognizable thanks to its new front bumper, new grille and stretched-out fog-lights.

Tail lamps as well have been revised with the addition of LED lights, while the rear bumper is also different as both exhausts ends are placed on the left side (as opposed to the one-for-each-side solution of the current model). The standard equipment of the revamped Passat CC now includes bi-xenon headlights, static cornering lights, LED running lamps, fatigue detection device and RCD 310 audio system. The optional extras list instead features Side Assist Plus system with integrated Lane Assist (warns of vehicles in blind spots and assists the driver in avoiding accidents by steering intervention) and Dynamic Light Assist (automatic main beam control).

The engine range for the restyled Passat is made of the 1.8 TSI (160 hp), 2.0 TSI (210 hp) and V6 3.6 FSI (300 hp) petrol engines and the 2.0 TDI diesel unit, which will be come in two different configurations (140 and 170 hp). The cars equipped with the latter will have the start/stop system and also a battery for the recovery of braking energy. The passenger compartment will basically remain the same.

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The first image of the new Volkswagen Passat cross version has leaked to the internet, as the Passat takes on the soft roader package already available on the Polo and Gold Plus. The CrossPassat is based on the Passat station wagon and has plastic inserts around the base, a higher wheelbase and new front bumper protection. New alloy wheels also appear.

The Volkswagen CrossPassat will come with 4Motion all-wheel drive and range-topping petrol and diesel engines. According to previous rumours, we could see an increase in price on the standard Passat of about 1,500 euros. The CrossPassat will be presented at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Source | Autoblog.nl

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This unusual comparison between the Volkswagen Passat US version and European version talks of how much more a US-built Passat would cost than a European Passat, on the old continent, if it was to be shipped. It caught us unawares - had there been discussions of shipping US Passats to Europe…?

In any case, a cost breakdown has been completed which goes beyond just the shipping and importation costs of taking the Passat from one continent to another and includes stuff like the 2,000 euros that apparently changing the lights and indicators incurs. Basically, what Volkswagen seems to be saying is not to bother trying to buy a cheaper US Passat in Europe because by the time it gets here, it will cost more anyway. Who would have thought that the privilege of buying cheaper would make you pay more?

Source | AutoNews

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The new Volkswagen Beetle will be the star of the European advertising effort at the US Super Bowl event. We were hoping for an early release for the 2012 Beetle either over the weekend or at least some time in March, but it looks like Volkswagen will drag this one out to maximise interest (autumn is promised as the arrival date of the new Beetle). We got another teaser video instead, but we still like it.

We’ve previously spoken of the advertising phenomenon that is the Super Bowl, and for Europeans it’s a curious thing to look on at the new ads produced every year in this particular battle ground. We’ve nominated the 2012 Beetle advertising as the star because they’ve managed to produce a cute but cool car commercial that is likely to give the new Beetle that extra sports flavour it needs.

After the jump, you can also see the Super Bowl ad for the Volkswagen Passat. It takes on a cultural icon like Star Wars and makes what isn’t a bad video. We like it just for the father’s expression at the end. It’s clearly not in the same league as the Beetle commercial, but we can see that Volkswagen could be gaining ground on the US car market, and a Super Bowl advertising presence is more than essential.

Continue reading: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle star of Super Bowl: Europe in America

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We mentioned yesterday that the new US Volkswagen Passat is part of the company’s plans to gain ground in the US market via what seems to be a “sensible sedan” strategy, particularly after the smaller Jetta was released last year. The original name, the Volkswagen NMS (new midsize sedan) indicated those very plans. In light of that, this video of the US Passat strikes us as quite bizarre - flames and dramatic music seem to be in stark contrast to what is a modest design, at best. We would have thought that even the most banal family feeling video would have been better suited. The new Passat is certainly not going to conquer the US market via interesting or revolutionary design, but should provide solid German design and local build quality. But will it sell?

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The new US-built Volkswagen Passat for that market is part of the company’s ambitious attempt to sell 800,000 vehicles in the US by 2018. If you thought Volkswagen was going to produce something exciting to be revealed at the 2011 Detroit auto show, you might be disappointed to find that it seems to be going down the sensible sedan route (aside from the much-anticipated New Beetle, perhaps). This Passat was expected to be a bigger model, and it is, but has borrowed a Jetta design which seems to indicate that Volkswagen thinks its success lies there.

Not only bigger, it should also prove to be a slightly more upmarket version of the Jetta, with a new interior. What’s more, Volkswagen plans to drop the price of its Passat in the US to about 20,000 USD when it goes on sale later this year. It’s a good move but it might not be enough considering some of the stiff competition in that price bracket.

The engine range includes an entry-level, 2.5 litre petrol powertrain with 170 hp. The diesel on offer is the classic 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 140 hp, while the top-of-the-range model is a 3.5-litre V6 with 280 hp. We get the impression that Volkswagen will be counting on its German-design, US-built credentials to reel in some of the competition but whether the new US Passat is individual enough remains to be seen.

Live Detroit 2011: US Volkswagen Passat

Continue reading: Volkswagen NMS becomes new US Passat at Detroit: live pics

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The new Volkswagen Passat in sedan and wagon form has been slightly modified to give it a refresh in its long career and it will be available on the European market from November 2010. Both will be considered steady and practical, possibly slightly anonymous but then their purpose is not to be cool. The Passat Variant is obviously the bigger model and flaunts an impressive scope in boot space with 603 litres standard or 1,731 litres with the rear seats down. The Passat sedan at 4.69 metres long has no cramped boot space either, measuring 565 litres.

Four petrol engines will be available at launch dates: the 1.4 TSI with 122 hp, 1.4 TSI EcoFuel option with 150 hp, the 1.4 TSI with power-step to 160 hp and the 2.0 TSI with 211 hp. The diesel range includes three models: the 1.6 TDI with 105 hp and the 2.0 TDI with 140 or 170 hp. The Passat will be available in Trendline, Comfortline and Highline versions and include a long optionals list with features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Park Assist and Side Assist.

Continue reading: Volkswagen Passat new pics

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In these videos of the new Volkswagen Passat we get to see what’s changed on the seventh generation model - not much - and what has stayed the same, which is the same solid, steady Passat that we know. The videos give us a tour of the exterior of both the sedan and Passat wagon models which for us confirms that it’s not exactly an exciting model from a design point of view. But then it’s not meant to be because this is family friendly VW at its best. The second video also gives us a look at the interior which follows the same practical style as the rest of the vehicle.

Continue reading: New Volkswagen Passat videos

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