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VW confirms development of 10-speed dual clutch, 134-hp/liter diesel

Each year, the Vienna International Motor Symposium showcases some of the up-and-coming technologies automakers are engineering for the use in passenger cars, and Volkswagen AG CEO Martin Winterkorn revealed some big developments VW is working on for its future products. Winterkorn discussed a multi-faceted approach that VW is looking to reduce its fleet fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.
Some of the bigger news he discussed included a "high-performance" diesel engine that will produce 134 horsepower per liter and a 10-speed DSG automatic transmission. While no specific applications were mentioned, we can only hope this is for the Audi R4 we keep hearing about.
Another topic he touched on that caused us to perk up our ears was had to do with VW's plug-in hybrid technology. While we know the PHEV versions of the Audi A3 and Porsche Panamera are on the way, Winterkorn also said that these two models will be followed up by Golf, Passat, Audi A6 and Porsche Cayenne plug-in models. Scroll down for a press release highlighting the automaker's future fuel-saving initiatives.

VW brands excluded from Wards 10 Best Engines for 2016

You definitely won't be seeing a powerplant from Volkswagen or Audi on the 2016 Ward's 10 Best Engines list. In a serious rebuke against them, WardsAuto is excluding all VW/Audi powertrains for at least this year after the German automakers' ongoing emissions regulations evasions. There's no guarantee of the companies returning for 2017, either. In a story on its website, WardsAuto executive editor Tom Murphy writes that the ban lasts "until we are convinced the culture of deceit has been purged, fines have been paid and regulators are satisfied." That could be a while, the way things are looking. The exclusion knocks three powertrains out of the running for this year's list. As a winner last year, WardsAuto would usually test VW's 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder again for 2016. Plus, it planned to check out the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from the Audi A6 and the plug-in hybrid from the A3 Sportback E-Tron. In the story, Murphy finds VW's actions particularly despicable because of what they could be doing to the popularity of diesel passenger cars in this country. "BMW, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors, and Fiat Chrysler also sell light-duty diesel engines in the US, but their sales outlook suddenly has grown murky, thanks to VW's shenanigans," he writes. So far, Jaguar Land Rover is remaining confident of US consumers continuing to buy diesel models, though. We'll be able to see the real effects of VW and Audi's ban in a few months because the 2016 Ward's 10 Best Engines will be published December 10. With two major automakers out of the running, their rivals will likely greet this as a better chance to make the grade.

Audi pours $28 million into Silvercar rental company

Want an Audi waiting for you when you land at the airport? Silvercar is the place to turn. The rental car company exclusively stocks fully loaded silver examples of Ingolstadt's finest at airports across the country, available to book via smartphone app with no lines or paperwork. And now the automaker whose vehicles make up its fleet is investing big in the company. Audi's $28-million Series C investment is earmarked to help Silvercar expand into new markets. The company only started in 2012 and already runs locations at airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Orlando, Phoenix, Dallas, Austin, and Denver. In the last six months alone, it opened new locations in Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, and New York as well. Aside from promoting the rental operation, Audi and Silvercar will collaborate on developing the Audi Shared Fleet program to allow companies to loan vehicles out to their employees. Audi of America chief Scott Keogh will join the Silvercar board, along with Ken DeAngelis from Austin Ventures, which contributed Series B funding alongside Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin. Audi to lead $28 million Series C equity issue by car rental innovator Silvercar January 04, 2016 | HERNDON, Virginia - Largest equity issuance yet by Silvercar - Funding will help Silvercar and Audi launch the new Audi shared fleet, a turnkey transportation solution on corporate campuses - Investment extends the Audi connection with Silvercar, which bases its fleet exclusively on silver Audi vehicles Audi is leading a new $28 million Series C equity issuance by Silvercar, the next-generation car rental company. The capital raise is the largest yet for Silvercar, which was founded in 2012 with a fleet consisting of silver Audi models. The Series C announcement comes as Silvercar unveils its enhanced digital and mobile platforms designed for an optimized user experience and expands into Las Vegas, its 12th market, all of them in the U.S. Silvercar also received funding from Series B investors, including Austin Ventures and Eduardo Saverin, co-founder of Facebook. The funding will enable Silvercar to accelerate its award winning airport car rental business and expand to new markets nationwide. Additionally, as part of the next phase of the Silvercar partnership with Audi, the companies will work in tandem to develop Audi Shared Fleet, a turnkey solution for businesses looking to provide accessible transportation to their employees on corporate campuses.