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2016 VW Passat starts at $23,260

With the recent reveal of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat, VW has shown a refusal to let the company's diesel-emissions scandal keep it from launching updated models in the US. When the sheet came off, the company told us that the refreshed sedan would start at $23,260, after the $820 destination charge on all versions. Now, we're getting the pricing details for the entire revised lineup. On all but the very top model, buyers get a 1.8 TSI turbo four-cylinder with 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque and six-speed automatic transmission. The base Passat S offers that combo for the same price as last year, but VW claims $1,315 in extra equipment is now included, like a five-inch MIB II infotainment system and automatic post-collision braking system. An optional LED lighting package runs $1,245 on the S, but prices differ on other levels. Pricing has not been released for the 2016 Passat TDI. That model needs a fix for its emissions cheating software before it can be certified by the EPA, and go on sale. Jumping to the Passat R-Line for $24,975 gets buyers black accents on the front bumper, 19-inch wheels and a tweaked rear diffuser. Another $775 adds the R-Line comfort package with a power driver's seat, heated front chairs, leatherette upholstery, and heat for the exterior mirrors and washer nozzles. Paying $27,100 for the Passat SE includes amenities like 17-inch wheels, a sunroof, 6.3-inch MIB II system, and adaptive cruise control. In addition, there's the SE with Technology for $29,230 with a blind-spot monitoring, push-button start, rear-traffic alert, navigation, rain-sensing wipers, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The next step up is the SEL for $31,315 with a plethora of extra luxuries. It gets 18-inch wheels, an upgraded Fender stereo, Vienna leather seats, power front chairs, and a rear pass-through. Sitting at the top of the range is the SEL Premium for $35,090. This trim has even more tech, including lane departure warning with active steering, active blind-spot monitor, front and rear park-distance control, and parking steering assistant. The LED lights are standard, as well. Plus, for $37,655 buyers can get the V6 SEL Premium with a 3.6-liter VR6. It makes 280 hp and 258 lb-ft and is linked to a six-speed DSG. Getting the bigger engine also adds dual trapezoidal chrome exhaust tips and Hill Hold Control.

Volkswagen, Bosch reach diesel settlement worth $1.6 billion

Volkswagen Group of America and automotive parts maker Bosch reached a settlement in which the two companies will pay a combined $1.6 billion because of their roles in the automaker's diesel-emissions scandal. VW, Europe's largest automaker, will pay about $1.2 billion to either repair or buy back vehicles. Bosch said separately that it will pay more than $300 million to owners of diesel-powered Volkswagens, Audis, and Porsches. The settlement stems from emissions issues related to about 78,000 VW-made cars and SUVs with 3.0-liter V6 diesel engines that were sold in North America. VW will recall and repair about 58,000 vehicles made for the 2013-through-2016 model years. The company will also buy back, offer a trade-in credit, or terminate the leases for about 20,000 cars for the model years 2009 through 2012. The older impacted models are the Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7, while the newer ones are the Touareg and Q7 as well as Audi's A6, A7, A8, A8L, and Q5 models, and finally the Porsche Cayenne Diesel. Previous reports estimated the payout at closer to $1 billion. The US settlement follows one reached last year between VW and US regulators in regards to VW's 2.0-liter diesel engines. That settlement was estimated to cost VW about $15 billion and impacted owners of about 500,000 vehicles. VW has had a stop-sale on its diesel vehicles in the US since late 2015 after it was discovered that VW installed software in its diesels that allowed those vehicles to cheat emissions-testing systems. VW on Wednesday also reiterated that it would contribute $225 million towards environmental-remediation efforts in the US. Volkswagen of America CEO Hinrich J. Woebcken, in Wednesday's statement, said that "we will continue to work to earn back the trust of all our stakeholders and thank our customers and dealers for their continued patience as this process moves forward." Related Video: News Source: Volkswagen via Automotive News-sub.req.Image Credit: Shannon Stapleton / Reuters Government/Legal Green Audi Porsche Volkswagen AutoblogGreen Exclusive Emissions Diesel Vehicles vw diesel scandal scandal settlement

Next VW GTI to get 10-speed dual-clutch gearbox

Following on Volkswagen's official announcement that it was working on a ten-speed, dual-clutch transmission, Auto Express has it on "good authority" that the new transmission will end up in the next GTI, GTD and Golf R. The brand's current seven-speed will be retained for lesser eight-generation Golfs. While the new gearbox won't be limited to just the higher-end Golf range, the new hatchback, expected in 2017, will be the first to get it, Auto Express reports. The new DSG is the same size as the Volkswagen Group's seven-speed dual-clutch, and will easily fit into VAG's MQB platform, so we should expect it to filter into the rest of the Group's vehicles, much like the seven-speed 'box has. The ten-speed is likely to see applications beyond even the small cars of the MQB platform. The gearbox can handle 405 pound-feet of torque, according to AE, making its application in larger offerings such as the gas-powered MLB cars and crossovers a likelihood. Beyond the new gearbox, Volkswagen is also toying with mild-hybrid tech for the standard Golf and better batteries for the e-Golf. As we said, expect the new Golf to arrive in European markets in 2017, with the current Euro-market Golf getting updated next year. As for the US, we wouldn't be surprised if VW followed the trail blazed by the Mark 7, with a North American arrival for the eight-gem Golf slated for a year or so after sales in Europe begin.