2000 Beetle Manual on 2040-cars

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Volkswagen Caddy hauls its cute self into Geneva

Here in the States, we have a small but growing segment of little people-and-stuff-carriers, including new things like the Ford Transit Connect, Nissan NV200, Ram ProMaster City, and so on. But in the Old Country, these little guys are everywhere, and hardly a new concept. One of Europe's best in this segment – the Volkswagen Caddy – has been given a thorough refresh, combining all of the great-to-drive characteristics of a Golf with the functionality of a Touran van. Buyers can choose between four different versions of the 2.0-liter diesel inline-four, or three gasoline engines in 1.0-, 1.2-, and 1.4-liter displacements. There's even a natural gas version. And with its Golf roots, your author is, shall we say, really, really interested in a GTI version of this little cutie. The Caddy you're seeing here is, obviously, a passenger van configuration with windows abound. Buyers can also opt for a panel van variant, for more secretive load-hauling. Have a look at the updated Caddy in the images above, and read all about it in the release below. The new Caddy – always the best choice – world premiere for the fourth generation of the best-seller - Entry-level price reduced due to new versions - Emissions and fuel consumption reduced by new EU6 engines - Safety increased by new driver assistance systems - Design refined with clear edge Hannover/ Poznan, 04 February 2015: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is showing the fourth generation of the hugely popular Caddy for the first time. Around 1.5 million of the award-winning previous generation were sold worldwide during its eleven years in production. A success that the new Caddy is intended to continue because the urban delivery van and its privately used brother have been enhanced and refined in every area. In Germany, prices for the new Caddy start at ˆ 14,785.00 (net, panel van) and ˆ 15,330.00 net (ˆ 18,242.70 gross, as Conceptline, replacing the previously familiar Startline), each with the 62 kW TSI entry-level engine and thus, when adjusted for feature content, are even below the level of the predecessor model. The drive systems use state-of-the-art technology, with the Caddy's new engines providing maximum efficiency and compliance with the EU6 emissions standard. The basis for the four TDI diesel versions is always a two-litre four cylinder engine. Their performance ranges from 55 kW / 75 h.p. to the top engine with 110 kW / 150 h.p..

Former Porsche boss Wiedeking won't face criminal charges over VW bid

Hedge fund managers have been suing Porsche for years now, alleging that the car company lied about its intentions during its failed attempt to take over Volkswagen, a gambit that caused them billion in losses. Over the same period, authorities in Stuttgart built a criminal case against former CEO Wendelin Wiedeking (above, left) and Chief Financial Officer Holger Härter (right), filing charges in December 2012. When those fund plaintiffs lost their most recent court case, one of the dimming lights in the dark and receding tunnel was that the criminal investigation might unearth more evidence about Porsche's actions that could help the plaintiffs in pending litigation.
Bloomberg reports that another light has gone out, though, with a Stuttgart court dismissing the market manipulation case before going to trial because, as a court spokesperson said, "there wasn't enough evidence backing up the charges." When prosecutors get the files back from the court, they have a week to decide to refile, but unless they've been sandbagging evidence that could bolster the case, the only lights at the end of the tunnel will be those welcoming Wiedeking and Härter back to the world of legally unencumbered men.

Only VW, Volvo are doing enough to electrify in Europe, study says

Among major carmakers, Volkswagen and Volvo are doing enough to electrify their vehicle lineups in Europe, and the EU needs to set tougher CO2 emission limits if it wants to meet Green Deal targets, according to a climate group's study. Sales of battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids almost tripled last year, boosted by tighter emission standards and government subsidies. This summer, the European Union is expected to announce more ambitious CO2 targets; by 2030, the average CO2 emissions of new cars should be 50% below 2021 levels, versus the existing target of 37.5%. Volkswagen aims to have 55% group-wide BEV sales in Europe by 2030, while Swedish carmaker Volvo, owned by China's Geely says its lineup will be fully electric by then. VW ID4 front three quarter dark View 19 Photos Based on IHS Markit car production forecasts, according to the study from European campaign group Transport and Environment (T&E), Volkswagen and Volvo have "aggressive and credible strategies" to shift from fossil-fuel cars to electric vehicles. Others like Ford Motor Co have set ambitious targets, "but lack a robust plan to get there," T&E said. Ford plans an all-electric lineup in Europe by 2030. T&E said BMW, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Daimler AG and Toyota rank the worst as they have low BEV sales, have "no ambitious phase-out targets, no clear industrial strategy, and an over-reliance in the case of BMW, Daimler and Toyota on hybrids." JLR, owned by India's Tata Motors, says its luxury Jaguar brand will be all-electric by 2025, but has been less specific about electrification of its higher-volume Land Rover brand. BMW and Daimler have been reluctant to set hard deadlines for phasing out fossil-fuel cars. T&E said even if carmakers meet their targets, in 2030 BEV sales could be 10 percentage points below those needed to meet the EU's Green Deal — which targets net zero emissions by 2050. Rather than a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030, based on carmakers' existing production plans, the EU could set more ambitious targets, T&E said - an up to 35% reduction in CO2 emissions from new cars by 2025, around 50% by 2027 and up to 70% in 2030. "Targets need to be gradually tightened so that carmakers not only commit to phasing out fossil fuels, but develop a strategy that gets them there on time," Julia Poliscanova, T&E senior director for vehicles and e-mobility, said in a statement.