1983 Volkswagon Vanagan Air Cooled, 4 Spd on 2040-cars

Auto blog

VW rolls out new California camper van

Volkswagen introduced the sixth-generation Transporter van a few months ago, ushering in a new era for the once-iconic VW bus. But the Transporter isn't the only version Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles bases on its core van chassis. It also offers the Caravelle, the Multivan, and this, the new the California camper. Based on the T6, the latest California is now being rolled out for what you might call "outdoor recreation enthusiasts." Depending on which configuration you choose, it can fit up to seven people on the road and sleep up to five. VW has thrown everything into this van, literally including the kitchen sink. It's also got beds, a pop-top, and a dual-burner gas range. The new VW California can be had in three trim levels (dubbed Beach, Coast, and Ocean) and with a range of gasoline and diesel powertrain options. That is, where it can be had, because despite the name, the California (like the rest of VW's commercial vehicles) isn't actually offered in California or any of the other 49 states in the Union. Off on holiday – advance sales of the new California have begun - In three equipment lines: Beach, Coast and Ocean - Entry-level prices from just ˆ41,429.85 - New TDI and TSI engines – lower fuel consumption and stop/start function as standard - Modern infotainment, assistance systems and DCC suspension Hannover, 10 June 2015 – Advance sales of the new California have started at dealerships in Germany. Prices start at ˆ41,429.85 (Beach with 62 kW TDI). The California is now available in three equipment lines: Beach, Coast and Ocean. The California Beach is the entry-level model. It is the perfect combination of a 7-seat passenger car and a motorhome with up to five berths. Equipped as standard with a manual pop-up roof and two different layouts (double reclining bench seat with storage compartment or folding triple bench seat with multiflex board), it provides the ideal base for everyday life and travelling. Naturally, the integrated roller blinds enable the creation of privacy and shade, just as the ability to turn the front seats around enables driver and passengers to sit together in a cosy seating group. In combination with the removable camping table within the sliding door and the folding chairs in the tailgate, you are always equipped for outings of all kinds. New to the range is the California Coast.

Volkswagen names new chief designer for Bentley

The Volkswagen Group has named one of its own to head up the design department at its Bentley division. The role now falls to Stefan Sielaff, who has been with the group (off and on) since 1990. Sielaff is principally an interior designer, but has been tasked with setting up numerous overall design offices for Volkswagen and Audi over the years. In his new capacity he'll be reporting to the group's chief engineer Rolf Frech (and oddly not to Bentley chief Wolfgang Durheimer), but at the same time, Sielaff will retain his role as head of interior design for the entire VW group, reporting to its chief designer Walter de Silva. Sielaff replaces Luc Donckerwolke, who has headed up Bentley design since 2012 and is leaving the company. We'll be on the lookout to see where Donckerwolke lands next. Crewe/Wolfsburg, 04 June 2015 Stefan Sielaff to head design at the Bentley brand • Sielaff also responsible for Group Interior Design Strategy Stefan Sielaff (53), currently Head of the Volkswagen Design Center in Potsdam, will assume responsibility for design at the Bentley brand effective July 1, 2015 in addition to his present post as Head of Group Interior Design Strategy. As Director of Design at Bentley, Sielaff succeeds Luc Donckerwolke (49), who held this function since 2012. Stefan Sielaff joined the Volkswagen Group in 1990, beginning his career in the interior design department at Audi. From 1995 the design graduate was entrusted with setting up the Group's Design Center Europe in Spain. In 1997 he was placed in charge of the Design Studio in Munich and was appointed Head of Audi Interior Design in the same year. In 2003 Sielaff moved to DaimlerChrysler as Design Director of the Interior Competence Center, returning to the Volkswagen Group in 2006 to become Head of Audi Design before being appointed Head of the Volkswagen Design Center in Potsdam und Head of Group Interior Design Strategy in 2012. In his new function as Director of Design at Bentley, Sielaff reports to Rolf Frech, Board Member for Engineering. In his function as Head of Group Interior Design Strategy he continues to report to Walter de Silva, Head of Group Design. Luc Donckerwolke has decided to leave the company. De Silva said: "Luc Donckerwolke has played a key role in the design of various Group brands. We would like to thank him for his work." Related Video: News Source: Volkswagen Design/Style Hirings/Firings/Layoffs Bentley Volkswagen

Europeans get first crack at new Golf Variant wagon

Just last week, when we brought you news of a new Volkswagen Golf variant out and testing in Europe, we had no idea we were being so literal with out description. For it seems that VW has every intention of calling its new Golf wagon, making its Geneva debut, the "Golf Variant."
Odd/interesting sobriquets taken as read then, there's a lot to like about this new small wagon from VW. The Variant will shed some 232 pounds in this generation, and will come to market with two efficient TDI engines. Volkswagen isn't giving us displacement figures for either yet, but we're told the diesels will come with outputs of 110 and 150 horsepower. The 110-hp TDI BlueMotion Varient will be good for a whopping 71.3 miles per gallon on the European cycle, when mated to the six-speed manual transmission.
The German automaker has brought along an all-wheel-drive 4Motion version of the Gold Variant to bow in Geneva, as well, and a natural gas-burning TGI BlueMotion is said to be "in the pipeline."