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VW recalls 1.1M Jetta, Beetle models in US, China over suspension fears

Volkswagen is recalling about 1.1 million vehicles in China and North America in a newly announced campaign affecting the rear suspensions on some models. For the US, the action covers about 442,265 vehicles, including 400,602 examples of its 2011-2013 Jetta and 41,663 units of the 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible. According to Reuters, the recall affects a further 126,000 vehicles in Canada and about 581,090 in China, including related market-specific models like the Sagitar.
The problem can occur if the affected models have a collision to the rear or the side-rear of the vehicle. It's then possible for the trailing arms on the torsion-beam rear suspension to be damaged. If the harm isn't noticed, then the part could fracture while driving. Obviously, a broken rear suspension is going to have an adverse effect on handling.
To fix things, VW dealers will inspect the trailing arms on the models, and they will all receive a sheetmetal part that will make a distinctive sound if broken in the future. If already damaged, the entire torsion beam will be replaced. Obviously, this work will be done at no charge to owners.

VW pits Foust against Winslow in epic sound-effects battle

Tanner, we feel your pain. You are, by all accounts, an excellent driver. You've won races, starred in television shows, and generally proven yourself a nice all-around guy. And then Volkswagen shows up and asks you to be as childish as possible for a couple laughs on video as you make pretend driving sounds for the German brand's latest ad campaign. How demeaning. And then, to top it all off, they bring Michael Winslow, the king of noise-making merriment, to one-up you. How could they? Just kidding. Really, the videos you see above and below are pretty clever, highlighting the same 18th letter of the alphabet that is affixed to the Golf R, a car we're deeply in lust with. And, to be honest, Tanner's goofy driving sounds are just as good as Mr. Winslow's. See for yourself. And if you feel like acting out your own inner child on VW's behalf, feel free to click here. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. NEW VOLKSWAGEN 'UNLEASH YOUR RRRR' CAMPAIGN ALLOWS USERS TO DRIVE A VIRTUAL GOLF R WITH SOUND OF VOICE Deep learning, an artificial intelligence subset of machine learning, analyzes each unique vocal pitch to create customized film of Golf R driving in sync with the sound of the user's voice Herndon, VA (July 13, 2015) — Volkswagen of America, Inc., is excited to unveil the Unleash Your Rrrr site that allows Volkswagen fans to drive a virtual Golf R using only the sound of voice. The web app utilizes deep learning, an artificial intelligence subset of machine learning, developed by VW's agency of record Deutsch LA, to analyze each user's unique impression of the Golf R engine's roar. It then generates a customized video of the 292-hp turbocharged Golf R model roaring through a race track, drifting, braking, among other cool stunts that correspond with the user's voice recording. "The idea behind the Golf R 'Unleash Your Rrrr' was simple – imagination. As children, we've all played with toy cars, and the power of our imaginations allowed us to turn rugs into expressways and wooden floors into slick racetracks. Our voice would act as the engine. Fast forward to today where we now have the power of technology to enhance our imagination, and to visualize the power of our voice." said Vinay Shahani, Vice President of Marketing for Volkswagen of America.

VW, Fiat, Mercedes could be CNG winners in Europe

Fiat ads in the US try to play up the exotic, sexy side of Italian culture. On the home front in Italy, however, passenger-vehicle sales are marked by something less edgy and quite a bit more practical: the growth of compressed-natural-gas (CNG) powered car sales. In fact, Italy is leading a group of European countries where CNG sales are on the upswing and may be benefiting automakers like VW, Fiat and Mercedes-Benz, according to Automotive News. VW started sales of its Golf TGI natural-gas vehicle this year – the company's fourth in Europe – while Mercedes-Benz added a natural-gas B-class model. Fiat accounts for about 50 percent of CNG vehicles sold on the continent. In all, Europe's CNG sales through September totaled about 67,000, up seven percent from a year earlier, Automotive News Europe says, citing research firm JATO Dynamics. And the number of CNG vehicles on Europe's roads could jump tenfold within the next decade. The draw is a combination of lower refueling prices and a CNG drivetrain that typically emits less CO2 than diesel vehicles. As for Italy, about five percent of new-vehicle sales are CNG. To put that into perspective, hybrids, battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and diesels combined to account for about 4.2 percent of US vehicle sales last year. News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Volkswagen Green Fiat Mercedes-Benz Volkswagen Natural Gas Vehicles CNG