2005 Volkswagen Jetta Tdi Sedan 4-door 1.9l on 2040-cars

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German authorities investigate Winterkorn

Former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn is potentially walking away from the embattled automaker with a $32-million pension, but his retirement might not be quite so relaxed because German prosecutors in the city of Braunschweig (also called Brunswick) are now investigating his role in VW's diesel emissions evasion. The lawyers want to know whether he committed fraud, and a conviction could mean up to 10 years in prison, according to the Associated Press. However, this process is still in its earliest stages, and Winterkorn is long way from sitting in a courtroom. With other high-profile corporate cases in Germany as a guide, a trial could be years away. Lawyers haven't even questioned the former CEO, yet. In Germany, people are free to file criminal complaints, and prosecutors then decide whether a full investigation is necessary. According to the AP, Braunschweig has received about 12 grievances so far, including one from Volkswagen. The law in the country also doesn't allow charging businesses with wrongdoing, only people. Winterkorn resigned from his role at the top of VW last week, just a day after issuing a video apology for the automaker's actions. Former Porsche boss Matthias Muller has succeeded him. Along with having a new person in charge, the automaker's Supervisory Board instituted a thorough corporate reshuffle to put more focus on various regions and give brands additional power by early next year. Related Video:

VW exec calls US ops a 'disaster'

Today in the Tell Us How You Really Feel file we have Bernd Osterloh, head of Volkswagen AG's Group Works Councils and member of the company's supervisory board, labeling the company's US operations "a disaster." Why? Because Osterloh believes VW of America doesn't have the models it needs to be competitive here, hasn't been decisive enough about its plans and German higher-ups still don't understand the US market.
In truth, the top labor rep at the German conglomerate is echoing sentiments we've heard from VWoA executives for years, and there's been the same commentary from dealers: Germany doesn't pay enough attention to what the US market really wants. Even ex-VWoA CEO Stefan Jacoby, who preceded the recently departed Jonathan Browning, said early in his tenure that one of his tasks was to get his German bosses to start delivering what the US market demanded. New CEO Michael Horn is saying much the same thing seven years later, telling Sky News that it has to increase "the speed at which we bring new models to the market and innovation to the market."
Osterloh wants to get "more models" here, including a pickup truck, but we'd wonder if the economics have changed from when Jacoby said they'd need to sell 100,000 per year to make money. Osterloh also wants a decision on where the CrossBlue will be built. Although it looked as if the Chatanooga, TN plant would get the call, the Puebla, Mexico plant is still in the running because of lower operating costs. No matter what happens right now, Osterloh thinks the situation won't get better for another two years when revamped models arrive, but at least the company can start taking the steps for a better US future.

VW reveals updated 2016 Jetta GLI [UPDATE]

UPDATE: Volkswagen has updated its press release regarding the EA888 four-cylinder engine. Originally, it was described as the same engine as the GTI. This is not strictly the case, though. While both the GTI and GLI use the EA888 engine, the GLI's engine does not get variable valve lift. Our story has been edited to reflect this. The Volkswagen GTI's slightly more mature and conservative fraternal twin, the Jetta GLI, is getting updated for 2016 in a big way. Chief among the changes is the GLI's new engine. It's an EA888 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder, like the engine we've so thoroughly enjoyed in Autoblog's long-term GTI, although it does without variable valve lift, according to Volkswagen. It's still rated at 210 horsepower, though. Volkswagen also made some minor visual tweaks, including 18-inch "Mallory" wheels, a new front fascia, and a rear bumper that includes a diffuser and two chromed exhaust tips. There's also a new standard safety feature being offered for 2016 in the form of the Automatic Post-Collision Braking system. This is not, as we initially thought, a collision mitigation braking system, though. Basically, it only kicks in after the airbag sensors detect a crash, at which point APCB clamps down on the brakes in a bid to minimize the severity of the accident. Check out VW's full press release on the 2016 Jetta GLI, and the head up top for a look at the visual changes for this year. VOLKSWAGEN REVEALS THE 2016 JETTA GLI Jun 10, 2015 The performance version of Volkswagen's best-selling car offers new features and a sporty new look for the 2016 model year Herndon, VA — Today, Volkswagen of America unveiled the 2016 Jetta GLI, the sedan equivalent of the Golf GTI. Equipped with a specially tuned sport suspension and the same 210-horsepower, 2.0-literTSI® turbocharged and direct-injection EA888 four-cylinder engine as the Golf GTI, the GLI offers a compelling blend of value, performance and practicality. For 2016, the GLI gets a bold new look highlighted by an aggressive front fascia that incorporates a honeycomb grille and foglights, along with a new rear bumper design that has a diffuser and a pair of chrome-tipped exhausts. All 2016 Jetta GLI models have 18-inch Mallory design aluminum-alloy wheels, shod with standard all-season tires or optional summer performance tires. Inside, 2016 GLI models benefit from the new MIB 2 infotainment system that incorporates the full suite of USB and Car-Net connectivity.