2007 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Edition on 2040-cars

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Bentley Bentayga bodies to be built in Bratislava

Volkswagen's plant in Bratislava, Slovakia, has come a long way. After getting its start in 1971 by subcontracting the production of Skoda-branded vehicles, the plant was purchased by VW in 1991, where it was quickly put to further good use as it began producing Volkswagen Passat models for export. More recently, Bratislava has become a bastion for SUVs, assembling the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, in addition to the VW Touareg. Color us unsurprised, then, to learn that the Bentley Bentayga, which will be built atop the same large SUV platform as its cousins from Audi, Porsche and VW, will also be used for at least part of the production of Bentley's first SUV. Surely, though, one of the hallmarks of the Bentley brand is that its cars are handmade in England. Won't the Bentley-buying populace feel slighted by production in Slovakia? Not to worry. As is the case with the Porsche Cayenne, all that will be produced in Slovakia is the Bentayga's body. According to a report from Automotive News, bodies for the Bentayga will be shipped from Bratislava to Crewe, England, where they will be finished into fully operational vehicles. In order to accommodate the additional work, VW will reportedly invest 500 million euros into the plant in Slovakia and hire hundreds of workers.

Porsche 911 and Nissan 350Z get smoked by unlikely hero

So a Nissan 350Z Procharger and a current Porsche 911 GT3 drive onto the Autobahn together - stop me if you've heard this one before - and they decide to race. We're not sure how much power the Z is packing, but the stock model topped out at 306 horsepower on the last year of its run in 2009. And if that's a stock GT3 then it will be rocking something like 475 horsepower. So the Z and the GT3 give it a racing go, and just as one of them starts to pull away they're both overtaken by one of the most unlikely dark horses you could imagine. It's a really short video and we won't spoil the surprise, so check it out above. News Source: Woreth V12 via YouTube Nissan Porsche Volkswagen Coupe Hatchback Luxury Racing Vehicles Performance Videos porsche 911 gt3 autobahn

Volkswagen plugs new Passat GTE into European outlets

It's been the better part of a year since Volkswagen first announced the Passat GTE and revealed it at the Paris Motor Show. And now the German automaker is finally bringing it to market. That is, at least, certain markets, anyway. The new GTE broadens the range of the European-market Passat (which is entirely different from the model we get here) with a plug-in hybrid for the first time. It follows the emergence of the Golf GTE which has a similar setup. The gasoline-electric powertrain marries a 1.4-liter turbo four to an electric motor and a dual-clutch transmission, producing a combined 215 horsepower. It can also be switched into pure electric mode, giving it a battery-powered range of 31 miles and warranting exemption from congestion charges in London and other such cities. VW will offer the Passat GTE in both sedan and Variant wagon forms, with sales already beginning in select markets and broadening across Europe this fall. Asian markets can expect to see the new plug-in by year-end as well. Interested US customers will just have to admire this particular model from afar. New Passat GTE launches as saloon and Variant - Volkswagen continues e-motoring offensive with plug-in hybrid - Passat GTE delivers 218 PS and travels up to 50 kilometres on all-electric power - First Volkswagen plug-in hybrid in the high-volume segment of large family cars The Volkswagen continues to electrify! Following the Golf GTE*, comes the next high-volume model with a plug-in drive system: this time the German carmaker is electrifying the new Passat GTE. Its launch marks the debut of a new generation of business and family cars – zero-emission vehicle and long-distance touring car all in one. A Volkswagen that combines the present and the future. A car that boasts not only one of the most progressive drive systems of our time, but also an array of innovative assistance and infotainment systems that is ground-breaking in the segment of large family cars. With superb system output of 160 kW / 218 PS, frugal NEDC consumption of just 1.6 l/100 km and 12.2 kWh/100 km (Variant: 12.4 kWh) and an all-electric range of up to 50 kilometres, the Passat GTE defines a new level of efficiency in its class. Under normal operating conditions the new Volkswagen always begins its journey in all-electric and thus emission-free mode. This E-Mode can also be activated at the push of a button, for example towards the end of a journey as you enter a city.