2011 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon Tdi on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Alltrack coming to US in 2016 [w/video]

As many versions of the Golf that Volkswagen offers in America, there are even more available overseas. But if the Alltrack was one that you wished would make the transatlantic voyage to US showrooms, we've got good news for you, because VW has confirmed its bringing the Golf SportWagen Alltrack to America. Revealed last year at the Paris Auto Show, the Golf SportWagen Alltrack is VW's answer to a Volvo Cross Country or Subaru Outback. It starts with the Golf SportWagen, which already offers more space than a standard Golf hatch, but adds to it a higher ride height, lower body cladding, a new front bumper and upgraded cabin space. It also crucially gets 4Motion all-wheel drive, something which was previously available only on the top-of-the-line Golf R. The Haldex 5-based system sends power to the front wheels under normal conditions, but can divert up to 50 percent to the back in slippery situations. VW has yet to confirm just which engine and transmission combinations will be offered in the US-spec Alltrack, but it's offered overseas in four flavors: a gasoline-burning turbo four with 178 horsepower and a trio of diesels ranging in output from 109 hp to 182. The US-spec Golf hatch is offered with either a turbo four or a mid-range TDI before getting into the GTI, Golf R and e-Golf alternatives. The German automaker hasn't confirmed exactly when the first examples are set to hit US showrooms, but they're slated for sometime next year. VOLKSWAGEN AT THE 2015 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW - Four Beetle Special Edition concepts introduced: Beetle Convertible Denim, Beetle R-Line, Beetle Convertible Surfer, and Beetle Pink Color Edition - All-wheel-drive Golf SportWagen Alltrack announced for production in 2016 - Volkswagen celebrates 60 years of Beetle heritage New York, New York - Volkswagen of America, Inc., today announced that it will produce the all-wheel-drive Golf SportWagen Alltrack for the U.S. market beginning in 2016, and showed four unique Beetle and Beetle Convertible models that help to commemorate Volkswagen of America's 60th anniversary. Golf SportWagen Alltrack Coinciding with the arrival of the all-new Golf SportWagen, currently available in dealer showrooms, Volkswagen is pleased to announce that the all-wheel-drive Alltrack model will go on sale in 2016 as a 2017 model.

VW builds 250,000th Passat in Chattanooga in just two years

It hasn't been without incident or union organizing drive, but the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, TN has built its 250,000 Passat in just a little over two years. The Night Blue Passat TDI with black leather has come just two years and five weeks after the first customer car came off the line on April 18, 2011.
In the last year the plant operated at the 150,000-unit capacity that it was intended for, but the downturn in Passat sales and subsequent worker layoffs mean it will be a challenge to repeat the feat. The plant does have the world's largest solar park, though, and you can't take that away from them.
You'll find the official hand-clapping in the press release below.

A fix and buyback program for Audi V6 diesels may be on the way

While Volkswagen reached a settlement to buy back 2.0-liter diesel inline-fours with emissions defeat devices, the roughly 80,000 cars with 3.0-liter diesel V6s built by Audi have yet to be addressed. But a new report from Bloomberg indicates that a solution is near. The publication says that sources familiar with the situation say the company has a fix ready for the majority of the cars, and that the EPA and California Air Resources Board are ready to approve it. According to Bloomberg, this fix would involve a software update and would work for about 60,000 of the Audi A8, Q5, Q7, Porsche Cayenne, and VW Touareg models with the engine. The rest of the vehicles won't be fixable without major modification, so those would have to be purchased back from the owners. Bloomberg does point out that approval from the EPA and CARB are only one piece of the puzzle. The publication said that this deal has yet to be approved by owners of the cars and the Federal Trade Commission, both of which may demand that VW offer a buyback to all owners, even those whose cars can be fixed. The good news for owners of VW products with this engine, is that they should have some closure pretty soon. And owners that still like their diesel V6 can take solace that they might actually be able to get them fixed, as opposed to owners of the 2.0-liter diesels. VW offered buybacks to owners of all 475,000 cars with the turbo four-cylinders, or a fix when it's available. However, there have been no signs of an approved fix. Related Video: News Source: Bloomberg via Automotive NewsImage Credit: Sebastian Blanco Government/Legal Green Audi Porsche Volkswagen Diesel Vehicles vw diesel scandal audi diesel