2005 Volkswagen Passat Gls Wagon 4-door Tdi on 2040-cars

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Autoblog Minute: VW Emissions Scandal, New Ford Super-Duty

We got our first looks at look at Ford's new Super Duty truck lineup this week but it's Volkswagen that has been dominating the news cycle, as Matthias Muller is named CEO of the embattled automaker. Autoblog's Senior editor Greg Migliore reports on the recap edition of Autoblog Minute. Show full video transcript text [00:00:00] We got our first looks at look at Ford's new Super Duty truck lineup this week but it's Volkswagen that has dominated the news cycle as Matthias Muller is named CEO of the embattled automaker. I'm Senior editor Greg Migliore and this is your Autoblog Minute Weekly Recap. Super Duty is new for 2017. Our first look at these heavy duty trucks showed increased cab space for passengers, and [00:00:30] a lighter aluminum frame. Ford insists these changes will provide customers with increased towing capacity and fuel efficiency. The all-new Super Duty will be built at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant, and it goes on sale in late 2016. Now, in case you missed it Volkswagen is under fire for gaming EPA emissions testing. A massive government recall is in the works and the world's top-selling automaker is looking at significant losses in both car sales and its stock value. On top of losing billions of dollars, Volkswagen is also facing [00:01:00] legal issues. And this week we saw Martin Winterkorn step down as CEO of Volkswagen Group. These changes mark just the beginning of VW's arduous process of rebuilding consumer trust. Those are the highlights from the week that was. Be sure to check out my full recap this Saturday, plus some added insight on the Buick Cascada and its pricing strategy. For Autoblog, I'm Greg Migliore. Autoblog Minute is a short-form video news series reporting on all things automotive. Each segment offers a quick and clear picture of what's happening in the automotive industry from the perspective of Autoblog's expert editorial staff, auto executives, and industry professionals.

VW quite interested in solid-state batteries for EVs

Volkswagen is about to make a decision about which advanced battery technology the automaker will seriously investigate to give its electric vehicles more range. VW will decide by July if it will use solid-state batteries made by US-based QuantumScape Corp. in future EVs, according to Bloomberg News. Last year, VW bought a five-percent stake in QuantumScape, which was founded by ex-Stanford University researchers. The lure is that QuantumScape's solid-state batteries may provide a single-charge range of as long as 430 miles. That's more than three times the current range of the VW e-Golf electric vehicle the company recently started selling to the public and is substantially longer than the single-charge range of the Tesla Model S electric sedan. The batteries are also fireproof, making VW's potential decision one with an eye towards more vehicle safety. Solid-state battery technology, in which solid lithium electrodes are used instead of liquid electrodes such as those in lithium-ion batteries, are the subject of research at other automakers and suppliers as well. Toyota says they could be here by 2020. Recently, the cordless vacuum cleaner maker Dyson acquired a $15-million equity stake in Michigan-based battery maker Sakti3 with the idea of using the startup's solid-state batteries in its products. General Motors also has a minority stake in Sakti3, which was spun off from the University of Michigan.

Volkswagen Passat gets Wolfsburg Edition, priced from $23,495*

Volkswagen has just announced a new Passat Wolfsburg Edition, which slots between the base S and mid-grade SE trims in terms of content and price. The automaker has not released any official photos of the car as of this writing (aside from the badge shot you see here, of course), but the Wolfsburg Passat will be visually set apart from the rest by a unique set of 16-inch alloy wheels.
The big host of upgrades for the Wolfsburg Edition are found inside, where buyers will enjoy standard amenities like leatherette seats (with bun-warmers on the front chairs), a power driver's seat, satellite radio and a media interface with iPod connectivity. Of course, this comes on top of the already standard Passat features like Bluetooth and auto on/off headlamps. The Wolfsburg Passat will only be available with the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission.
Look for the 2013 Wolfsburg Edition Passat to hit dealerships in the very near future, priced from $23,495, *not including $795 for destination. Have a look below for Volkswagen's official press blast.