2014 Volkswagen Passat 1.8t Sel Premium on 2040-cars

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US-spec 2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI to finally debut in New York

The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf is hardly new to us. In fact, we've already driven it. And elsewhere in the world, the new Golf is already winning awards. Even so, we still have yet to see the US-spec version of the car, though that won't be the case much longer. As part of the New York Auto Show festivities later this month, Volkswagen will finally show off the 2015 Golf models destined for our shores.
Three different versions of the Golf will debut under the lights of New York City's Javits Center: the turbocharged TSI, oil-sipping TDI and hotter GTI. The first model in that list uses Volkswagen's new 1.8-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, replacing the outgoing 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline five-cylinder. The latter two models use familiar engines: the 2.0-liter TDI diesel and 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, respectively.
Even though the new Golf officially debuts later this month, it won't go on sale in the US until the first quarter of 2014. We'll be waiting patiently.

Volkswagen Tiguan arrives with chiseled looks, GTE plug-in model [w/video]

After a long run, Volkswagen has finally retired the first-generation Tiguan crossover in favor of the larger, more chiseled second-generation model. The new compact is longer, wider, and lower than the more upright CUV that came before it. Yet, as we covered in our original post, the new Tig is also over 100 pounds lighter. The bodywork is conservative but handsome; typical of newer VWs. We see plenty of Passat and Touareg in the fascia, which features a three-bar grille that integrates neatly with the slightly canted, rectangular headlights. The beltline looks higher than today's Tiguan, and sits below a more aggressive greenhouse, which is a welcomed change after the soft, crossovery looks of the last-gen model. While VW has only released European powertrain options – there are eight engine options, split evenly between gas and diesel and boasting anywhere from 123 to 237 horsepower – we'll expect a far smaller roster for the US. Look for VW's familiar 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder to feature prominently in both front- and all-wheel-drive models, while we're personally hoping VW will see the light and offer a 2.0-liter TDI Tiguan. Of course, there's more than just gas and diesel for the new Tiggy. The all-new GTE model promises plug-in capability. Expect 31 miles of electric range and 215 system horsepower. There are even solar panels on the roof which could generate up to an extra 600 miles per year of driving range. VOLKSWAGEN REVEALS ALL-NEW EUROPEAN TIGUAN AT THE FRANKFURT INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW Based off the MQB platform, the new European Tiguan revolutionizes the compact SUV • Powerful, authentic SUV design of the new Tiguan was completely reconfigured. • Tiguan is the first Volkswagen Group SUV to be based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB). • Longer, wider, lower – new vehicle architecture enables sportier proportions • Tiguan makes its debut at the IAA in an R-Line version, a classic on-road version and a version with an off-road front end. • Volkswagen is also showing the Tiguan GTE in Frankfurt with a plug-in hybrid drive and 1.9 litre per 100 km fuel consumption. • Newly conceptualised solar roof module for the Tiguan GTE increases its electric driving range. • Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, active hood, Lane Assist and the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System are fitted as standard.

MotorWeek looks back at the 1986.5 VW Scirocco 16V

It's back to the past with MotorWeek for a video dive into the 1986.5 Volkswagen Scirocco 16V, the coupe that carried the pennant for VW's performance aspirations for 15 years, from 1974 to 1989. This one, the last generation, got the hottest of all by adding a head with four valves per cylinder. The 1.8-liter DOHC engine cranked out "an amazing" 123 horsepower and 120 pound-feet of torque, and made this model the fastest VW to ever be sold in America; it went from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 8.5 seconds, faster than a Porsche 944. To compare vintage apples to modern ones, the New Scirocco with a 123-hp 1.4-liter TSI engine and a manual transmission takes 9.3 seconds. We like MotorWeek's Retro Review series not only for the cars, but for how they also remind us of what we used to find important in cars. The Scirocco here gets upvoted for its throttle response and handling, downvoted for an oddly placed oil pressure gauge and lack of battery voltage meter. We can't remember the last time a voltage meter was mentioned in a review, either its presence or lack. Check out the video above for what the definition of "US hot hatch" used to be.