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Autoblog Minute: VW financial woes continue, Tesla Model X dazzles

Volkswagen sees its financial woes continue, and Tesla reveals the all electric Model X crossover. Autoblog's Greg Migliore reports on this edition of Autoblog Minute Weekly Recap. Update: The post has been updated to show the complete range of estimated MPGe specs for the Model X P90D and not just the 92 combined MPGe. Show full video transcript text [00:00:00] Volkswagen sees its financial woes continue, and Tesla reveals its all electric Model X crossover. I'm Senior editor Greg Migliore and this is your Autoblog Minute Weekly Recap. Volkswagen has been removed from the DOW Jones Sustainability Index, or DJSI. A decision that takes effect on October 8th. Removal from this key index is yet another black eye for the embattled automaker and it [00:00:30] indicates VW's fall as a company leads the way in economic, environmental and social performance. Ever since the emissions scandal broke the world's top selling automaker's stock has struggled. Reports estimate VW's losses to be a staggering 30.8 billion dollars. Tesla rolled out the Model X this week. A live web-stream showed us what to expect. Like, how the Falcon Wing doors adapt to tight parking spots and low garages. Towing capacity [00:01:00] was also demonstrated. The CUV is said to be able to haul 5,000 pounds, while carrying 7 passengers and luggage. Still, there was no mention of how towing would affect battery life or the range of the all electric crossover. The Model X also boasts a giant air filtration system with a "Bioweapon Defense Mode," a feature that is said to protect passengers against bacteria, harmful gasses and as Elon Musk joked, possible apocalyptic events. [00:01:30] Stay tuned. According to early EPA estimates, the Model X 90D has a range of 257 miles with 90 MPGe city, 94 highway and 92 combined MPGe. Those are the highlights from the week that was. Be sure to check out my full weekly recap this Saturday. Plus I'll have some added insight into Mazda's new sports car. 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. Tesla Volkswagen Crossover Diesel Vehicles Electric Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video vw diesel scandal

Volkswagen Tiguan tunes up for Frankfurt show

Volkswagen is in the phase of testing where it's simply beating the crap out of the next-generation Tiguan. The German manufacturer is conducting high-altitude towing tests in the Alps of mules wearing the production-ready body of its second-gen compact CUV. This is the first time we've seen the Tiguan in its production body, and despite the ample camouflage, the resemblance to not only the Passat sedan, but the Cross Coupe GTE and CrossBlue concepts, is clear. That's particularly true based on what we can see of the new Tiguan's grille and headlight treatment. In back, the Tiguan will adopt a more sporting roofline, particularly in the aggressive rake of the D-pillar. It's significantly different than the current car, and frankly, that's no bad thing. Expect the usual array of gas and diesel four cylinders with both front- and all-wheel drive on offer. On the high end, meanwhile, our spies claim a 300-horsepower R model could eventually be added to the range. Aside from its new look, future variants could see the crossover spawn both a long-wheelbase version and a coupe-like model. That said, we're wondering how a long-wheelbase Tiguan would fit into the VW range alongside the long-rumored, American-built, three-rower. According to our spies, though, neither one of those vehicles would arrive until well after the vehicle shown above debuts. As for when we can expect to see the second-gen Tiguan, our spies point to September's Frankfurt Motor Show. Be sure to check back then.

Recharge Wrap-up: Mercedes gets F1 efficiency, EV charging in Vermont, VW e-Golf to use Bosch

Efficiency equals performance, especially in the case of Formula 1 racing. The Mercedes AMC Petronas team points to several key efficiency technologies it uses to get the most out of its cars. And if their utter dominance so far this season is testament to this relationship, perhaps we should pay attention. Mercedes highlights hybrid tech, turbocharging, aerodynamics, lightweight construction, tribology (both in making internal components and lubricants more slippery) and simulation as crucial to getting around the track faster than anyone else. These just happen to be some of the same things that make the cars we drive on public roads more fuel-efficient. Learn more in the press release below. It's a good read. Brammo, maker of sweet electric motorcycles, is teaming up with TEAM Industries to make drivetrains for electric vehicles. TEAM, which specializes in drivetrain technology, will also become an investor in Brammo as part of the partnership. "The electric vehicle market is a growth market," says TEAM CEO and President David Ricke, "and TEAM and Brammo will be providing a wide range of solutions for OEM manufacturers." Read more over at EV World. Vermont celebrated the installation of a new EV charging station as part of a Green Energy Corridor between Boston and Montreal. When finished, drivers will be able to make the whole trip in an EV with access to charging along the way. For $5, customers can charge their vehicle in about 30 minutes at the Red Hen Baking Company in Middlesex. There are currently only about 700 EVs on the road in Vermont. The state has a goal to get 90 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2050, and getting more EVs on the road is crucial to that mission. Vermont hopes that expanding the charging infrastructure will convince more people to go electric. Read more at Vermont Public Radio's website. For it's new e-Golf, Volkswagen will use Bosch chargers for home installation and ChargePoint stations at its dealerships. Bosch will have various 240-volt options for the home, and will also provide installation. e-Golf customers will also get a free ChargePoint membership, and will have access to the company's network of charging stations worldwide. The 2015 e-Golf goes on sale in the US later this year. Read more in the press release below. Synergies between F1 and Road Car Development: Efficiency equals performance In Formula 1 Racing, performance is everything.