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Germany says nein to EU ban on new fossil-fuel cars from 2035

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's government will not agree to European Union plans to effectively ban the sale of new cars with combustion engines from 2035, Finance Minister Christian Lindner said on Tuesday. In its bid to cut planet-warming emissions by 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels, the European Commission has proposed a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions from new cars by 2035. That means it would be impossible to sell combustion engine cars from then. European Parliament lawmakers backed the proposals this month, before negotiations with EU countries on the final law take place. Speaking at an event hosted by Germany's BDI industry association, Lindner said there would continue to be niches for combustion engines so a ban was wrong and said the government would not agree to this European legislation. Lindner, a member of the pro-business Free Democrats, which shares power with the Social Democrats and Greens, said Germany would still be a leading market for electric vehicles. (Reporting by Christian Kraemer; Writing by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Miranda Murray and Edmund Blair) Green Government/Legal Green Audi BMW Mercedes-Benz Volkswagen Opel SEAT Skoda

Volkswagen drops first teaser of next-gen T6 Transporter

The history of Volkswagen's line of boxy Transporter vans goes all the way back to 1950, and the early models' shape likely ranks in fame with the Beetle. VW Commercial Vehicles is now teasing the next step in that legacy with this sketch of the new T6. Judging by this shot, VW is sticking with the van's familiar, square shape. Although this sketch makes the front end look a bit more curvaceous and possibly with a shorter overhang than the current T5. Finding out the truth won't take long because the T6 will debut on April 15, and it will go on sale in the UK by the end of the year. These days the US commercial van segment is rapidly expanding with new models filling the market. Autoblog reached out to VW spokesperson Mark Gillies to find out if the latest Transporter might come across the Atlantic. "LCVs are under consideration, but there are no plans" to bring the T6 to the US at this time, Gillies said. Related Video: Show full PR text VOLKSWAGEN COMMERCIAL VEHICLES REVEALS SKETCH OF FORTHCOMING SIXTH-GENERATION TRANSPORTER Ahead of its official world premiere on 15 April 2015, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has revealed a sketch of the sixth-generation Transporter. When it made its public debut in 1950, few could have predicted the enormous impact the Transporter would have in revolutionising the commercial vehicle market, creating a timeless automotive icon in the process. Whilst the Transporter has evolved dramatically during that time the philosophy and vision that created the original still holds true. Getting the job done efficiently and reliably has been at the heart of the Volkswagen philosophy for the past 65 years. Its reputation for rugged reliability has endured over the decades to make the Volkswagen Transporter one of the world's best-selling light commercial vehicles. The sixth-generation Transporter will go on sale in the UK later this year. (ends)

Volkswagen formally introduces super-efficient XL1

Lightweight and low drag are hallmarks of great sportscar design. But when paired with a super-efficient, hybrid powertrain, you have the Volkswagen's XL1 that has been formally introduced in Geneva today.
When the 1,700-lb, carbon-fiber-bodied two-seater hits the road, its claimed 261 miles per gallon will make it the world's most-fuel-efficient production car. Though "production car" might be a stretch since VW said in a February press release that the XL1 would be built using "handcrafting-like production methods." We translate that to mean you won't be seeing many of these cars on the road. Though no one at VW has mentioned pricing yet, early rumors suggested a six-figure price tag.
That's supercar budget for a vehicle that has a 47-horsepower, two-cylinder diesel engine and a 27hp electric motor. With numbers like that, owners can expect 0-62 mph times of 12.7 seconds and top speed near 100 mph.