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Volkswagen promises more aggressive design for sedans, crossovers

Every one of our Volkswagen Jetta and Passat reviews is guaranteed to include this word in the comments, aimed at its exterior design: "Boring." The brand says that's all about to change, telling a group of journalists during a tour of its design studio in Wolfsburg that designs will be more market specific; as Automotive News put it, that means "more aggressive" designs for the US that "will bare their teeth and flex their muscles," since the solid-yet-unoffensive look hasn't got VW past its two-percent market share here. Yes, we've heard this before from the Volkswagen Group - Audi has been promising to pump up the volume on its designs for years now, we're still waiting to hear that music. But VW brand head designer Klaus Bischoff says that the look of the coming midsize crossover that will come in around the size of the Audi Q7 "has to be bold. It has to be a statement," and the results of US focus groups have already dictated design changes to the original idea. AN said it takes cues from the Cross Coupe GTE, with a notched grille, sculpted hood, and deep character lines along the flanks. It sounds like baby steps for other models, though. The Passat gets a brand new design forward of the A-pillar, and new taillights. The new Tiguan has a shorter front overhang and a longer rear overhang, rounded wheel arches, and gets 2.2 inches longer. There'll be a long-wheelbase version of the Tiguan that grows by eight inches, which should give it livable room for four passengers in front and back. Beneath that will be a Golf-based crossover to compete in the compact segment with the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3. Featured Gallery Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE: Detroit 2015 View 18 Photos News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Live images copyright 2015 Drew Phillips / AOL Design/Style Volkswagen Crossover Sedan volkswagen design

German authorities claim 2.8 million VW diesels evaded testing

While Volkswagen admits that there are 11 million diesel vehicles around the world that may be able to evade emissions testing, investigations by government authorities are starting to provide a glimpse of where some of those actually are. According to German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt, there are 2.8 million VWs in the country with the tech to cheat environmental rules, Reuters reports. In the US, at least 482,000 cars are believed to be affected. German regulators claim not knowing about the automaker's emissions testing evasions until quite recently, and Dobrindt didn't begin a fact-finding mission into the situation until just this week. Environmental agencies around the world have also begun their own inquiries into the scandal, including in Canada, South Korea, and many countries in Europe. In the US, where the story originally broke, the Department of Justice has started a criminal investigation into VW, and a maximum fine from the Environmental Protection Agency could tally $18 billion. The automaker has responded so far by setting aside about $7.3 billion to fix the affected models. CEO Martin Winterkorn is also already gone, and Porsche boss Matthias Muller is taking the top spot. The company's next moves still aren't clear, though. "VW needs to be very open about what has happened, how it was possible that this could happen to make sure that this never happens again in the future," an anonymous, top shareholder in the company said to Reuters.

11M VW diesels affected, Porsche and Audi under investigation

Volkswagen's diesel scandal is growing exponentially larger. In a new statement, the company admits that 11 million vehicles worldwide might be equipped with software capable of evading emissions testing. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency is beginning an investigation into the 3.0-liter V6 in Audi models and the Porsche Cayenne in the US, according to The Detroit News. The automaker claims that from its investigation so far, the "relevant engine management software is also installed in other Volkswagen Group vehicles with diesel engines." However, the company finds that the "noticeable deviation" in test results and real-world numbers only relates to the Type EA 189 powerplant. That still leaves 11 million vehicles potentially skirting emissions rules, though. Governments around the world have started taking a closer look into the company, too. In the US, the EPA has begun testing VW's V6 diesel because "they were certified well before we knew what we know now," Christopher Grundler, director of the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, said to The Detroit News. The agency has started checking diesels from other automakers to make sure they're meeting the rules, as well. Germany, the European Union, and South Korea have instituted similar investigations. In response, VW is setting aside 6.5 billion euros ($7.25 billion at current rates) to cover servicing all of these diesels. The company admits that the figure might have to be adjusted depending on what happens next. The money is being deducted from its third-quarter earnings. Related Video: VOLKSWAGEN AG HAS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: Sep 22, 2015 Volkswagen is working at full speed to clarify irregularities concerning a particular software used in diesel engines. New vehicles from the Volkswagen Group with EU 6 diesel engines currently available in the European Union comply with legal requirements and environmental standards. The software in question does not affect handling, consumption or emissions. This gives clarity to customers and dealers. Further internal investigations conducted to date have established that the relevant engine management software is also installed in other Volkswagen Group vehicles with diesel engines. For the majority of these engines the software does not have any effect. Discrepancies relate to vehicles with Type EA 189 engines, involving some eleven million vehicles worldwide.