2011 Volkswagen Cc Vr6 4motion Sedan 4-door 3.6l on 2040-cars

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Volkswagen Golf R 400 Concept still makes us swoon

We know, we know – this hot little guy isn't really new or anything. Volkswagen first rolled out the Golf R 400 concept in Beijing earlier this year, and since its debut, we've heard rumors that the German automaker might-perhaps-maybe-hopefully build the thing. Its showing here in Los Angeles simply marks the first time it's debuting in America, and honestly, we can't get enough. So here it is, again. Hello, Golf R 400 – we love you. And what's not to love? What starts as a normal Golf R gets better with a more aggressive appearance, big wheels, some tasteful neon yellow accents, and a whole mess of power. The original concept packed 395 horsepower from an overblown 2.0-liter turbo-four, though the most recent reports suggest a production version could produce over 400 hp. To keep it all in line, the concept has all-wheel drive. And inside, it's the same functional, comfortable Golf we've always loved. There's nothing left to say, really. We love this car, and you should, too. Check it out in the gallery above.

German investigators search VW headquarters, take documents

German investigators are no longer pursuing an official investigation against former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn, but prosecutors aren't giving up their detective work into the automaker's actions surrounding its diesel emissions scandal. In their latest move, authorities have searched VW's headquarters in Wolfsburg and confiscated documents and other data to learn more about how a software-based "defeat device" made it into the real world, according to Reuters. VW described the amount of material that it handed over as "comprehensive." The automaker is also conducting its own, internal investigation, but the company isn't releasing those results, yet. It has allegedly responded by suspending over 10 employees, including three top engineers. There has been reportedly no actual evidence found against this trio of men. In addition to the work of German prosecutors, many US investigators are looking into VW's actions, as well. The West Virginia Attorney General is suing the company for fraud, and there are pending class-action lawsuits. In written testimony for a Congressional hearing, Michael Horn, President and CEO of VW Group of America, said he first learned of the emissions noncompliance when the West Virginia University study was published in the spring of 2014. A recall on the affected Volkswagens isn't expected to begin until at least January, according to CEO Matthias Muller, and it could be later for some models. The costs to fix them all and deal with potential fines means that VW must delay some projects to save money. Put another way, VW will be dealing with the repercussions of this scandal for years. Related Video:

Will a Phaeton EV rise from the VW Dieselgate ashes?

The Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal isn't even close to ending, but in a new announcement the automaker says it is working to rehabilitate its battered image a little bit. In a series of pledges, the German company is putting a serious emphasis on future electrification. Headlining this EV onslaught: the next-gen Phaeton will be fully battery powered. VW is still very light on details about its future flagship, and Tesla shouldn't be shaking in its boots yet. The automaker simply promises "a pure electric drive with long-distance capability, connectivity and next-generation assistance systems as well as an emotional design." According to insiders speaking to Autocar, the Phaeton potentially launches in 2020, and it might share a platform and powertrain with the production version of the Audi E-Tron Quattro concept. A new Phaeton was rumored to be nearly ready earlier this year, but the project was reportedly scrapped to cut costs. VW loses money making the current one, and sedan competes against other products, like the Audi A8. Perhaps the company sees this scandal as a perfect opportunity to revaluate the point of the vehicle. While the Phaeton EV will represent the top of VW's future lineup, electrification will appear further down the line, as well. The automaker will create a new platform called the MEB specifically for compact EVs. Promising ranges between 155 and 311 miles, the architecture will be offered across the VW Group brands and on "both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles." This electrification push will likely affect current models, too, thanks to further engineering of the MQB platform. VW wants the vehicles to support longer-range plug-in hybrids, mild hybrids, and EVs with 186 miles of distance. Since the architecture is already on sale, presumably these are the first vehicles to benefit from the new strategy. VOLKSWAGEN BRAND BOARD OF MANAGEMENT TAKES STRATEGIC DECISIONS Accelerated implementation of the efficiency program creates room for reorientation Streamlined processes leverage further cost-saving potential, including cuts in fixed costs Investments to be reduced by 1 billion euros per year compared with planning – combined with prioritization of projects for the future Product decisions formulated New Phaeton will be electric New Modular Electric Toolkit planned Wolfsburg,October 13, 2015 – The newly-formed Volkswagen Brand Board of Management took further strategic decisions at a special meeting. CEO Dr.