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Volkswagen adding R-Line trim to Touareg, Tiguan for 2014

Volkswagen introduced its aggressive R-Line appearance package on the CC and Beetle last year, but later this year, this treatment will also be applied to VW's crossovers, the Tiguan and Touareg. Both sporty-looking utility vehicles will be unveiled next week at the Detroit Auto Show.
The 2014 Tiguan R-Line comes standard with bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights, and the package adds 19-inch wheels, grey fender extensions, body-color side skirts and a liftgate spoiler. Inside, the R-Line adds a flat-bottom sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, a black headliner and numerous metallic trim accents such as the stainless scuff plates, the aluminum pedals and metallic finish on the instrument and door panels. The Tiguan R-Line will be offered in front- and all-wheel drive configurations.
As for the 2014 Touareg R-Line (shown above), this model gets an ever more distinctive look with an aggressive front fascia, 20-inch wheels and dual oval-shaped exhaust outlets in addition to the painted side skirts and LED taillights. Similar metallic interior trim pieces found inside the Tiguan R-Line will also make their way into the Touareg as well as gloss black accents on the instrument panel and center stack.

2016 VW GTI Clubsport is a new breed of forbidden fruit

And this, friends, is the closest we'll ever get to the Volkswagen GTI Clubsport. As we were sad to report, this middle child between the standard GTI and the high-performance Golf R will not be coming to our shores, no matter how much we beg and plead. For those that need a refresher, the Clubsport was inspired by a concept originally shown at Worhtersee earlier this year. Its positioning means it's up on power – there are 261 (probably underrated) horsepower in this compact – although mum's the word on any upgrades to the suspension. As we previously noted, the extra 51 hp over stock will get the mid-level hot hatch to 60 in just 5.9 seconds, if you opt for the dual-clutch automatic, or an even six seconds with the manual trans. Loathe as we are to admit it, aside from the extra horsepower, most of the stuff about the Clubsport appears to be aesthetic. The body kit is all new and significantly more aggressive than the what's found on the GTI, while new 18-inch wheels are standard, although 19s can be optioned. Also larger, the twin chrome exhaust tips. In the cabin, there are far more aggressive sport seats, which are quite simply too cool to be sold in the US (just kidding, it's probably some silly federal regulation). We just had to mosey on down to the Volkswagen stand and check out the new GTI Clubsport. You can view all of our shots of the new hatch up top. Related Video:

After VW scandal, new emissions tests may drive up diesel prices

However much Volkswagen has to aside to address the flak from the company's ongoing diesel-emissions scandal, it could still be less expensive than the cost of making diesels realistically adhere to stricter emissions-testing mandates. New rules are likely to be put into place as a result of the revelations that as many as 11 million VW diesel vehicles were programmed to game the emissions-testing system by triggering artificially low emissions levels. There's a potential problem, though, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). Governments around the world are calling for more intense tests that would better simulate real-world driving conditions. Some of the mandates suggested by the European Union could make the process a costly one, however. And that would boost diesel-vehicle production costs to the point that the lower refueling costs via cheaper fuel and better fuel economy won't be able to justify the higher purchase price. According to Reuters, the ACEA issued a statement that said: The automobile industry agrees with the need for emissions to more closely reflect real-world conditions, and has been calling for proposals for years. However, it is important to proceed in a way which allows manufacturers to plan and implement the necessary changes, without jeopardizing the role of diesel as one of the key pillars for fulfilling future CO2 targets." Diesels have long been pushed in Europe because the lower carbon dioxide from the better fuel economy was thought to outweigh the additional nitrous oxides spit out by the oil burners. The push for "clean diesel" in recent years was supposed to reduce NOx emissions as well, but the VW story shows that this wasn't always the case. Rejiggered testing in Europe may start as early next year, and results may be available as soon as late 2017, but the whole point may become moot if automakers cut back on making diesel vehicles. The French government is already talking about eliminating diesel-vehicle subsidies in the wake of the scandal. Still, while new-diesel vehicle prices may rise, used-diesel prices may be falling. US auction prices for VW diesel vehicles are already down about 13 percent. UK diesel-vehicle prices have also declined, just not as much. Related Videos: