2007 Volkswagen Passat 2.0t Wagon 4-door 2.0l on 2040-cars

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Audi investing $30.3 billion through 2018 for product expansion

How does Audi plan to reach two million units in annual sales and pay for the 11 new models it's adding to its lineup - an expansion that may include models named SQ2, Q9 and F-Tron? By increasing its investment to 22 billion euros ($30.3 billion US) between now and 2018. That figure represents an increase of about 500 million euros over the previously planned outlay, according to a report by Automotive News, and that could be due to Audi wishing to goad the momentum that pushed it to 1.5 million annual sales two years ahead of schedule.
It's also about staving off the challenges from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Now that BMW has been able to turn some of its attention away from its "i" series of Megacity cars, it will reportedly spend more than planned in 2014 as it continues the rollout of ten all-new vehicles and 15 new-generation vehicles through the end of next year. Mercedes, having been dropped to third in the sales race, is preparing to add 13 new cars over the next six years.
Audi's money is going into technology, into product like the next-generation TT and the Q1 and production expansions and upgrades all over the world. The expenditure represents just under a fourth of Volkswagen's 84.2 billion-euro ($115.7 US) outlay devoted to taking the number-one global automaker title away from General Motors and Toyota by 2018.

Volkswagen reveals Golf GTI Clubsport concept at Worthersee

The various brands under the Volkswagen Group umbrella are bringing a slew of hot hatch concepts to the GTI-Treffen in Worthersee, Austria, this week – but the gathering wouldn't be complete without a version of the headline Volkswagen Golf GTI. And here it is. Previewed with initial details and a trio of design sketches last week, VW has now released a proper array of images showing the GTI Clubsport concept. The enhanced GTI packs an upgraded version of the stock version's 2.0-liter turbo four with 261 horsepower on tap, favorably splitting the difference between the standard GTI with the Performance package and the more potent Golf R. An overboost function even kicks in an extra 10-percent more horsepower to bring peak output up to 287 hp – just a few horses shy of the R's 292, but driving only the front wheels. As you can see, the Clubsport concept also features a more aggressive aero kit as well as upgraded rolling stock with semi-slick rubber. Most, if not all, of these enhancements are earmarked to find their way onto a 40th anniversary edition GTI, but we're unlikely to see that model in US showrooms. World premiere of the Golf GTI Clubsport at Lake Worthersee - Exclusive anniversary model for 40th birthday of the GTI - Golf GTI Clubsport debuts with 265 PS and boost function Next year, the Golf GTI celebrates its 40th birthday. Volkswagen is marking this historic event with a progressive anniversary model: the new Golf GTI Clubsport. Volkswagen will be showcasing the Golf GTI Clubsport on 14th May as part of the legendary GTI meet at Lake Worthersee, when it will make its world premiere in the form of a near-production concept car. With a power output of 195 kW / 265 PS (35 PS more than the Golf GTI Performance) and top performance temporarily increased by around a further 10 per cent thanks to a boost function, the Golf GTI Clubsport is set to take off at the start of 2016 as the most powerful production 'GTI' yet. The anniversary model is being launched not only with an extremely powerful engine, but also with an individualised interior and exclusive bodywork details. The design modifications include a completely new front bumper, new side sills, a new and aerodynamically highly innovative roof-edge spoiler and a specially developed rear diffuser. All of these features were designed with the aim of further enhancing the GTI's performance and of thereby bringing form and function into perfect harmony.

Porsche tops JD Power APEAL study for 12th time

JD Power's 2016 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) study hasn't changed much this time around with Porsche coming in at No.1 for the 12th consecutive year, while BMW was close behind in second. Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz tied for third with Land Rover, Lexus, and Lincoln tied for No.5. The APEAL Study, according to JD Power, measures owners' level of excitement and emotional attachment across 77 parameters. Brands and cars are rated on a 1,000-point scale. The study found that new cars with modern safety features including low speed collision avoidance and blind spot monitoring have higher APEAL scores than vehicles without the features. The overall industry score increased from 798 to 801, which JD Power claims was helped by the launch of a variety of new vehicles. This year, 22 out of 30 new or redesigned cars received a higher score than the vehicle's respective segment average. Porsche is once again at the top of the list as the automaker's score increased by three points to 877. BMW outscored Jaguar to take second place with a score of 859, while the British automaker dropped three points from last year with 852 points. Volkswagen overtook Mini to become the top-ranked non-premium brand with 809 points, while the latter automaker trailed behind by one point. At the end of the scale, Smart came in at the very bottom for the second year in a row with a score of 745 points, which represents an increase of 62 points over last year. Fiat's score increased by six points to 755, but still confined the automaker to second-to-worst place for a consecutive year. Mitsubishi's score increased to 770, up from 755, to become the fourth-worst brand, while Jeep fell to third-worst with a decrease in seven points to 756. General Motors received six segment-level awards, followed by Hyundai with five, and BMW and VW earning four apiece. Surprise segment victories include the Chevrolet Camaro, which outscored the Dodge Challenger, and the Lexus RC which ranked above the BMW 4 and 3 Series. For more information on how the automakers ranked, check out the official release on the 2016 APEAL Study below or visit JD Power's website to analyze the graphs. Related Video: Porsche Ranks Highest in APEAL for 12th Consecutive Year; General Motors Receives Six Segment-Level Awards, Hyundai Motor Company Receives Five DETROIT: 27 July 2016 — Popular driver-assist technologies help make vehicles considerably more appealing to their owners, according to the J.D.