Thursday, January 27, 2011

Spy Shots: 2012 Volkswagen (new new) Beetle caught undisguised


Honestly Volkswagen? Why even bother with camo? If you're going to parade the 2012 Beetle out in the open – with it's chopped roofline and redesigned rump – is a little bit of paint-matching trim around the headlamps really worth the effort? And while we're at it, the bright silver paint isn't doing your clandestine efforts any favors, either.Unlike the shots our spies snagged late last year, this newest batch shows a near production-ready Beetle, complete with a reworked fascia, more deeply drawn headlamps and some attractive contouring around the greenhouse. The new chiseled sides, thickened C-pillar and higher hatch do their best to modernize an aging design, as will the underpinnings: all the good bits from the Golf VI platform combined with V-Dub's 2.5-liter inline-five in the base models and something turbocharged further up the food chain. Expect more details to surface over the next few months, with a possible debut at the Geneva Motor Show. - Autoblog

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Report: VW readying seven-passenger SUV

It looks like a few more details have shown up on the rumored addition to the Volkswagen SUV family. According to Auto Express, the newcomer will have its sights set dead on the American market and will boast seating for seven. It will also carry a slimmer price tag than the current Touareg, all of this courtesy of VW America guru Jonathan Browning.Auto Express is also reporting that the new crossover/SUV will most likely be built here in the U.S. at the company's Chattanooga, Tennessee manufacturing facility alongside the new Passat.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Rumormill: Subaru hybrid headed to U.S. in 2013


Subaru finally appears ready to enter the hybrid segment. Unsurprising considering the numerous rumors and reports that the Japanese automaker, which has strong ties with Toyota, aims to launch it first hybridized vehicle by the end of 2012. However, Subaru's tight-lipped approach prevents us from confirming what vehicle the automaker will use to introduce its hybrid to the world. Initial speculation puts the fuel-sipping technology into either the Legacy or Impreza platform. Regardless, Reuters claims that Subaru's hybrid is U.S.-bound.On the sidelines of this year's Detroit Auto Show, Reuters prodded Tom Doll, chief operating officer of Subaru of America, seeking insight into the automaker's hybrid plans. Doll stated, "We're going to need something at some point, even (only) to say we have it because that enhances our brand image in the market." Though Subaru has not officially confirmed the launch of a hybrid vehicle, Reuters reports that the fuel-sipping auto will be released in 2012 and maintains that the U.S. will witness the debut of the first Subaru hybrid model in 2013.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Subaru confirms 'Toyobaru' sports coupe for Geneva


While Toyota has been happy to supply the world with glimpses of and whispers about its version of the FT-86 sports coupe, Subaru has been suspiciously quiet about its planned version of the car. But it looks like that's about to change. The Pleiades has announced the vehicles that it plans to show off at this year's Geneva Motor Show in March, and tucked amongst the already-revealed Impreza Concept and the new Trezia econobox is word that the Subaru Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept will also make an appearance. The news answers the question of whether or not the Subaru end of the venture would boast the company's trademark all-wheel drive when it debuts. All signs point to no – at least in concept form.Other than the fact that the RWD Subaru will bow in Geneva, there's no indication as to what the car will look like or whether or not it will ever show up in American showrooms. We do know that the vehicle will boast a Subaru boxer four-cylinder under its hood, though it's unclear whether the engine will be a next-generation interpretation of the engine it currently markets or if Subaru will stick the old turbo lump out front. We'll probably find out soon enough.

BMW reportedly pondering building 3 and 5 Series models in U.S.


Automotive News Europe is reporting that BMW may be looking into expanding the number of models that the company manufactures here in the States. While the German automaker says that there are no solid plans on the table right now, it's possible that both the 3 Series and the 5 Series could join the X3, X5, and X6 on the production line at the BMW facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina (shown above). The move is being considered as the U.S. threatens to overtake Germany as the company's largest auto market. In 2010, the U.S. fell a mere 252 vehicles shy of taking the sales crown from Germany.BMW currently holds a 2.3-percent market share in the U.S. with 266,000 vehicles sold in America in 2010. With the U.S. economy in a slow but steady state of improvement, the company fully expects to eclipse that number in 2011. As a result, the Spartanburg facility will operate at its full capacity of 240,000 units this year. So far, it's unclear as to whether the company would eye building a new facility for the American-built 3 and 5 Series vehicles or if BMW would simply add on to its South Carolina plant.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

2012 Volkswagen Passat is German bred, Chattanooga born


As part of the Volkswagen quest to carve out an ever-larger slice of the American auto market, the German manufacturer has unveiled the newest addition to its lineup – the 2012 Passat. Penned specifically to cater to big-boned tastes of American buyers, the next-generation sedan wears a 110.4-inch wheelbase to make it larger than any of its predecessors. Even so, VW says that when the Passat goes on sale later this year, it will arrive with a price tag of less than $20,000. Buyers will be able to choose one of three different power train options, including two gasoline engines and one diesel powerplant.Things get started with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder gasoline engine with 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, followed by a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 140 ponies and 236 pound-feet of twist. Those who opt for the top-of-the-line mill will be rewarded with a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.The 2012 Passat will be built at the new VW manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee later this year.

Detroit 2011: 2012 BMW 650i Convertible goes topless in the Motor City


In addition to the scorched orange 1 Series M Coupe at the BMW booth in Detroit was the new 2012 BMW 650i Convertible. Under the sharply creased (and rather long) hood lies a 400-horsepower, twin-turbocharged, direct injected V8 that manages to shove out 450 pound-feet of torque between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm. All that grunt will be sent to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.BMW claims the new 6 Series Convertible can drop its flying-buttress-equipped fabric top in exactly 19 seconds an there's also a 10.2-inch screen to control the standard iDrive technology package. Not bad, but such niceties are to be expected when you are asked to pay a wallet-busting $91,375 for the privilege of owning one, which you'll be able to do sometime in the spring of 2011.

Kia renders next-gen Rio, confirms Geneva debut


Much like its sister company Hyundai, Kia is in the midst of a major product overhaul, spearheaded by the launches of the Soul, Forte, Sorento, Sportage and Optima all within the past few years. The next major up-do within the Kia line is the B-segment Rio, and Kia has just released these sketches of the new subcompact that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.Kia's new design language, brought forth by chief design officer Peter Schreyer, is very much present in this new Rio. Both the headlamp and front fascia design are reminiscent of what we see in the Sportage and Optima, and the rear taillights mimic the shape of what's found on the Forte. Combine that with a swept-back profile and a strong character line stemming from the front wheel and the end result is something that should wind up being quite handsome in production form.

Kia Optima wins Cars.com 'Best of 2011' award


We're big fans of the swoopy new 2011 Kia Optima – in fact, some of us here at Autoblog even prefer the Kia sedan to its Hyundai Sonata cousin. Apparently we aren't the only ones who think highly of this fiercely competitive mid-sizer, as Cars.com has just honored the Optima with its 'Best of 2011' award.The editors of Cars.com cited the Optima's outstanding fuel economy and excellent driving experience. Specifically:

"With its value, sharp packaging, outstanding fuel efficiency and lofty features, the Optima gives all family-car shoppers a shot at something far more compelling than the segment represents."

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Volkswagen confirms NMS for Detroit Auto Show


A sheet-covered form on Volkswagen's consumer website is all the confirmation we need – VW's long-awaited New Midsize Sedan (NMS) is on its way to the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. While we don't know what the model's official name will be, we expect for it to be longer, wider, and less costly than the Euro-market Passat, and it'll be built in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Even though it will be exported, the NMS has been designed with the U.S. as its top priority. We'll have more details early next week as the show opens.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Officially Official: Volkswagen Golf R headed to U.S. for 2012


It's been a couple of years since Volkswagen's heavyweight hot hatch, the R32, graced America's shores, but now we have official word of a successor. Tuned by the in-house R team at Volkswagen, the Golf R should be a good bit more exciting than its already entertaining forebear, and hopefully, it will shave a few pounds off, too. Unlike the R32, which was powered by VW's popular VR6, the new model will be powered by Volkswagen's ubiquitous turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. And while Volkswagen isn't quoting power output for the new U.S. model, the European version currently on sale conjures up 270 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. All of that gumption will be routed through VW's fourth generation Haldex 4Motion all-wheel drive system, which means the VW should once again be a good foil for cars like the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart. Along with the power increase, VW is promising bigger brakes, an uprated suspension, 18-inch wheels, center-exit dual exhaust and a more liberally tuned ESP. Perhaps most interestingly, the Golf R will be available in both two and four doors and be paired exclusively with a manual transmission. That's right, we said it. Although the press release after the jump doesn't mention when it will debut (our money's on Detroit), additional R accoutrements include model-specific aero bits and badging, along with upgrated trim and a new steering wheel, shift knob, and so on.In other words, it's time to get excited.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Next Toyota Highlander to form basis for new Subaru Tribeca?


From the sound of things, Subaru and Toyota are getting cozier than ever. According to Motor Trend, the two companies are currently exploring ways to integrate platforms, and the fruit of that exploration may very well be the next Tribeca. MT is reporting that engineers are currently looking for ways to base the next-generation Subaru crossover on the bones of the Toyota Highlander. Both models are slated for replacement in 2014, and there's some indication that the two vehicles will share more than a few bolts when they debut.According to MT, the project isn't without hiccups, however. As with the FT-86, both companies need to find a way to work around the Subaru 3.6-liter flat-six found in the nose of the current Tribeca. MT points out that the FT-86 avoided this issue by simply using the Subaru engine in the Toyota variant of the sports coupe, though at this point it's unclear how the Tribeca/Highlander will overcome that particular hurdle. In addition, the crossover platform will also need room for the Highlander hybrid model's battery packs, which may mean that Subaru will jump into the gas-electric game as well. -Autoblog