Plug in, Bug out: VW unveils E-Bugster concept car at the Detroit Auto Show

Posted on 10 January 2012 by

Volkswagen rolled into the Motor City with something a little different this year—think of it as a time machine in the guise of a car. Unveiled at the North American International Auto Show, it’s a little something we call the E-Bugster, and it’s the latest addition to our Blue-e-motion™ line of concept cars. While its design lines hearken back to the classic Beetle era, it takes a future-forward leap with an all-electric motor and pumped-up, speedster styling.

At the heart of the E-Bugster is a 114-horsepower (85 kW) electric motor and a lithium-ion battery that enables the car to go more than 100 miles with zero emissions. Stored under the trunk floor and the rear bench, the battery weighs a mere 695 pounds—pretty light, considering all the power it’s producing. The battery is recharged via a plug interface located beneath the hood’s VW logo and can accommodate all three types of available chargers: Level 1 (120V), Level 2 (240V) and, where available, Level 3 (quick charge; 80 percent charge in 30 minutes).

Up front, the E-Bugster boasts a distinctive flat, wide. The E-Bugster features the same “C”-shaped LED daytime running lights offered on the production Beetle, mirrored as reflectors in the rear bumper. The front end is arched and stretched, like a chopped-down speedster; it’s three inches shorter than the production Beetle.

A unique exterior look isn’t all that sets the E-Bugster apart from the production Beetle; a peek inside reveals other differences. Traditional gauges are for traditional vehicles, and the E-Bugster is anything but. It features EV-specific gauges, like an energy consumption display that fluctuates with vehicle acceleration, a driving range indicator and a display that shows the battery’s charge state. There’s even a display that shows the level of battery regeneration, important for long road trips.

We know you can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the first-ever electric Beetle, but we’re afraid you’ll have to. Concept cars like the E-Bugster and the award-winning Bulli offer a glimpse into the future of the automotive world, and besides, good things come to those who wait. Even though you can’t drive it now, you can see it at the Detroit Auto Show, located on the main stage of the Volkswagen booth And be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for live updates from the show.

Introducing the Jetta Hybrid: One part eco-friendly, one part high-tech, all parts awesome

Posted on 10 January 2012 by

The Volkswagen Jetta made a New Year’s resolution: to be even more fuel-efficient. And only nine days into 2012, it’s made good on that promise. The Jetta Hybrid was revealed at the North American International Auto Show today, and thanks to its all-new technology, it’s the most fuel-efficient Jetta in our lineup.

What’s New

The all-new Jetta Hybrid is powered by a high-tech turbocharged gasoline engine that is paired with a zero-emissions electric motor. While this marriage of smart and sensible enables impressive driving performance with a class-leading 0-60 mph time of less than 9.0 seconds, this new Jetta is also the world’s first hybrid to use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. What does that mean to you? It means the Jetta can deliver an estimated combined fuel economy figure of 45 mpg with no sacrifice in power. The fuel efficiency is a full 20 percent higher, and in city traffic, it climbs to a little over 30 percent.

The Jetta Hybrid can also be driven in pure electric mode at speeds of up to 44 mph and for up to 1.2 miles, depending on operating conditions. And for the first time in the U.S. market, we’re using our acclaimed 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline power plant, which weighs in at a mere 216 pounds. The slimmed-down four-cylinder engine produces 150 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque from just 1400 rpm. Now you can have a lead foot and still be environmentally friendly.

What’s Cool

The Jetta has always had a certain cool factor, but the Jetta Hybrid turns it up a few notches. It features a new take on regenerative braking: its clutch decouples the gasoline engine from the drivetrain when in pure electric drive or coasting modes to release more kinetic energy back into the battery. Because “decouples” is such a cool word, we’ll use it to describe another feature: when you step off the accelerator pedal at speeds of up to 84 mph, the TSI® engine shuts down and decouples from the drivetrain to eliminate driveline drag and the effects of the engine’s torque, resulting in even greater fuel efficiency. Want info on how fuel-efficient the Jetta Hybrid is? Get it with one glance at its all-new ePower meter. It also boasts a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery, and its Autobahn-proven technology makes it the fastest compact hybrid in its class. Now that’s cool.

Why It Matters

Think Blue is Volkswagen’s commitment to achieving sustainable mobility through technology and cars that don’t compromise performance. With its impressive fuel efficiency, turbocharged speed, innovative technology and standard safety equipment like Electronic Stability Control, anti-lock brakes and six airbags, the Jetta Hybrid embodies the Think Blue spirit of mobility that’s not only environmentally friendly, but fun.

For more information on the new Jetta Hybrid, check out our press release. The Jetta Hybrid launches in North America in late 2012, but you can see it now at the Detroit Auto Show. And be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for live updates from the show.

GLI stands for “Gotta Love It”: 10 things to love about the 2012 Jetta GLI

Posted on 05 January 2012 by

“Absolutely fantastic.” “Very quick.” “A lot of fun to drive.”  Judging from the responses to the all-new 2012 Jetta GLI, it looks like we’ve got a hit on our hands. But how is it different from the standard Jetta? Simple: we just added the letters “GLI.” Hold on—our designers and engineers are telling us that it took more than a few letters to create the sportiest, most performance-focused Jetta yet. In fact, they have a list of a few of the things that make the 2012 Jetta GLI the great car that it is.

1. The GLI has a sporty appearance. With new features like a flat-bottomed steering wheel, honeycomb front grille, vertical fog lights, smoked taillight lenses, and dual exhausts, the GLI is the sportiest-looking Jetta yet.

2. The GLI offers sporty performance. And you thought the GLI just looked fast. Go on—lift up the hood and take a peek at its award-winning 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, complete with 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque.

3. The GLI has the same XDS differential found in the GTI. The Volkswagen XDS™ (Cross Differential System) helps prevent inside wheel spin during cornering so you get better handling, faster acceleration, and more driving fun.

4. Not only is it sporty—it’s practical. Why keep all that driving fun to yourself? Thanks to its roomy interior, passengers can pile in the GLI and enjoy a comfortable (and thrilling) ride.

5. The GLI has an all-new interior. While they enjoy the ride, your passengers will also enjoy the stylish red stitching, brushed aluminum accents, and standard heated front seats.

6. The GLI features independent rear suspension. We’ve always been fans of independent thinking, even when it comes to a car’s suspension. This system allows each wheel to react independently to road conditions, ensuring a smooth ride.

7. You can choose between 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels. We know you love options, and you can’t go wrong with either of these wheel packages.

8. The GLI comes with our intelligent crash response system (ICRS). Because your safety is important to us, the ICRS steps in in the event of an airbag deployment and turns off the fuel pump, turns on the hazard lights, and unlocks all the doors.

9. You can add the Fender Premium audio system. The sound system is optional, but once you experience its nine speakers, 400 watts of power and crystal-clear sound, you’ll realize that it’s a must-have.

10. The GLI may cause reverse sticker shock. With an MSRP of only $23,495, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by just how affordable luxury performance can be.

Tell us: what’s your favorite thing about the 2012 GLI?

Best-in-class vowel-to-consonant ratio: 10 things to love about the Touareg

Posted on 05 January 2012 by

Ah, the majestic Volkswagen Touareg. Bold, beautiful, and born for adventure. What’s not to love? You already know that the Touareg gets you where you’re going in style and comfort, but here are a few more things you may not have known about it.

  1. It’s an IIHS Top Safety Pick. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s judges awarded the Touareg with their Top Safety Pick rating, the highest possible rating from the non-profit safety research organization.
  2. The Touareg TDI gets an estimated 28 miles per gallon. You already know that the Touareg can go anywhere—and now you know that it will burn less fuel getting there. The Touareg TDI also puts out an impressive 406 pound-feet of torque at 1,750 to 2,250 rpm while producing 225 horsepower at 3,500 to 4,000 rpm.
  3. It’s rugged, yet refined. Sure, the Touareg is ready to handle any terrain at any time, but with luxurious standard features like a multi-function steering wheel, heated rear reclining seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and leather seats, you’ll look (and feel) great, no matter where your Touareg takes you.
  4. It has an available Dynaudio® premium sound system. The 620-watt sound system with 10 premium speakers and DSP technology will make road noise practically disappear.
  5. The Touareg has a Hybrid option. That’s right: you can get a Touareg fully loaded with premium features and the world’s first supercharged hybrid engine.
  6. The REST button keeps you warm when it’s cold out. “Rest” is the German word for “residual,” and the REST button enables the Touareg’s residual heat function, which uses an electric pump to circulate engine coolant through the heat exchanger for a maximum of 30 minutes after the car is turned off.
  7. Available 4Motion all-wheel drive. With the special synchronized technology in 4MOTION, each wheel is always in motion and constantly working together.
  8. It can get you across two continents in record time. Earlier this year, Rainer Zietlow and his team set a new world record for driving the length of the Pan-American Highway, crossing through 14 countries and covering nearly 16,000 miles in a Touareg TDI in only 12 days. You may never need to drive that far, but if you do, the Touareg can handle it.
  9. It comes with a programmable key fob. The key fob can be programmed to do all sorts of things, like open and close the rear hatch and even start your engine remotely.
  10. The Touareg will leave the light on for you. The automatic vehicle illumination feature lights the way when you’re walking from the vehicle to your destination. You can even turn on the headlights from your key fob when you’re approaching the Touareg.

Tell us: what’s your favorite thing about the Touareg?